Russia’s Novokuznetsk hosts the Intellect Academy Cup 2026 International Chess Tournament.

The Uzbekistan national team, consisting of Oriyat Obidjonov, Lazizbek Shavkatov, Madinabonu Asadova, Bakhodir Erkinov, and Jakhongir Nasimov, achieved high results at the tournament, which is attended by 41 teams from 20 countries.

In the first round, Uzbekistan’s chess players beat Buryatia 11:2; in the second – Bulgaria 11.5:1.5; in the third – Belarus 7:6; and in the fourth – Mongolia 8.5:4.5.

In the fifth round, the Uzbekistan national team was stronger than the standings’ leader, the national team of Kazakhstan (8.5:4.5). In the sixth round, Uzbekistan’s athletes defeated Russia’s Intellect Academy-1 with a score of 7:6, and in the seventh round, over the chess players of Tajikistan with a score of 7:1.

Following the results of the seven rounds, Kazakhstan leads with 65 points. The Uzbekistan national team ranked second with 60.5 points. Belarus closes the top three with 59 points.

 The tournament will run until February 22.

T.Ruziyev, UzA