Two matchups that appear straightforward will face the Cuban national teams today at the start of the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where a record number of 398 registered teams was confirmed.

In the open section, the men's team—led by Jorge Roberto Elías from Camagüey—will line up across the boards from Surinam to contest a series that should end in victory without major setbacks.

,The Caribbean players occupy 44th place in the pre-tournament standings by Elo rating, while their opponents sit at 148th. Surprises are not expected in the top spots either, as the hosts are clear favorites against Jamaica, the United States against Iraq, India against Thailand, and China versus Uganda.

Alongside Elías, Cuba is expected to field Dylan Berdayes, Lelys Martínez, and Ermes Espinosa.

In the women's division, Maritza Arribas and her teammates will face the team from Guam, another matchup marked by a significant difference in skill levels based on Elo averages.

The Cuban women, ranked 27th prior to the competition, will compete against a quartet holding the 127th spot and possessing very little tradition in the game of chess.

Arribas will occupy the first board in what marks her 18th appearance at an event of this kind. Competing alongside her will be Yerisbel Miranda, Yaniela Forgas, Ineymig Hernández, and Roxangel Obregón.

Uzbekistan vs. Trinidad and Tobago, India vs. Dominican Republic, Georgia vs. Tunisia, and Kazakhstan vs. Botswana are among the other scheduled matches, with the former listed as undisputed favorites in each case.

The 46th Chess Olympiad opened this Tuesday with an inauguration ceremony attended by more than two thousand spectators, featuring a light show and traditional music at the Boqiy Shahar Amphitheater, located on the banks of the Silk Road Canal.