Tajikistan names teams for 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand

Tajikistan will be represented by 10 chess players at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from Sept. 15 to 27, 2026.

The women’s team, seeded 84th, consists of Marvori Nasriddinzoda, Nadezhda Antonova, Rukhshona Saidova, Nozanin Mahmudova and Shukrona Mashabova. Zafar Nazarzoda will serve as captain.

The men’s team, seeded 61st, includes Mehriddin Sharifov, Muhammad Huseinkhodzhaev, Mustafokhudzha Huseinkhodzhaev, Ilkhomi Dzhaloliddin and Amin Kabilov. Said Khalil Musavi is the men’s captain.

Ilkhom Yunusov, secretary general of Tajikistan’s Chess Federation, said the players are training under Musavi’s guidance. The camps focus on theoretical, tactical and psychological preparation, game analysis and improving players’ skills.

The Olympiad will take place at the Silk Road International Exhibition Center. The first round is scheduled for Sept. 16, with a rest day on Sept. 22. About 400 teams and more than 4,000 players, coaches and delegation members are expected to attend. Winners and medalists will be decided after 11 rounds for both men and women.

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During the training camps, special attention is paid to theoretical, tactical, and psychological preparation of chess players, analysis of games, and improvement of athletic skill. Participation in the World Chess Olympiad is an important opportunity for representatives of Tajikistan to represent their country on the international stage.