Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities 2026 Begins in Samarkand

The 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities began in Samarkand, with India beating Uzbekistan's second team 3-1 in round 1.

The 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities began yesterday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It brings together teams of players with physical, visual and hearing disabilities from countries around the world, all competing at the same chessboard.

The event is a 7-round Swiss for teams, played at a full classical time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 more minutes, with 30 seconds added after every move. Each match is played over four boards.

One team represents IBCA, the International Braille Chess Association, an organisation for blind and visually impaired players. Visually impaired players often use special tactile boards, where the black pieces and squares can be felt by touch and pieces fit into holes so they do not fall over. Moves are also announced aloud so that both players always know the position.

India made a winning start, beating Uzbekistan's second team 3-1. Shashikant Kutwal and Gangolli Kishan won their games, while Aryan B Joshi and Megha Chakraborty drew.

Several other teams began with 4-0 wins, including Germany, the United States, Ukraine and Uzbekistan's first team.

Chess has a special place among games because it can be played equally well by people of very different physical abilities. A strong player in a wheelchair, a blind player with a tactile board, and a player who uses sign language can all compete as equals, because chess is decided by the mind.

For students and parents this event is a reminder to make chess welcoming for everyone. If your club or school has a player with a disability, small changes, such as a tactile board, announcing moves clearly, or arranging accessible seating, can make a big difference.

The event runs until 17 September, and the main 46th Chess Olympiad begins in the same city on 16 September.