Samarkand 2026 — where chess, culture and friendship meet at 46th Chess Olympiad!

Samarkand, Uzbekistan — where history, culture, friendship and the joy of sharing come together through chess.

At the 46th Chess Olympiad, Samarkand brings the chess world together to celebrate more than competition. Players from more than 200 countries gather with a shared passion — to learn, improve, challenge themselves, rise after victories and learn from defeats.

Every move tells a story. Every game creates a connection. And every player, regardless of the result, takes something meaningful away from the experience.

Samarkand reminds us that chess can be much more than a game played across 64 squares. It can bring people and cultures together, create friendships across borders, inspire young minds and demonstrate how chess can help shape a more connected world.

This is the beauty of chess — we compete across the board, but connect beyond it.

This is just the first glimpse..

More to follow from Samarkand — including a snapshot of the spectacular Opening Ceremony, the atmosphere, the stories, and, of course, who will shine as the games begin!

The 46th Chess Olympiad is underway, and Samarkand is ready to witness chess history unfold.

A special thank you to all the teams for joining us and helping share the news.

Best wishes to you all and to every participant at Samarkand 2026!