FIDE announces full schedule for 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand
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India are the defending champions in both the open and women’s sections
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has released the complete schedule for the 46th Chess Olympiad, which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 16 to 27. This ends months of anticipation, providing players, teams and fans with a clear picture of the next two weeks in world chess.
The tournament kicks off a day earlier, on September 15, with an opening ceremony. After that, the players get straight down to business, with the opening six rounds played on back-to-back days between September 16 and 21. There is only one rest day in the entire event, scheduled for September 22, before action resumes with Round 7 on September 23.
In total, there will be 11 rounds, played under the Swiss system in both the Open and Women’s sections. Rounds 1 to 10 will start at 3 pm local time, which is 3.30 pm IST for those following in India.
The final round on September 27 starts a bit earlier, at 11 am local time, or 11.30 am IST, to leave enough time for the closing ceremony later that day.
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Big stakes for the defending champions
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India comes into Samarkand with a lot to live up to. The country won gold in both the Open and Women’s sections at the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest, and now has to try to hold on to that rare double title away from home.
The Open team has some familiar names, including reigning World Champion Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi. On the women’s side, India will play Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh, R Vaishali, Vantika Agrawal and Savitha Shri B.
For the hosts Uzbekistan, this Olympiad means something a little different. Playing at home in front of their own fans, players like Javokhir Sindarov will feel the pressure to perform, especially with Sindarov set to take on Gukesh for the World Championship title just a few weeks later in Geneva.
Fans who want to follow along can watch the live broadcast on FIDE’s official YouTube channel throughout the event. With hundreds of teams and thousands of games taking place simultaneously, the schedule provides a clear guide on when to tune in, right through to the closing ceremony that will conclude the 2026 Olympiad.
When does the 2026 Chess Olympiad start and end?
The tournament runs from September 16 to 27 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the opening ceremony held a day earlier on September 15.
How many rounds are being played and is there a rest day?
There are 11 rounds in total, played under the Swiss system. The only rest day falls on September 22, right after the first six rounds are completed.
What time do the games start each day?
Rounds 1 to 10 begin at 3 pm local time, which is 3.30 pm IST. The final round on September 27 starts earlier, at 11 am local time or 11.30 am IST, to make room for the closing ceremony.
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