Mirziyoyev: Uzbekistan Should Become a Global Chess Center
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has outlined new priorities for chess development in Uzbekistan, emphasizing the role of parents, coaches and the broader training system in the national team’s success. He said the country’s next goal is to make Uzbekistan not only an Olympic champion but also a global center for chess.
The President noted that every champion is supported by parents, a first mentor, coaches and an entire team. He separately addressed Rustam Kasimdzhanov, saying that his world championship title had opened a new era for Uzbek chess and that his accumulated experience was now being passed on to a new generation.
“The greatest victory for a mentor is when his students reach even higher heights,” the President said.
The Uzbekistan Chess Federation was named FIDE’s “Best Federation” in 2026. Rustam Kasimdzhanov was elected honorary FIDE vice-president, while Hulkar Tokhirjonova was elected FIDE Regional President for the Central Asian countries. Mirziyoyev said the recognition reflected Uzbekistan’s growing international standing as a chess nation.
Mirziyoyev recalled that Uzbekistan first won the Chess Olympiad in Chennai four years ago, finished third in Budapest in 2024 and claimed gold again in Samarkand in 2026.
“These results are not accidental. This is a school, this is a system, this is a new level of Uzbek chess,” the President said.
According to Mirziyoyev, following a 2018 decision, chess education in schools, coach training and club development were established. Five years ago, Uzbekistan set the goal of entering the top 10 countries in the FIDE rankings, and that target has now been achieved. Over the past decade, 17 Uzbek players have earned the international grandmaster title, including five women.
The President set the next objective: “We will turn New Uzbekistan into not only an Olympic champion, but also a global center of chess.”
To achieve this, talented children will be identified earlier in regions, districts and mahallas, assigned strong mentors and given opportunities to compete regularly in international tournaments. A separate system will be developed for women’s chess and para-chess.
Three regional branches of the Tashkent International Chess Academy will be established in Samarkand, Khorezm and Fergana. The academy will also train top-level coaches. The state will cover half of the training costs at private clubs for chess players with FIDE ratings above 1,500 points.
International tournaments will also be held regularly under the national “O‘zbekiston Grand chess” brand, giving Uzbek players opportunities to compete against strong opponents at home.
The President additionally proposed building a modern chess palace in New Tashkent, featuring a 500-seat playing hall, a dormitory and sports facilities.
“The greatest victory for a mentor is when his students reach even higher heights,” the President said.
The Uzbekistan Chess Federation was named FIDE’s “Best Federation” in 2026. Rustam Kasimdzhanov was elected honorary FIDE vice-president, while Hulkar Tokhirjonova was elected FIDE Regional President for the Central Asian countries. Mirziyoyev said the recognition reflected Uzbekistan’s growing international standing as a chess nation.
Mirziyoyev recalled that Uzbekistan first won the Chess Olympiad in Chennai four years ago, finished third in Budapest in 2024 and claimed gold again in Samarkand in 2026.
“These results are not accidental. This is a school, this is a system, this is a new level of Uzbek chess,” the President said.
According to Mirziyoyev, following a 2018 decision, chess education in schools, coach training and club development were established. Five years ago, Uzbekistan set the goal of entering the top 10 countries in the FIDE rankings, and that target has now been achieved. Over the past decade, 17 Uzbek players have earned the international grandmaster title, including five women.
The President set the next objective: “We will turn New Uzbekistan into not only an Olympic champion, but also a global center of chess.”
To achieve this, talented children will be identified earlier in regions, districts and mahallas, assigned strong mentors and given opportunities to compete regularly in international tournaments. A separate system will be developed for women’s chess and para-chess.
Three regional branches of the Tashkent International Chess Academy will be established in Samarkand, Khorezm and Fergana. The academy will also train top-level coaches. The state will cover half of the training costs at private clubs for chess players with FIDE ratings above 1,500 points.
International tournaments will also be held regularly under the national “O‘zbekiston Grand chess” brand, giving Uzbek players opportunities to compete against strong opponents at home.
The President additionally proposed building a modern chess palace in New Tashkent, featuring a 500-seat playing hall, a dormitory and sports facilities.
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