Uzbekistan's national chess team secured a bronze medal in the blitz competition at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Chess Championships 2026, finishing third among 53 teams at one of the world's most prestigious team chess events.
The tournament, held in Hong Kong from June 17 to 21, brought together many of the world's strongest chess players competing for a share of the €500,000 prize fund.
Representing Uzbekistan were grandmasters Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Yakubboev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov and Mukhiddin Madaminov, alongside women's international grandmasters Afruza Khamdamova and Umida Omonova, as well as Oqjol Rahmatullayev.
After successfully advancing to the playoff stage of the blitz competition, the Uzbek team defeated WR Chess in the quarterfinals to reach the last four.
Their title challenge ended in the semifinals following a defeat to Dragon Chilling. However, the team bounced back in the bronze-medal match, overcoming Hexamind Chess Team to secure third place on the podium.
The result earned Uzbekistan €30,000 ($34,500) in prize money.
The championship featured a total prize fund of €500,000 ($575,000), with €310,000 ($356,500) allocated to the rapid section and €190,000 ($218,500) reserved for the blitz competition.
Uzbekistan has emerged as one of the world's fastest-rising chess nations in recent years, driven by the success of a new generation of grandmasters led by Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov.
