The video captures a post‑match interview after Thailand’s board‑one player Prin Laohiwirapap secured a surprise win over India’s Arjun Erigaisi at the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. Prin describes his emotional high, recounts the critical moments of the game—including time pressure, a pivotal queen move, and a missed rook capture—while acknowledging a mix of luck and tactical awareness. He reflects on managing nerves, the significance of the victory for his career, and his hopes for the remaining rounds. Coach Oleksandr Suleipa discusses the team’s preparation, the balance between successes and errors, and his broader coaching philosophy emphasizing focus over results. He also shares his experience coaching in Ukraine and Poland, noting cultural differences in chess development and the challenges of guiding a smaller, less‑professional Thai squad. Additional commentary from a team member highlights Thailand’s qualification journey, the emergence of International Master Brent, and the team’s aspiration to surprise stronger nations. Overall, the interview blends personal excitement, tactical insight, and strategic outlook for Thailand’s Olympiad campaign.
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Eu possivelmente consigo entrar aqui porque...
Não. I'm joined here by Prin. Prin, how does it feel to beat Arjun Regasi?
I'm super happy. It's a really good moment for me.
Can you just take us through the final moments of this game? You know, Arjun had a good position and then just this drastic blunder. Like, what happened?
Okay, I don't know. I think I was. I think I should be just lost after like time trouble. I, I think he. I don't know if he missed rook takes e four or or something. I'm not sure. But okay, I think he he wanted to. I kind of got a bit lucky because he wanted to win so much. I mean, he played this after rook takes e four. I think he could have taken on like knight takes e four, queen takes e four, and I think I'll get perpetual at some point. I think it's. Pretty— it should be safe for him. But sorry, I mean like Rook e4, Rook d3 first, and then Knight takes e4 there. And then at the end, I— he played, he played Queen g7, um, after I played— after I took on f3 and played Queen e1.
Yeah.
I'm not sure, but I think Queen f4 might be— Queen f4 might be holding because I go Rook e4 and then he, he plays Rook f1. It looks, looks like it might be holding. Queen c3, Rook f3 back, I thought.
But what was your reaction? Like, what was going on in your mind after this queen g7 move?
I thought, yeah, I thought maybe, maybe I might, might win this. And yeah, I mean, he obviously saw some tricks, yeah, that I can't— yeah, that the rook is like after— okay, I think I played queen d1, which probably wins. I mean, his trick was queen g2, king h5, and yeah, the queen is hanging, so I can't really take on f4.
But yeah, that's fantastic. And how do you feel about this big result? I'm sure this is the biggest result of your life.
Yes, for sure.
Yes. And, uh, like, how do you feel coming with Team Thailand and starting with this, like, like, like on such a good note?
Yeah, I mean, it's a great way to start a tournament. I mean, hopefully I'll play, you know, at least play somewhat decently in the next rounds.
Is this your first Olympia?
I've played My first Olympia was in— wait, I think it was in Chennai, 2022.
So this is your third Olympia?
Yeah, yeah, it's my third Olympia.
That's really fantastic. And how was the team atmosphere? Like, we just spoke with your coach, Oleksandr Suleipa. How is the team and what are your expectations out of this year for the team in Thailand?
I mean, we don't feel very pressured, just happy to be here and get to play against strong players. Just want to do our best.
That's amazing to hear.
How did you manage your nerves when you know you are going to win? I didn't quite manage. I was really nervous. Yeah, I mean, I just try to calm myself down and try to calculate.
Yes, that's fantastic to hear. Thank you, thank you so much, Trent, for your time. Uh, best wishes for all the remaining games and congratulations.
Thank you so much.
Thank you. Alexander, you are the coach of Team Thailand and today Thailand played India. Uh, how was this match for you and like how did you—
We prepared a little bit Something doing well, something wrong. But I think it was okay. Got complicated matches. And of course, I for me, if we take half of point, I'm not you know it's Thailand this small team. It will be good. You know it was it was great. But some in some position, Arigaisi okay, Arigaisi has extra pawn at plate our player and he missed some some winning chances. I I saw this. I think Rook G seven. Means not so complicated, but he missed some chances and after this become a complication and he don't want to draw. Just it was draw, I saw the draw, but trying to win and blundered rook. It's happened, you know, even with top players. But I hope, I hope really, I bet that the Indian team will win this Olympiad, okay? Just not to say just no Indian, but I bet this. I say my player, you see.
But that's amazing. But in general, how happy are you with Prince? This result, I'm sure it's like a big win for the team, right?
No, yeah, yeah, of course we are happy. We try to do the best. I, I train, I try, I explain them that against top play, top, uh, top teams, uh, they just focus on the game. What's not taken? No, no, no, no, no emotion. You are a man, so you take your game, you go inside, you try to find the move, not beating in your position, you know, try to defend your position, playing, defend position. It's okay, but I try to do professionally with them.
It's amazing.
Maybe it's working, you know, this time. I know, we'll see.
But how has your experience been working with the Thai players? You know, they're such a top teams.
I, I work with Ukraine for 12 years.
Yeah, yeah.
It was Baku, and second place was best achievement. Yeah, of course. And also with Poland men team, of course it's like vacation, I can say, okay, I will not say this, but it's more easy, of course, but something more easy, something more difficult, because you need to explain some basic things sometimes, you know, because it's not professional, it's not like in other countries, like here or Uzbekistan, but even in Europe now chess is very highly popular, in Poland even, I live in Poland now, स्काईली पॉपुलर जस्ट इन एवरी स्कूल्स हैं ना यस इन फर्स्ट थ्री क्लासेस। Did you give any specific advice before playing the defending champions?
For who? For for the your team. Yeah.
No, I said I said first of all first focus on the game. You know the result doesn't matter because you are number hundred five. Come on.
Yeah.
Usually you know usually my task was fighting for the medals but here we fight for a good place. So So we try, you know, to focus in the game to improve our play every every every match, I think. And I hope we will we will produce some surprises also.
Thank you, thank you so much, Alexander, for your time and best wishes for the team.
Yes, thank you very much. Also best wishes for the Indian team.
Thank you. Congratulations, you know, a big win for Thailand today as in board one. Prane defeated Arjun. How are you feeling?
Wow, it's feeling very great. Because I mean, we play against the Indian and Indian is our role model, you know. And India is good in in any perspective of the game. And we see I was keep them about we about the target. It only half point, but we get one point. So this is far than what we thinking. And we on the board one, we we have a chance to you know. to get the point from there. We are the flying cup of you both, but we are very, very great. And this have to be thank you for the hard work for the team and for the way we fight for every moment. Thank you for let me play chess, and it's very good.
Wow, that's amazing. And how has your experience been with the Thailand team, you know, coming to Uzbekistan? Playing the Olympiad, I think it's a young team. You know lots of young talented players. So how is all that?
Well, in order to come to here the qualify, we have many qualify to coming. So they are really really get to get through the qualify and Brent is only the only one international master in Thailand. So he is so he over talent and we hope he he will get. Grandmaster soon, and and this is proof he can fight with Grandmaster. Okay, hi, thank you. Thank you, guys. Thank you.
