‘We all waited for about 6 hours before we got a room’: D Gukesh explains why Arjun Erigaisi lost in first round of Chess Olympiad

D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi NEW DELHI: World champion D Gukesh offered some context to Arjun Erigaisi’s shock defeat in the opening round of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, saying the Indian players endured a hectic start to the tournament, waiting for hours to get into the room.Arjun, India’s second-ranked player, suffered a surprise defeat against Thai international champion Prin Laohawirapapa on Board 1 with a rating of 2363. The 23-year-old, playing with white pieces, was in a winning position at various stages but eventually faltered in the endgame.Gukesh said the team’s difficult arrival and accommodation problems affected the players.“Arjun’s first match was very unlucky, but it’s also worth noting that we had very hectic travel and then there were some organizational problems on the first day,” Gukesh told FIDE after his 3rd round win over Italy’s Sabine Brunello.“So Arjun probably got a room a few hours before he left. I mean we all waited six hours to get a room. So Arjun in the first round was obviously just tired and ended up making a mistake.”The world champion added that the situation has improved since the opening day and the players are now better rested.“The first day was a bit difficult for all of us, but after that I think we are all rested. We are all looking forward to the matches and all the best,” he said.Gukesh was also asked about India’s decision to place him on deck 4, rather than the top board. He said the team’s priority was to pick the order that gave India the best chance of winning the tournament.“I think it’s pretty clear that Pragg and Arjun were in really good shape. The ratings also say the same,” Gukesh said. “It was my idea and also the whole team, we all thought the same thing that this is the order that gives us the best chance to win the tournament.”ALSO READ: Chess Olympiad Round 3: Koneru Humpy takes down ‘Greek Goddess’ Tsolakida; Gukesh back above 2700The 20-year-old said he has no problem playing on Deck 4 despite being the reigning world champion, stressing that the team’s interests come first.“If the team needs it, I would even rest all the matches. So I think here we are playing for India and there is no player bigger than this country. I am happy to do anything for the team to do well,” he said.Still undefeated in both sections, India will face Spain in the open section, while the Indian women’s team will take on Mongolia in the 4th round on Saturday.

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