Seven days of competition, a record 41 teams and countless stories from across the chess world came to a close in Samarkand, as Poland claimed gold at the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities. Cuba finished with silver, while hosts Uzbekistan 1 secured bronze on a memorable final day.
Round 7 began with FIDE Interim President and five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand making the ceremonial first move before the final battles got underway.
Poland entered the last round at the top of the standings and left no room for doubt, defeating the Philippines 3½–½. IM Marcin Molenda drew Menandro Redor on the top board, while IM Pawel Piekielny, IM Aleksander Czerwonski and Julia Salamon scored victories to complete a commanding final-round performance.
The result brought Poland to 13 match points, completing an undefeated campaign of six victories and one draw and securing the title of the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities.
Behind them, the battle for the podium came down to the wire. Cuba defeated the Czech Republic 2½–1½ to finish on 12 match points and take silver, while Uzbekistan 1 overcame Israel by the same 2½–1½ margin to score 11 match points and earn bronze in front of the home crowd.
Poland finishes on top
For Polish captain IM Marcin Molenda, the gold medal was the culmination of a tournament that had not started according to plan. After dropping a point in the opening round, Poland responded by winning every remaining match.
“It was definitely a rollercoaster. The first round, losing the points. After that, winning every single match. So, I’m quite happy, especially with the team, since we managed to pull this off.”
For Molenda, the significance of Samarkand went beyond the gold medal, with the Olympiad for People with Disabilities held alongside the main FIDE Chess Olympiad for the first time.
“Historically, we were playing some separate events. So right now, being with all the top players, grandmasters and also the world champions as well, is very important for us.”
He also praised the team’s experience in Uzbekistan:
“It was fantastic. The opening ceremony, as well as the closing ceremony, showed us a lot of culture, a lot of interesting facts about Uzbekistan. And also, it shows a really huge interest in chess.”
The final podium:
Gold – Poland (13 match points)
Silver – Cuba (12 match points)
Bronze – Uzbekistan 1 (11 match points)
Poland’s success was also reflected in the individual awards, with Marcin Molenda, Pawel Piekielny, and Aleksander Czerwonski all collecting individual board medals.
Friends from the wider chess family
The final day also brought a special visit from the Czech chess community. GM David Navara and Petr Boleslav, organiser of the Prague Chess Festival, came to the Olympiad, met with participants, and shared in the atmosphere of the final day. Their visit added another warm connection between the participants of the Olympiad for People with Disabilities and the wider chess community gathered in Samarkand.
Another special guest was Ukrainian grandmaster Vasyl Ivanchuk, who also visited the Olympiad and spent time with the participants. The presence of one of the most recognisable figures in international chess added another memorable moment to the final day, as the event welcomed players and guests from the wider chess world before the competition came to a close.
From one Olympiad to another
Molenda’s words reflected one of the defining features of this year’s event. Once the final games were over, that connection became even more tangible, as participants of the Olympiad for People with Disabilities had the opportunity to visit the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad.
Players and team members explored the Expo, enjoyed the atmosphere of the main event and watched players from around the world competing in the Open and Women’s sections.
For the first time, the FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities was staged alongside the main FIDE Chess Olympiad in the same host city and during the same period. With their own seven-round competition complete, participants could move directly into the atmosphere of the main Olympiad – sharing the same chess environment and becoming part of a much larger celebration of the game.
A home medal for Uzbekistan
For the hosts, the final round brought another reason to celebrate. Selbi Kakishova helped Uzbekistan 1 secure the team bronze while also earning an individual silver medal on Board 5, having scored an impressive six points from seven games.
“The tournament was so exciting. I’m so happy. On my board, from seven games, I won six games, and that’s why I got silver. Overall, our team took bronze.”
The seven rounds had not been easy, but Kakishova felt the effort had paid off. “All the games were so hard and difficult, but despite that, I gave all my strength, and that’s why we won.”
For Kakishova, competing at home while the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad was also getting underway in Samarkand provided additional motivation.
“It was so exciting. A few days ago, there was the opening, and during the opening, I got a lot of motivation, and that’s why I also gave all my strength.”
Medals, music, and celebration
In the evening, players, officials, and guests came together for the closing ceremony, bringing seven days of competition to a festive end with music, songs, and dances, followed by the presentation of the team, individual, and special awards.
Uzbekistan 1 received the bronze medals, Cuba took silver, while newly crowned champions Poland stepped onto the podium to receive gold.
Individual medals were also presented across all five boards. The board winners were FM Sargis Sargissyan (IPCA) on Board 1, IM Pawel Piekielny (Poland) on Board 2, IM Aleksander Czerwonski (Poland) on Board 3, Darry Bernardo (Philippines) on Board 4 and Michal Racis (IBCA) on Board 5.
A series of special prizes, presented by Dana Reizniece, Acting Chair of the FIDE Management Board, completed the awards ceremony, recognising players from across the diverse field of the Olympiad.
Addressing the participants, Viswanathan Anand congratulated the winners and every player and team who had competed in Samarkand. He also thanked Uzbekistan and Samarkand, the organisers, the FIDE team, arbiters and officials, volunteers and assistants, and everyone who had worked behind the scenes to make the event possible.
See you in Abu Dhabi
While the closing ceremony marked the end of the third edition, Samarkand also established something that will continue beyond 2026.
For the first time, the FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities was held alongside the main FIDE Chess Olympiad, bringing the two events together in the same host city and during the same period.
In 2028, the tradition will continue in Abu Dhabi, with the 4th FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities once again taking place alongside the main FIDE Chess Olympiad.
After seven rounds, a record 41 teams, new friendships, and countless stories from around the world, the third edition came to an end in Samarkand.
The medals have been awarded and the champions crowned, but the journey continues.
See you in Abu Dhabi in 2028.
You can find the results and final standings on Chess-Results.
FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities official website: https://dis-olympiad2026.fide.com/
Written by Angelika Valkova
Photos: Mark Livshitz and Rafal Oleksiewicz