The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- FIDE has apologised after an accommodation crisis left several teams without proper lodging on the opening day of the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
- Teams forced to arrange their own rooms will be reimbursed for appropriate-standard accommodation for up to three days, with FIDE securing additional financial resources for this.
- FIDE will also compensate teams staying in official hotels that fail to meet the standards approved for the Olympiad.
- India's contingent was affected, with several team members waiting for hours because their reservations at the Silk Road by Minyoun hotel had not been communicated to the property by the local organising committee.
- The matter matters because India arrived as defending champions in both sections, and FIDE has stated that no federation should suffer financial losses from the organisational shortcomings.
What to watch next
- Whether all affected federations receive the promised reimbursements and compensation promptly.
- Whether further lodging or organisational problems emerge as the Olympiad runs until September 27.
- How India's defending-champion campaigns in the Open and Women's sections unfold after the disruptive start.
Who said what2
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Nitin Narang
1 quote · 1 outlet
“We took up the matter very strongly with both the LOC and FIDE. In very simple terms, it was communicated that this was not acceptable and that this situation should never have happened in the first place.”
In the article
…Federation (AICF) president Nitin Narang held discussions with FIDE and the organising committee to resolve the situation. Head of Delegation Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte was also sent to assist the team on the ground. “ We took up the matter very strongly with both the LOC and FIDE. In very simple terms, it was communicated that this was not acceptable and that this situation should never have happened in the first place. ” Narang told TimesofIndia.com afterwards. "But I am relieved that the players have now been accommodated and are finally in their rooms." Vidit Gujrathi described the episode as a “very poor first impression” of the…
Vidit Gujrathi
1 quote · 1 outlet
“very poor first impression”
In the article
…have happened in the first place.” Narang told TimesofIndia.com afterwards. "But I am relieved that the players have now been accommodated and are finally in their rooms." Vidit Gujrathi described the episode as a “ very poor first impression ” of the Samarkand Olympiad. ALSO READ: Chess Olympiad: How India's Arjun Erigaisi suffered biggest Round 1 upset against lower-rated opponentIndia arrive at the tournament as defending champions in both the Open and…
Coverage1
All filed from India
Named Uzbekistan · India · Samarkand · Silk Road by Minyoun · Abhijit Kunte · All India Chess Federation · FIDE · Nitin Narang · Srinath Narayanan · Vidit Gujrathi
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