The UAE Chess Federation board of directors approved the national team’s entry into the Chess Olympiad during its second meeting of the year, which took place on September 8 and covered multiple international competitions. The board appointed Abdullah Hassan Al Hammadi as head of the delegation to Uzbekistan while also confirming participation in the sixth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Riyadh from December 11 to 21 and the Arab Men’s and Women’s Championship in Tunisia from December 18 to 28. Dr. Ismail Ibrahim Al Khoori chaired the session, which was attended by Fouad Darwish as vice chairman, Mohammed Waseem Khayyata as second vice chairman, Shamsa Al Hanai and Khalid Khoori among other officials, according to the Emirates News Agency.
Al Hammadi stated that the UAE national team’s participation in the Chess Olympiad represents an important milestone in its preparation programme, with the federation keen to provide the best possible conditions for players to achieve distinguished results, gain more experience and compete against the world’s best players. He added that the objective of these upcoming events is to strengthen the UAE’s presence in regional, continental and international championships while building on positive results achieved previously. Al Hammadi praised the support of the Ministry of Sports and the Olympic Committee as well as the cooperation of the clubs in an interview carried by the Emirates News Agency.
FIDE data shows the 46th Chess Olympiad will feature a record 208 teams in the open section and 190 in the women’s category, making it the largest edition in the event’s history with nearly 2,000 players total. The competition will unfold at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand across 11 Swiss-system rounds from September 16 to 27 following an opening ceremony on September 15, with one rest day on September 22. The UAE open team holds an average rating of 2339, which places it around 72nd in the provisional seeding according to official team cards published by FIDE.
This marks a continuation of the UAE’s growing involvement in high-level chess, where the federation has consistently sought to elevate its competitive standing through targeted preparation and international exposure. The decisions reflect a structured approach that aligns with broader efforts to develop the sport domestically while engaging with global counterparts. Al Hammadi’s appointment as delegation head underscores the federation’s focus on experienced leadership for the Samarkand campaign and subsequent events.
The Olympiad brings together top talents from more than 200 nations, offering the UAE squad an opportunity to test its progress against established powers such as the United States, India and host Uzbekistan, all of whom have announced strong lineups with average ratings above 2700. According to a FIDE overview, the event also includes side activities to promote chess, alongside the 97th FIDE Congress taking place concurrently. The UAE Chess Federation has positioned these participations as key steps in its annual calendar to foster long-term advancement in the discipline.
Board members reviewed logistical and strategic aspects during the meeting to ensure seamless preparation across the three tournaments, which span from mid-September through late December. The federation emphasised coordination with relevant authorities to support the players effectively throughout the schedule. This comprehensive programme highlights the UAE’s commitment to sustained engagement in chess at multiple levels.
