Translated with AI
The men's and women's chess qualifying tournament has begun in Dushanbe. The results will determine the candidates for the 46th World Chess Olympiad, according to the Tajikistan Chess Federation.
The world's main team chess competition will be held from September 15 to 27, 2026 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
The men's qualifying tournament features international masters Muhammadkhuja Khusenkhodjaev, Mustafokhuja Khusenkhodjaev, and Jamshed Isaev, 2026 Dushanbe city champion Kubod Maksudshoev, 2026 Dushanbe vice-champion Akhmad Avzalzoda, and promising 14-year-old chess player Pairav Kodiri.
Nozanin Makhmudova, Amina Maskhabova, Shukrona Maskhabova, Shokhsanam Dzhumaeva, Yosamin Khodjaeva and Zakiyabonu Muminova are competing in the women's tournament for the right to join the national team.
Participants will compete for the opportunity to represent Tajikistan on the international stage. The tournament will be an important step in the development of the national team and will help identify chess players ready to compete at the world's largest team competition.
Meanwhile, a number of athletes have already secured spots on the national team. Among the men, Ilkhomi Jaloliddin earned spots on the team based on his successful performances in 2025 and as the leader of the Tajikistan rankings as of May 2026, as well as Amin Kabilov, the 2026 Tajik Chess Champion.
Among women, Nadezhda Antonova, the country's top female player as of May 2026, Rukhshona Saidova, based on her successful performances in 2025, and Marvori Nasriddinzoda, the 2026 Republic of Tajikistan Chess Champion, have already secured spots on the national team.
