2026 Chess Olympiad Round 5: Indian Men Beat Netherlands 3.0-1.0, Women Stumble, and Uzbekistan Looms

The 2026 Chess Olympiad took a sharp turn after round 5. The Indian women’s team lost their perfect run against Poland, while the men’s team beat Netherlands 3.0-1.0 to stay perfect and set up a crucial clash against Uzbekistan. R Praggnanandhaa defeated Anish Giri on board one, his first win of the event, after declining a draw in an equal position. Gukesh beat Erwin L’Ami to move to 4.5/5 from the last board. Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin drew their games against Jorden Van Foreest and Loek Van Wely respectively. Germany beat top-seeded USA, with Frederik Svane beating Hans Niemann in the decisive game. Germany, India and Uzbekistan now lead the men’s standings with 10 match points. In round six, India face Uzbekistan, the host team led by Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. That result will likely shape the gold medal race. India’s decision to play world champion D Gukesh on board four remains a contrarian but effective strategy. Praggnanandhaa said draws were generally fine, but he had pushed in all three earlier games and that team success matters most. The Indian women’s defeat against Poland means both Indian teams now face different kinds of pressure in the next rounds.