Full Breakdown
Uzbekistan Claims Second Open Gold at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand
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The Victory and Its Numbers
Uzbekistan secured the Open title at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand, finishing with 20 match points out of a possible 22. India took silver with 18 points (winning the tiebreak over Germany, which earned bronze). The host team’s five players—Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Nodirbek Yakubboev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov, and Mukhiddin Madaminov—were each awarded a $200,000 prize under Presidential Resolution PP-346 adopted on September 21, 2026. Coach Rustam Kasimdzhanov received an additional $50,000. Abdusattorov also captured the individual gold on board 1 with a performance rating of 2869.
Background & Context
This triumph follows Uzbekistan’s first Olympiad gold in the Open section at Chennai in 2022 and a bronze in Budapest in 2024. The event featured a record ?400 teams (208 in the Open, 192 in Women’s) and marked the first Olympiad after the International Chess Federation (FIDE) banned Russian teams for three editions due to the Ukraine invasion.
Timeline of Key Moments
- September 15, 2026 – Opening ceremony.
- September 16 – 27, 2026 – 11-round competition.
- September 21, 2026 – Adoption of PP-346, establishing the $200,000 player reward.
- September 26, 2026 – Election of Timur Turlov as FIDE president at the General Assembly.
- September 27, 2026 – Final round: Uzbekistan defeats Ukraine 2.5-1.5 to clinch gold.
Data & Statistics
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Open team match points | 20 (Uzbekistan) |
| India & Germany | 18 each (India silver on tiebreak) |
| Individual board-1 gold | Nodirbek Abdusattorov (rating 2869) |
| Prize money per player | $200,000 (PP-346) |
| Coach prize | $50,000 (Rustam Kasimdzhanov) |
| Total teams (Open) | 208 (record) |
| Total teams (Women’s) | 192 (record) |
Official Statements & Responses
- Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov described the win as “different” because it was achieved on home soil, adding that the team “played at the highest level.”
- Former world champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov emphasized national support, noting that “the most important thing is how much attention is being paid to chess in our country” and that “such unity does not exist in every team. We are together, we are friends, and that helps us.”
- New FIDE president Timur Turlov highlighted the tournament’s role in popularising chess, stating that “the interest in the game is definitely rising year over year.”
Why It Matters
The victory reinforces Uzbekistan’s emergence as a leading chess nation and validates recent government investment in the sport. The substantial monetary awards signal a new era of state-backed incentives for elite players. Simultaneously, Turlov’s election as the youngest FIDE president underscores a shift toward younger leadership within international chess governance, which he links to growing global interest.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think we can now confidently say that Uzbekistan is unrivalled in the world of chess,” — Nodirbek Abdusattorov
- “The interest in the game is definitely rising year over year,” — Hou. Meanwhile Timur Turlov, FIDE president
- “The most important thing is how much attention is being paid to chess in our country,” — Rustam Kasimdzhanov, for the coach
- “Such unity does not exist in every team. We are together, we are friends, and that helps us.” — Preparations