Cheering crowds in Samarkand welcomed five teenage players and their captain as they emerged from the Olympiad hall, where they had been embraced by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. The Uzbek team secured the gold medal in the biennial Chess Olympiad, adding to the nation’s previous triumph in 2022 and a bronze in 2024, as well as a silver in 1992.
Uzbekistan, whose average age is 21, has made chess a national priority. Government funding over the past five years has boosted training programs and international participation, a strategy mirrored by neighboring Kazakhstan. The victory reflects the impact of that investment, with the young squad outperforming 205 other teams.
Spain finished 10th out of 206 teams, with reserve player Daniil Yuffa earning an individual silver medal. The Uzbek triumph underscores the country’s growing stature in the chess world and highlights the effectiveness of state-supported sports development.
Looking ahead, officials said the success will encourage further resources for youth chess initiatives and aim to sustain Uzbekistan’s competitive edge in upcoming global events.