Muscat, Sept 16
Ten Omani players began their campaign at the 46th Fide Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Wednesday, as the largest edition in the history of the sport's premier team event got under way.
The Sultanate of Oman has entered teams in both sections of the biennial championship, which
runs until September 27 at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre — the first Olympiad
ever staged in Central Asia.
The Open team is led on top board by FM Salim al Amri (rated 1,951), alongside Mohammed al
Saidi, Mohammed al Riyami, CM Mana al Kathiri and Mahad al Amri, with Musallam al
Wadhahi as captain. The women's team comprises Anat al Aisaee on board one, Yomna al
Nadabi, Kawthar al Maamari, Muna al Mughaizwi and Maryam al Balushi, captained by Basma al Sudairi.
Competing under the Oman Chess Committee, the delegation faces a field of unprecedented scale, with more than 200 nations represented across the open and women's sections — surpassing the record set in Budapest in 2024. Oman's Open team is seeded 164th of 208 and the women 142nd, meaning the Swiss-system format will pit them against grandmasters and international masters in the early rounds.
Al Wadhahi said the squads are targeting rating gains and international titles, including FM, CM and WFM norms that can be earned through Olympiad performance, describing the event as a chance to test Omani players against the world's leading chess schools while inspiring a new generation at home.
Preparation for Samarkand included intensive training camps, online analytical sessions and
daily tactical work of four to six hours, with several members of the delegation — particularly in the women's team — making their first appearance at the sport's biggest stage.
After the 11-round event, the players turn to the Asian indoor games, Arab championships and
the domestic calendar.
The Olympiad has drawn nearly 2,000 players to Samarkand, with defending double champions India, top seeds the United States and hosts Uzbekistan among the favourites for team gold.
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