Uzbekistan national team captain Rustam Kasimdzhanov shared the reasons that helped the team win the world chess championship title for the second time. He noted that the success was the result of state support for chess, a strong team composition, team cohesion, and thorough preparation for the tournament held in his home country.
When asked about the previously promised 'secret' of the team, Kasimdzhanov clarified that the victory was not due to one specific reason. He emphasized the special attention given to chess in Uzbekistan, as well as the conditions created for athletes during training.
The captain also stressed that the current lineup includes players of high international level who interact well not only on the chessboard. Kasimdzhanov stated: 'The players on the team truly like each other. It is not like this in all national teams. We are together, we are friends, and that helps.'
According to him, before the Olympiad, the team tried to foresee every possible detail. Preparation covered accommodation, nutrition, as well as the work of coaches and seconds. Kasimdzhanov described the hosting of the Olympiad in Samarkand as a special opportunity that required the most comprehensive preparation.
For Mukhdin Madaminov, this tournament was his first Chess Olympiad. In the decisive match against Ukraine, he achieved a victory that contributed to the overall success of the team. Madaminov reported that Kasimdzhanov helped him overcome nervousness during the competition. The captain encouraged the young chess player not to be afraid and reminded him of his strong teammates—Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javohir Sindarov. Madaminov added: 'These words and such support really help us.'
Sindarov linked the success of the current generation of Uzbek chess players to the change in attitude towards sports after the 2022 Olympiad victory. He highlighted the support from the state and the president, as well as the attention of the fans. The chess player stated: 'I am very proud to be Uzbek and play for this country.' Sindarov expressed hope for the team's future successes and named participation in the fight for the world championship title as his next goal. He also wished for other members of the national team to significantly improve their positions in the world rankings.
Nodirbek Abdusattorov, in turn, emphasized the importance of teamwork. He explained that his tasks at the Olympiad were to play on his board, support his teammates, and help the team in key matches. Abdusattorov reported that he finished the tournament without any losses. He also highly praised the current national team lineup, noting that the team is capable of achieving even greater victories.
Nodirbek Yakubbeov pointed out the differences between the 2022 gold medal and the current championship. He noted that in Chennai, the Uzbek team was viewed as an unexpected contender, whereas in Samarkand, they arrived as one of the favorites. This changed the opponents' approach to matches against Uzbekistan. Teams prepared their strongest lineups in advance and sought to use their main resources specifically in games against Uzbek players.
Yakubbeov said that the experience gained at the Olympiads in Chennai and Budapest helped the team prepare better for the home tournament. The chess player specifically named Rustam Kasimdzhanov as the main hero of the team, after which the fans began chanting the captain's name. Yakubbeov later emphasized that every member of the national team contributed to the victory.
Shamsiddin Vohidov called the second Olympic gold title a significant achievement for Uzbekistan and thanked the fans for their support throughout the tournament. In the final, 11th round, Uzbekistan defeated Ukraine with a score of 2.5–1.5. The team secured first place before completing its match because India drew 2–2 with Hungary, leaving Uzbekistan with an insurmountable advantage. The gold in Samarkand became Uzbekistan's second Olympic title; the team won in Chennai in 2022, and two years later won bronze at the Olympiad in Budapest.