Bhubaneswar: Odisha chess professional Aparajita Gochhikar has been appointed as a Fair Play Expert and member of the Fair Play Panel for the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026, scheduled to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 14 to 28.
Gochhikar is the first Indian woman to get the opportunity to serve twice on the Fair Play Panel of the FIDE Chess Olympiad. She is also the first Indian woman to be awarded the Fair Play Expert (FPE) title by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
The 46th Chess Olympiad, one of the biggest events on the international chess calendar, will feature players from more than 200 countries. A total of 400 teams — 208 in the Open section and 192 in the women’s section — are set to participate in the Samarkand Olympiad.
Gochhikar’s appointment has been welcomed by the chess fraternity in Odisha and across India, with players and officials extending their wishes to her ahead of the international assignment.
Her role on the Fair Play Panel will involve contributing to efforts aimed at ensuring fair play and maintaining the integrity of the competition.