Chess Olympiad 2026: Sindarov receives ceremonial torch in Bengaluru ahead of Samarkand event
Synopsis
The ceremonial Chess Olympiad torch — a tradition PM Modi launched in India in 2022 — was handed from FIDE's Viswanathan Anand and AICF chief Nitin Narang to Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov in Bengaluru on 14 September, launching the countdown to Samarkand. India arrives as defending champion in both Open and Women's categories at the largest Chess Olympiad in history, starting 15 September.
Key Takeaways
Javokhir Sindarov , Candidates 2026 winner and Uzbekistan's top GM, received the Chess Olympiad ceremonial torch in Bengaluru on 14 September 2026 .
The handover was conducted by FIDE Interim President Viswanathan Anand and AICF President Nitin Narang .
The 46th Chess Olympiad runs from 15 to 27 September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan .
A record 1,980 participants from 208 teams representing 205 nations (Open) and 188 nations (Women's) are expected.
India is the defending champion in both the Open and Women's categories and is among the title favourites.
The Chess Olympiad Torch Ceremony was launched by FIDE in 2022 , with PM Modi inaugurating the tradition in India.
Javokhir Sindarov, the Candidates 2026 winner and Uzbekistan's top chess grandmaster, received the ceremonial torch bearing the Chess Olympiad flame in Bengaluru on 14 September 2026, marking the official countdown to the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The handover was conducted by FIDE Interim President Viswanathan Anand and All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Nitin Narang, symbolically passing the flame from India — the game's birthplace — to the host nation.
The Torch Ceremony and Its Significance
The Chess Olympiad Torch Ceremony was introduced by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) in 2022, modelled on the tradition of the Olympic flame, to celebrate the sport's global reach and build anticipation for the competition. The tradition was inaugurated in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that same year, lending it added symbolic weight. This marks the second time the flame has passed through India before heading to the host country.
Sindarov is currently in Bengaluru to participate in the Global Chess League (GCL) Season 4, making the timing of the handover particularly fitting.
What Narang Said
Nitin Narang, President of the All India Chess Federation, underscored the bilateral chess connection: 'The Chess Olympiad Torch is a powerful symbol of how the game connects nations and generations. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi began this tradition in India in 2022, and it is special to see the flame now travel from India, the game's birthplace, to Uzbekistan, two nations with a deep and growing chess culture. We wish Javokhir Sindarov and Uzbekistan the very best as Samarkand prepares to welcome the chess world.'
Scale of the 2026 Chess Olympiad
The 46th Chess Olympiad is scheduled from 15 to 27 September 2026 in Samarkand. A total of 1,980 participants are expected — 1,032 in the Open section and 948 in the Women's event — drawn from 208 registered teams. The Open section fields teams from 205 nations, while the Women's section features teams from 188 nations. Both tournaments will run across 11 rounds, with each match pitting four players from one team against four from another.
India's Title Defence
India arrives in Samarkand as the defending champion in both the Open and Women's categories, making the nation one of the favourites to retain its titles. The chess resurgence India has witnessed in recent years — anchored by a deep talent pool and continued FIDE-level engagement — positions the team strongly heading into the competition.
With Samarkand set to host the largest gathering in Chess Olympiad history, the torch now travels from Bengaluru to Uzbekistan, setting the stage for what promises to be a landmark edition of the world's premier team chess event.
Point of View
Retaining both Olympiad titles, and now serving as the symbolic launchpad for Samarkand reveals a strategic FIDE partnership that goes beyond goodwill. The real story heading into Samarkand is whether India's defending team — navigating a generational talent surge and a crowded global field — can make it two Olympiads in a row on both boards. If it does, the argument for India as the world's chess capital, not merely its birthplace, becomes very hard to contest.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chess Olympiad Torch Ceremony?
The Chess Olympiad Torch Ceremony is a tradition launched by FIDE in 2022, modelled on the Olympic flame, to mark the countdown to the Chess Olympiad and celebrate the sport's global reach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the tradition in India that year, and it has since become a key pre-event ritual.
Who received the Chess Olympiad torch in Bengaluru in 2026?
Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov, the Candidates 2026 winner, received the ceremonial torch from FIDE Interim President Viswanathan Anand and AICF President Nitin Narang in Bengaluru on 14 September 2026. Sindarov was in the city for the Global Chess League Season 4.
When and where is the Chess Olympiad 2026?
The 46th Chess Olympiad will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 15 to 27 September 2026. It is expected to feature 1,980 participants from 208 teams across 205 nations in the Open section and 188 nations in the Women's section.
Is India defending its Chess Olympiad title in 2026?
Yes. India is the defending champion in both the Open and Women's categories and is considered among the favourites to retain both titles in Samarkand. The team heads into the event on the back of a strong recent run in international team chess.
What is the format of the Chess Olympiad 2026?
Both the Open and Women's events will be played over 11 rounds, with each match featuring four players from one team facing four players from another. A total of 1,980 participants are registered across both sections.
