Uzbekistan became the champion of the chess Olympiad in Samarkand

Uzbekistan has won the title of champion of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand

The first men's national team of Uzbekistan became the winner of the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. The team secured the gold even before the end of the decisive match against Ukraine, and then won it with a score of 2.5:1.5. The final fate of the first place was determined after India's 2:2 draw with Hungary. Before the final round, Uzbekistan was in first place with 18 team points, one point ahead of India.

For Uzbekistan, this is already the second Olympic gold in the last three Olympiads. In 2022, the team became champion for the first time in Chennai, and two years later took bronze in Budapest.

Javokhir Sindarov (rating — 2778), in the second match of the national teams, faced one of the most famous Ukrainian chess players — 57-year-old Vasyl Ivanchuk (2630). The game ended in a draw.

Based on the results of the home Olympiad, Sindarov scored 7 points in 10 games — five wins, four draws, and one defeat. The grandmaster skipped the first round. His only defeat in the tournament was suffered against Wesley So in the ninth-round match against the USA.

On the first board, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (2762) drew with Igor Kovalenko (2642).

Prior to this, Abdusattorov played 11 games and did not lose a single time. He has 8.5 points to his credit — six wins and five draws. Before the final round, he notably defeated former world champion Ding Liren and one of the strongest American grandmasters, Fabiano Caruana. His victory over the latter helped Uzbekistan defeat the USA in the ninth round.

Nodirbek Yakubboev (2685) on the third board drew with Igor Samunenkov (2608). He finished the Olympiad with 7.5 points in 10 games — six wins, three draws, and one defeat.

Yakubboev's victories over Nihal Sarin in the match against India, Yu Yangyi in the encounter with China, and Hans Niemann against the USA proved to be particularly important. In the match against India, it was his victory that became the only decisive game and brought Uzbekistan success with a score of 2.5:1.5.

Mukhiddin Madaminov (2611) on the fourth board defeated Roman Dekhtiarov (2508). For Madaminov, this was his seventh game at the Olympiad. He finished the tournament undefeated, scoring 5.5 points — four wins and three draws.

Shamsiddin Vokhidov (2654), who did not play in the final round, scored 4 points in six games: won three times, drew twice, and suffered one defeat.

Thus, over the entire Olympiad, the five chess players of the main national team of Uzbekistan scored 33 points on the boards.

Uzbekistan won 9 out of 11 team matches at the home Olympiad (excluding the match with Ukraine). The team went through the first seven rounds without losing any team points. Among the opponents were the then-reigning Olympic champion India, China, and Hungary.

The only defeat the team suffered was in the eighth round against Germany — 1.5:2.5. Already the next day, Uzbekistan defeated the USA — 2.5:1.5, and then crushed the previously undefeated Armenia — 3.5:0.5.

Before the last round, Uzbekistan was the sole leader with 18 points, one point ahead of India. It was enough for the national team to defeat Ukraine to guarantee gold, regardless of the result of the India — Hungary match (this encounter ended in a 2:2 draw).

Uzbekistan's main competitor — India — drew with Hungary 2:2. Arjun Erigaisi defeated Peter Leko, but world champion Dommaraju Gukesh lost to Gleb Dudin. Richard Rapport — Praggnanandhaa and Benjamin Gledura — Nihal Sarin ended their games in draws.

China defeated the second team of Uzbekistan — 3:1. Jakhongir Vakhidov drew with Ding Liren, Humoyun Begmuratov — with Xu Xiangyu. Abdimalik Abdisalimov lost to Wei Yi, Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov — to Yu Yangyi.

Armenia finished the Olympiad with a victory over Croatia — 3:1. Shant Sargsyan and Manuel Petrosyan won their games, while two other encounters ended in draws.

The third team of Uzbekistan, on the contrary, finished the tournament with a victory over Andorra — 2.5:1.5. Almas Rakhmatullaev defeated Serni Ribera Veganzones, Mukhammadali Abdurakhmonov — Daniel Gomez Anadon, Saidakbar Saydaliev drew with Oscar de la Riva. Asrorjon Omonov lost to Esteve Mateu Guilla.

Uzbekistan won its first gold of the World Chess Olympiad in 2022 in Chennai. Back then, the young team did not lose a single match over 11 rounds and edged out Armenia on tiebreaks.

At the next Olympiad — in 2024 in Budapest — Uzbekistan took third place. India became the champion, while the USA won the silver medals. In addition, Nodirbek Abdusattorov received a silver individual medal on the first board, and Shamsiddin Vokhidov — a gold one on the fourth.

Uzbekistan finishes the Olympiad with 20 team points out of 22 possible, 10 wins, and 1 defeat. On individual boards — 32.5 points out of 44 possible.

The first women's national team of Uzbekistan finished the Olympiad with a defeat against Armenia with a score of 1:3.

Afruza Khamdamova (2443) lost to Lilit Mkrtchian (2353), Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova (2357) — to Mariam Mkrtchyan (2374). Umida Omonova (2297) drew with Elina Danielian (2382), Guldona Karimova (2242) — with Susanna Gaboyan (2179).

The second women's national team of Uzbekistan finished the last round with a draw against Israel — 2:2.

Nilufar Yakubbaeva (2246) lost to Marsel Efroimski (2340), Marjona Malikova (2149) drew with Noga Orian (2307). Madinabonu Khalilova (2087) defeated Olga Gutmakher (2216), Asal Salimova (2088) shared a point with Victoria Chernyak (2222).

The third women's national team of Uzbekistan confidently defeated South Africa — 3.5:0.5.

Zilola Aktamova (2078) drew with Chloe Badenhorst (1997). Maftuna Bobomurodova (2030), Barchinoy Shokirjonova (1996), and Ozoda Shakhzodova (1964) secured victories.

In the battle for gold, China defeated Vietnam — 3:1. Zhu Jiner and Lu Miaoyi won their games, while two others ended in draws.

Kazakhstan played 2:2 with Poland. Elnaz Kaliakhmet defeated Alicja Sliwicka, but Alua Nurman lost to Aleksandra Maltsevskaya. Two other games ended in draws.

Thus, China maintained first place and became the winner of the women's section of the Olympiad. Kazakhstan finished the tournament in second place.