{"id":39654,"date":"2025-10-25T20:11:28","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T20:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/?p=39654"},"modified":"2026-02-08T11:01:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T11:01:01","slug":"winners-crowned-at-2nd-chess-olympiad-for-people-with-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/winners-crowned-at-2nd-chess-olympiad-for-people-with-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Winners crowned at 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities concluded today in Astana, marking a historic celebration of inclusivity, determination, and unity \u2013 coinciding with the Republic Day of Kazakhstan.<\/p>

The final day began with a vibrant cultural performance featuring traditional Kazakh dances, music, and local cuisine, creating a festive atmosphere for the participants. The ceremonial first move was made by Andrey Gromov, President of the International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA), together with Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u201cIt\u2019s the first time Kazakhstan has organised such an event,\u201d said Gulmira Dauletova. \u201cAfter hosting the World Cadets Championship just weeks ago, preparing this Olympiad in only 20 days was a huge challenge \u2013 but our team worked tirelessly, and we are proud that everything went so well. The players are happy, and that means everything to us.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cOur main goal was to create smiles. Seeing the players enjoy themselves, especially during moments like our \u2018Hug Day,\u2019 was the most rewarding part,\u201d she added.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

A short but powerful history<\/strong><\/p>

The Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities has a brief yet inspiring history. It began in 2020 with the first Online Olympiad, which saw 61 teams from 45 countries and nearly 400 players \u2013 Poland took gold in that inaugural edition.<\/p>

Three years later, the dream of meeting over the board became reality in Belgrade, Serbia, where 23 teams competed in the first in-person event \u2013 Poland once again emerged victorious. This year in Astana, the Olympiad reached a record 34 participating teams, making it the largest and most inclusive edition to date.
The story continues: starting in 2026, the Olympiad for People with Disabilities will be held alongside the main Chess Olympiad, beginning in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.<\/p>

\u201cFor me, it\u2019s special that chess allows people with all kinds of abilities to compete on an equal footing,\u201d said Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board. \u201cChess is one of the most inclusive sports in the world \u2013 and aligning these Olympiads ensures that everyone remains part of the same global chess family.\u201d<\/p>

Thomas Luther, Chairman of the FIDE Commission for People with Disabilities, added: \u201cFrom next year, the Olympiad for People with Disabilities will take place alongside the main Olympiad and the FIDE Congress \u2013 a major step that guarantees the continuity and growth of this event.\u201d<\/p>

\"\"<\/pre>
Stories of Inspiration<\/strong><\/p>
Inclusivity in chess extends to every corner of the world. Blessing Jemani, captain of the Zimbabwean team, shared a powerful story about his young student Tinashe Mvududu, who plays chess using his legs.
\u201cHe teaches us that disability is not inability,\u201d said Jemani. \u201cHe\u2019s an inspiration to our entire chess community \u2013 and though he couldn\u2019t join us this year, we hope to see him competing next year in Uzbekistan.\u201d<\/p>
Position of the Day<\/strong><\/p>
The final round delivered thrilling chess moments \u2014 notably, the game between Ihar Rasikhin (FIDE 2) and Luisa Fernanda Molina Valdes (Colombia), featuring a brilliant \u201cGreek gift\u201d sacrifice:<\/p>
\"\"<\/pre>
26. Bxh7+ Kxh7 27. Qxf7 Qd8??<\/strong>\u00a0(after 27\u2026Rxe1! 28. Rxe1 Qc4! White is only slightly better)\u00a028. Qh5+ Kg8 29. g6<\/strong>, and Black resigned facing inevitable checkmate.<\/p>
\"\"<\/pre>
Awarding Ceremony<\/strong><\/p>
The closing ceremony was filled with emotion and pride.<\/p>
Dana Reizniece delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing gratitude to all contributors: \u201cThe 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities has been a true festival of humanity \u2013 a magnificent demonstration of the unbreakable spirit of chess. On behalf of FIDE, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Government of Kazakhstan and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for their continuous support of chess and its development. Our thanks also go to the Akimat of Astana and Mayor Zhenis Kasymbek for their warm hospitality, and to the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and its President Timur Turlov for their exceptional organisation. We are deeply grateful to our partners, Freedom Holding Corporation and all sponsors, for their invaluable support, and to the National Paralympic Centre for providing world-class playing conditions. Finally, heartfelt thanks to the arbiters, fair play team, and volunteers whose dedication ensured everything ran flawlessly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Team standings\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>
The final standings crowned the champions of the 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities:\u00a0<\/p>
1st Place<\/strong> \u2013 FIDE 1 (Babarykin, Ermakov, Lipilin, Zakharova, Obodchuk)
2nd Place<\/strong> \u2013Poland (Tazbir, Molenda, Piekielny, Leszner, Wolanski)
3rd Place<\/strong> \u2013 Israel (Gruenfeld, Streltsov, Gurbanov, Aleksandrova)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Full results: chess-results.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>
Special awards and board winners<\/strong><\/p>
Special <\/strong>p<\/strong>rizes<\/strong><\/p>