A Move for Diplomacy: PM Modi Gifts Historic Chess Scoresheet to Uzbek President

In a unique display of “chess diplomacy,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi bridged the cultural and sporting ties between India and Uzbekistan during his recent state visit to Tashkent. Among the traditional gifts exchanged between the two leaders, a standout item highlighted the growing bond between the nations through the lens of sport: the original, handwritten scoresheet from Uzbek Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov’s FIDE World Cup final victory in Goa.

The scoresheet, preserved in an elegant leatherette cover, was presented alongside a commemorative photograph of Sindarov triumphantly hoisting the World Cup trophy while draped in the Uzbek flag. The gesture served as a powerful symbol of the shared respect between the two nations, which have both emerged as global powerhouses in the world of professional chess.

A New Chapter in “Chess Diplomacy”

Nitin Narang, President of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), lauded the Prime Minister’s move as a masterclass in soft-power diplomacy.

“A scoresheet records the moves on a chessboard. Sometimes, it becomes part of a much bigger story,” Narang wrote in a post on X. “From Sindarov’s historic World Cup triumph in Goa to becoming a gift from Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi to the President of Uzbekistan… chess has a wonderful way of connecting people and nations. Chess diplomacy, quite literally.”

Sindarov’s remarkable journey—culminating in a Candidates tournament victory and a high-stakes upcoming World Championship showdown against India’s D Gukesh in Geneva—has made him a national hero in Uzbekistan. By gifting the document that chronicled his rise, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the talent of Uzbekistan’s youth while celebrating the competitive spirit that now defines the relationship between the two countries.

Rising Chess Superpowers

The exchange comes at a time when India and Uzbekistan are recognized as the primary architects of a new era in global chess. While India boasts a formidable roster of talent, including D Gukesh, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vaishali R, and Divya Deshmukh, Uzbekistan maintains its own world-class cohort led by Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

The geopolitical stage is set for the upcoming 46th Chess Olympiad, which will take place in the historic city of Samarkand from September 15 to 27. As India prepares to defend its gold medals, Uzbekistan is widely regarded as its most formidable challenger, promising a fierce but friendly rivalry on the board.

During the two-day visit, the diplomatic warmth was mutual. Prime Minister Modi also gifted President Shavkat Mirziyoyev a sandalwood Shata Tantri Veena and premium Kangra tea. In return, President Mirziyoyev bestowed upon PM Modi the Order of Oliy Darajali Do’stlik, the highest state award of Uzbekistan, cementing a visit defined as much by its personal gestures as by its strategic significance.