From Sindarov to Madaminov: Uzbekistan’s five Chess Olympiad hopefuls
Uzbekistan will debut at the Samarkand Chess Olympiad with two of the world’s top players on its top boards. For the 2022 champions, anything less than a medal would be a disappointment.
The opening ceremony takes place this Tuesday, on 15 September. Eleven rounds of classical chess will follow from 16 to 27 September, leaving Uzbekistan with nearly two weeks to turn home advantage into a second Olympiad title.
Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Nodirbek Yakubboev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov and Mukhiddin Madaminov form the host nation’s first open team. Former world champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov will captain the squad.
Uzbekistan is third in the starting order, behind the United States and the defending champions, India. The top five teams are Russia, the USA, China, Germany and India, according to FIDE, among a record 208 open teams.
Uzbekistan’s status as a contender is no longer based simply on youthful potential. Four members of the squad won the country’s first Olympiad title in Chennai in 2022 before returning to take bronze in Budapest two years later.
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Sindarov and Abdusattorov carry the top boards
Sindarov, rated 2777 when the teams were announced, has moved on to board one. The 20-year-old won the 2026 Candidates Tournament and will challenge India’s Gukesh Dommaraju for the world title later this year.
His recent form strengthens Uzbekistan’s case. Sindarov defeated Viswanathan Anand and Alireza Firouzja during the Global Chess League before arriving in Samarkand. He has also shown that he can compete with Magnus Carlsen, drawing their latest meeting.
Abdusattorov gives Uzbekistan another elite player on board two. A former world rapid champion, he was instrumental in the 2022 triumph and remains capable of beating almost any opponent in the field. Splitting the two Uzbek stars across the first two boards also makes it difficult for rivals to contain the team by targeting one headline player.
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Uzbekistan’s title bid depends on its depth
One superstar rarely wins an Olympiad. Yakubboev, Vokhidov and Madaminov will determine whether strong results on the leading boards translate into match victories.
Vokhidov has already proved his value in this format, winning individual gold on board four at the 2024 Olympiad. Yakubboev brings another established top-50-level opponent to the middle order, while Madaminov provides the reserve option across the 11-round competition.
The biggest rival, the US, led the seedings with Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Hans Niemann and Levon Aronian. India have Arjun Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa on the first two boards, with reigning world champion Gukesh unusually in fourth place.
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Uzbekistan will also field three teams in the women’s competition. Its leading side — Afruza Khamdamova, Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova, Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva, Umida Omonova and Guldona Karimova — is in 13th place, with India, Georgia, China and Kazakhstan among the favourites.
