Uzbekistan is proving 2022 was no fluke. Three rounds into the Samarkand Olympiad, the team that shocked the chess world by winning their first Olympiad title just two years ago remains unbeaten. They dismantled Austria 3-1 in Round 3, with Mukhiddin Madaminov and Javokhir Sindarov posting clean wins. That's the kind of consistency you need to win gold.

India is running right alongside them. Gukesh and Nihal Sarin carried the team to a 3-1 victory over Italy, continuing the narrative that India's young core has arrived as a genuine Olympiad force. This is not a flash performance. The depth is real. Every board is delivering.

China also looked dangerous. Ding Liren and Yu Yangyi dominated Bulgaria 3.5-0.5. That scoreline is the definition of overwhelming. Ding, back in full swing after his recent stumble in the World Championship match against Carlsen, is clearly refocused. For a team eyeing gold, you want your elder statesmen playing like this in the third round, when the field is starting to separate.

The USA played tight but survived. Squeezing out a win when you're not at your best is exactly what October Olympiad chess demands. Mistakes pile up fast when teams are fresh and matches are compressed into two hours.

The surprise angle here matters. Round 3 is when the real tournament begins. Teams have shaken off travel fatigue. Preparation is sharper. The gap between first board stars and supporting casts becomes visible. Uzbekistan, India, and China have all answered the bell. They're not sleepwalking through easy pairings. They're winning when it counts.

Women's Section

The women's tournament produced its own drama. Stronger seeds held serve mostly, but the upsets appeared too. Round 3 is where pretenders get exposed. Teams without depth crumble when they face coordinated opposition.

What matters now is positioning. After three rounds, the tournament shape is forming. The top seeds have proven they belong in contention. The mid-tier teams know whether they're fighting for medals or salvaging tiebreaks. Every match from here on forces harder decisions, tighter calculations, fewer second chances.

The Olympiad is a grind. By Round 3, you either have what it takes or you don't. Uzbekistan, India, and China have shown they do.