Nearly 300 players, captains and accompanying persons joined the Samarkand Cultural Program Tour on the free day of the Chess Olympiad. Eight full buses departed from the Expo around 2 p.m., heading first to the Shah-i-Zinda Complex, a historic necropolis in the north-eastern part of the city.
Developed over eight centuries, from the 11th to the 19th century, the complex today comprises more than 20 buildings and is one of Samarkand’s most remarkable architectural sites.
After about an hour exploring the complex, the tour continued a few kilometers outside the city to the Memorial Complex of Imam al-Bukhari, an important Islamic religious site in the Xo’ja Ismoil district.
The complex is centered around a memorial to Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari and a mosque with a capacity of around 10,000 people. Recently inaugurated, it stands on the site of a 16th-century mosque.
Our visit was made even more interesting by a fantastic guide, who brought the remarkable biography and legacy of al-Bukhari to life and helped us understand the importance of this place to the Islamic world. Former World Champion Ding Liren took in every moment!
The next stop was the Amir Temur Mausoleum. Known as the “Tomb of the King”, this striking architectural complex is crowned by an iconic azure dome and houses the tomb of the Turco-Mongol conqueror Amir Temur, as well as those of several members of his family.
Halfway through the visit, however, Samarkand decided to add an unexpected twist to our cultural tour: the city lights suddenly went out, plunging the entire complex into darkness for several minutes!
After a brief pause, the lights returned and the visit continued, adding an amusing and memorable moment to an already fascinating afternoon.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the final stop: a two-hour visit to Registan Square, the historic heart of Samarkand. Once the center of the Timurid Empire, the square later became the city’s commercial, educational and ceremonial hub.
Today, it is best known for its magnificent ensemble of three madrasas, the Islamic schools that frame one of Central Asia’s most iconic architectural spaces.
Towards the end of the visit, we witnessed the spectacular Light Show, a masterful combination of technology and storytelling. Lights were projected onto the façades of all three buildings, accompanied by music and narration, taking us on a journey through Samarkand’s remarkable past.
The show highlighted the city’s importance as a cultural and economic hub along the ancient Silk Road, providing a fitting finale to an unforgettable day of discovery.
The seventh round will be played tomorrow, September 23, at 3PM in the Silk Road Expo, with some fascinating match-ups.
Written by IM Michael Rahal (FIDE Press Officer)
Photos: Rafal Oleksiewicz
Official website: https://chessolympiad2026.fide.com/