‘Deeply regrets’: FIDE apologizes for Chess Olympiad accommodation crisis, assures teams of compensation

Chess Olympiad in Samarkand (FIDE photo) NEW DELHI: FIDE has stepped in to address the accommodation crisis that has disrupted the opening day of the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, assuring the affected federations that they will not bear any additional costs arising from the measure.In a statement, FIDE said it “deeply regrets that deficiencies in accommodation arrangements have left some participating teams without proper accommodation, forcing them to arrange rooms in the city at their own expense.”While accommodation is the responsibility of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), FIDE has said it considers it its duty to assist federations affected by the situation.The governing body has secured additional funding and confirmed that teams forced to self-catering will be reimbursed for up to three days of standard rooms.FIDE also announced compensation for teams staying in official hotels that do not meet the standards approved for the Olympics.“FIDE deeply regrets that these organizational problems have occurred and apologizes to the federations and teams affected,” the statement said, adding that its priority was to ensure that no federation suffered financial losses due to organizational shortcomings.The crisis also affected the Indian contingent, which arrived in Uzbekistan on Tuesday before the opening round. Several team members were left waiting for several hours after their reservations at the Silk Road by Minyoun Hotel were not properly notified to the local authority.Men’s team captain Srinath Narayanan raised the issue publicly, while All India Chess Federation (AICF) president Nitin Narang held talks with FIDE and the organizing committee to resolve the situation. Head of delegation Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte was also sent to assist the team on the ground.“We have taken up this matter very strongly with both the LOC and FIDE. Simply put, we have been told that this is not acceptable and that this situation should not have happened in the first place.” Narang then told TimesofIndia.com. “But I am relieved that the players are now settled and are finally in their rooms.Vidit Gujrathi described the episode as a “very bad first impression” of the Samarkand Olympics.ALSO READ: Chess Olympiad: How India’s Arjun Erigaisi suffered biggest upset in Round 1 against lesser ranked opponentIndia comes to the tournament as the defending champions in both the open and women’s sections after their historic double gold triumph at the 2024 Budapest Olympics. The 46th Chess Olympiad runs until September 27.