Indian chess team stranded without hotel rooms in Samarkand ahead of 2026 Olympiad

The Indian chess team, defending champions in both the Open and Women's sections, has found itself in a difficult situation after arriving in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, without hotel rooms just hours before the first round of the 46th Chess Olympiad. The incident was brought to light by team captain Srinath Narayanan and Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi through posts on X, drawing attention across the international chess community. According to The Indian Express, the Indian team landed in Samarkand approximately five hours before captain Srinath Narayanan posted on X. He stated that the entire team had no hotel rooms and accused the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of failing to forward the reservation to the hotel "Silk Road by Minyoun." Narayanan described the experience as "terrible" and expressed concern that players would have to compete while sleep-deprived. Shortly after, Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, a member of the Indian Open team, also shared on X: "Very poor first impressions of Samarkand. No rooms for the Indian team at the hotel." These posts quickly went viral, sparking a wave of criticism directed at the Olympiad organizers. The All India Chess Federation (AICF) responded by deploying its Head of Delegation, Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte, to the scene to resolve the issue. The AICF also escalated the matter to its president and to the International Chess Federation (FIDE). According to updates, some players have been allotted rooms, but the situation is not yet fully stable. The 46th Chess Olympiad is being held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 27, 2026. This is the first time a Central Asian country has hosted the biggest event in the chess world. The tournament brings together national teams competing in a Swiss system, with Open and Women's sections. India arrives as the defending champion in both sections, having won double gold at Budapest 2026. The Indian Open team features top names: D Gukesh, the reigning World Champion; Arjun Erigaisi, who has crossed 2800 Elo; R Praggnanandhaa, a rising talent; Nihal Sarin and Vidit Gujrathi. The Women's team includes R Vaishali, the 2026 Women's Candidates winner; Koneru Humpy, a veteran; Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Savitha Shri B. This is considered the strongest squad in Indian chess history. The hotel incident occurred at the most sensitive moment: right before Round 1. Round 1 is usually the easiest round of the Olympiad, as strong teams face weaker opponents, but for a team aiming to defend its title, the lack of accommodation and disrupted preparation could affect focus and stamina. Based on my experience covering matches, logistical problems before a competition often leave psychological consequences that are hard to measure, especially in an 11-round event spanning more than 10 days. The local organizers and FIDE have not yet issued an official response. Meanwhile, two conflicting explanations exist: either the hotel was overbooked, or the LOC failed to send the reservation. If the LOC is found to have failed in its duty, this could be considered a breach of the host's obligations under FIDE regulations. The incident also raises questions about the vetting process for future host candidates. Notably, The Indian Express article included an embedded link titled "On losing spree, how Chess Olympiad could be the tonic world champ Gukesh needs." This implies that Gukesh has been in poor form ahead of the Olympiad. This could be a genuine competitive concern, independent of the hotel crisis. If Gukesh is not at his best, India could lose its advantage on board one, where he is expected to score heavily. Overall, this is not a rare incident in international tournaments, but the severity lies in the timing and the affected parties. An Indian team featuring the reigning World Champion, under pressure to defend a double gold, cannot afford to lose hotel rooms before competition. However, with squad depth and careful preparation, India remains the top favorite for both titles. For the organizers, the incident could damage the reputation of the Olympiad and the city of Samarkand. Posts by famous players have great reach on social media, and if not resolved quickly, it could become a stain on the tournament's history. FIDE needs to respond clearly to determine responsibility and ensure other teams do not face similar situations. In the context of the transfer market and competing sports events, the story of the Indian chess team stranded in Samarkand reminds us that behind every chessboard are people with basic needs. A hotel room may seem small, but it can affect the performance of an entire team. Can India overcome adversity to defend its crown? The answer will come after Round 1, when the pieces begin to move.