Uzbekistan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Chess

Tata Steel Chess Contest Has A New Champion – From Uzbekistan

When he was a child, Nodirbek Abdusattorov dreamed of winning the elite Tata Steel Chess Tournament in the Netherlands. On Sunday, the 21-year-old from Uzbekistan did just that. Abdusattorov secured the champion´s title after raising his point total to nine, playing with the black pieces in a final round victory over Indian Arjun Erigaisi. Another grandmaster from Uzbekistan, 20-year-old Javokhir Sindarov, came second with eight and a half points. “I can’t express my happiness with words. It was a long way for me,” Abdusattorov said in an interview posted on the tournament website. He said he had come close to winning the contest in previous years, and finally doing so was a highlight of his career. “I had a dream to win this tournament when I was a kid and finally my dream came true,” he said. “I just told myself: ‘Don’t let it slip this year.´” Uzbekistan´s top player had six wins, six draws and one loss in the 13-round tournament. “For three straight years, Nodirbek Abdusattorov was right there on top going into the final weekend. Three times, the title slipped through his fingers. This year, he came back and finished the story. From heartbreak to redemption,” the tournament said on X. Abdusattorov won the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in 2021 and was part of the team from Uzbekistan that won gold at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India. FIDE is the international governing body of chess. “I gave everything I had,” Abdusattorov said. “I don’t have plans for celebration but obviously I’m going to do something.” Sindarov had four wins, nine draws and no losses at the Tata Steel event, where he was the only unbeaten player. He won the FIDE World Cup in 2025, qualifying for this year’s Candidates Tournament, which determines who can challenge the world champion. The current champion is India’s Gukesh Dommaraju. Over the years, the Tata Steel tournament in the seaside town of Wijk aan Zee has attracted greats of the game including Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov and Magnus Carlsen. The strong showing by Uzbek players in the 14-participant Masters competition this year shows the growing strength of chess talent in Uzbekistan.

Podcast

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Now with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are the home of the Spotlight on Central Asia podcast. Chaired by seasoned broadcasters Bruce Pannier of RFE/RL’s long-running Majlis podcast and Michael Hillard of The Red Line, each fortnightly instalment will take you on a deep dive into the latest news, developments, security issues, and social trends across an increasingly pivotal region. This week, the team is joined by the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, to discuss connectivity, critical minerals, and what's unique about the EU's engagement with Central Asia.

Tourism

Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Jibek Joly Train Tour Extended to Tajikistan

Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has announced the expansion of its popular Jibek Joly (Silk Road) tourist train route to include Tajikistan, adding a new stop to one of Central Asia’s flagship railway tourism initiatives. The updated route will now reach the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, extending the tour beyond Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for the first time. The inaugural journey on the extended route is scheduled to depart from Almaty on March 20, 2026, and return on March 25, passing through a series of historic Silk Road cities: Turkestan (Kazakhstan), Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan). The tour package includes rail travel, guided sightseeing, entrance to cultural and historical sites, and organized transfers. Its launch coincides with Nauryz, the region’s traditional spring holiday, allowing travelers to experience vibrant local celebrations along the way. First introduced in November 2024, the Jibek Joly train originally ran between Almaty, Turkestan, and Tashkent, and has since become a highly visible symbol of the region’s growing tourism sector. The project reflects broader efforts to promote Central Asia as a unified tourist destination. Regional leaders have advocated for a shared visa-free regime for foreign visitors, similar to Europe’s Schengen Zone, to encourage cross-border travel and boost international tourism. Officials say that initiatives like Jibek Joly can help strengthen cultural ties, foster regional integration, and raise Central Asia’s profile on the global tourism map.

Chess

“We Are Contenders”: Uzbekistan’s Chess Talents Aim High

“Uzbekistan, the new chess superpower?” says the website of Europe Échecs, a French chess publication. The lead article in the January 2026 edition of the monthly magazine focuses on the extraordinary rise of Uzbek chess and shows photos of Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov, two grandmasters from the Central Asian country who were atop the standings early this week in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in the Netherlands. Abdusattorov and Sindarov faced each other in the ninth round on Tuesday, playing to a draw that kept both of them in the lead of the elite contest that ends on February 1 after 13 rounds. Abdusattorov was first with six points, while Sindarov was second with five and a half points. However, the race is tightening -- Sindarov now shares second place with 14-year-old Turkish prodigy Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş and Dutch player Jorden van Foreest. Sometimes called the “Wimbledon of chess,” the Tata Steel event in the seaside town of Wijk aan Zee has attracted the game’s greats over many years. They have included Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov and Magnus Carlsen. The presence of two Uzbek players in the 14-participant Masters competition this year is a testament to the depth of top-tier talent in Uzbekistan, which is challenging India and other top chess nations in the world. Born in Tashkent, 21-year-old Abdusattorov became a grandmaster at the age of 13 and is ranked twelth in the world with a rating of 2751. He has previously competed in the Tata Steel event, finishing in the top three in the last three years, according to the tournament. He won the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in 2021 and was part of the team from Uzbekistan that won gold at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India. FIDE is the international governing body of chess. “It made us realize that we aren't just ‘participants´ anymore; we are contenders,” Rayhona O'ktamova of Uzbekistan wrote in a Chess.com blog titled: “Why Everyone is Suddenly Talking About Uzbekistan.” “What I love most isn't just the trophies, it's how the atmosphere in our country changed,” O´ktamova said. “Before, if a kid said ‘I want to be a professional chess player,´ parents might say, ‘Maybe study something more serious?´ But now? You see kids in every park with a board. Chess has become our ‘national sport.´ It’s our art, our marathon, and our pride.” Sindarov, who was also born in Tashkent, is another high performer. The 20-year-old was 12 when he became a grandmaster and now has a world ranking of 21 and a rating of 2726. He won the FIDE World Cup in 2025, qualifying for this year’s Candidates Tournament, which determines who can challenge the world champion. The current champion is India’s Gukesh Dommaraju. “I hope this is just the beginning — the victories of Uzbek chess will only grow from here,” Sindarov said after winning the FIDE World Cup. Alongside Abdusattorov, Sindarov was also in Uzbekistan’s winning team at the 2022 Chess Olympiad. The city of...

Chess

Uzbek Chess Surges at Elite Tata Steel Event in Netherlands

Uzbek grandmasters Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov lead in the standings after the half-way mark in the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament, currently underway in the Netherlands. Abdusattorov is in the top position with five and a half points after key victories in the Masters category, benefiting in the sixth round from a blunder by world champion Gukesh Dommaraju that cost the Indian a rook and led him to resign soon afterward. Abdusattorov then beat top seed Vincent Keymer of Germany in the seventh round, though he lost in the next game to Anish Giri of the Netherlands. The Uzbek grandmaster has won four games and drawn three times. Sindarov is unbeaten in second place with five points, after two wins and six draws. Hans Niemann of the United States is third in the standings with four and a half points. Players get one point for a win, half a point for a draw and zero points for a loss. The Tata Steel tournament, one of the toughest chess events of the year, runs from January 16 to February 1 in the seaside town of Wijk aan Zee. Round nine starts on Tuesday. There are a total of 13 rounds.

FMCG

Uzbekistan Among Countries Affected by Lactalis Infant Formula Recall

French dairy conglomerate Lactalis has announced a voluntary recall of several batches of its Picot infant milk formula, citing concerns over potential contamination with a toxin. The recall affects products distributed in France and more than a dozen other countries, including Uzbekistan, according to Al Jazeera, which cited a company statement. Lactalis reported that six batches of Picot infant formula, sold in pharmacies and major retail chains, are being withdrawn following the detection of cereulide in one ingredient supplied by an external provider. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. In its statement, the company acknowledged that the recall may alarm parents of young children but emphasized that the move is a precautionary measure. The recall is voluntary and specific to the contaminated ingredient, not the entire Picot product range. Outside France, the recall impacts consumers in Australia, Chile, China, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Spain, Madagascar, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Peru, Georgia, Greece, Kuwait, the Czech Republic, and Taiwan. A company spokesperson told AFP that only “a few batches” are involved in each country. Lactalis confirmed that no adverse health incidents linked to the affected formula have been reported to French authorities, and no illnesses have been officially attributed to the recalled products to date. This follows a similar recall earlier in the year by Nestlé, which voluntarily withdrew certain baby food products due to concerns over cereulide contamination. That recall, initiated in January, was also described as precautionary. Lactalis stated it is working closely with distributors and public health authorities to ensure the prompt removal of the affected products from shelves and to inform consumers of recall procedures.