Ten players have been selected to represent Tanzania at the upcoming Chess Olympiad following the conclusion of national selection trials held on May 3, 2026, in Dar es Salaam at Peacock Hotel.
The prestigious international championship is scheduled for September this year in Uzbekistan, bringing together elite chess players from across the globe to compete at the highest level.
According to the Tanzania Chess Association (TACA), the selection followed a highly competitive three-day national tournament that attracted some of the country’s strongest chess talents.
TACA Information Officer, Mussa Mangula, said the level of competition demonstrated during the trials reflected the growing strength and depth of chess in Tanzania, making the selection process both fair and merit-based.
In the men’s category, the selected players are Parsa Nasser, Albert Njau, Sarota Patrick, Henry Marwa, and Rashid Sharif.
These players secured their places after consistent and impressive performances throughout the tournament, showing strong tactical awareness and composure under pressure.
In the women’s category, Anahi Rishit Shah emerged as the national champion of the trials. She is joined on the team by Neema Adam, Bertha Mkude, Lissa Joseph, and Mariam Gwae, forming a balanced squad of both experienced and rising talents.
TACA has confirmed that the selection of the two squads marks the beginning of formal preparations for the global event.
Training programmes are expected to commence immediately, with the association working closely with stakeholders to ensure the team is fully prepared for the high level of competition expected at the Olympiad.
Mangula expressed appreciation to sponsors and partners who contributed to the successful staging of the national championship.
Peacock Hotel was acknowledged for hosting the event, while other institutions, including Sea Cliff Hotel and various partners, were also recognised for their support.
He further called on additional stakeholders to support the national teams’ preparations, emphasizing that adequate funding and technical support will be essential in enhancing Tanzania’s competitiveness at the Olympiad.
He noted that preparations such as training camps, professional coaching, and international exposure will play a key role in improving performance.
The Chess Olympiad is one of the most prestigious events in the global chess calendar, attracting national teams from all continents.
Tanzania’s participation is seen as a major opportunity to raise the country’s profile in the sport and provide valuable international experience for its players.
With preparations now underway, attention will now turn to how the selected squad develops in the coming months as they aim to represent Tanzania with distinction in Uzbekistan.
