Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Samarkand will host the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad from 16 to 27 September, with a record 400 national teams set to compete in the largest edition of the tournament by number of participants. The open event will feature 208 teams, while 192 teams will compete in the women's event, FIDE said.
For centuries, Samarkand served as one of the key crossroads of civilizations along the ancient Silk Road. The city will now once again host an international gathering, this time bringing together representatives of chess federations from around the world.
The new record will surpass the previous mark set at the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest, which featured 380 teams. Players, arbiters, coaches and team captains have already begun arriving in Samarkand, with most participants expected in the coming days.
Guests and athletes will be transported using modern means of transport, including the Afrosiyob high-speed train, which can reach speeds of up to 210 km per hour. Organizers have also prepared a dedicated bus for participants.
The main focus will be on the race for gold in the open tournament. India will arrive as defending champion after its historic victory in Budapest. The United States, China, Germany and other leading chess nations will also compete for the title.
India's team captain, grandmaster Shrinath Narayanan, previously said that defending the Olympic title would be a difficult task. He nevertheless emphasized the continuity of the squad, the players' experience and the depth of the Indian team across all boards.
Particular attention will be paid to Uzbekistan's team. The hosts made a surprise victory at the 2022 Olympiad and have since established themselves among the leading chess powers of a new generation.
In the women's tournament, India will also defend the title it won in 2024. It will face competition from federations that have been actively developing chess in recent years and are aiming for high finishes.
The team format consists of 11 rounds, meaning victory will require not only individual skill but also consistency throughout the competition. Captains will have to make strategic decisions before each match, balancing the need to play for a win against the possibility of securing a reliable result.
The 46th Chess Olympiad will form part of Samarkand's broader chess program. The city is already hosting the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, which has set a participation record by bringing together 41 teams of chess players with visual, hearing and physical disabilities.
The Olympiad will also include the FIDE Congress and elections. The international chess community will discuss the future development of the sport. A FIDE Summit on Chess in Education is scheduled for 24 September, bringing together representatives of the education sector, public policy authorities and the research community. The event is being held as part of FIDE's declared 2026 Year of Chess in Education.
A team captains' meeting will take place on 15 September at the Tashkent Ballroom of the Hilton Samarkand Regency Hotel.
Meanwhile, India held a traditional ceremony to pass on the Olympic torch. FIDE Acting President and grandmaster Viswanathan Anand and All India Chess Federation President Nitin Narang handed the torch to grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov, who will deliver it to Samarkand.
