Indian Chess Grandmasters Voice Concerns Over Accommodation at FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026

Indian chess grandmasters Srinath Narayanan and Vidit Gujrathi have raised alarms regarding the accommodation arrangements at the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. After arriving at the venue, they reported long waits for room assignments, leading to disappointment and frustration. The Chess Olympiad, a prestigious event featuring top players from around the globe, is set to take place from September 15 to 27. The situation has cast a shadow over the event's opening, with players hoping for better experiences as the competition unfolds. Read on to learn more about their experiences and the significance of this event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 16, 2026, 00:04 IST

Concerns Raised by Indian Chess Players

Tashkent, Uzbekistan - On September 15, Indian chess grandmasters Srinath Narayanan and Vidit Gujrathi expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the accommodation arrangements at the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 taking place in Samarkand. They reported that teams were left waiting for hours for their room assignments upon arrival.

Srinath took to the social media platform X to share his frustrations, stating that the team had been waiting for their accommodations since landing at Samarkand airport five hours earlier. He tweeted, "Experiencing a terrible situation at the @FIDE_chess 2026 Olympiad. The team arrived five hours ago, yet we still have no assigned rooms and no information on when they will be available."

Vidit Gujrathi also shared his disappointment, noting that the initial experience at the Olympiad was far from satisfactory. He tweeted, "Very poor first impressions of the Samarkand, Uzbekistan Olympiad 2026. Still waiting."

The Chess Olympiad is renowned as the premier team competition, featuring the world's top players competing in Samarkand from September 15 to 27.

The Chess Olympiad Torch Ceremony, initiated by FIDE in 2022, mirrors the Olympic flame tradition, aiming to celebrate the sport's global influence and generate excitement for the event.

Nitin Narang, President of the All India Chess Federation, remarked, "The Chess Olympiad Torch symbolizes the connection between nations and generations. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi started this tradition in India in 2022, and it is significant to see the flame travel from India, the birthplace of chess, to Uzbekistan, a nation with a rich chess heritage. We wish Javokhir Sindarov and Uzbekistan the best as Samarkand prepares to host the chess community." India enters the competition as the defending champion in both the open and women's categories, and they are favored to retain their titles.