By A completely different global story is unfolding in the chess world. The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad is currently taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 27, 2026. National teams from around the world are competing, making it one of the biggest international chess events of the year.
1. The World’s Chess Nations Meet in Samarkand
The Chess Olympiad brings national teams together rather than focusing on individual players alone. The competition consists of 11 rounds, with a rest day scheduled for September 22.
2. India Begins Its Campaign
India has entered strong men’s and women’s teams for the Olympiad. The tournament is particularly significant for Indian chess because several of the country’s leading players are competing on the international stage.
3. Arjun Erigaisi Faces an Early Upset
One of the notable stories from the opening round was Thai International Master Prin Laohawirapap defeating Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi. The result was one of the major individual surprises of the first round.
4. Gukesh and Sindarov Add Extra Interest
The Olympiad is also attracting attention because World Champion Gukesh D and Javokhir Sindarov could potentially meet during the tournament. They are also scheduled to play the 2026 World Chess Championship later this year, giving their potential encounter additional significance for chess followers.
5. Chess and Technology Continue to Connect
Chess is increasingly connected with technology, online platforms and professional sports-style leagues. FIDE has also highlighted technology partnerships around chess, while the Global Chess League recently completed its fourth season in Bengaluru.
6. A Major Global Chess Event With Some Organizational Issues
The Olympiad has also faced accommodation-related problems during its opening period. FIDE issued a statement concerning the issue and said affected federations would not be left with additional financial burdens.
Conclusion
The 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand is currently one of the biggest stories in international chess. Strong national teams, unexpected opening-round results and the presence of major players such as Gukesh, Sindarov and Arjun Erigaisi are making the tournament particularly interesting. With the competition continuing until September 27, more major developments are expected.
For your daily articles, I can keep changing the subjects: one day global business/AI, another day startups/trade/technology/markets, and a different chess story such as a tournament, player, championship, chess technology or major result—so the content doesn’t become repetitive.
