Accra, Ghana — September 29, 2026 — Ghana’s national chess team, the Golden Knights, has returned home from the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, after what the Ghana Chess Association describes as the country’s strongest performance at the global team event.
The Ghanaian women’s team won gold in Rating Category D, with Maud Benson, Gertrude Banini, Ridham, Dzidzor Esi Dotse and Sumya Ibrahim Dotse representing the country.
The result capped a tournament in which seven Ghanaian players also secured new international titles, according to the Ghana Chess Association.
Bernard Anhwere earned the FIDE Master title, while Prince Akpa and Dr Daniel Mensah Loglo, who competed in the open section, achieved the Candidate Master title.
In the women’s competition, Maud Benson earned the Woman FIDE Master title, while Sumya Ibrahim Dotse, Ridham and Dzidzor Esi Dotse each secured the Woman Candidate Master title.
The Olympiad, held in Samarkand from September 16 to 27, brought together national teams from around the world in one of the most prominent events on the international chess calendar.
Ghana entered both the open and women’s competitions. Tournament records list the women’s team with Benson, Banini, Ridham, Dotse and Dotse, while the open team included John Kojo Hasford, Bernard Anhwere, Cephas Clinton Fomevor, Prince Akpa and Daniel Loglo.
The Ghana Chess Association said the campaign reflected preparations introduced under its president, Christiana Ashley, including an earlier selection process and structured training before the team travelled to Uzbekistan.
“This result belongs to the players. They did the work at the board,” Ashley said.
“What we set out to do when I took office was make sure that when Ghanaian players sit down against the rest of the world, nothing about their preparation is left to chance. Seven titles and a gold medal tell me we are on the right road, and I want us to go further.”
Ashley, who took over the presidency earlier this year, led the Ghanaian delegation at the Olympiad.
The association also praised the coaching and technical team, captains and officials who supported the players during the tournament and throughout the preparation period.
For Ghanaian chess, the tournament marks an important expansion of the country’s pool of internationally titled players.
The association said attention will now turn to strengthening youth development and building on the progress made in Samarkand ahead of the next Olympiad.
The Golden Knights have returned to Ghana carrying a gold medal, new international titles and renewed attention for a sport seeking to deepen its roots among the country’s next generation.
Ghana to the world.
Source: GCA