Eight Teams Maintain Perfect Records at 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities
By Cameron W. · Sun, 13 Sep 2026
The 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities continued in Samarkand, with eight teams maintaining perfect records after Round 2.
The 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities continued in Samarkand, with eight teams maintaining perfect records after Round 2. These teams will face each other in Round 3, setting up four direct clashes between the leaders.Leaders EmergeThe leading teams produced convincing victories in Round 2, with Cuba defeating Serbia 3–1, Israel overcoming Ukraine by the same score, and IBCA recording a commanding 3½–½ victory over Switzerland. Other winners included Germany, the Philippines, the Czech Republic, India, and Argentina, all of whom have four match points each.The top four Round 3 pairings are: Philippines – Cuba, Israel – Argentina, Czech Republic – IBCA, and India – Germany. These matches will begin to separate the field at the top of the standings.Beyond the competition, the event has highlighted the personal stories and experiences of the players. For many, chess has been a lifelong passion, introduced to them by family members and developed through dedication and practice.Players such as Lila Mohamed Amin of Egypt and Santiago Jose Curia of Argentina shared their stories of how chess has influenced their lives, from helping them solve problems and think differently to providing a sense of community and belonging.The Olympiad has also emphasized the importance of inclusion, with players from different countries and with different disabilities competing together. As Cristian Gonzalez Astete of Chile noted, this event is a celebration of equality and opportunity.