Every two years, the chess world stops to watch its biggest team event. This September, that's the FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan — and with a record field and a strong England squad, it's shaping up to be one of the most-watched editions in years. Here's what's happening, who to watch, and how to follow along.
When and where
The 46th Chess Olympiad runs 15–27 September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The opening ceremony and technical meeting take place on the 15th, with eleven rounds of classical chess following from the 16th through to the closing ceremony on the 27th.
A record-breaking field
This is the largest Olympiad in chess history. FIDE has confirmed 400 teams across the two competitions, 208 in the Open event and 192 in the Women's event. Beating the previous record of 380 teams set at Budapest in 2024. The Open and Women's tournaments run side by side, with national teams of four players plus a reserve competing across four boards.
Who's the favourite
Based on the published seedings, the United States head the Open field, just ahead of defending champions India, hosts Uzbekistan, China and Germany. The US team notably includes Hans Niemann, while India's line-up features World Champion Gukesh playing on board four behind Arjun Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa R. In the Women's event, India also enters as top seed, with Georgia, China and Kazakhstan among the closest challengers.
Team England
England's squads were confirmed by the English Chess Federation ahead of the event. The Open team is Nikita Vitiugov, Michael Adams, Gawain Jones, Luke McShane and Daniel Fernandez. The Women's team is Bodhana Sivanandan, Lan Yao, Jovanka Houska, Harriet Hunt and Elmira Mirzoeva.
One name worth watching closely: 11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, who recently became the youngest girl in history to earn an International Master norm, returns for her second Olympiad on the England Women's team. It's a genuinely remarkable storyline for anyone following English chess, and a great one to get younger players at home excited about the game — see our best chess set for beginners guide if you've got a budding junior player at home.
The equipment behind the games
Every board at Samarkand will be played on FIDE-approved equipment, and DGT is the name synonymous with elite-level chess tech — from the electronic boards that broadcast live moves to the clocks sitting beside every game. If watching the Olympiad has you thinking about upgrading your own setup, our guides cover exactly this ground:
- Electronic vs traditional chess boards — what the pros use and why
- DGT vs Ferrer chess boards compared — a head-to-head for players deciding on their next board
- Best chess clocks UK (2026 guide) — the same clock technology used at tournament level
- Tournament chess equipment: what players actually use — a full kit rundown
How to follow the Olympiad
FIDE runs live broadcasts and standings throughout the event, with games streamed daily during the competition window. If the Olympiad inspires you to get your own board out — or your local club back into gear for the autumn season — take a look at our chess club application page, where we support UK clubs with tournament-ready equipment.
Get Olympiad-ready
Whether you're upgrading to a tournament-standard board and clock or picking up your very first set to follow along with the games, browse our full range at Librium Games. Got questions about which setup matches what you'll see on the Samarkand broadcasts? Get in touch — or find out more about us on our about us page.
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Electronic vs Traditional Chess Boards: Which Should You Buy?