Two Olympiads, two new leaders: Poland and Czech Republic surge ahead in Samarkand
Day 5 of the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities marked a special moment in Samarkand. While the competition entered its decisive phase, the Opening Ceremony of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad also took place today, meaning that the two Olympiads are now officially running alongside each other in the same host city. Cuba entered the day as the sole leader, but Round 5 dramatically reshaped the standings. Victories for Poland and the Czech Republic left the two teams sharing first place with 9 match points and set up a direct clash between them in Round 6. The ceremonial first move of Round 5 was made by Victor Bologan, FIDE Executive Director, before another important day of competition got underway. Cuba brought to halt as two teams move to the top The headline encounter of the round saw sole leader Cuba face top seed Poland in an extremely close match. Marcin Molenda drew Carlos Larduet Despaigne, Aleksander Czerwonski split the point with Hector Luis Fuentes De Feria, while the game between Julia Salamon and Idalis Batista Rivera produced the same result. The decisive point came on Board 2, where Pawel Piekielny defeated Pedro Morales Romero, sealing a 2½–1½ victory for Poland and handing Cuba its first match defeat of the tournament. The Czech Republic took full advantage of the opportunity against Israel. Three games ended in draws, but Anna Ryvova’s victory over Aleksandra Aleksandrova on Board 4 secured another 2½–1½ result propelling the Czech team into a shared lead. Elsewhere in the leading group, the Philippines defeated Croatia 2½–1½, while IBCA overcame Germany by the same score. The USA beat Argentina 3–1, while Uzbekistan 1 prevailed over Serbia 2½–1½. India scored a narrow 2½–1½ victory over IPCA; Ukraine defeated Belarus 3½–½, while Kazakhstan recorded the same score against Bangladesh. After five rounds, Poland and the Czech Republic lead with 9 match points, closely followed by the Philippines, Cuba and IBCA on 8. USA, Uzbekistan 1 and India are next with 7 points each. Always there to help Behind the games, however, is a large group of people whose work can easily go unnoticed. From assisting arbiters and helping participants to guiding teams around the venue, volunteers are always present and ready to step in wherever they are needed. With the 46th Chess Olympiad now beginning alongside the Olympiad for People with Disabilities, many of them will be supporting both events. Among them is Shahrizoda, one of the Uzbek volunteers working at the Olympiad for People with Disabilities. “We are here, as volunteers of Uzbekistan, to help our players,” she said. “The atmosphere is beautiful and really exciting, and it is motivating us, the volunteers, to be patient and dedicated.” For her, the desire to help others also reflects the hospitality of the host country. “Helping other people is one of the kindest things for Uzbek people as well.” Shahrizoda will continue volunteering during the main Olympiad. She also has her own connection to chess, having played the game for around eight years. “I can’t say I’m a pro, but I can play,” she said with a smile. “Right now, I tried again and I remembered how to play chess.” “Something out of this world” With the Opening Ceremony of the 46th Chess Olympiad taking place on the same day, the presence of the world’s leading players has already created memorable encounters for participants. For Jesus Camilo Osorio of Panama, the experience has made his third Olympiad for People with Disabilities particularly special. “Every time is a dream come true for me to play the Olympiad for people with disabilities,” he said. “And this year it has been more special because we have been able to play at the same time with the Open Olympiad and the female Olympiad.” Osorio, 42, has already managed to meet one of his childhood chess heroes. “First I managed to catch Ivanchuk at the entrance. He was my hero when I was very young, because his chess was so creative.” Then came an encounter with reigning World Champion Gukesh D. “I saw through the door that Gukesh, the World Champion, was coming. And I was like, ‘I have to take a picture with this guy.’” After Osorio took his photo, many others quickly followed. “He was like Michael Jackson. Everybody wanted to take a picture with him,” he joked. But for Osorio, the Olympiad is ultimately about much more than meeting famous players. “Every Olympiad is getting better. It’s very good that we have more teams because we are able to meet more people and make connections in different countries. And after the Olympiad, we keep sharing our knowledge and playing online chess and making new friends.” Chess without barriers Nurnahar Tonima of Bangladesh, the only female player on her team, offered another perspective on what participation in Samarkand means. Tonima has a visual impairment and competes using a Braille chessboard. She began playing chess in 2017 under the guidance of her coach Ijaz Hossain, who also has a visual disability. “It is a very prestigious event for me and my country also,” she said, emphasizing the importance of Bangladesh having a team of players with disabilities competing internationally. Tonima demonstrated how she distinguishes the squares and pieces through touch. “This is a black square and this is a white square. I touch, and I also know where my pieces are and how I play.” Once the position is established on the board, the essence of the game remains exactly the same: calculation, ideas and decision-making. “Chess is very intellectual. It’s not a barrier.” From champion to arbiter The Olympiad also brings together officials whose personal stories are closely connected to the players they are helping. Wilfredo Paulino of the Dominican Republic is working as an arbiter at the event. Having previously attended Olympiads in Azerbaijan in 2016 and Hungary in 2024, he had the opportunity to work at the main Olympiad in Samarkand but chose the Olympiad for People with Disabilities
Barcelona 1992 was special; Samarkand was something else: A night unlike any other
Written by Michael A. Rahal, FIDE Press Officer By now, I have attended my fair share of opening and closing ceremonies: Grand Prix events, several World Cups and Olympiads, and even the opening and closing ceremonies of the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. But none of them comes remotely close to what the chess community witnessed this evening in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The Boqiy Shahar Amphitheater, located on the banks of the Silk Road channel, provided a spectacular setting for the opening ceremony of the 46th Chess Olympiad, with more than 2,000 spectators in attendance. Part of Samarkand’s Eternal City complex, the open-air venue was transformed for the occasion into a stage for an evening that brought together chess, music and the rich cultural heritage of Uzbekistan. And what a show it was! For nearly two hours, the audience was treated to a spectacular succession of performances, featuring military units, choreographed dance, opera, traditional costumes and the distribution of sweets in beautifully decorated baskets. More than 100 musicians and over 200 dancers and singers took part in the production, creating an extraordinary show, illustrating the richness and diversity of Uzbek culture. The official part of the evening featured two speeches. First, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, conveyed greetings from the President of Uzbekistan. He was followed by a heartfelt five-minute address from Viswanathan Anand, FIDE Interim President and a five-time World Chess Champion. Halfway through the ceremony, the National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the FIDE Anthem were performed by the Honoured Choir of Uzbekistan and the State Choir Chapel, adding a solemn and ceremonial moment to the evening. One of the most anticipated highlights of the evening was the traditional drawing of colours ceremony, determining which teams would have the White and Black pieces on the first board in tomorrow’s opening round. The honour of conducting the draw fell to Zhu Chen, the ninth Women’s World Chess Champion, and Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Uzbek chess legend and former FIDE World Chess Champion. The two guests selected pieces of both colours from traditional boxes, with White going to the highest-ranked team in the Women’s section and Black to the top seed in the Open section. The audience was particularly impressed by the spectacular 3D visual mapping and drone light show, which filled the night sky with images of chess pieces and a dazzling array of illuminations. And, to top it all off, a lively pop song and dance brought hundreds of players onto the stage, joining together in a mass celebration as fireworks lit up the sky above them. It was a fitting and unforgettable way to bring the evening to a close. Don’t miss the full show on the FIDE Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMrfXZbs7oU Photos: Rafal Oleksiewicz and Michal Walusza
Opening press conference of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad
The high-profile panel, moderated by Charlize van Zyl, featured Viswanathan Anand, FIDE Interim President, Alisher Sadullaev, 1st Vice President of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova, from team Uzbekistan (women’s section) and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, representing team Uzbekistan (open section). Charlize van Zyl set the scene by introducing the guests and drawing attention to the Olympiad numbers: nearly 400 teams participating in the main event, with 208 in the open section and 191 in the women’s section, while the Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities has also drawn its biggest field. Five-time World Champion, and since July, FIDE Interim President, Viswanathan Anand, was the first guest to speak, announcing some sad news: the passing of Georgios Makropoulos, FIDE Vice President and Honorary President of the Greek Chess Federation. On a brighter note, he went on to explain why the Olympiad is such a treat: “The Olympiad is a record-breaking tournament, with a huge number of teams participating. It’s a place where chess players of all levels compete in the same tournament, a celebration of chess, and that’s what makes every Olympiad special.” Regarding the numerous complaints about accommodation and other organisational issues that had been raised on social media, Anand acknowledged that there had been some problems: “I would like to acknowledge that there have been certain problems that have cropped up, such as the accommodation for participants, accreditation, visas – some teams are having trouble. I just wanted to mention that we are working very hard together with the local organising committee to address these problems. They have already resolved a lot of issues, and I hope that we can resolve the remaining ones as quickly as possible.” Subsequently, Mr. Alisher Sadullaev took the floor. The 1st Vice President of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, one of the people who has spent the last two years turning this city into a chess venue, welcomed everyone to the event. “This Olympiad is naturally a spotlight for the whole Uzbek chess history and legacy for the world. Uzbekistan has prepared a great number of programs for the whole event. It is one of the hardest challenges because we are organizing three events at the same time: the FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, the FIDE Congress, and the Olympiad itself, for which we have been preparing for four years already.” The third panelist was Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova. Two years ago, she played board one for the United States, helping them secure a bronze medal in Budapest. This week, however, she makes her first Olympiad appearance under the Uzbek colours since 2018. “I was invited back by the Uzbekistan Federation and government, and I was really happy and pleased. I left for some personal reasons but I love my country: my teammates are amazing, and I am happy to play for my team.” Before opening the floor to the rest of the media, Charlize introduced the fourth and final member of the panel. Representing the host nation in the open section, the 2021 World Rapid Champion, winner of Wijk aan Zee this year, and Uzbekistan’s board one when they took gold in Chennai: Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Asked how it felt to be competing at home in front of the local crowd, with the added pressure and responsibility, Abdusattorov said: “It’s a great honour to represent our country at the Olympiad. Samarkand has already hosted several big FIDE tournaments and has a lot of organising experience. Most of the players are familiar with the place and the environment. Compared to the Chennai and Budapest Olympiads, our team has improved a lot in this period: today we have two top ten players, and our third board is over 2700, and I think that we arrive in very good form here.” The full press conference can be viewed on the FIDE YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WahRJ7drJ7Q&t=32s Written by Michael Rahal, FIDE Press Officer Photos: Michal Walusza
In Memoriam: Georgios Makropoulos (1953–2026)
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Georgios Makropoulos, FIDE Vice President and one of the most influential figures in Greek and international chess, at the age of 72. Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1953, Makropoulos established himself as a promising chess talent and competed in two World Junior Chess Championships (1969 and 1971). He emerged as one of the country’s strongest players during the 1970s, winning the Greek Championship seven times: in 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1985. An International Master since 1979, Makropoulos represented his country in three Chess Olympiads (1972, 1974, and 1980 – twice on first board). Later, as President of the Greek Chess Federation, he greatly contributed to hosting two Chess Olympiads in his native city of Thessaloniki in 1984 and 1988. He also represented Greece in European and Balkan team competitions. Makropoulos’s most significant impact on the chess world was through his administrative work. A journalist by profession, he was a fixture in FIDE leadership since 1986, serving in various high-ranking capacities, including Deputy President and Vice President. For decades, Makropoulos was a familiar presence at the world’s major chess events and FIDE congresses. His long experience, organisational knowledge, and extensive network made him one of the key figures in the administration of international chess. FIDE extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Greek chess community.
2026 FIDE Congress: List of Member Federations having right to vote
In accordance with the FIDE Electoral Regulations, FIDE is publishing the list of Member Federations entitled to vote at the 2026 General Assembly, together with the names of their Presidents and Delegates, as well as the list of suspended Member Federations. As of September 15, 2026: ELECTORAL COMMISSION REPORT (PDF) LIST OF MEMBER FEDERATIONS HAVING RIGHT TO VOTE (PDF) LIST OF SUSPENDED MEMBER FEDERATIONS (PDF)
Cuba takes sole lead as Olympiad for People with Disabilities crosses its halfway mark
The 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities crossed its halfway mark on Monday, with Cuba emerging as the sole leader after a decisive Round 4 in Samarkand. Three teams had entered the day with perfect scores: Cuba, Israel and the Czech Republic. But with the leaders facing one another on the top boards, it was guaranteed that at least one perfect record would be broken. Round 4 began with the ceremonial first move by Nikos Kalesis, Secretary of the FIDE Commission for Players with Disabilities. Cuba won the direct clash against Israel 2½–1½, extending their perfect run to four match victories from four. On the second table, Germany stopped the Czech Republic’s winning streak with a 2–2 draw. Poland, meanwhile, produced one of the most convincing results of the round, defeating India 4–0 to move into second place on tiebreaks with six match points. Elsewhere among the leading teams, IBCA won against Ukraine 2½–1½, the Philippines defeated Egypt 4–0, Croatia beat Spain 2½–1½, and Argentina overcame Mongolia by the same score. After four rounds, Cuba stands alone at the top with eight match points. Poland follows with seven, while Israel, the Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia and the Philippines have six each. Behind every move As the competition enters its decisive second half, the Olympiad is also revealing just how much work takes place beyond the moves seen on the board. For Chief Arbiter Nebojsa Baralic, Samarkand represents another step in the rapid growth of the event. Baralic also served as Chief Arbiter at the first Olympiad for People with Disabilities in Belgrade in 2024, when 26 teams competed. This year, that number has risen to a record 41. “So it’s more players and more duties, more arbiters, more volunteers, more assistants. So everything is growing up somehow,” he said. That growth comes with a unique organizational challenge. Blind, deaf and physically disabled players may require different playing conditions and different forms of assistance. Baralic explained that the arbiters sometimes only know on the morning of a round exactly who will play. From there, tables and boards have to be adjusted and the appropriate assistants assigned. Some players need help recording or making moves, while others may require assistance away from the board. Language is another consideration, with support required in English, Russian, Arabic, Spanish and other languages. “It’s very complicated, but on the other hand it’s very nice to help all of them to enjoy chess, enjoy life, and provide to all of them good conditions and the same conditions for all,” Baralic said. One moment in Samarkand brought that responsibility particularly close to him. During the match between Bangladesh and Uzbekistan 3, Baralic became an assistant to Abbas, an Uzbek player with severe physical disabilities who cannot move his hands or legs and cannot speak. For approximately two and a half hours, Baralic sat beside him, making and recording his moves and pressing the clock. Abbas communicated his moves through glances, with Baralic interpreting where he was looking and making the corresponding moves on the board. “When I recognize his move and made a good move on the board, I look at him and he glanced like this, and I see in his eyes beautiful smile,” Baralic recalled. “I cannot forget that for all my life.” Seeing the chessboard through touch For Tuan Kiet Dao of Vietnam, the relationship between player and chessboard takes a completely different form. Blind, Kiet experiences the position through touch. He began playing chess at around 12 years old, initially learning the moves from a friend before receiving further instruction from a teacher. “When I interact with chess, I feel, oh, this is very interesting,” he said. “I like logic, and I like to sit and thinking about some move and how to move it and how to make a good move.” His enthusiasm soon became so strong that tournaments occasionally won out over school. “Sometimes I escape my school… to play chess in the tournament,” he said with a smile. “I will prioritize chess over study.” Kiet also demonstrated how an adapted chess set allows a blind player to understand the entire position independently. The pieces are secured on the board so they do not fall when touched. Black pieces have a tactile marking on top, allowing them to be distinguished from white pieces, while the shapes of the individual pieces allow Kiet to recognize a knight, bishop, king or queen through touch. The squares themselves are differentiated as well: the dark squares are raised higher than the light ones. “When we touch in the board, we will realize the difference between two squares,” Kiet explained. For him, what began with learning how to touch and navigate a chessboard has developed into around 15 years with the game – and now his first Olympiad. From university champion to a first Olympiad For Ashutosh Singh of Team India, Samarkand is also a new experience. Despite having competed in numerous tournaments, this is his first Olympiad for Players with Disabilities. Singh began playing chess at around the age of ten and has since competed extensively at the district, national and university level. Among the achievements he highlighted are three gold medals at the All India University level and participation in a World University competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “I played so many tournaments, but it is my first Olympiad for People with Disabilities,” Singh said. He qualified for the Olympiad through India’s national competition and spoke enthusiastically about the strength of the Indian team in Samarkand. Round 5 will bring an immediate test for the sole leaders, as Cuba face Poland on the top table. Israel meet the Czech Republic, while Germany takes on IBCA. Croatia and the Philippines will also meet in another encounter between teams currently on six match points. With three rounds remaining Cuba have created the first gap at the top – now the question is whether anyone can close it. You can find results of Round 4
Tickets for the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad now on sale
The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad takes place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 15 to 27 September 2026, with around 200 national teams competing across the Open and Women’s sections at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre. Spectator tickets are now on sale, giving fans the chance to watch the world’s leading players at the board across eleven rounds of competition. Games run daily from 15:00 local time, with rounds played from 16 to 27 September and a rest day on 22 September. Spectators watch from designated areas alongside the playing zone, walking amongst the boards rather than viewing from fixed seating, which makes this one of the closest vantage points available at any FIDE event. Ticket categories Tickets are sold in three categories, with reduced pricing for citizens and permanent residents of Uzbekistan verified through OneID: Single Day. Access to the spectator area for one round of your choice. From $20 or 240,000 UZS, and from 50,000 UZS for Uzbek citizens. Family Day. Access for the whole family to one round of your choice, under a single QR code. From $30 or 360,000 UZS, and from 80,000 UZS for Uzbek citizens. Full Pass. Access to the spectator area on every round day from 16 to 27 September, one entry per day. $200 or 2,400,000 UZS, and 500,000 UZS for Uzbek citizens. Citizens of Uzbekistan aged 14 to 30 receive their spectator tickets free of charge, subject to OneID verification. Capacity in the playing hall is limited and the number of tickets available for each viewing slot is capped, so fans are encouraged to book early for the rounds they most want to attend. What your ticket includes Alongside access to the playing hall, ticket holders can visit the exhibition hall, where workshops, fan zones and interactive events run throughout the competition. Before you arrive A few practical points worth reading before your visit: Entry to the playing hall is between 15:00 and 17:00. If you leave the spectator area and wish to return, you may re-enter only within that same window. Mobile phones may be brought into the playing hall until 15:15. After 15:15, phones are not permitted inside. You must bring an ID card or passport that matches the details on your ticket. Tickets are personal, non-refundable, and valid for one entry per day. How to buy Tickets are available online at chess-ticket.uz. Your ticket is issued immediately with a QR code, which can be shown on your phone or printed and presented at the security entrance for scanning. Full spectator information, including entry rules and venue details, is available at chess-ticket.uz/en/info. For ticketing questions, the organisers can be reached at tickets@chessolympiad2026.uz or on +998 90 820 20 20.
Salesforce FIDE World Championship Match 2026: Schedule, format, and prize fund confirmed
FIDE is pleased to announce the regulations for the Salesforce FIDE World Championship Match 2026, confirming the venue, format, schedule, and prize distribution for the meeting between reigning World Champion Grandmaster Gukesh D and his challenger, Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov. The match will be held at the Fondation Martin Bodmer in Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland, from 22 November to 12 December 2026, bringing a World Championship match back to Switzerland for the first time since Brissago in 2004. The official programme opens on 22 November with Media Day and the Opening Ceremony. The first classical game will be played on 24 November, and the final scheduled game on 11 December. Tiebreaks, if required, will follow on 12 December. Gukesh and Sindarov will both be 20 when the match begins, making this the youngest World Championship contest in history. For Gukesh, Geneva will mark the first defence of the title he won in Singapore in 2024. Sindarov arrives as the winner of both the 2025 FIDE World Cup and the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. “A World Championship match is not like anything else in our sport,” said Viswanathan Anand, FIDE Interim President. “You sit across from the same opponent for three weeks with the world watching. I have played World Championship matches in some extraordinary cultural settings, including the Olympic Museum in Lausanne and the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn, and a setting like that gives the contest a character of its own. The Fondation Martin Bodmer belongs to that tradition and is a fitting venue for this match.” The players Gukesh D, representing India, became the 18th World Champion in December 2024. He defeated Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 after winning the fourteenth and final classical game in Singapore. At 18, he became the youngest undisputed World Champion in chess history. His road to the title also included victory at the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament and individual and team gold medals at the 2024 Chess Olympiad. Javokhir Sindarov, representing Uzbekistan, qualified for the match by winning the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament in Cyprus. He secured first place with a round to spare, finished unbeaten and scored 10/14. That result came less than five months after he became the youngest winner of the FIDE World Cup in Goa. Sindarov is the first player from Uzbekistan to qualify for a match for the undisputed World Championship title. Match format The match consists of a maximum of 14 classical games. The first player to reach 7.5 points wins the match and the title. The time control is 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game. A 30-second increment is added from move 41. Draw offers are not permitted before Black’s 40th move. Before that point, a draw may be claimed through the Chief Arbiter or Deputy Chief Arbiter only in cases of threefold repetition or stalemate. If the score is 7-7 after the classical games, the title will be decided on 12 December. The tiebreak begins with four games at 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move. If the score remains level, the players contest two games at 10 minutes plus five seconds, followed, if necessary, by two games at three minutes plus two seconds. Should the tie persist, three-minute-plus-two-second games will be played one at a time, with colours reversed after each draw, until a decisive result is reached. USD 2.5 million prize fund The prize fund is USD 2.5 million, net of any applicable local taxes. Under the standard distribution, each player receives USD 200,000 for every game won, including a win by forfeit, and the remaining balance is divided equally between the two players. If the final classical score is 7.5-6.5 with 13 decisive games, or 8-6 with all 14 games decisive, the winner will receive USD 1.3 million and the runner-up USD 1.2 million. The same USD 1.3 million to USD 1.2 million split applies if the match is decided in tiebreaks. Sponsor Salesforce joined FIDE as Title Sponsor and Technological Partner in September 2026. The multi-year agreement covers the World Championship Matches in 2026 and 2028 as well as the Women’s World Championship Match in 2027. Salesforce is also the official AI partner of the FIDE World Chess Championship and the FIDE rankings, and the agreement brings its Agentforce 360 portfolio, including Slack, to FIDE events and to the rating list. The venue Founded in 1971, the Fondation Martin Bodmer is a heritage library and museum that houses and exhibits the greatest texts of world literature and human history. This unique place presents major testimonies of human thought from the origins of writing to the present day. The Fondation holds some 150,000 documents in nearly 120 languages, making up one of the finest private collections in the world. It includes hundreds of papyri, Western and Eastern medieval manuscripts, and thousands of pages of autograph manuscripts and rare engravings. This Bibliotheca Bodmeriana has been inscribed, since 2015, on UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” register, an initiative aimed at preserving and disseminating the world’s documentary heritage. The Fondation Martin Bodmer carries out a range of conservation, restoration and digitisation projects with a view to making its documents available online. Since 2003, it has welcomed visitors to its modern underground museum designed by the great Swiss architect Mario Botta, in the incomparable setting of the Cologny hillside where it stands, with breathtaking views over Lake Geneva and the city of Geneva. In addition to its permanent exhibition, the Fondation Martin Bodmer organises temporary exhibitions and cultural outreach activities on themes related to science, the arts, history and literature, giving the public access to these authentic treasures that have shaped the history of humanity. Bringing the World Championship to the Fondation places one of the greatest contests of chess within a venue devoted to preserving the history of ideas. “We are thrilled and delighted to welcome this global event to our institution. This distinction resonates particularly strongly with the legacy of our founder, several of whose works
GCL 2026: Ganges Grandmasters upset defending champions Alpine APL Pipers to clinch maiden crown
FYRES American Gambits defeated CheQ Mumba Masters to finish third. Ian Nepomniachtchi pounced on a positional error from world number one Magnus Carlsen and helped Ganges Grandmasters upset defending champions Alpine APL Pipers to clinch their maiden Global Chess League (GCL), a joint initiative of Tech Mahindra and FIDE, crown in Bengaluru on Sunday. The Grandmasters won the two-leg final 7-5, having drawn the opening leg 3-3 with white pieces to etch their name on the trophy, while FYERS American Gambits bagged third place by beating CheQ Mumba Masters 7.5-4.5 in a two-leg play-off. Season 4 of the Global Chess League had witnessed one of the closest league stages in the history of the competition, with all six teams staying in contention for the top four spots until the final day of the preliminary stage, and the finalists were decided only after the last match was played on Saturday evening. The Pipers had managed to make it through to the final only after the Mumba Masters defeated the Gambits in the last league game but could not find a way past the Ganges Grandmasters, who had topped the league stage on better game points. Unlike the group stages, where a win with black fetched four points against three for white, a win in the knockout matches were worth just one point for black and white. This meant that winning more games than the opponent was the key. With the first leg ending 3-3, the Pipers would have fancied their chances with white pieces, and it looked like they would have a chance to retain the crown with Carlsen looking good for a win on the icon board. But the Norwegian made a positional error while going for the kill on move 28 and Nepomniachtchi did not give his opponent any chance to recover. Stavroula Tsolakidou then defeated Koneru Humpy to seal the result for Ganges Grandmasters. She was subsequently named the Player of the Match and was also presented with a Jawa bike. In the first match of the final, Ganges Grandmasters grabbed an early advantage as Levon Aronian controlled the match against Anish Giri from the start, and the Dutchman ran out of time after 49 moves, and the Pipers’ dugout would have wondered if they were wrong in opting for black pieces after winning the toss. With all other boards ending in the draw, Volodar Murzin had to win for the Pipers to draw the match, and the former World Rapid Chess Champion delivered under pressure, forcing Luke Leon Mendonca to resign after 49 moves to tie the score at 3-3. “I have to admit that I got insanely unlucky as I prepared for this game with Black, and I had not thought of the line, and I was in trouble. But then I had just one idea left and I was hoping that he blunders and he did, and I got lucky,” said Nepomniachtchi, who also got the Player of the Match award. “It’s also a special feeling to win the title given the support we got here and the team spirit we built,” he added. Tsolakidou was named the Player of the tournament for scoring a total of 21.5 Points, which included a total of six wins and three draws in 12 games. She got a Java bike as a prize. Harika Dronavalli of the Mumba Masters was the only player to not lose a game in the entire tournament. She scored a total of 18.5 points from 12 matches that included four wins and eight draws. GCL Season 4 also witnessed a packed house throughout the nine days of competition, while the YouTube subscriber base has increased five times and social media following has doubled during the course of the tournament this month. Speaking about the learnings from this edition, GCL Commissioner Gourav Rakshit said. “Seeing the incredible fan engagement and the support for GCL has been truly heart-warming. It reinforces the very reason we started the league – to bring fans closer to the game, create a strong community around it, and build something that belongs to the fans as much as it does to the players. The passion and energy they have shown has been immensely encouraging, and we’re grateful to everyone who has embraced GCL with such enthusiasm.” The American Gambits bounced back from Saturday’s loss against the Mumba Masters to win both the matches convincingly and clinched the third spot. Nihal Sarin, who had lost a winning game on Saturday, came back stronger and beat M Pranesh in both the games, while Marc’andria Maurizzi also completed a grand double. The Gambits, opting to play black first after winning the toss, won the match 2.5-3.5 with only Harika Dronavalli scoring a full point for the Mumba Masters. In the second match, the American Gambits never looked under trouble after their icon player Javokhir Sindarov managed a draw against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Nihal and Maurizzi then wrapped up the match and avenged the loss against a team that denied them a spot in the final. “I would have traded one of today’s wins with a win yesterday. But it happens under pressure. But today, I was happy that I could recover well after yesterday’s loss to win both the matches,” said Nihal, who was named the Player of the Match. About the Global Chess League The Global Chess League (GCL), a joint initiative between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, is the world’s first and largest official franchise league of its kind. The league brings together leading chess players from across the globe in a unique joint team format, with six players representing each franchise across Icons, Superstar Men, Superstar Women, and Prodigies. Men and women compete together on the same team, with every board carrying equal value towards the team’s result. GCL has previously staged seasons in Dubai, London, and Mumbai and returns to India for Season 4 in Bengaluru. GCL official website: https://globalchessleague.com/
From inclusion to inspiration: Three teams lead after Day 3 in Samarkand
Day 3 of the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities began with a panel discussion on inclusion and technology in chess before attention returned to the boards, where the race at the top narrowed to just three teams with perfect scores. The morning discussion brought together players, coaches, officials and federation representatives and followed a presentation by a professor, Dr. Kubanych Takyrbashev, from the American University of Technology in Tashkent. Participants exchanged ideas on how technology can improve accessibility, as well as on education, training, chess in schools and creating more opportunities for players with disabilities. For GM Thomas Luther, Chairperson of the FIDE Commission for Players with Disabilities, technological development can help reduce barriers. “People with disabilities have disadvantages, but technology actually can be an equalizer. With technology, we already see that people can work on computers and phones and have all sorts of different gadgets to make their lives better. But now with AI, things come to a new level.” Luther also highlighted the significance of holding the Olympiad for People with Disabilities alongside the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. “It’s not like one event is singled out; it’s overlapping. We are a family in FIDE. Gens Una Sumus is not just a motto – we are really living it.” For Jamie Kenmure, Chairman of the Asian Commission for People with Disabilities and Chancellor of the FIDE DIS Commission, the discussion also provided an opportunity to listen directly to what federations and players need. “We need more education, more awareness, visibility, empowerment. This is the key message: empowerment.” And for Kenmure, that empowerment is ultimately about the participants themselves. “The people who really make the tournament are the players themselves. They are the ones who should feel special. It’s their moment to shine.” From world champion to coach of champions One of those players competing in Samarkand is FM Sirojiddin Zaynidinov of Uzbekistan, a two-time world champion in deaf chess whose influence on Uzbek chess extends well beyond his own results. Zaynidinov lost his hearing after becoming ill at around the age of three. At five, his father introduced him to chess, beginning a journey that would eventually take him to world titles. Growing up, he was often the only deaf child among hearing players at his chess club. “All the other children in the chess club were hearing, and I was the only deaf child among them. But that never bothered me. I enjoyed playing chess with them.” At the age of 14, Zaynidinov won a World Youth Championship in Germany in 2004. Four years later, he won another world title in Switzerland. But after becoming a champion himself, Zaynidinov decided that his next goal would be to help others achieve the same. “I didn’t want only to be a champion myself – I wanted to teach others and have students who could become champions too.” Among the children who later arrived at his chess club was five-year-old Javokhir Sindarov. Zaynidinov immediately recognised his potential. Communication initially required some adaptation: he used visual explanations and repeated words when necessary, while Sindarov gradually learned to understand his articulation and speech. The young player’s progress was rapid. By eight, Sindarov’s rating was already around 1900. “I was convinced that by the age of 12 he would become a grandmaster. I had that feeling. I was sure of it.” Sindarov later continued working with other coaches, but Zaynidinov had provided the foundation. His student’s success also brought more parents and young players to Zaynidinov’s chess club. The relationship between the two has remained strong. “When he became a champion, he would still come to me and greet me. I am very happy that he has never forgotten that I was his teacher.” Their paths now cross again in Samarkand: Zaynidinov is competing in the Olympiad for People with Disabilities, while Sindarov is preparing to play in the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad. A first Olympiad for Eswatini’s Mlandvo Khumalo For Mlandvo Khumalo of Team Eswatini, Samarkand represents a different milestone: his first FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities. Khumalo discovered chess at secondary school after his teacher, Mr Malaza, encouraged him to try the game. At first, he was unsure whether chess was for him. “The first time he said that I must try it, I thought this was a game for other people, not for someone like me. But he gave me the energy to go and play chess.” Once Khumalo began learning the moves, his perception changed. His school team later finished second in a tournament, strengthening his desire to continue. “That was when I realized that I have to play chess, and that it is a good sport. It opens the mind.” Khumalo lost both hands following a serious illness during infancy. Today, he manages most aspects of everyday life independently: he writes, uses his phone and plays chess, moving the pieces with his arms. In Samarkand, however, the experience has been about more than the games. “I like playing with different teams, getting to know different people and seeing different kinds of people. It makes me feel inside that I am part of the people.” And his description of what happens when a game begins reveals the enthusiasm that brought him this far. “When the opponent pushes the pawn, I feel like we are in a war. I like to defend. It makes me excited, and it opens my mind.” Three teams on 6/6 On the boards, Round 3 significantly narrowed the group at the top of the standings. After eight teams entered the day with perfect scores, only Cuba, Israel and the Czech Republic emerged from the third round on 6/6. The result sets up a direct confrontation between two of the leaders in Round 4, when Cuba face Israel, while the Czech Republic take on Germany. With the tournament moving towards its decisive stages, the leading group is beginning to take shape – but the stories emerging from Samarkand continue