Uzbekistan wins the 2026 Chess Olympiad open gold in Samarkand, dominating the biennial international team tournament from start to finish and evoking the legendary Soviet grandmasters. The host nation finished with 20/22 match points, while England's 11-year-old Sivanandan set a new world age record.
Uzbekistan's Dominant Chess Olympiad Victory
Uzbekistan led almost from start to finish, with world No 5 Nodirbek Abdusattorov and world title challenger Javokhir Sindarov as their top-board powerhouses. The team recovered swiftly from a single defeat by Germany and crushed Armenia 3.5-0.5 in the penultimate round. The Uzbekistan government rewarded each of the five players with $200,000 (£178,000), plus $50,000 for coach Rustam Kasimdzhanov.
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Final Standings and Key Results
| Rank | Team | Match Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uzbekistan | 20/22 |
| 2 | India | 18 |
| 3 | Germany | 18 |
| 4 | United States | 17 |
| 5 | Azerbaijan | 17 |
| 6 | Armenia | 17 |
| 7 | Hungary | 17 |
| 8 | China | 16 |
| 9 | France | 16 |
| 10 | Spain | 16 |
| 11 | Ukraine | 16 |
| 12 | England | 16 |
India, the defending champions, finished second, while Germany was a surprise third. The top-seeded United States ended fourth. A total of 206 teams competed.
England's Sivanandan Sets World Age Record
England's creditable 12th place, one below their seeding, was highlighted by 11-year-old Sivanandan, who became the youngest player to represent England at the Chess Olympiad, setting a new world age record. His performance underscored the rising talent in English chess.
India's Performance and Gukesh's Struggles
India performed in line with their seeding. Putting world champion Gukesh Dommaraju on board four boosted his results but also underlined that Sindarov is the favourite for the coming world championship match. Gukesh was exposed in the final rounds when he was outplayed against Germany, although he won that game fortuitously, and Hungary.
Key Takeaways
- Uzbekistan won the 2026 Chess Olympiad with 20/22 match points.
- India finished second, Germany third, and the USA fourth.
- England's Sivanandan, 11, set a new world age record.
- Uzbekistan's government rewarded players with $200,000 each.
- Gukesh's board four placement highlighted Sindarov's world title chances.
FAQ
Who won the 2026 Chess Olympiad?
Uzbekistan won the open gold medals at the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand with 20/22 match points.
What record did England's Sivanandan set?
Sivanandan, aged 11, became the youngest player to represent England at the Chess Olympiad, setting a new world age record.
How much did Uzbekistan's players earn?
Each of the five players received $200,000 (£178,000), and the coach received $50,000.
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