Uzbekistan Triumphs at Historic Chess Olympiad in Samarkand

According to reporting by Euronews, Uzbekistan clinched the gold medal on home soil at the record-breaking Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand. The tournament drew nearly 400 teams representing over 190 countries, who battled through 11 intense rounds of competition. While the host nation claimed the top prize, European federations also demonstrated formidable strength throughout the event, with Germany securing the bronze medal. The tournament highlighted the growing geopolitical and cultural footprint of international sports hosting across the wider European and Eurasian neighbourhood, aligning with increasing international engagement in Central Asia. Alongside Germany's podium finish, several European Union member states and neighbours—including Hungary, France, Spain, Azerbaijan, and Armenia—secured coveted spots within the overall top ten, reflecting the continent's enduring depth of talent in competitive chess. For European chess federations, businesses, and policymakers, the strong showing underscores the sport's high engagement and cross-border appeal, which continues to drive sports tourism and cultural exchange. As the international chess calendar progresses, national federations will now turn their focus to upcoming European championships and the qualification cycles for future global Olympiads. Following the conclusion of this historic event, stakeholders will evaluate the infrastructure and logistical successes of the Samarkand tournament as a benchmark for future large-scale international sporting fixtures in the region.

Source: Euronews. Read the original report ↗