"Avoiding distractions is key": Shamsiddin Vohidov on winning gold at the Chess Olympiad

At the 45th Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary, Uzbekistan's national men's team achieved a remarkable third-place finish among 189 countries. Among the team’s standout performers was 22-year-old Shamsiddin Vohidov, who earned a gold medal for his individual performance on board four. In an interview with Kun.uz, Vohidov shared his experiences from the Olympiad, his preparation, and his approach to becoming a successful chess player.

Tough Match Against India

Reflecting on the Olympiad, Vohidov highlighted the level of competition, stating that some of the world’s best chess players participated. Playing on the fourth board, he secured 8 points out of 10 rounds, with 6 victories and 4 draws, which earned him the gold medal. Vohidov faced opponents from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Moldova, China, India, Vietnam, Egypt, and Croatia. He noted that the toughest matches were against the Indian team, where all four games ended in draws. Interestingly, the Indian players only drew against Uzbekistan, while defeating all other opponents.

As a team, Uzbekistan claimed 8 victories, drew 1 match, and suffered 2 losses. This stellar performance placed them third overall in the Olympiad, behind the United States, India, and China, out of 189 participating nations. Upon their return to Uzbekistan, the team was celebrated with a grand reception and rewarded with BYD cars and cash prizes. "We were all extremely happy to be recognized for our hard work," Vohidov said.

Learning from Kramnik was Invaluable

In preparation for the Olympiad, the Uzbek team trained under the guidance of Vladimir Kramnik, a former world chess champion. Vohidov described this experience as a masterclass in chess excellence, where they focused on strategies, tactics, combinations, and rapid analysis during games. Kramnik also provided valuable insights into studying opponents, identifying their playing styles, and exploiting their weaknesses.

Vohidov emphasized the importance of not only mental but also psychological and physical preparation for chess. "In chess, it's crucial to make quick and correct decisions, manage emotions, maintain concentration, and play effectively under pressure," he explained.

Fatigue Can Lead to Defeat

Chess matches can last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, demanding intense focus. According to Vohidov, even a momentary distraction can lead to a single wrong move, undoing hours of hard work and resulting in defeat. "I’ve experienced situations where fatigue caused me to lose games that I had been leading for hours," he admitted, underscoring the necessity of physical endurance for success in long matches.

I Avoid Distractions Completely

To maintain his focus on chess, Vohidov has eliminated distractions from his life. He avoids social media, with the exception of his Instagram account, which he rarely uses. He also minimizes phone use, preferring to channel his energy into improving his chess skills. "Interactive devices can draw you in and take time away from working on yourself. I'm focusing all my energy on achieving high results, which is why I’ve given up anything that might distract me from my goals," Vohidov explained.