By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan produced a memorable performance at the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, winning the gold medal in Category D of the Open Section and marking a significant achievement for the country on the international chess stage.

Pakistan entered the prestigious event as the 124th seed but finished 95th overall, climbing 29 places in the final standings with 12 match points and 162 game points.

The Pakistani team showed resilience throughout the competition. After deciding not to play its opening-round match against Israel in solidarity with Palestine, Pakistan bounced back strongly, recording victories over Seychelles, San Marino, Cayman Islands and El Salvador. The team drew against Egypt and Yemen, while suffering defeats against Colombia and South Africa.

The Category D gold placed Pakistan among the five Open-section category winners at the Olympiad, underlining the team’s progress against higher-rated opposition.

President of the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi attended the closing ceremony and congratulated the players on their impressive achievement and for raising Pakistan’s flag on the international chess stage.

Zeeshan Naqvi said the performance reflected the talent and potential of Pakistani chess players and expressed confidence that, with continued government support, Pakistan would achieve further success in international chess.

He said the federation was taking all possible measures to promote and develop chess across Pakistan, adding that greater opportunities, training and international exposure would help Pakistani players compete at the highest level.