HLATIKULU — Team Eswatini is returning home today, Tuesday, September 29, 2026, empty-handed from the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Uzbekistan.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) competition ran from September 16 to 27, where Eswatini competed in the Open and Women’s sections, as is customary in this elite tournament.
Despite having hoisted the country’s flag high during the 2024 and 2022 Olympiads, this time, the squads unfortunately return with no medal.
During the 2024 World Chess competition held in Hungary, the Men’s Chess Team won a bronze medal from Group E, while the Women’s Chess Team finished fifth following a tie-breaker with two other teams for a bronze medal.
In this edition, however, no podium finish was achieved by either of the national teams.
The women’s team managed to win four of their 11 games, with six ending in defeat and a single draw recorded.
The women’s results were as follows:
Round 11: Eswatini 0 – 4 Thailand
Round 10: Eswatini 0 – 4 South Korea
Round 9: Eswatini 2.5 – 1.5 Saudi Arabia
Round 8: Eswatini 2.5 – 1.5 Afghanistan
Round 7: Eswatini 0 – 4 Trinidad and Tobago
Round 6: Eswatini 0 – 4 Panama
Round 5: Eswatini 2.5 – 1.5 Guam
Round 4: Eswatini 2.5 – 1.5 Antigua and Barbuda
Round 3: Eswatini 2 – 2 Bhutan
Round 2: Eswatini 0 – 4 Zimbabwe
Round 1: Eswatini 0 – 4 Mexico
The ladies’ team featured a fairly balanced squad with only two debutants: Tivumile Ngozo and Siphosethu Mkhweli. Meanwhile, Women Candidate Master (WCM) Nolwazi Nkwanyana, WCM Sinqobile Dlamini and Nomcebo Sibisi have now played in three Olympiads. Notably, reigning national ladies champion Nkwanyana also earned the WCM title from this competition.
On the other hand, the Open section team was primarily made up of four debutants, with CM Mbongeni Mabuza making his third Olympiad appearance.
Making their maiden appearances were reigning national champion Kwanele Ngwenya, Nkosivile Mabuza, CM Santiago De Nobrega and Nhlanhla Simelane. De Nobrega earned a new title in his debut tournament.
The Open section managed two wins, three draws and six defeats. Their results were:
Round 11: Eswatini 1.5 – 2.5 Gambia
Round 10: Eswatini 2 – 2 Equatorial Guinea
Round 9: Eswatini 3 – 1 Tonga
Round 8: Eswatini 0 – 4 Maldives
Round 7: Eswatini 2 – 2 Isle of Man
Round 6: Eswatini 0.5 – 3.5 San Marino
Round 5: Eswatini 2 – 2 Mauritius
Round 4: Eswatini 1.5 – 2.5 Haiti
Round 3: Eswatini 3 – 1 Togo
Round 2: Eswatini 0.5 – 3.5 Burundi
Round 1: Eswatini 0 – 4 Chinese Taipei
However, the Eswatini Chess Federation (ECF) states that despite the overall standings failing to yield a podium finish, the resilience and competitiveness showed by the players won the hearts of chess enthusiasts across the country and inspired an upcoming generation of talent. They are highlighting key milestones from the competition, which concluded with the host nation Uzbekistan winning the Open section and China claiming the Women’s section.
Among the highlights, the Open section team climbed three places in the FIDE rankings, rising from 186 to 183 following the tournament.
Meanwhile, the women’s team moved one rank up from their starting position of 150 to 149.
“As a sign of growth for Eswatini Chess, our Women’s team was placed in Category D for the very first time ever! While their performance in previous years might have secured a podium finish in Category E, competing in Category D reflects a higher tier of international competition; a true testament to their rising calibre,” the ECF says through their Facebook page.
The national contingent is expected to arrive home on Wednesday after departing Uzbekistan the previous day.
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