Ten Omani Players Begin Campaign in Chess Olympiad

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 17, 2026

Ten chess players from Oman are competing in the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, participating in both Open and Women’s categories against over 200 nations. Their goal is to improve ratings and earn international titles while measuring Omani talent against some of the world’s strongest teams in the event’s first Central Asian edition.

Ten chess players from Oman have commenced their participation in the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking a significant milestone as the largest iteration of the sport’s premier team competition. The event, hosted at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre, began on Wednesday and will run through September 27. This Olympiad is notable as the first to take place in Central Asia.

Oman’s delegation includes teams in both the Open and Women’s categories, competing under the Oman Chess Committee. The Open team features FIDE Master Salim al Amri, rated 1,951, playing on the top board, alongside Mohammed al Saidi, Mohammed al Riyami, Candidate Master Mana al Kathiri, and Mahad al Amri. Their team captain is Musallam al Wadhahi. The women’s team comprises board one player Anat al Aisaee, supported by Yomna al Nadabi, Kawthar al Maamari, Muna al Mughaizwi, and Maryam al Balushi, with Basma al Sudairi serving as captain.

This year’s Olympiad has attracted participation from over 200 nations, surpassing the previous record set at the 2024 Budapest Olympiad. Oman’s Open squad is seeded 164th among 208 teams, while the women’s team holds the 142nd position. Based on the Swiss-system pairing format, these rankings mean Omani players will face off against some of the world’s top grandmasters and international masters early in the competition.

Captain Musallam al Wadhahi indicated that the teams aim to achieve rating improvements and secure international title norms, including FIDE Master (FM), Candidate Master (CM), and Woman FIDE Master (WFM). He emphasized that the event provides an opportunity to assess Omani talent against leading global chess programs and serve as inspiration for emerging players within Oman.

Preparation for the Olympiad involved intensive efforts, including rigorous training camps, daily tactical exercises lasting between four and six hours, and analytical sessions conducted online. Several members of the women’s team are making their debut at this level of international competition. Following the conclusion of the 11-round Olympiad, the Omani players plan to participate in the Asian Indoor Games, Arab Championships, and national tournaments.

The Olympiad in Samarkand has drawn nearly 2,000 participants. Among the favorites to win team gold are defending double champions India, the top-seeded United States, and the host nation, Uzbekistan.

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