Uzbekistan — the cradle of chess: an unbroken legacy from Amir Temur to Sindorov

🔴 A grand history on the chessboard

🔴 Board and intellect: Uzbekistan’s chess civilization

For the first time, the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is presenting the theme “Uzbekistan – homeland of chess” in a comprehensive and expansive manner. This exhibition segment reflects the deep-rooted origins of chess in the country, highlighting its intellectual and strategic significance, as well as its modern development in a harmonious narrative.

The central idea of the exhibition is to showcase how, in Uzbekistan, chess has long been regarded not merely as a game, but as a cultural phenomenon intricately linked to thought, intellect, and statecraft.

Structured in three historical phases, the first part of the exhibit explores the early chess-like games that originated in our land and their role in society. The second phase examines the period when chess came to be seen as a symbol of knowledge and intellectual refinement.

The third part is dedicated to the era of the Timurids, portraying the mental strategies of the time. Through episodes recorded in historical sources, the exhibition illustrates how chess spread from Central Asia to the Arab and European worlds. One of the focal points is the depiction of the chess environment in Amir Temur’s court and how he used the game to shape military strategies.

The most striking moment in the exhibition is a symbolic transition uniting past and present: Amir Temur’s decisive chess move seamlessly leads into a modern visual frame, continued by a checkmate move made by young grandmaster Javokhir Sindorov. This transition reflects the attention being paid to chess under the leadership of the President, the opportunities being created for youth, and the enduring legacy of national identity.

“The aim of this composition is to show that Amir Temur approached chess with a strategic mindset, and that this legacy continues to live on today in a renewed spirit within our national identity”, says Behruz Polatov, Director of Envision VFX and author of the project.