The video captures a post‑match press conference following Uzbekistan's decisive win against India in the 2026 Chess Olympiad. Uzbek Grandmasters Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov, along with team coach Rustam Kasimdzh anov, answer questions from several reporters. They discuss the equal start of the game, the pressure in the rook endgame, and pivotal moments such as the 96th‑move check, the unexpected Knight‑f5 sacrifice, and the opponent’s queen loss. The participants describe the match as stressful yet lucky, expressing strong happiness while acknowledging that the celebration may be premature given five tough rounds remaining, especially against a strong Chinese team. They also reflect on individual performances (e.g., Nihal’s play, Yakubov’s time trouble) and the overall team outlook, emphasizing the need for continued focus and preparation for upcoming challenges.
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We can take picture with her, please. Thank you very much. Have a picture with you. Oh, sorry.
Today was it like very equal from the start?
Yeah, yeah, was equal position from start.
And then in the rook endgame, did you feel any pressure or was it just fine for you?
Yeah, it's fine.
Calculus says I think zero-zero, but a little pressure was there.
And final question, what do you think about the position in the Yakubov game?
I don't know.
How happy are you? You know, with the match with him.
We are very happy because I think it was very stressful match and at some moments. It was very risky for us, so that's why we are very happy. Yeah, and I think India and Uzbekistan is one of favorites, so it was very like, I don't know, principal match. Yeah.
Was it also stress without playing?
It's a big stress when you are not playing.
Were you also preparing for the team?
Maybe.
Yeah.
क्या होगी?
Were you watching this game from the hotel or you were here somewhere?
I was watching from hotel.
And you came running.
From start, I think like we are losing. Yeah, I mean, it was very tough match. Unlucky, my boy Nihal, he played very well, but I mean, this blunder sometimes happens with everyone. So I hope he will come back.
Thank you. Congratulations to your team.
Thank you.
After 96 Check were you did you celebrate with the team?
Ah, I was. I was super happy. I mean, I mean, Nihal is a guy who I mean who blunder who I mean normally he never blunders, but today I mean we are very lucky. So I mean yeah, Yakubov I think. I mean at some point at some point like he lost a lot of on time and I was thinking like we are in big trouble, but. Then I mean this ninety-six was really crazy.
Congrats.
Yeah, thank you.
Very tough match, of course.
And how did you feel when the position was going up and down in Nihal game?
Well, at some point it looked like we were losing. It looked like Nihal was better, was had more time and had everything under control. But of course our guy is the trickiest guy alive. Yeah, this was really a trap for the Egyptian.
And, uh, Rustam, how important is this match win for Uzbekistan given the situation?
It's of course a very important match. Now we are, I think, clear favorites, but we still have a lot of work to do. So I mean, the celebration is sort of nice, but it's a bit premature, I think. Yeah, I still have to survive 5 very tough rounds, and the Chinese, they look very strong.
How was your feeling when Nihal played Knight f5?
Yeah, no, it also had this dual feeling because it looked like it would win, but it also suddenly looked like it would not be easy also. Yeah, it looks like it will take some tough conversion, but I think Nodirbek played very, very well in the second, in the final phase of the game.
You mentioned about China. Any other team you're looking forward to give you a tough competition?
I think China will be the first, and after this, all the other The things will also be tough, yeah. But I think China will now be like really, really big test because they really look good. I noticed this in the very beginning, but okay, when Ding Liren starts playing well and the rest of them play well, it's just amazing. Yeah, so we still have like a very hard job ahead of us.
Can we see you and the boys at the Bermuda party today? No. Okay, congratulations.
Thank you.
That's why he's wearing a hoodie again.
Yakubov, how happy are you after this very important match win?
Of course I'm happy to claim the victory. Yeah, but I didn't expect him playing Knight f5.
After, like, after he lost the queen, was the endgame a little bit difficult for you?
Uh, no, I was just, uh, trying to, uh, win this game accurately, so that's why I spent some time. Uh, yeah, I think it was winning after he missed the, uh, his queen.
And before that, maybe the position was a little bit like, uh, unbalanced. Can, can you say that?
Yeah, I think he was better. I missed when I missed in time trouble.
And now how will the celebrations be? Maybe going to the Bermuda party or no?
No, we'll Not celebrate because the like the task is not done yet.
Yeah. Yes.
Nodirbek, how happy are you with this match win?
We are incredibly happy. I mean, it was so, so like a lucky moment. Yeah, it was very tough match.
