Indian Chess Team Faces Accommodation Delays at Samarkand Olympiad

The Indian chess team's participation in the 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad got off to a rocky start as organisers in Samarkand struggled with basic logistics. Players and support staff arriving at the airport were left without accommodation assignments for approximately five hours, creating frustration among the delegation ahead of the prestigious international tournament.

The delay in room allocations raised concerns about the preparedness of host arrangements for one of chess's premier events. Teams competing in the Olympiad typically require immediate accommodation to help players acclimatise and prepare for competition.

The incident highlighted teething problems in the tournament's operational setup, though details regarding whether subsequent arrangements were resolved smoothly remain unclear. The Indian contingent's experience underscores the logistical complexities involved in hosting a major international sporting event of this scale.

The FIDE Chess Olympiad, held biennially, attracts top talent from across the globe. India fields both men's and women's teams to compete against international rivals in the tournament's various categories.