The heart of world chess will beat in Samarkand in 2026
FIDE and the Organising Committee of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation have issued their official invitation to the global chess community for the 46th Chess Olympiad, the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, and the 2026 FIDE Congress. This major gathering will take place in Samarkand, one of the historic jewels of the Silk Road, from 15 to 27 September 2026. Widely regarded as the most prestigious stage in team chess, the Olympiad is not only a battle for medals but also a global showcase where nations display their chess vision, institutional strength, and player depth.
The main competition will once again feature two sections: Open and Women. Both tournaments will be played over 11 rounds under the Swiss system, with each team consisting of four board players and one reserve. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 15 September, while the first moves will be played on 16 September. After round six, a rest day on 22 September is planned, with round 11 and the Closing Ceremony set for 27 September. Registration will open on 20 April 2026, and federations will receive the necessary credentials via their official email addresses.
The Samarkand event aims to build on the powerful legacy of the previous Olympiad. The 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest set a historic participation record with 193 teams in the Open section and 181 teams in the Women’s event. FIDE expects the 2026 edition to surpass those numbers and bring together thousands of players, captains, arbiters, officials, and chess fans from all over the world. That expectation is well founded: as chess continues to expand globally, the Olympiad has become not only a stage for elite players, but also the most important platform for emerging federations to make their mark.
One of the most notable aspects of this invitation is the prominence given to the FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities alongside the main event. This reflects the growing institutional commitment to inclusivity in chess. At the same time, the FIDE Congress and elections will make Samarkand not only a sporting hub, but also the political and administrative center of the chess world during that period. In short, in the autumn of 2026, Samarkand will host both the struggles on the board and the decisions that will help shape the future of international chess. Detailed regulations and technical rules are available through the FIDE Handbook.