ZIMBABWE CHESS FEDERATION REPORT: 2026 FIDE CHESS OLYMPIAD - SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN

- Return of the Delegation The Zimbabwe Chess Team is back home after two weeks of intense competition at the 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The final delegation landed safely at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, in the evening, led by the Team Captain and Head of Delegation, Mr Kudakwashe Sibanda. The first part of the delegation had safely landed on Monday 28 September 2026. - Team Performance While Team Zimbabwe did not secure a team prize, both teams put up a brave fight against strong opposition from across the world. - Open Section: Finished 115th out of 206 teams - Women's Section: Finished 117th out of 189 teams As a result, Zimbabwe missed out on automatic qualification for the next edition of the FIDE World Cup. - Individual Achievements Despite the overall team standings, the Olympiad was a success on the individual front, with three players earning prestigious FIDE titles: - Emarald Mushore - Awarded the FIDE Master (FM) title. - Carol Ndlovu - Awarded the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title following an impressive performance in the Women's category. It was her maiden appearance at the Olympiad and, at only 17 years old, it is a strong signal that she has a lot to offer Zimbabwean chess. The best is yet to come. - Tapiwa Jele - Awarded the Candidate Master (CM) title. These achievements are a great source of pride for the Federation. - Equipment Grant from FIDE Zimbabwe also received advanced DGT equipment from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) as part of their development support: - 8 x DGT Electronic Chess Boards - 12 x DGT 3000 Chess Clocks - 17 x Standard Chess Sets This equipment will be added to the Federation's assets and will go a long way in ensuring the smooth running of future tournaments. - Conclusion and Appreciation The Federation would like to thank the players, technical team, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation , Arts and Culture the Sports and Recreation Commission, and all stakeholders who supported Team Zimbabwe's participation. We have taken valuable lessons from Samarkand and will use this experience to better prepare for future international assignments.