The French Chess Federation announced the men’s and women’s national rosters for the 46th Chess Olympiad. The event will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 28.

Men’s roster:

  • 🇫🇷 Sebastien Maze (2494) (Captain)
  • 🇫🇷 Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2713)
  • 🇫🇷 Marc’Andria Maurizzi (2628)
  • 🇫🇷 Maxime Lagarde (2622)
  • 🇫🇷 Etienne Bacrot (2619)
  • 🇫🇷 Jules Moussard (2606)

Women’s roster:

  • 🇫🇷 Silvia Alexieva (2213) (Captain)
  • 🇫🇷 Marie Sebag (2417)
  • 🇫🇷 Deimante Daulyte-Cornette (2394)
  • 🇫🇷 Sophie Milliet (2362)
  • 🇫🇷 Pauline Guichard (2324)
  • 🇫🇷 Manon Schippke (2250)

France’s No. 1 Alireza Firouzja will not participate in the Olympiad. In May, the French Chess Federation stated that Alireza will not be invited to national events until certain requirements are met.

The event features a 90+30 time control for the first 40 moves and 30+30 for the rest of the game over 11 rounds in the Swiss System between around 200 teams. In case of a tie for first place, the winning team will be determined on tiebreaks.

The Chess Olympiad is a prestigious national team competition. The event is held every two years and organized by FIDE. The 2026 Olympiad follows the 2024 edition held in Budapest, Hungary, where India won gold in both the men’s and women’s groups.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess