SPORTS
Host nation Uzbekistan captured gold in the Open section of the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, delivering a championship performance before a home crowd and further cementing the country’s remarkable rise as a world chess power.
The hosts were dominant throughout, winning 10 of their 11 matches, with their only defeat coming against Germany. Highlights included a 4–0 whitewash of eighth seed Hungary, and in the final round they made no mistake, comfortably beating Ukraine to finish with 20 match points, two clear of India and Germany. India, the defending champion, settled for silver after drawing 2–2 with Hungary.
Leading the charge was Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who went unbeaten on top board across all 11 rounds, scoring six wins to claim individual gold alongside the team title. «This is the proudest moment of my life!» he said afterwards.
For Uzbekistan, the victory carries particular resonance. Four years after its historic gold at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India, the young Uzbek team reclaimed the title, this time on home soil.
The result also underscores the growing rivalry between Uzbekistan and India at the summit of international chess. Between them, the two nations have dominated recent Olympiads, and in Samarkand, Uzbekistan once again came out on top.
By Erin Levi