Uzbekistani chess players and their coaches will now receive significantly larger lump-sum rewards for achievements in major international competitions. These new payment amounts have been officially approved by a presidential decree.
According to the updated regulations, the prize amounts have increased dozens, and in some cases hundreds of times. For example, the prize for winning a gold medal at an adult Olympiad has increased from two thousand to 200 thousand dollars.
The payout amount is determined by the level of the tournament and the place the athlete achieved. Winners of the World Chess Olympiad and Paralympics for adults will receive 200 thousand dollars, while silver and bronze medalists will receive 100 thousand and 50 thousand dollars, respectively.
For young participants of the World Chess Olympiad and Paralympics, the following amounts are provided: 20 thousand dollars for gold, 10 thousand for silver, and 5 thousand for bronze.
At world-level tournaments classified by FIDE, winners are awarded 15 thousand dollars, silver medalists 7.5 thousand, and bronze medalists 3.75 thousand.
At the Asian level classified by FIDE, chess players will receive 10 thousand dollars for first place, 5 thousand for second, and 2.5 thousand for third.
Additionally, a one-time payment of 5 thousand dollars is provided for being awarded the title of International Grandmaster.
Coaches accompanying winners and medalists also receive separate compensation. For preparing the winner of the adult World Chess Olympiad gold medal, the coach will receive 50 thousand dollars; for the silver medalist—25 thousand dollars, and for the bronze medalist—12.5 thousand dollars.
For the youth Olympiad, payments for coaches will be 5 thousand dollars for gold, 2.5 thousand for silver, and 1.25 thousand for bronze.
For preparing medalists in world-level competitions, the coach is entitled to 7 thousand dollars for gold, 3.5 thousand for silver, and 1.75 thousand for bronze. At the Asian level, payments for coaches will be 5 thousand dollars for gold, 2.5 thousand for silver, and 1.25 thousand for bronze.
It is important to note that these prizes are paid to coaches who trained the athlete during the last year. However, by decision of the Coaching Council, funds can be redistributed among mentors and specialists who worked with the chess player over the last four years.
Currently, the 46th World Chess Olympiad is taking place in Samarkand. As part of the FIDE Congress held during the General Assembly of the International Chess Federation, representatives from about 200 national federations will elect a new president of the organization.