2 hrs ago
India Faces Hotel Chaos While Defending Chess Olympiad Titles
India’s chess teams arrived in Samarkand to compete in the Chess Olympiad.
They expected to receive hotel rooms, but many players had to wait for about five hours.
Some players said they were frustrated because nobody could clearly explain what was happening.
Players from Austria and Wales said they had similar problems.
An official from the Uzbekistan Chess Federation said organizers were working to fix the situation.
He said players should be comfortable by the time matches began.
India is trying to defend both its men’s and women’s titles.
The teams include leading players such as D Gukesh and Koneru Humpy.
India’s chess teams waited about five hours for hotel rooms after arriving in Samarkand.
Grandmasters Srinath Narayanan and Vidit Gujrathi publicly criticized the lack of clarity.
Players from Austria and Wales also reported serious accommodation delays.
Uzbekistan Chess Federation Vice President Alisher Sadullaev said the issues were being resolved.
India’s men’s and women’s teams are defending the titles they won in 2024.
- Who
- India’s men’s and women’s chess teams, along with players from several other countries, were affected.
- What
- Players experienced delays and confusion over hotel room assignments at the Chess Olympiad.
- Where
- The issue occurred in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
- When
- The disruption occurred after the teams arrived on Tuesday; the tournament is scheduled for September 16–27, 2026.
- Why
- Organizers attributed the problem to check-in timing and coordination arrangements, while saying the situation was being resolved.
Players’ concerns
Organizers’ response
Hotel-room delays
Players’ concerns
Indian players and other international competitors described the accommodation process as chaotic, frustrating and poorly communicated.
Organizers’ response
Alisher Sadullaev said the check-in arrangements and coordination had been organized and that the issue was being resolved.
Impact on the tournament
Players’ concerns
Players said the delays created a poor first impression and followed difficult journeys, including long waits and flights.
Organizers’ response
The Uzbekistan Chess Federation said players would be able to settle in comfortably and begin their matches as planned.
Key facts
- Location
- Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- Tournament
- FIDE Chess Olympiad
- Scheduled dates
- September 16–27, 2026
- Reported delay
- About five hours for Indian players after arrival
- Indian men’s team
- Headlined by D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi
- Indian women’s team
- Includes Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal and Savitha Shri B
- Defending champions
- Both Indian teams won their respective titles in 2024
Quotes
Jonathan Blackburn
Welsh chess player
“Having a terrible experience at the @FIDE_chess 2026 Olympiad. The team landed 5 hours ago at Samarkand airport. The team still haven't been allotted rooms, with absolutely no clarity on when it'll be allotted.”
rediff.com
“37 hours awake, 2 flights, half way round the world only to be told you don't have a hotel room that night, typical Olympiad. Finally in my room - worth it”
rediff.com
Alisher Sadullaev
Vice President of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation
“I'm sure this will be resolved.. and from tomorrow on players can comfortably come and start playing their matches”
rediff.com
Sources
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