The opening day of the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss started with a high-profile press conference featuring World Champion Gukesh D, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Adham Ikramov, the Minister of Youth Policy and Sports of Uzbekistan.
Speakers highlighted the significance of the tournament for the chess world in general as well as for chess in Uzbekistan and Asia.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich opened by thanking the government and the chess authorities of Uzbekistan for their dedicated support in organising the tournament and helping to increase the prize fund for the event.
“The Grand Swiss is the strongest open competition in the two-year World Championship cycle, allowing all top players to fight for the spots in the Candidates tournaments. There are no weak opponents here and everything is usually decided in the last round, which will bring huge excitement for the spectators”.
He noted that the Grand Swiss is “a test event for the 2026 Olympiad”, which will be taking place in Samarkand in September 2026.
Dvorkovich concluded by thanking the World Champion, Gukesh D, for choosing to participate in the event which will help the promotion of chess.
Adham Ikramov, Minister of Youth Policy and Sports of Uzbekistan noted that the country has recently hosted several international sports events and that it enjoys the support of the international sporting organisations thanks to the high quality and standard of the organisation it is providing.
“Just two years ago, we held the World Rapid and Blitz here. Last year, in Budapest [during the Chess Olympiad] we met with the FIDE President at the time when Uzbekistan has risen among the top countries in chess. Next year we will organise the Olympiad and we will do it really well”.
Alisher Sadullaev, the First Vice-President of Uzbekistan Chess Federation, spoke about the preparations for the 2026 Chess Olympiad which Uzbekistan will host, highlighting Samarkand’s status as a “global chess arena”.
“Uzbekistan’s history traces back 3000 years, and this history gives a lot of sense about chess back in the past. One of the great conquerors of the world, Amir Timur, he brought all the chess masters to Samarkand and organised huge championships. It’s very logical to repeat the same tradition. The President of Uzbekistan always empowers chess and brings together the most talented [chess] minds in the world, like here in Samarkand”, Sadullaev said.
“The whole Uzbek chess team that will be representing our country in the next Olympiad is in Samarkand and preparing. And this event will play a crucial role in getting them ready for the huge role next year they are about to play [at the Olympiad] and we expect them to win”.
Sadullaev pointed out that the Uzbekistan Chess Federation pays attention to both male and female players, noting the example of Afruza Khamdamova, a two-time girls’ World Youth Champion.
“This is one of the biggest tournaments I have ever played. Here we will have many of the elite women world players and I want to show them that I can play on equal footing with them,” said Khamdamova.
World Champion Gukesh D was asked about the decision to play in Samarkand, in an event where his potential challenger will be chosen.
“I’m happy to be back here in Samarkand. I was here in 2023 for the World Rapid and Blitz. It’s nice to be back here. Although there’s no need for me to qualify, I think this is still a great tournament. There are not many super strong open Swiss tournaments. It’s an opportunity for me to play in a different format and prove myself”.
Gukesh also spoke about how his preparation for the event differed from other – closed – tournaments, where preselected top players take part.
“In Swiss tournaments you need to win more games and take a bit more chances. I’m glad there will be a lot of hungry players and exciting games. Even though I’ve been playing a lot of closed tournaments, I’ll try to adjust my preparation for the open event here”.
When asked about whom he sees as the favourites to win the event, Gukesh was diplomatic: “This tournament is so strong that pretty much anybody on a great day can win. I don’t really believe in favourites.”
The World Champion also praised Nodirbek Abdusattorov – Uzbekistan’s strongest player who will be participating in the event – as a great champion and competitor.
