A chess journey along the Silk Road: Visit Uzbekistan during the Chess Olympiad

Uzbekistan is drawing growing attention as a travel destination, thanks to its Silk Road heritage and the remarkably preserved architecture of cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara. From 21 to 29 September 2026, a group tour will combine cultural exploration with top-level chess, taking travellers through Samarkand, Bukhara, and the capital, Tashkent, while the Chess Olympiad is held in Samarkand.

Participants will attend the Olympiad on three separate days and join special chess gatherings and training sessions alongside visits to historic sites. Uzbekistan’s rise as a chess nation — highlighted by elite grandmasters such as Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov — adds further appeal. Local-player events are planned at a historic venue in Bukhara and in a park setting on the final day in Tashkent. Partners and friends of chess players are welcome, with an alternative excursion programme available during chess sessions if desired.

The tour is led by Ardjan Langedijk, whose Central Asia travel company has operated since 2006. If interest is strong enough, ChessBase author and trainer IM Robert Ris may also join to offer evening training sessions across five days of the trip. A similar journey was organised in September 2024.