Samarkand has opened the third FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, welcoming a record 41 teams from 36 countries and about 200 players. For the first time, this event is being staged alongside the main FIDE Chess Olympiad, with both competitions and the FIDE Congress taking place in the same city and during the same period.
Significance of the Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities
The opening ceremony was held at the Hilton Hotel, bringing together players, officials, and guests ahead of seven days of play. Uzbekistan’s Minister of Sports, Adkham Ikramov, underlined the country’s commitment to chess and the support provided by national and local authorities, noting the significance of beginning the chess fortnight with the event for players with disabilities. FIDE officials also highlighted Samarkand’s deep chess roots, pointing to archaeological finds of centuries-old pieces in the region, and framed the gathering as a tribute to perseverance and unity within the chess community.
The ceremony included the draw of lots for colors, conducted by Chief Arbiter Nebojsa Baralic. For top-seeded Poland, with Akaki Iashvili and Komil Sindarov participating in the draw, the result assigned White on the first board in Round 1.
The Olympiad for People with Disabilities will be contested as a seven-round Swiss team event, with one round per day. Teams comprise players with hearing, physical, and visual impairments, and each lineup must include at least one player of each gender in every round. Round 1 begins on September 11 at 15:00 local time, and the final round is scheduled for September 17 at 11:00.
Five days after the first moves in this competition, the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad will start on September 16, bringing both Olympiads together in Samarkand.
This dual event not only showcases the talent of players with disabilities but also emphasizes inclusivity in the world of chess, setting a precedent for future competitions. The collaboration of the FIDE Chess Olympiad and the Olympiad for People with Disabilities highlights the importance of accessibility in sports and the power of chess as a unifying force across diverse communities.