Why a World Champion might choose to play on the fourth board
In short: In high-stakes chess, individual glory often takes a backseat to collective strategy. At the 46th Chess Olympiad, India's reigning World Champion, Gukesh Dommaraju, opted to play on board four instead of the top board. It was a calculated move designed to maximize the team's chances of winning the gold.
The 46th Chess Olympiad, held in Uzbekistan from September 16 to 27, 2026, showcased a record-breaking field of 206 teams and 1,024 players. While the event featured elite talent—including eight of the top ten FIDE-rated players—the absence of Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura shifted the competitive landscape. Uzbekistan, the host nation, emerged as the victors, securing their second gold medal in the tournament's history.
The tournament utilized a Swiss system format where teams faced off on four boards simultaneously. Match points were awarded based on round results: two points for a win and one for a draw. This structure creates a unique pressure where a team's overall success depends on the synergy of all four boards. For the Indian squad, this meant making difficult decisions about player placement. Despite being the reigning World Champion, Gukesh Dommaraju chose to play on board four, a position typically reserved for lower-ranked players.
Gukesh explained that this decision was a collaborative team strategy. He observed that R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi possessed superior readiness for the primary boards. By prioritizing the team's collective strength over his own individual ranking, Gukesh demonstrated a 'country first' mentality. This strategic depth was evident throughout the event, from Uzbekistan's host-nation dominance to the United States' tactical use of a reserve player, Awonder Liang, to navigate a grueling 11-round schedule.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Open event at the 46th Chess Olympiad
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