In a post‑match press conference following Uzbekistan's victory over China (after an earlier win against India) at the Chess Olympiad, Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov, coach Rustam Kasimdzhonov, and teammate Shamsiddin Vokhidov discuss several themes. Nodirbek explains that his draw against former World Champion Ding Liren was hard‑fought, citing unexpected opening preparation and the heavy responsibility of facing a strong Chinese side. He notes that securing a draw on board 4 early gave his teammates confidence. The team reflects on the morale boost from beating India and China, describing a mix of celebration and continued focus, while acknowledging the pressure of playing at home with a supportive crowd. Rest‑day activities included team meetings, a casual padel game, and a work‑like schedule. Coach Kasimdzhonov talks about the challenges of lineup decisions, especially on board 4, and the captain’s demanding role in balancing player fatigue and strategic needs. The squad looks ahead to the remaining four rounds, identifying the United States as the next major obstacle and expressing cautious optimism about a gold‑medal chance. Throughout, the speakers convey a conversational, enthusiastic tone, balancing pride with realistic assessment of the tournament’s difficulty.
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मुकदिन, how do you feel? You know after this kind of a solid draw today?
Actually, today was I think hard game for me because in the opening, it was his preparation, but I was not ready to this line. And yeah, I had very big responsibility because China is one of the very tough opponents and potential very strong. So that's why it was very important to don't lose and to don't get such kind of risky position. And I'm very happy that I drew my game first. Because in the 4th board, and I'm playing with black, and if I will draw first, other— my teammates will be more, you know, like more confident on themselves that everything is okay. Yeah, and now positions are in every board, I think we have a little bit advantage, so I think everything is good.
You always said that you always worry more when you watch the games yourself rather than when you play. Do you worry more here or when you watched Jawaher's games at the Candidates?
Ah, no, here I think more because, you know, when we are in Candidates, there are not too many people, yeah, and we are not in Uzbekistan. And now we are in Uzbekistan, now we are favorites, so That's why it's harder here, I think.
And how did you spend the rest day, if you can tell us a bit, with the team?
Ah, rest day? We have a rest? No, we had some team meetings, and so we played some padel and a little bit some games. So that's all.
How's the team's atmosphere right now after that victory against India?
Yeah, we are very happy, but now it's not easy to continue this everything, and we will focus more and we will go up, I think.
Did you celebrate that victory, your team?
Ah, yeah, not at all, but yes, a little bit.
After a half hundred, you hear screams of dad, typing.
You guys competed now. Now do you feel a step closer to the gold medal like 2022?
Yeah, sure. In 2022, of course, you know, I was also extremely lucky against Bukash and We also had some very tough matches, but this time I think, I mean, we are all in a very, in our one of the best, I think, chess forms. Every player is doing incredibly well, and, you know, our opponents are struggling to find a weak spot in our team.
And if we keep continuing, you know, to perform like that, I think we'll have a great chance.
India done, China done. Any other team you consider as as anybody who can give you a top five?
Only U.S. left. Thank you so much. Thank you very much.
Do you think this Rook K seven was too creative by Ding? Perhaps that was the mistake.
Rook Rook K yeah, I think so.
Yeah. Rook K seven.
Bit to rest and be shaped though.
Golem. ये बता रखता हूँ। शिमचाय देने के लिए मैंने सी कोर पे देने में क्यों भी आशा है। Hearing hearing this one. वाला टुकड़ा में है। वाला टुकड़ा में है। अच्छा मैं पेड़ के लिए कुछ वाला पर के पास में ले लेता हूँ। How does it feel playing Olympiad at home? Does it get extra motivation or extra pressure?
Well, judging by our performance, I think it clearly gives motivation for us. Also, you know, crowd, the fans are, you know, cheering for us, and so we are having great time.
Thank you.
हाँ जाओ उसे कोनेक्टर ढंकी पे रहे हो तेरे कौन है कोनेक्टर ढंकी पे रहे हो उसका ये वो प्रश्न गधू बिल्कुल हो मत्ता आका पतला संगत स्वेली लोची कुछ हाँ हाँ लोची बोलूँगा तब वरिष्ठ ने Yakubo, is another important match win for you guys.
India, now China. How happy are you with this win?
Happy enough. I think the world is confirmed.
No, not at all. Chess is a tough game. We still have 4 rounds to go. I think sports can be really brutal, and if things can be changed today, Until tomorrow. Now it looks good. Yeah, I'm asking, it looks good, but we still have a lot of work to do.
Tell us about your strategy of changing the 4th board.
Um, so I'm very confident in this story. Yeah, I will tell you more after, after we got the goal.
Okay, and tell us about Nodirbek's game today. What a fantastic game.
There is a bit you can't believe. That's when you're—
I can't tell you, but I—
once they started, actually Fight, and he had more time on the clock. He was always in the control. I had the feeling, and that's good thing. Ding Liren in this tournament looked good, looked strong. He looked like his old self, but but maybe it was because he didn't have to play another break yet.
Yeah, I feel like yesterday we saw Ding Liren actually go out and explore the city, and we did not see the Uzbek team. Can you tell us what happened? Were there meetings? Did you had some Times to get some fun rest.
Yeah, I think we basically considered this more or less a working day because there was a lot to be done and a lot to be discussed.
Amazing. You want to ask a question?
Yeah, Rustam, just this thing that when a player has won the previous game, how easy or difficult it is to rest him for the next game? Because sometimes, you know, player might have a difficult time like navigating that fact.
Yeah, no, I, I think in general when you have 5 players and 4 boards, the lineup is always a difficult Because there is a temptation to just play the main field, but sometimes there are other considerations, so it's always tough.
You, you have also like, uh, done many other roles. Are you enjoying the role as a captain?
I mean, it's such a difficult line of work. Yes, enjoying is not the right word, but the one thing I'm really happy about is, uh, is to have such a fantastic team. This makes makes it so much more fun job.
I think U.S. left only. Sindaro, does this win feel like bigger than India?
Ah, no, but we played well, so that's why I am very happy.
