Poland Win the 2026 Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities

Poland won the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities in Samarkand unbeaten, ahead of Cuba and hosts Uzbekistan, with IBCA fifth.

Poland have won the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The Polish team finished unbeaten with 13 match points from 7 matches, winning six and drawing one.

Cuba took second place with 12 match points, and Uzbekistan's first team finished third with 11. The United States, IBCA and Mongolia all finished on 10 match points, with the United States ahead on tiebreak in fourth place and IBCA fifth.

IBCA, the International Braille Chess Association, represents blind and visually impaired players. Its strong finish, just one point behind the medal places, shows how high the level of chess among visually impaired players is.

Poland's win was a real team effort, with several players scoring heavily over the seven rounds. Winning six matches and drawing the other in a seven-round Swiss shows remarkable consistency.

India finished with 7 match points. In the final round India lost narrowly to Mongolia 2.5-1.5, although Gangolli Kishan won his game. Kishan was one of India's most reliable scorers throughout the event.

The Olympiad for People with Disabilities has grown with each edition. It gives players who might have fewer chances to compete internationally the opportunity to represent their countries on a world stage. Many of these players have overcome real challenges to reach this level, and their dedication is an example to all chess players.

There is a lesson here for students, too. These players show that chess skill comes from thinking, practice and determination. Whatever difficulties you face, chess is a game where everyone can learn, improve and compete.

The main 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad is now under way in the same city, so Samarkand has truly been the centre of the chess world this month.

Congratulations to Poland, Cuba and Uzbekistan on their medals, and to every player who took part.