On 15 September this year, the 46th World Chess Olympiad will start at the Silk Road international tourism centre in the city of Samarkand. In the history of the prestigious competition, held since 1927, Central Asia will host the chess world’s largest team tournament for the first time.
The Olympiad is expected to set a new record for the number of participants and teams. A total of 398 teams will take part: 208 teams in the men’s (Open) section and 190 teams in the women’s section will compete for victory. This will break the record of 380 teams set in Budapest in 2024. The Olympiad will bring together 1,974 players, including 240 grandmasters. Together with coaches and delegation members, Samarkand will welcome more than 4,000 guests during the competition. The tournament will consist of 11 rounds and will run until 27 September.
From 10 to 18 September, Samarkand will also host the 3rd Chess Paralympiad. A total of 41 teams will take part — the highest figure in the history of the Chess Paralympiad. By comparison, 26 teams competed in Belgrade in 2023 and 34 in Astana in 2024. This year’s event will bring together 196 players, including 150 men and 46 women. It will be held over seven rounds under the Swiss system. The record scale of the Chess Paralympiad is particularly significant for the development of inclusive sport and for raising the standing of chess as an intellectual sport open to all.
