Uzbekistan wins the 46th Chess Olympiad

The closing ceremony of the 46th Chess Olympiad, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), took place at the Eternal City complex of the Samarkand International Tourism Center. 

The chess events in Samarkand have now concluded. It began on September 10 with the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities and continued with the Chess Olympiad and the FIDE Congress. 

All of the events set FIDE records for the number of participants and teams, further elevating the stature of the Samarkand Chess Olympiad. 

For the first time in the International Chess Federation’s history, the Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities was held at the same time and venue as the Chess Olympiad. It brought together 41 teams from 36 countries and 164 leading chess players. Of particular significance to Uzbekistan, the country’s representatives demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination, winning bronze medals at the Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities for the first time.

At the General Assembly of the FIDE Congress in Samarkand, Kazakhstan’s Timur Turlov was elected President of the International Chess Federation. At 38, he became FIDE’s eighth president and the youngest person to lead the organization.

The 46th Chess Olympiad, which officially opened on September 15, brought together 394 teams from more than 200 countries – 205 in the Open section and 189 in the women’s competition – making it the largest Chess Olympiad in FIDE history. Over 11 rounds, the participating teams showcased their skills and potential.

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The closing ceremony began with the presentation of awards to winners across various FIDE categories. Teams were recognized for their performance in the competitions, rating categories, and notable achievements.

In particular, members of Uzbekistan’s second women’s team won bronze medals in Category B. In the Uzbekistan-1 Open team, Nodirbek Yakubboyev won silver on Board 3, Javokhir Sindarov won bronze on Board 2, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov won gold on Board 1.

Special FIDE awards were also presented to the winners of the Best Female Player and Best Male Player categories. Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov was named Best Male Player.

Newly elected FIDE President Timur Turlov was then invited to the stage, where he formally presented the championship trophy and medals to the winners of the women’s competition at the 46th Chess Olympiad.

In the women’s competition, India won the bronze medal (third place), Kazakhstan won the silver medal (second place), and China claimed first place, receiving the gold medal and the Vera Menchik Cup.

The national anthem of the People’s Republic of China was played in honor of the champion team.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation Abdulla Aripov was invited to the stage to present the awards to the winners of the Open section of the 46th Chess Olympiad.

Germany received the bronze medals, while India received the silver medals.

Finally, the gold medals from the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad and the Hamilton-Russell Cup were presented to the members of the Uzbekistan team.

The State Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was played in honor of the champion team.

At the Chess Olympiad hosted by Uzbekistan, the country was represented by three teams in each of the Open and women’s sections. Uzbekistan-1, comprising the country’s skilled and talented players Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Yakubboyev, Mukhiddin Madaminov and Shamsiddin Vokhidov, scored 20 points to become the 2026 Chess Olympiad champion. With this triumph, the Uzbek players once again demonstrated to the world that their gold medal at the 2022 Chennai Olympiad and bronze medal in Budapest in 2024 were no coincidence, while also highlighting Uzbekistan’s rapid chess development and the strong intellectual potential of the country’s athletes.

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a congratulatory message to the members of the national chess team, highlighting the exceptional talent and skill of each player.

The congratulatory message reads: “You are the heroes of New Uzbekistan, a golden generation that has made history in the world of chess. Our entire nation takes immense pride in you”.

At these prestigious competitions, you have shown that you are worthy heirs of our great ancestors Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Ahmad al-Fergani, Beruni, Ibn Sina, Amir Temur, Mirzo Ulugbek, and Alisher Navoi, outstanding figures renowned for their intellect and scholarship.

The President also praised the resilience of Uzbekistan’s other teams and described the bronze medals won by the country’s courageous para chess players as a major achievement. He emphasized that Uzbekistan’s chess players are seen by the people of Uzbekistan as knowledgeable, strong-willed young representatives of New Uzbekistan capable of achieving great success.

Thus, the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad hosted by Samarkand was historic not only for the remarkable triumph of Uzbekistan’s chess players but also for the Uzbekistan Chess Federation being named FIDE’s Best Federation of 2026, for experienced coach and grandmaster Rustam Kasimdzhanov being elected an Honorary Vice President of FIDE, and for Hulkar Tohirjonova being elected FIDE Regional President for Central Asia.

The ceremony also featured a major concert program performed by renowned Uzbek artists and young performers.

At the event’s conclusion, the FIDE Chess Olympiad flag was ceremonially handed over to officials from the United Arab Emirates, host of the 47th Chess Olympiad in Abu Dhabi in 2028.

The FIDE anthem was played, and before officially declaring the 46th Chess Olympiad closed, FIDE President Timur Turlov expressed gratitude to the President and Government of Uzbekistan for the high standard of the chess events held in Samarkand and presented the Uzbekistan Chess Federation with FIDE’s Medal of Merit. He noted that the prestigious event, held in Central Asia and Uzbekistan for the first time in FIDE’s nearly century-long history, was significant for several distinctive features.

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Golib Hasanov, photos by Alimurod Mamadaminov, Alisher Isroilov, UzA