The Olympiad is almost here. The opening ceremony in Samarkand is on September 15, with round one the following day. While we wait for Serbia’s teams to sit down at the boards, there is time for a game ourselves: this week brings tournaments in Mramorak, league chess in Niš and rapid in Subotica.
Serbia’s Open team
Coach Ivan Ivanišević brings a five-player squad: Alexey Sarana, Alexandr Predke, Aleksandar Inđić, Velimir Ivić and Bojan Maksimović. Sarana and Predke take the first two boards.
There is plenty to like about this line-up. Medal predictions can wait for the opening matches. Team chess has a way of reminding supporters that one winning position does not yet mean a match won.
Team line-up (Šahmat lista) · FIDE: confirmed line-ups
A European champion on board one
Teodora Injac, the 2025 European champion, leads the Women’s team. Alina Bivol, Elif Mehmed, Sofija Pogorelskih and Jovana Srdanović complete the squad, coached by Alisa Marić.
Injac’s European title gives supporters good reason to be excited. In Samarkand, we will be following all five players: half a point on board four can matter just as much as a win on board one.
Team line-up (Šahmat lista) · Teodora Injac’s FIDE profile
Where to play this week
Mramorak hosts IM and FM round-robin events from September 8 to 14. Play takes place at the Cultural Centre, with 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Everyone plays everyone, so there is no waiting around for the next round’s pairings.
In Niš, September 11–13 is a league weekend. Six teams play five rounds of the Central Serbia League at Čair Sports Hall. For club players, that means the familiar calculation: how are the other boards doing, and is a draw in my game enough?
On Saturday, September 12, the Subotica Trophy takes place at the National Theatre on Freedom Square. There are nine rounds of rapid, with 10 minutes plus 5 seconds per move. Entry is free and the prize fund is RSD 235,000. A good reason for a trip to Subotica, with enough games to stop one blunder from spoiling the whole day.
Mramorak · Central Serbia League · Subotica Trophy
Following the Olympiad
The first round is on September 16. Use the official website for the schedule and announcements, and the Lichess broadcast link to follow the games. Pick a favourite board, but check the others now and then: that is usually where something happens as soon as you look away.
Lichess broadcast · Official Olympiad website