Nihal Sarin reflects on Chess Olympiad loss to Uzbekistan in Samarkand

Nihal Sarin, 22, looked back on India's loss to Uzbekistan at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand in an exclusive TimesofIndia.com interview published on October 2, 2026.

The interview is the third instalment in TimesofIndia.com's series revisiting India's medal-winning campaigns at the Samarkand Olympiad, following conversations with the open and women's team captains.

In the exclusive interaction, Sarin — who clinched a silver medal with the open team — discussed the painful loss to eventual champions Uzbekistan, a miss he made, and the memories he takes away from the Olympiad.