Uzbekistan started the chess Olympiad with six victories

Uzbekistan started the Chess Olympiad with six victories

On September 16, the games of the 46th World Chess Olympiad began in Samarkand. As the host of the tournament, Uzbekistan fielded three teams each in the open and women's sections. In the first round, all three of the country's men's national teams won their matches.

The leader of the Uzbekistan national team, Javokhir Sindarov, missed the first game. He was given rest and time to recover after participating in the Global Chess League in India, which concluded on the eve of the Olympiad's start. Sindarov's team took third place there, and the Uzbek grandmaster himself was recognized as the best player on board one.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov played on board one against Jamaica. He defeated Joshua Christie (2216).

Nodirbek Yakubboev prevailed over Raheem Glaves (2127), Shamsiddin Vokhidov over Jaden Shaw (2100), and Mukhiddin Madaminov over Akheem Brown (2072).

The Uzbekistan national team received the third starting seed of the Olympiad with an average rating of 2720. Only the USA (2753) and India (2735) were ranked higher. The first team of Uzbekistan includes Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Yakubboev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov, and Mukhiddin Madaminov. The captain is Rustam Kasimdzhanov.

The second men's national team of Uzbekistan defeated Afghanistan with a score of 3:1.

Abdimalik Abdisalimov won on board one against Khaiber Farazi, Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov defeated Habibullah Amini, and Ortik Nigmatov beat Wahabuddin Mirzaad. The only defeat for the Uzbek team was suffered by Khumoyun Begmuratov, who lost to Homayoon Mohtaat.

The third team of Uzbekistan started the Olympiad with a victory over Mali — 3.5:0.5.

Saidakbar Saydaliev drew on board one with Bakary Traore. Almas Rakhmatullaev defeated Oumar Keita, Mukhammadali Abdurakhmonov beat Baba Moulaye Abdallah Maiga, and Asrorbek Omonov defeated Youssouf Niare.

The USA team — the top seed — faced Iraq in the first round. Fabiano Caruana was rested, so Wesley So, Hans Niemann, Levon Aronian, and Awonder Liang played for the Americans.

The USA won the match, but they could not avoid dropping points on the boards: Iraqi chess player Ali Ehsan Aryan, rated 2163, secured a draw against Aronian.

Gukesh Dommaraju.

India — the reigning Olympic champion — defeated Thailand (3:1) in the first round. Praggnanandhaa was given a day off. The only defeat for the reigning Olympic champions was suffered by Arjun Erigaisi: on board one, he lost to International Master Prin Laohawirapap, who is rated nearly 400 points below him. Nihal Sarin, reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who played on board three, and Vidit Gujrathi won their games.

China crushed Uganda 4:0. Victories were claimed by Ding Liren, Yu Yangyi, Xu Xiangyu, and Kung Xiangrui.

Germany defeated the Faroe Islands with the same score. Points were brought by Matthias Bluebaum, Frederik Svane, Alexander Donchenko, and Rasmus Svane.

Armenia left no chance for Barbados — 4:0. Robert Hovhannisyan, Shant Sargsyan, Gabriel Sargissian, and Manuel Petrosyan won their games.

England also finished the first round with a 4:0 score, defeating Monaco. Victories were secured by Nikita Vitiugov, Gawain Jones, Luke McShane, and Daniel Fernandez.

At the time of publication, Ukraine was leading in its match against Zimbabwe 3:0. Igor Kovalenko, Anton Korobov, and Igor Samunenkov won their games, while the match between Roman Dekhtiarov and Vitalis Mapuranga was still ongoing.

Azerbaijan started the Olympiad with a resounding victory over Morocco — 4:0. Aydin Suleymanli defeated Mohamed-Mehdi Ait Mida, Muhammad Muradli beat Yasser Hadj Kholti, Rauf Mamedov defeated Nidal Ghaoui, and Eltaj Safarli beat Abdeslam Zarkik.

The Pakistan men's national team did not show up for their first-round match against Israel. The President of the Pakistan Chess Federation, Syed Zeeshan Naqvi, explained this by the country's official stance regarding Israel and stated that the boycott was an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The second women's team of Uzbekistan defeated Togo with a score of 3:1. Marjona Malikova beat Isabelle Mamah, Asal Salimova defeated Sandrine Koudafou, and Mumtozbegim Mansurova beat Sandra Koudafou. Madinabonu Khalilova lost to Afiwa Kponou.

The main women's national team of Uzbekistan crushed Trinidad and Tobago (4:0). Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova defeated Shemila James, Nilufarxon Imomkuzieva beat Samantha Dolly, Guldona Karimova defeated Aradhana Ramnarine Singh, and Umida Omonova beat Zara La Fleur.

The third women's team of Uzbekistan crushed Tanzania — 4:0. Victories were achieved by Zilola Aktamova, Maftuna Bobomurodova, Shokhina Akhmedova, and Barchinoy Shokirjonova.

The 46th World Chess Olympiad is taking place in Samarkand from September 16 to 27. There are 208 teams registered in the open section and 191 in the women's section. The tournament consists of 11 rounds under the Swiss system. In each match, teams field four chess players, with one more player remaining in reserve.

The opponents for the teams will become known after the conclusion of all games on the first day.

The second round will take place on September 17. The games will begin at 15:00.

The World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand will gather a record 400 teams. Uzbekistan approaches its home tournament as one of the favorites, with the USA, India, and China as its main rivals.