The chess Olympiad in Samarkand is set to commence this week, featuring 208 teams competing over 11 rounds. Uzbekistan, serving as the host nation, is currently viewed as the favorite to secure the title. The tournament field is highly competitive, with defending champions and powerhouse nations like India, China, and the United States identified as the primary challengers to Uzbekistan's campaign.

There is some debate regarding the strength of the Indian team. While India would typically be considered the favorite, concerns have been raised regarding the recent form of world champion Gukesh Dommaraju. Although he secured a top board gold medal in Budapest two years ago, reports suggest he may be placed lower in the team order for this event. Meanwhile, the United States team remains a significant threat, anchored by world No. 3 Fabiano Caruana and world No. 5 Wesley So.

In contrast to the optimism surrounding the top-seeded teams, the outlook for the English team is described as pessimistic. Analysts point to the aging composition of the squad as a primary factor for their expected struggle in the tournament. The event, which serves as one of the most significant fixtures in the international chess calendar, will begin its first round of play on Wednesday following the opening ceremony.