- When was your Federation founded?
Uzbekistan Chess Federation was founded in 1992 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
- How many chess players are there in your country?
We have more than 2000 members of Uzbekistan Chess Federation and many more amateurs, playing chess just for fun.
- Do you have FIDE titled and rated players?
Most of the players are rated; also we have 74 titled players including 16 grandmasters.
- Who are your top players?
Top players in Open category are GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, IM Nodirbek Yakubboev. Top women players are WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova, WGM Sarvinoz Kurbonboeva, WIM Nodira Nadirjanova.
- Tell us about the leader(s) in your National Chess Federation and their vision for chess in your country.
Our chess leader is the 17th World Chess Champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov, he is a great example for the talented young chess players and amateurs. Chess in Uzbekistan is well developed and we are working on further integration of chess in school program.
- Are there major or proud accomplishments in recent years that we should know about?
In 2017 Nodirbek Abdusattorov became the second youngest grandmaster in history. Also in 2017 chess players from Uzbekistan won most medals of the Asian Youth Chess Championship, WIM Nadira Nodirjanova and WIM Irina Gevorgyan took bronze medals in Asian Indoor Games Blitz. In 2016 Uzbek team took 1st place in team standings of the World School Chess Championship and the women team took 2nd place in the Asian Nations Chess Cup.
- What are your major competitions?
Every year in Uzbekistan takes place the international chess tournament Tashkent Open, Memorial of Georgy Agzamov – first grandmaster of Uzbekistan. In 2017 was well organized the international chess tournament Karshi Open, with more than 300 participants, which might also become regular in the chess calendar. Also in Uzbekistan were hosted many Asian Championships, FIDE Grand Prix stages and Zonal tournaments.
- Is there chess in schools and how does it work?
We have battled to include chess in schools in Uzbekistan and now chess is widely studied as part of the sport lessons.
- Do you get support from your government and if so, how do they help?
Members of Uzbekistan national chess team are supported by the Ministry of the physical culture and sports. All of the chess tournaments, held by Uzbekistan Chess Federation, are approved by the government.
- Finally, please tell us about your developmental programs and activities.
Uzbekistan Chess Federation is working on further chess development in Uzbekistan in order to include chess lessons in the colleges and universities. Also we are constantly organizing chess tournaments in order to develop chess skills of our players and find new young talented players. One of the major accomplishments is to organize FIDE Arbiters’ and Trainers’ Seminar for the preparation of the necessary workers in chess area.