Pakistan win gold at Chess Olympiad category D

Pakistan have won a gold medal in category D at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in one of the country's most notable achievements in international chess.

The biennial Olympiad is one of the largest events in the sport's calendar, with teams from nearly 200 countries taking part in 2026.

The Pakistan delegation raised the national flag, the Green Crescent, at the tournament as the result was confirmed. Officials described it as a showcase of the strength and talent of Pakistani chess on the global stage.

Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, president of the Chess Federation of Pakistan, was in Samarkand throughout the campaign, supporting the national players.

After the result, he congratulated the team and praised their hard work, determination and fighting spirit.

He said the players had brought great pride to Pakistan by demonstrating their skills at international level, and urged them to keep working hard and represent the country with the same passion in future competitions.

Federation vice-president Malik Rehan Azam and secretary general Raja Gauhar Iqbal were also at the Olympiad, carrying out their duties alongside the rest of the delegation.

The success is likely to be welcomed by players and supporters at home, where chess has long had a dedicated following but a far smaller international profile than in many other countries. Officials hope the result will encourage more young players to take up the game.