- Return of the Delegation
The Zimbabwe Chess Team is back home after two weeks of intense competition at the 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The final delegation landed safely at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, in the evening, led by the Team Captain and Head of Delegation, Mr Kudakwashe Sibanda. The first part of the delegation had safely landed on Monday 28 September 2026.
- Team Performance
While Team Zimbabwe did not secure a team prize, both teams put up a brave fight against strong opposition from across the world.
Open Section: Finished 115th out of 206 teams
Women's Section: Finished 117th out of 189 teams
As a result, Zimbabwe missed out on automatic qualification for the next edition of the FIDE World Cup.
- Individual Achievements
Despite the overall team standings, the Olympiad was a success on the individual front, with three players earning prestigious FIDE titles:
Emarald Mushore - Awarded the FIDE Master (FM) title.
Carol Ndlovu - Awarded the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title following an impressive performance in the Women's category. It was her maiden appearance at the Olympiad and, at only 17 years old, it is a strong signal that she has a lot to offer Zimbabwean chess. The best is yet to come.
Tapiwa Jele - Awarded the Candidate Master (CM) title.
These achievements are a great source of pride for the Federation.
- Equipment Grant from FIDE
Zimbabwe also received advanced DGT equipment from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) as part of their development support:
8 x DGT Electronic Chess Boards
12 x DGT 3000 Chess Clocks
17 x Standard Chess Sets
This equipment will be added to the Federation's assets and will go a long way in ensuring the smooth running of future tournaments.
- Conclusion and Appreciation
The Federation would like to thank the players, technical team, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation , Arts and Culture the Sports and Recreation Commission, and all stakeholders who supported Team Zimbabwe's participation.
We have taken valuable lessons from Samarkand and will use this experience to better prepare for future international assignments.
Published by the Zimbabwe Chess Federation. Original article
More from the federation
- Zimbabwe Chess Receives Prestigious FIDE Kick Starter AwardZimbabwe Chess received international recognition after being honoured with the prestigious Kick starter Award at the 2026 FIDE Year of Chess in Education Awards, recognising the country's progress and commitment to promoting and expanding Chess in Education (CIE). The award was presented to Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) President Mr Todd Mapingire at the FIDE Chess in Education Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, by FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand and FIDE Management Board Chairperson Mrs Dana Reizniece Ozola on behalf of International...
- Congratulations Tapiwa Jele (CM)The Zimbabwe Chess Federation is proud to congratulate Tapiwa Jele on attaining the Candidate Master (CM) title at the 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This achievement is even more special as it was Tapiwa's maiden appearance at the Chess Olympiad, where he represented the nation with great pride on the world stage. For the 2025 Zimbabwe National Chess Champion, this title was long overdue and is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and consistent performance over...
- Congratulations, Carol NdlovuZimbabwe chess Federation is proud to celebrate Carol Ndlovu on the attainment of the WFM conditional title. This is a major step forward for our young player, and her progress will be confirmed as she reaches 1900 ratings. Carol's chess journey is only just beginning at the age of 17, yet she has already earned the opportunity to represent Zimbabwe in the Women's team, a remarkable achievement that started with her first Olympiad debut in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Keep pushing, Carol!...
