Uzbekistan's men's team secures bronze at the World Chess Olympiad

The World Chess Olympiad, held in Budapest, Hungary, concluded on September 22.

Uzbekistan’s chess team, consisting of Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Shamsiddin Vokhidov, Javokhir Sindarov, and Nodirbek Yokubboev, defeated the French team 2.5 to 1.5 in the 11th round. In the final matches, Abdusattorov, Sindarov, and Yokubboev all drew their games, while Vokhidov secured a victory.

As a result, Uzbekistan finished with 17 points. In a parallel match, the USA defeated China, leading to a tie among three teams with the same score of 17 points. Additional results were then considered: the USA claimed second place and silver medals due to their opponents' higher overall ratings throughout the tournament, while Uzbekistan surpassed China to win bronze.

India, which remained undefeated in the tournament with 10 wins and only one draw against Uzbekistan, finished first with 21 points.

Additionally, Shamsiddin Vokhidov achieved the best result (8 points out of 10) and ranked first among players on board 4. He did not lose any matches throughout the tournament and several times secured crucial points for the team.

On board 1, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (9 points out of 11) lost only to Indian player Gukesh and took home a silver medal.

Under the guidance of former world champion Vladimir Kramnik from Russia, the Uzbek team started the tournament with victories against Trinidad and Tobago (3.5:0.5), Egypt (3.5:0.5), and Croatia (3.5:0.5). However, in the fourth round against Vietnam, they missed a crucial opportunity (1:3). In subsequent rounds, they defeated Moldova (3.5:0.5), Israel (2.5:1.5), Ukraine (3:1), and Serbia (2.5:1.5). In the ninth round, they drew in a decisive match against India, where all four Indian players, leading the standings by two points, managed to secure the necessary result. Uzbekistan found it difficult to contend for victory after a loss to China in the 10th round (1.5:2.5). Ultimately, the American team's victory helped Uzbekistan's position.

The women's team, consisting of Afruza Hamdamova, Nilufar Yakubboeva, Umida Omanova, and Nodira Nodirjonova, won their final round against Turkish opponents and finished 12th overall.

Thanks to this victory, Uzbekistan's women's team secured 12th place in the team standings, marking a historic achievement in Uzbek women's chess. India's women's team also won, while Kazakhstan took second place, and the USA women's team came in third.

Nodira Nodirjonova, who played on board 5, earned second place and a silver medal.

It is worth noting that Uzbekistan's representatives were the defending champions of the World Chess Olympiad. This title has now passed to India. Tashkent will host the 2026 Chess Olympiad.