The first moves have been played at the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, with 41 teams beginning their campaigns in Samarkand.
Following Thursday’s opening ceremony, Round 1 brought the focus to the chessboards. Most of the favourites started confidently, but the opening day also produced some early surprises. Beyond the results, conversations with players from around the world highlighted what lies at the heart of the event: inclusion, equality, friendship and a shared love of chess.
The ceremonial first move was made by Akaki Iashvili, FIDE Special Tasks Director and FIDE Technical Delegate of the Olympiad for People with Disabilities, and Komil Sindarov, Vice President of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, on Board 1 of the Poland – Mongolia match.
The encounter proved to be one of the closest of the opening round. Poland won on the top two boards, while Mongolia struck back on Boards 3 and 4 to secure a 2–2 draw.
Favourites start strongly, but surprises come early
Most of the higher-rated teams successfully navigated their opening matches. Cuba defeated IPCA 3½–½, Israel overcame Bangladesh by the same score, while Germany, USA, Ukraine and Hungary all began with perfect 4–0 victories.
The Philippines made an impressive start with a 3½–½ victory over Brazil. Argentina defeated Egypt 3–1, the Czech Republic beat Belarus 3–1, India overcame Uzbekistan 2 by the same score, Serbia defeated Vietnam 3–1, Switzerland beat Zimbabwe 3–1, Kazakhstan defeated ICCD 3–1, and Spain recorded a 3½–½ victory over China.
Uzbekistan 1 gave the home supporters plenty to celebrate with a 4–0 victory against Uganda. But not everything went according to rating.
One of the biggest surprises came from Kyrgyzstan, who defeated the considerably higher-rated Turkmenistan team 3–1. After draws on the first two boards, Toktobek Bolotov and Gulzat Kasymbaeva delivered victories on Boards 3 and 4 to seal the match.
There was another home success for Uzbekistan 3, who defeated higher-rated Venezuela 2½–1½. Ali Irgashev drew on the top board, while Abdurahmon Azimjonov and Abbas Eshmuratov scored the two victories for the Uzbek team.
Croatia and Türkiye also shared the points in a 2–2 draw.
“This can become a tradition”
For Komil Sindarov, Vice President of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, bringing the Olympiad for People with Disabilities together with the main Chess Olympiad in the same host city represents something bigger than the competition itself.
“This is the first time here in Uzbekistan that the Olympiad for People with Disabilities and the Olympiad are being held at the same time. Of course, this also brings certain organizational challenges. But I believe that we must protect the rights of people with disabilities and respect them,” he said (translated from Uzbek).
“We believe that the foundation being laid here in Uzbekistan today will help make it possible for the Olympiad for People with Disabilities and the Olympiad to be held at the same time in the future. I believe that this tradition will continue” (translated from Uzbek).
Sindarov said that seeing the joy of participants who had travelled to Samarkand from around the world had made a particular impression on him.
“When I see the happiness on their faces, I feel very happy myself. People with disabilities, who may sometimes feel that some of their opportunities are limited, can today stand equally alongside everyone else, alongside other chess players, and participate in an Olympiad like this.” (translated from Uzbek).
He also reflected on the rapid development of chess in Uzbekistan, pointing to improved coaching opportunities, scholarships, training camps and the country’s growing international tournament calendar.
“Whereas we once had only one or two tournaments, today we have 24 international tournaments a year. We are creating all the necessary conditions for our chess players to compete and improve their level.” (translated from Uzbek).
A perfect start for the hosts
Uzbekistan 1 began its campaign with a clean sweep against Uganda, winning 4–0.
On the top board, Axadxon Kimsanboyev defeated Enock Seguya with the black pieces. After the game, Kimsanboyev explained that after the queens were exchanged, he felt he had obtained a favourable endgame and eventually converted his advantage.
“This game was not easy for me, but I’m expecting very hard games against the top players,” he said.
Having participated in every edition of the Olympiad, Kimsanboyev has watched the competition grow first-hand.
“The first Olympiad was in Belgrade in 2023, and the second Olympiad was in 2025. At the first Olympiad, I took a silver medal on Board 4. Every Olympiad, the number of participants is getting bigger and bigger. I hope that in the next Olympiad even more teams will participate, and we will meet more friends at the chessboard.”
His own chess journey began at the age of ten, when his grandfather taught him the game. International competition followed from 2021, and chess gradually became one of the defining parts of his life.
“Chess is one of the most important things in my life. Chess has helped me find more friends, win medals, participate in more competitions, and travel to more countries.”
Chess as inclusion and equality
For Gweshe Shantel of Zimbabwe, the opening round brought a difficult game but also the beginning of another important international experience.
“The first game was a bit tough for me, but I’m hoping that for the next games I’m going to make it,” she said.
Shantel has competed in university chess tournaments and recently took part in the Minerva tournament in Harare as part of her preparation for Samarkand. She also spoke about how participating internationally has changed her ambitions as a player.
“The first time when I came, I didn’t have any rating, and now I have a rating that needs to be maintained. I also want to continue participating in other tournaments, even women’s tournaments, national tournaments and international tournaments.”
Her relationship with chess began much earlier, at the age of six, through her father.
“My dad was a chess player. He used to always play chess every day, so I became interested in playing chess. When I was in Grade 3, that is when he started training me.”
Competing in tournaments and winning prizes as a young player gave her the motivation to take the game increasingly seriously. Today, however, chess carries a meaning that extends far beyond competition.
“For me, chess actually means inclusion, equality, and it is also very important for my mental health psychologically. When I get stressed, I just play chess, find someone to play, or play online.”
From a family chessboard to Samarkand
For Switzerland’s Marc Tillmann, Samarkand is his first experience of a chess competition on such a large scale.
“It is very well organized. It is a big tournament. For me, it is the first tournament that is so big, and that is something new. I have never experienced anything this big before” (translated from German).
It is also Tillmann’s first visit to Uzbekistan, and the international atmosphere has been one of his first impressions of the event.
“The people are very nice here. It is my first time in Uzbekistan. Samarkand is very beautiful, and it is nice to see so many countries. I know a few people, but by far not that many.” (translated from German).
His chess story, like those of several players interviewed on the opening day, also began within the family.
“I was nine years old when my father taught me chess. Then we played together for a long time, and when he lost against me for the first time, he sent me to a chess club.” (translated from German).
“Chess is unlimited”
For Henry Lopez of the Philippines, who is competing in the Olympiad for the third time, this edition carries an additional significance: the Olympiad for People with Disabilities is taking place alongside the main Chess Olympiad.
“It is very good that the Olympiad for People with Disabilities is alongside the main Olympiad. We’ll be having an opportunity to see them in person. It should inspire us more, especially the super grandmasters.”
There is one player Lopez is particularly excited to see: his former compatriot Wesley So.
“He was originally from the Philippines, and when he was young, we played sometimes in the Philippines. I have drawn with him once when he was still a child. He was a junior master then in a national championship, and we played a couple of rapid games before he left for the U.S. So I’m excited to see him.”
For Lopez, however, the importance of the event goes well beyond competition.
“It’s very important for me, as well as our country and the whole chess community with disabilities, because this is inclusion in its essence.”
“Chess is unlimited. It’s universal. It can be played anywhere, whether you have a disability or not. Whatever age you are, you can play chess. It’s a universal language. People can understand each other through their minds and through the moves.”
Lopez learned the game at home from his oldest brother. His determination not to keep losing encouraged him to study, join a chess club, and eventually meet more people through the game.
“Chess is life itself. It has been an avenue for me to express myself, to be understood the way I want to be understood – as a player, as a thinker.”
Round 1 brought victories, draws and the first surprises of the competition, but the stories shared in Samarkand went beyond the scores on the boards. From players who first learned chess from their fathers, grandfathers and brothers to those who found friendship, confidence and a way to express themselves through the game, the opening day reflected the idea at the heart of the Olympiad: chess is a universal language, and one without boundaries.
Round 2 of the seven-round Swiss tournament will be played on September 12.
You can find results of Round 1 and pairings of Round 2 on Chess-results.
Follow the games live.
Written by Angelika Valkova
Photos: Mark Livshitz
FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities official website: https://dis-olympiad2026.fide.com/