Bengaluru, Sept. 14 -- The official countdown for the Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, was marked with the handing over of the ceremonial torch bearing the Olympiad flame by FIDE Interim President Viswanathan Anand and All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Nitin Narang to the Candidates 2026 winner and top Uzbek player Javokhir Sindarov, according to a press release.

The Chess Olympiad is the most prestigious team competition, with the world's best set to compete in Samarkand from September 15-27.

The Chess Olympiad Torch Ceremony was started by FIDE in 2022 on the lines of the Olympic flame to celebrate the global reach of the sport and build excitement for the competition.

"The Chess Olympiad Torch is a powerful sy...