The Chess Olympiad runs 16–27 September 2026 at the Silk Road EXPO in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. A record field and fixed tournament rules shape the event; live coverage and expert commentary are available daily.
Record participation: 208 teams in the open section and 191 in the women’s section are competing in 11-round team matches.
Format and rules: five-player teams, four-board matches, match points decide standings (2 for a win, 1 for a draw), strict time control and draw restrictions before Black’s 30th move.
The rules restrict early agreed draws: players may not draw by mutual agreement before Black's 30th move. A draw claim before Black's 30th move is permitted only in cases of threefold repetition or stalemate.
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