The 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities 2026 kicked off yesterday at Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It is a 7-round team tournament, with a total of 41 countries taking part. Team India is the 11th seed!

The Indian Team at the Olympiad - starting from left, Vekukho Soho (Team Manager), Wife of Ashutosh Singh, Aryan Joshi (Board 4), Megha Chakraborty (Board 5/Reserve Board), Kishan Gangolli (Board 3), IM Shashikant Kutwal (Board 2), Kishan Patel (Team Manager), Ashutosh Singh (Board 1).

Ashutosh Singh was rested in the first match. India faced Team Uzbekistan B in the first round! The Team scored a convincing 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan 2.

IM Shashikant Kutwal (2207) scored a fine win over Ilkhom Gulamov (1847)

Kishan Gangolli (2052) defeated Amrillo Abdullayev (1822) with the Black pieces

Aryan Joshi (1979) drew against Uralbek Normuminov (1815)

Megha Chakraborty (1645) drew with the Black pieces against Sabokhat Ikromalieva (1646) | Photo: Andrei Anosov/FIDE


Some more photos of Megha Chakraborty in action! | Photos: FIDE/Andrei Anosov

India will face Team Uzbekistan 3 in the 2nd round today. Check out the pairings and standings here.