New Delhi, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra has praised reigning World Chess Champion Gukesh D for his decision to play on Board 4 for India at the ongoing Chess Olympiad, calling the 20-year-old an “officer and a gentleman”.
Gukesh was placed on the fourth board for the tournament, with R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin taking the top three boards.
Hailing Gukesh’s team-first approach, Mahindra wrote on X, “If you want a masterclass in what it means to be a true team player, this is it. Gukesh, you are an officer and a gentleman.”
“You embody what I hope will come to be seen as quintessential Indian virtues: Humility always, aggression when needed,” he added while sharing a video of Gukesh’s interview.
In the video, Gukesh explained that he had himself decided to move down the board order, with Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi in strong form. He said the decision was made collectively by the team to maximise India’s chances in the tournament.
“I mean, it’s pretty clear that Pragg and Arjun have been in really good shape. Also, the ratings say the same. And yeah, it was my idea. And the whole team, we all thought the same — that this is the order that gives us the best chance of winning the tournament,” Gukesh said, as quoted by FIDE.
Gukesh also dismissed any concern over a reigning world champion playing on the fourth board, stressing that the team and the country came before individual stature.
“About the look of the world champion playing on board four, I think, if the team needs it, I would even rest all the games. We are here playing for India, and there’s no player bigger than the country. So I’m just happy to do whatever it takes for the team to do well,” he said.
Gukesh briefly dropped below the 2700 mark in the live classical rankings for the first time in four years after drawing against Indonesia’s Satria Duta Cahaya in Round 2. However, he said he did not view the result as a disappointment.
“I wouldn’t really consider yesterday a disappointment, because it was just a very good game by both sides, I think. And my opponent defended well, so sometimes you can’t do anything,” he said.
He subsequently moved back above 2700 after defeating Italy’s Sabino Brunello.
India have won all their ties in the Open section, although the team faced an early setback when Erigaisi lost his opening-round game.
Gukesh attributed Erigaisi’s difficult start partly to a hectic schedule and organisational issues at the venue.
“I think it’s worth mentioning that we had a very hectic travel, and then the first day, there were some organisation issues. So Arjun got a room probably a few hours before the event. We all waited for like six hours to get a room. So obviously, in the first round, Arjun was just tired, and he blundered in the end,” Gukesh said.
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