44th Chess Olympiad

The 44th Chess Olympiad was a major international team chess tournament held in Chennai, India, from 28 July to 9 August 2022. Teams from 186 countries competed in both Open and Women's events, making it the first Chess Olympiad hosted in India and a record-setting edition for participation.

• Held in Chennai, India, from 28 July to 9 August 2022
• Teams from 186 countries competed in Open and Women's events
• First Chess Olympiad ever hosted in India
• Uzbekistan won gold in the Open event; Ukraine in the Women's event
• The main venue was the Four Points by Sheraton in Mahabalipuram

What it is

The Chess Olympiad is a biennial event where national teams from across the world compete in chess, bringing together players of all levels and backgrounds. The 44th edition, held in Chennai, India, featured both Open and Women's tournaments, with teams of four players each facing off over 11 rounds. This Olympiad marked a milestone as the first time India hosted the event, highlighting the country's growing prominence in the chess world. For participants and fans alike, the Olympiad is a celebration of strategic thinking, international camaraderie, and the shared love of chess.

Where it comes from

The Chess Olympiad traces its roots to 1924, when the first unofficial edition was held in Paris alongside the Summer Olympics. The event became official in 1927 in London and has since grown into a major fixture in the chess calendar, taking place every two years. The Women's Olympiad began in 1957 and has been held alongside the Open tournament since 1976. The 44th Olympiad was originally scheduled for Russia in 2020, but was postponed and relocated to Chennai due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, making it a historic first for India as host.

How it is celebrated

During the Olympiad, the main venue at the Four Points by Sheraton in Mahabalipuram buzzed with energy as hundreds of teams competed in daily matches. The event included both Open and Women's tournaments, each played over 11 rounds, with four players from each team facing their counterparts. The opening and closing ceremonies, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, featured cultural performances and official proceedings. Security and health measures were prominent, with thousands of police officers and medical staff ensuring a safe environment. The Olympiad also hosted the FIDE Congress and various activities to promote chess, making it a lively gathering point for players, officials, and fans.

Joining in

Visitors to the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai could watch matches at the main venue in Mahabalipuram and attend the opening and closing ceremonies at the Nehru Indoor Stadium. The atmosphere was both competitive and welcoming, with opportunities to witness world-class chess and interact with players from around the globe. While the focus was on the games, the event also offered a chance to experience the local culture and hospitality of Tamil Nadu.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article 44th Chess Olympiad, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• 44th Chess Olympiad on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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