The 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand kicked off with a logistical nightmare rather than a clean break. The FIDE governing body issued a statement on Wednesday, admitting it "notes with deep regret" that the local Organising Committee (LOC) failed to secure proper accommodation for participating teams.
India’s contingent arrived in Uzbekistan on Tuesday, only to find their reservations at the Silk Road by Minyoun hotel had not been processed. Men’s team captain Srinath Narayanan was left waiting for hours, a delay that AICF president Nitin Narang described as "not acceptable." The frustration was palpable, with Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi calling the episode a "very poor first impression" of the event.
The response from FIDE was swift but calculated. The organization confirmed it would cover the cost of rooms for affected federations for up to three days. They also announced compensation for teams stuck in official hotels that failed to meet approved standards. The priority, according to the statement, was ensuring no federation absorbed the financial hit of the LOC's organizational shortcomings.
Head of Delegation Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte was deployed to the ground to manage the fallout, while Narang held direct talks with FIDE officials. The players are now settled in their rooms, but the shadow of the incident lingers over the defending champions. India enters this 46th Olympiad as the title holders in both Open and Women’s sections, a status earned through their historic double-gold sweep in Budapest in 2024.
The tournament runs until September 27, and the focus now shifts back to the board. Arjun Erigaisi’s Round 1 upset against a lower-rated opponent in the Open section highlights the unpredictable nature of the competition ahead.