A qualifying chess tournament among men and women has begun in the capital, following which candidates will be determined to participate in the 46th World Chess Olympiad.
The main team chess event in the world will be held from September 15 to 27, 2026 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
International masters Muhammadkhudzha Khusenkhodzhaev, Mustafokhudzha Khusenkhodzhaev and Jamshed Isaev, Dushanbe-2026 champion Kubod Maksudshoev, Dushanbe-2026 vice-champion Akhmad Avzalzoda, as well as promising 14-year-old chess player Pairav Kodiri are taking part in the men’s qualifying tournament in Dushanbe.
The women’s qualifying tournament includes Nozanin Makhmudova, Amina Maskhabova, Shukrona Maskhabova, Shokhsanam Dzhumaeva, Yosamin Khojaeva and Zakiyabonu Muminova.
As Yulhom Yunusov, Secretary General of the Chess Federation of the Republic of Tajikistan, told Asia-Plus, the participants will compete for the right to represent Tajikistan on the international stage in the qualifying tournament, which will become an important stage in the formation of the national team and will allow identifying chess players who are ready to perform well at the world’s largest team competition.
“It is worth noting that a number of athletes have already secured their places in the national team. Among men, this is Ilkhomi Jaloliddin – based on successful performances in 2025 and as the leader of the Tajikistan rating for May 2026, as well as Amin Kabilov – champion of Tajikistan 2026.
Among women, places in the national team have already been won by Nadezhda Antonova, the leader of the country’s women’s ranking as of May 2026, Rukhshona Saidova, based on successful performances in 2025, and Marvori Nasriddinzoda, champion of Tajikistan 2026,” Yunusov said.
