The October 2026 FIDE rating list has revealed significant changes influenced by the recently concluded 46th Chess Olympiad, showcasing movement among both the Open and Women’s top 10 players. This exciting period in chess has highlighted emerging talents and established players making notable gains.
Key Players and Their Achievements
Nodirbek Abdusattorov marked a remarkable return to the top five after a three-month hiatus, thanks to his exceptional performance at the Olympiad held in Samarkand. His outstanding play on Board 1 earned him 18 rating points, propelling him to a career-best rating of 2780.
On the Women’s side, Zhu Jiner experienced a resurgence by gaining 9 points during the Olympiad, allowing her to reclaim the second position in the rankings. The competitive atmosphere of the Olympiad has proven to be a catalyst for numerous players looking to make their mark.
New talents just outside the top tier have also made headlines. Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş made a significant leap by acquiring 15 points, breaking into the world’s top 20 for the first time. Similarly, Alice Lee’s performance at the Olympiad saw her adding 14 points, enabling her to enter the Women’s top 20 for the first time in her career.
Within the top 100, Armenia’s Mariam Mkrtchyan was one of the standout performers for the September rating period, achieving a remarkable 47-point increase to reach 2421, surpassing the 2400 threshold. Mobina Alinasab matched this impressive feat with a 47-point jump after excelling at the Festival International de l’Apogée in Nîmes–Caissargues–Pont du Gard, bringing her rating to 2364.
Additionally, two more players joined the prestigious 2400 club thanks to their performances at the Olympiad: Lu Miaoyi gained 29 points to reach exactly 2400, while Savitha Shri B increased her rating by 23 points, landing at 2405. Notably, England’s Bodhana Sivanandan earned 28 points in Samarkand, making history as the youngest Woman Grandmaster at just 11 years of age. Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev also made headlines, gaining 27 points and reaching a rating of 2712, thus crossing the significant 2700 mark for the first time.
Strong showings at the Olympiad have also benefitted players like Elnaz Kaliakhmet, who increased her rating by 36 points to reach 2383, Melika Mohammadi with a 36-point rise to 2378, Deysi Cori who gained 30 points to reach 2346, and Oliwia Kiolbasa who climbed by 19 points, achieving a rating of 2405.
As the chess community reflects on these exciting developments, all eyes will be on the upcoming tournaments as players continue to evolve and strive for greatness in this intellectually stimulating sport.