Samarkand Receives Chess Olympiad Flame for 2026 Tournament

This tradition, established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, mirrors the Olympic flame relay to emphasize the global reach of the game. Nitin Narang noted that the torch serves as a symbol of unity, bridging gaps between nations and generations as it moves from the birthplace of chess to its next host city.

India enters this cycle holding both the open and women’s titles, positioning the nation as the team to beat when the event convenes in Uzbekistan. With the flame now in Samarkand, the city prepares to host the world’s elite players for the upcoming biennial competition.