India defeated Thailand 3-1 in the opening round of the FIDE Chess Olympiad, but the win was overshadowed by a shock loss for one of its top players, according to Chess.com.
Arjun Erigaisi, India's number-two ranked player, was beaten by a Thai international master. The result was reported as an upset by Chess.com and described as a shock loss by ESPN India, The Hindu and The New Indian Express.
D Gukesh won his game in the same match, and India's 3-1 margin over Thailand carried the team to victory in the first round. The Indian women's team had a simpler day, sweeping the Dominican Republic, according to ESPN India. The Hindu also reported that the women's side had an easy outing.
The Olympiad is a team event in which each match is decided across several boards, so a single defeat does not determine the outcome. India's men still took the match despite Erigaisi's result, and Gukesh's win helped secure the points needed.
Coverage of the round focused on the contrast between the team result and the individual setback. Chess.com framed the day around the Thai player's win over a higher-rated opponent, while Indian outlets led with the team's victory and the surprise on one board.
India entered the event among the favorites, and the opening round produced both a win and an early warning about the depth of the field. The women's team, meanwhile, dropped no games against the Dominican Republic.
Next up, India's men will look to steady their lineup in the following rounds, with attention on how Erigaisi responds after the loss.