Category A, International Arbiter Swapnil Bansod of Nagpur has been appointed Deputy Chief Arbiter for the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities 2026, scheduled in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from 10th September to 18th September 2026.
With this appointment, Bansod becomes the first arbiter from Maharashtra to be appointed as a FIDE Principal Arbiter at an Olympiad held abroad. This is also his 13th appointment at the world stage and his seventh officiating assignment abroad, reinforcing his standing among India’s leading chess arbiters.
Gold Rate
Aug 27 ,2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
A few days back, Bansod earned the Fairplay Expert title. As Deputy Chief Arbiter, Bansod will be part of the senior tournament team overseeing the conduct of the 3rd Olympiad for PwD, supporting the application of FIDE regulations and ensuring that the competition is conducted fairly and efficiently.
Bansod has earned extensive experience across prestigious international tournaments and varied formats. His recent appointments include Deputy Chief Arbiter at the FIDE World Cup 2025, officiating at the FIDE Corporate Chess Championship 2025 as sector arbiter and serving as an arbiter for the World University Online Qualifier 2026. He has also been selected for the officiating panel of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2025 in Doha, Qatar.
His ability to manage complex events, apply the Laws of Chess with clarity and maintain calm under pressure has made him a trusted official at important competitions.
The appointment is a proud moment for Nagpur, Maharashtra and Indian chess. Bansod credits the continued support of his family, the Nagpur chess fraternity, senior arbiters from all over India, the Maharashtra Chess Association and the All India Chess Federation for their encouragement throughout his journey.
The 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities 2026 will bring together teams from around the world and promote participation, excellence and inclusion through chess.
https://dis-olympiad2026.fide.com/principals_and_contacts
