Giant Killers in Samarkand:  at the 46th Chess Olympiad

1. Underdog Story of Samarkand 2026

The 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand is reaching the end and the big story to me is the Indonesia’s Women’s team which stated modest #35 seeds but they have posted a string of upsets against top-tier grandmaster opposition, catapulting themselves into the world’s elite top 10 with an astonishing #9 ranking. I first noticed the team all of whose members took part in the 21st Malaysian Chess Festival : SMS Deen Rapid Team tourney some weeks back. The girls actually beat one of the Men's team helmed by GM Priasmoro Novendra. All of them are in the winner's picture here except for WIM Chelsie Monica.

2. Round 9 Upset: Indonesia Stuns 10th-Seeded Germany (2.5 - 1.5)

Indonesia’s defining masterclass occurred in Round 9 against 10th-seeded Germany. Helmed by team captain Lisa Karlina Lumondong, the Indonesian strategy relied on sharp board-management discipline to outmaneuver the formidable squad coached by German captain Zahar Efimenko. Facing a team boasting established Grandmaster and International Master talents, Indonesia orchestrated a calculated 2.5 - 1.5 victory.

3. Tournament Performance by the Numbers (Through Round 9)

Indonesia's statistical profile reflects exceptional efficiency and performance density under the Swiss scoring system:

• Current Rank: #9 globally (surging 26 spots from initial Seed #35).
• Overall Record: 7 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses across 9 rounds.
• Match Points (TB1): 14 Match Points.
• Game Points (TB3): 24.5 cumulative board points.
• Sonneborn-Berger Tie-Break (TB2): 219.5 points.

Let's compare 

After Round 9, the top tier of the standings is heavily dominated by Asian federations:

• China (Seed #4): Ranked #1 (17 Match Points)
• India (Seed #1): Ranked #2 (15 Match Points)
• Kazakhstan (Seed #3): Ranked #3 (15 Match Points)
• Mongolia (Seed #15): Ranked #4 (15 Match Points)
• Vietnam (Seed #21): Ranked #8 (14 Match Points)
• Indonesia (Seed #35): Ranked #9 (14 Match Points)

4. Round 10 Preview: High-Stakes Clash Against Vietnam

Round 10 sets the stage for a high-stakes Southeast Asian derby as 9th-ranked Indonesia (14 MP, 24.5 GP) faces 8th-ranked Vietnam (14 MP, 25 GP, initial seed #21). Both teams enter the match deadlocked in match points, making this regional showdown a direct quarterfinal-level clash for potential Olympic medal contention.

Vietnam, managed by captain Vinh Bui (made me lose a RM 100  bet to Shin Azwan), comes into Round 10 with tremendous momentum after dismantling 11th-seeded Bulgaria 3.5 - 0.5 in Round 9. Vietnam showed lethal depth across their lower boards, securing full wins from WGM Vo Thi Kim Phung, WIM Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong, and WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung, while IM Pham Le Thao Nguyen held the top board against IM Nurgyul Salimova.

To overcome Vietnam, Captain Lumondong’s squad will once again need to rely on their board-management discipline—stifling Vietnam’s aggressive middle boards while seeking decisive counter-punches.