The video records the post‑Olympiad press conference held in Uzbekistan after the national team secured its second consecutive gold at the FIDE Chess Olympiad. Moderator A opens the session, outlines the Q&A format, and asks captain Rustam Kasimdzhanov to reveal the "secret" behind the victory. Kasimdzhanov emphasizes that there is no single secret; rather, the decisive factors are unprecedented governmental support—from the president and prime minister—comprehensive preparation (training, coaching, nutrition, accommodation), and a rare camaraderie among team members. He notes that every logistical detail was meticulously managed, including food, hotels, and personal support for players. The floor then opens to journalists. Madaminov, a first‑time Olympian, expresses joy at playing at home and credits senior teammates Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov for easing pressure. Sindarov highlights how the 2022 win transformed chess into a national priority, with sustained state funding and public enthusiasm fueling the current success. Abdusattorov discusses his role as team leader, his unchanged responsibility to motivate and perform, and his unbeaten record in the event. Yakubboev contrasts the 2022 surprise victory with the 2026 campaign, noting greater experience, stronger preparation, and higher expectations. The team sets future goals of reaching an average rating of 2700‑2750 and winning additional Olympiads. Vokhidov briefly reflects on personal performance and the collective meaning of the win for Uzbekistan. The conference closes with gratitude to fans, officials, and the broader Uzbek community, underscoring national pride and the vision of continued dominance.
Chapters
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the final press conference of the FIDE Chess Olympiad. And let's start with a hand for our winners, Team Uzbekistan. I will ask that no more journalists come to the floor, please. And if security can Stop that from happening. Thank you. We will— the proceedings will be as follows. I will ask one question to our captain over here, and then I will open the floor to journalists. If you can see our press officer, Michael Rahal, over there. One question per journalist, please, and we will have it translated if it's not in English. So to get started, Mr. Kasimdzhanov, we spoke and you spoke to other journalists about your secret for the team, which you said that you would only reveal after winning the Olympics. about your training, about the proceedings behind the scenes. So now that you're champions, can you reveal your secret?
So basically, of course, we have a lot of secrets. There is no one secret, right? The biggest, um, is how much attention there is to chess in our country. I mean, you see it yourself, it's very special. And during the period of the preparation, our team has been given every opportunity to train, every opportunity to play. And this is probably our biggest difference compared to other countries, the attention that we get in this country from the highest Echelons of power from the president himself, from the prime minister. This is unparalleled. I'm sure there is no such country in the world have this rare occurrence where the team members actually like each other. It doesn't really happen in in every team in the world. But we are. I mean, we are in this together. We are friends, and this helps. And also, we did every single thing that is possible to do. We left no stone unturned. We paid attention to absolutely everything.
Sure.
And given just how important this event is, we thought of every small detail, starting with food and the hotel and the seconds and the coaches. And I also personally got the best support I could get. My wife is here somewhere.
Congratulations.
No need.
And also my— some of my best friends are here, which is not something we do for every tournament, but given that this is such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, once-in-a-lifetime thing, having the Olympiad at home, there was nothing we could leave to chance and And this is basically our secret, that we, you know, think of everything and we do everything. And we also have the best team in the world. This also is helpful.
I will open up the floor to journalists. If you can see our press officer, Michael Rehal, he will ask the first question. And if you are a journalist, you can line up behind him.
Team, I'd like to ask Madam Minov a question, if that's okay with you. Madam Minov, of all the team, You are the only player who wasn't in 2022 in Chennai. For the first time, Uzbekistan won the Olympiad. So I wanted to ask you, having won the decisive game today for the team, what are your thoughts? What are your feelings? And what does this mean for you personally? Thank you.
Hello.
Thank you for question. In general, I'm very happy to be part of this team. As you know, We have players, we have elite players which are very strong. Nodirbek and Jawahir are very strong players. And during the tournament, our captain said to me that you should not worry and you should not fear because you have in your team Nodirbek and Jawahir. So that's why don't worry and just play chess.
And these words and this kind of support really help us. And for me, I'm very happy that I'm playing my first Olympiad in my home. Yeah, today was a very insane and very nervous match. I am very happy that I won, and I am very happy that I could be one of the strong players in the team. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. Congratulations.
We'll have our next question.
Wow, wow, wow, wow! So great. Congratulations, team is back. My question is for Sindara Jafar from Prime Chess. Uh, Sanderov, I've seen you coming to Candidates in Cyprus. Uh, you mentioned that if you won one game, uh, it would be a success from your coach. I was saying, I've seen you at Candidates in Cyprus. Um, I've seen you perform in Hong Kong, uh, World Rapid and Blitz, and now you're here with your team, uh, winning gold. Uh, what is it about Uzbekistan that's produced such strong players and now the best chess country in the world? What is it about Uzbekistan that's produced the strongest chess players in the world?
Yes, thanks for question.
Like, you know, I think when we become Olympic champion 2022, chess is completely changed in our country. It becomes huge sport and like and our government, Mr. President also supports chess very well. So I will say when you have like when you have support like in Uzbekistan, like in let's say in any other country you will see a lot of like Nodirbek, a lot of me. So probably I mean this is the main thing like government is supporting us really very well. And you see all the fans here, they support every day. It means how people really love chess in our country, and I'm really proud to be Uzbek and play for this nation. Hopefully we will win not only like 2 more Olympiads in next years. This tournament was really very good, and we really show great level in my opinion. And everyone played well, so I'm happy with this result.
Congrats!
Thank you.
Assalamu alaikum. Assalamu alaikum. Ahlu Uzbekistan, bütün Uzbekistan halkın olmadan şakmatçılarımızla tabrikleyemez. Mana bu acı ayıp galiba bilden. Soğalım şundan ibaret. Orzumum itler mana amel göçmekte. Yigitlerimizde yene kanaka orzular bor. Bundan bir ohye yene kanaka orzule.
Sizi Since you have win the championship, what's more goal you guys are planning to achieve?
Who do you want to direct this question to?
Malakhmas gibi işte.
Let's do one.
Hop, Java Karsindarov gibi bokta.
Karsindarov.
The question is directed to Java Karsindarov.
Ah, so maybe it's better if I answer in Uzbek language or I don't know.
You can. We'll have it translated.
कतर अहमद मोरते के अलबात बिजे कुप नरसे के इरिश्टिक दिया दिया ओलेमान जमा बोबाम उसमें इंडिविजुअल तार्ज दखाम कुप लैब मुसाबका लेते मैंने सोंगे यीलर दखाला बगज़ोन किल मोक्तामस अलबात यानि कि मखसद जहाँ ताज़ी के शुमूल जाल लेकिन माँ ओली माँ बिजे ख़मामस तेज़रामा नादुरा क्या मुखुद्द Kimi etize ilikte çıkıp, hamamız dünyada top 15 yigrim atalikte turup, kengiyle de Uzbekistanlı kengi alimpiyada da diyen ablasını tepeye kotarab, yurtumuz için, barımız için bir ilişki hareket kılanımız. Katar Ahmad.
We have achieved so many things so far, but now we what we are planning to do. Is to hit, uh, 2,700 or 2,750.
Thank you. I will ask our technical team to please raise the volume on our microphones. We have a lot of people here and a lot of noise. Next question.
Yeah, uh, George from Chess with Must Read, and my question is to Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Uh, first of all, congratulations. Uh, you were the leader in Chennai, you are the leader here, and you proved that you deserve deserve to be a leader? How did your responsibility change throughout the years?
Thanks for question. My responsibility was, you know, only one thing, just to lead the team, you know, to play in my board and to motivate the other guys. You know, we have a wonderful team. I think I can safely say that we have the best team in the world right now. I think even without me, the team would, you know, perform well. But I am extremely happy and proud to lead the team and to be, you know, to be part of this team. I mean, I think at this point, you know, any of these players can safely be in top 10. You know, I am extremely happy and, you know, my responsibility didn't change.
at all.
I tried to give my best in every game. I'm happy that I did well and I didn't lose a single game in this event, you know. Yeah, I'm extremely happy and I mean, I'm extremely grateful for everything that we achieved so far with the boys and I think many, many victories to come. Thank you.
Thank you.
Next question.
Thank you.
Hi, I am Azbek from Uzbekistan. सवाल میں برینچو ازبیق تلدکی انگلیزی دبیر محکومہ Uzbekistan ikinci mertte tarahtı alimpiyada şampiyonu buldu. Bu bu arada tarahtı iki mertte alimpiyada şampiyonu bugün. Cürekem sallıyı devlete kadar yıkardı. Eğinde iki milyon ikinci yıl alimpiyada bana hazırlık alimpiyada da galiba bana fark kaka da sormakçıma. Savarım kama ye.
We will first have this translated.
Yes, my question is that Uzbekistan has become two times Olympic champions and it is one of the few countries that has achieved. That goal, and my question is that what is the difference between 2022's Olympia Championship and this year's? What's better? What's better? What is it more experience or what is it?
I see Yakuboyev. You've got the mic ready to answer.
I will answer.
Yes.
Rahman, what's better? Let's jump here, huh? 2022 yılı gelin piyadeye gelirdikken bosek biz 2022 yılı gelin piyadede favori tutsaplanmak yandınız. Biz kutulma gelen musabakana sürprizi bu yütkenmez musabakana. Bu sefer ise asosyatif favoritlerden biri bulup katlaştık bu musabakada. Olduğun gibi olimpiyada yütken olimpiyadamızda biz yeterlice baka birime gelen bol şarımı koyarakıblarımız. Özgür gelenlerse şu ki rakıblarımızın biz bugün yonda şuğu. Bizge bugün o şey aldım sağlıyorsun mensubesten oyuna gelen buluşumun konu beraber büyüttüğümüzde bilekin bu sefer her bitti cemaat en güçlü oyuncularını en güçlü o şey kurallarını işke sağladı bizge karşı ve şuna haber sayayım cemaat bulup o şey tecrübe arttırdık tecrübe arttırdık kime girmek ikinci yıldan kime girmek dördüncü yıldan Ve bu alimpiyada ki biz oyluymanki maksimal yaş forma diye tip geldik ve işte bir genel şey, Germanya bile maçına hesap gelmezse. Hama maçımız, o zamanız hokla geldik, kutul geldik, kongilde gidek oturdu. Ama bu camuhanı az az bu gelenler cüneyt kursama. Oyluymen gibi zana cemaat yıllar devam eder, yani ispatlıydı ve şu dünya şahmetini pay devarı pay devarı bol aladı, de gelmedi mi?
Rahmet.
O kardeşim ait mahkumlar 2022 içinde galibiyeli şampiyonluğu tasavvuf olmak yerine sporda gelirler için rahmet.
Can you summarize the answer, please?
Very briefly, okay?
In 2022, we unexpectedly became the winners. Perhaps we weren't given enough credit before and our opponents underestimated us, but this time everyone fought with everything they had. Despite that, we gained a lot of experience. Apart from the match against Germany, I think all of our games went as we had hoped. I'm really happy to be part of this team.
Thank you. We'll have another question.
Our our hero is is is our captain Rustam Akekasimjanov. And no other media?
Okay, we're closing.
All right.
And also all the.
Rahman.
I think I think all the players performed very well. I think many of us took medals on their board. And yeah, I think we are all heroes. Thank you.
Amazing answer. We're going to have one final question from Michael.
Yeah.
Thank you.
I'm the last journalist. I'd like to ask Vokidov, you haven't talked yet. Please give us your thoughts on your performance here, the team cohesion, and what this means for you and the country. Just give us your thoughts on your performance and what this win means for the whole country, for everyone. You can speak in English or Uzbekistan, whatever you prefer. Could someone help him turn on the microphone, please?
Speak closely.
Zlatan.
Uh huh.
Speak.
Буралабаб заучает جدا катуюток. В ikinci maratona olimpiya championu buluştu.
Okay, wait. Hold on. I think a little closer. Okay, Aslami.
Better. Bu galiba bize üçüncü dönem katta yutuk. İki marataba alimpiyat şampiyonu boşlayık. Bize bollar ham hamaları dönem zor oynuştu. Bize dönem kup maçlarını vaci maçlarını yuttu. İtan Fındıstan. Today, today, today. Today, today, today.
This victory is very important to us, and winning the title for the second time is a huge achievement. Everyone played really well. We would also like to give a special thank you for all of our fans for their incredible support.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. That concludes our press conference as well as the Olympiad, and of course we will have the prize ceremony later this evening. One more round of applause for our winners.
Hooray!
Okay.
माधव मिनोव, विल देर बी अ वैकेशन नाउ और जस्ट बैक टू वर्क फॉर द वर्ल्ड चैम्पियनशिप मैच?
या, या, आई थिंक आखिर तो हमें रेस लिटिल लिटिल एंड वर्ल्ड चैम्पियनशिप मैचेस चाओ रोतरी जाओ। साना उछलो मैं उधर उछल। सेकंड सेकंड की तरफ सेकंड। फिर बस दे ले मैं ऐसे टूट लूँगा। ओल्डोला कहाँ मैंने? रात को सरमाई डालूँगा। ओल्डोला आइए।
