The UAE Chess Federation has confirmed its national squad will take part in three upcoming tournaments as part of a structured program to build experience and competitiveness, the Emirates News Agency reported. The UAE national team to participate in Chess Olympiad, Asian Games, Arab Championship aligns with preparations for the country to host the 47th Chess Olympiad in Abu Dhabi in 2028. Federation officials have blended veteran players with emerging talents across open and women’s categories to maximize development opportunities in the lead-up to the home event.
FIDE figures show the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 27 will feature a record 398 teams and nearly 2,000 players competing in 11 rounds of Swiss-system matches. The tournament follows the 3rd Chess Paralympiad earlier in the month, which is set to attract 41 teams. A UAE Chess Federation assessment found that these high-level exposures help elevate national rankings and prepare the core group for future success on home soil in four years.
According to the Emirates News Agency, the squad will also feature at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, running from September 19 to October 4, where chess has returned as a medal sport after a period of absence. The UAE Olympic Committee data places the country’s overall delegation at 165 athletes competing in 23 disciplines during the multi-sport gathering. China and India have historically dominated chess medals at the Games, with strong showings in both individual and team formats since the sport’s debut in 2006.
The Arab Chess Championship offers regular regional competition against counterparts from across the Middle East and North Africa under the Arab Chess Federation. In the most recent editions the UAE secured 11 medals in 2025 and six in 2024, including multiple golds, a UAE Chess Federation tally showed. Such events allow players to test strategies against varied styles while boosting their international ratings, according to federation board member Kholoud Al Zarouni.
Abu Dhabi signed a formal hosting contract for the 2028 Olympiad that also encompasses a Paralympiad and the 98th FIDE Congress, the Asian Chess Federation reported. The move builds on the legacy of the 1986 Chess Olympiad hosted in Dubai, which spurred growth from a handful of Emirati players to thousands today. Federation president Taryam Matar Taryam has stressed the importance of consistent international exposure to create a sustainable talent pipeline.
World Chess Federation records indicate the UAE has steadily improved its standing in global rankings since establishing its federation in 1976. Participation in the current cycle of events is viewed as essential stepping stones toward contending for honors when the Olympiad returns to the country. The selected players will undergo targeted training camps before each competition to refine openings and endgame techniques.
