CHESS NEWS – International Chess Federation

2nd World Youth Chess Solving Championship: Registration now open

editor_d — Tue, 19 May 2026 13:28:10 +0000

FIDE and the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC), together with the Italian Chess Federation and UniChess, are pleased to announce the 2nd World Youth Chess Solving Championship 2026. The event will be held in Montesilvano, Italy, on June 16, 2026, starting at 10:00 local time.

The competition will take place between the 1st and 2nd rounds of the World Youth Chess Championship (WYCC) 2026, sharing the same age categories as the over-the-board tournaments: under 14, under 16 and under 18.

There will be separate rankings for Open and Girls. Girls may choose to compete in the Open category by notifying the organizers before the tournament.

Solving format

Each category will solve a different set of 8 problems, including:

3 problems in 2 moves
2 problems in 3 moves
1 problem in 4 moves
2 endgames

Time allowed: 90 minutes

Official information:

Date: June 16, 2026
Location: Montesilvano, Italy (venue same as WYCC-2026)
Regulations (PDF)
Registration form: https://form.jotform.com/FCCC/WYSC-2026
Participation fee: €25 per person

Additional info: Marjan KOVAČEVIĆ WFC President, +381621792972

E-mail: president@wfcc.ch

Official website: https://www.chessworldyouth.com/world-youth-chess-solving-championships/

Chess superstars headline a packed World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships in Hong Kong

editor_d — Tue, 19 May 2026 07:07:23 +0000

By Milan Dinic

With less than a month to go to the biggest World Rapid and Blitz team event, the lineups have been revealed. Altogether, 43 teams and more than 300 players are confirmed for the fourth edition of the WTRB.

The leading teams from previous editions, WR Chess, Hexamind, and Team MGD1, all return with stellar lineups. But Hong Kong will also feature notable newcomers, including the all-Chinese Dragon Chilling squad led by Ding Liren.

WR will be the most eye-catching team in Hong Kong and the top favourites for the first spot, having won the inaugural Rapid Championship in 2023 and the Blitz events in 2024 and 2025. Their biggest asset is Magnus Carlsen – currently the only 2800-rated player in the world. Featuring Fabiano Caruana, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Wesley So, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Hou Yifan, and Alexandra Kosteniuk, the lineup resembles a list of top-rated players in the world.

WR’s biggest rivals by rating are Hexamind, with elite players such as Levon Aronian, Anish Giri, Alireza Firouzja, Vidit Gujrathi, Kateryna Lagno, and – the 2024 World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin. In 2025, they took silver in the Rapid and bronze in the Blitz in London.

Another big contender will be India’s Team MGD1, who has been one of the most consistent sides in the World Rapid and Blitz Teams. In 2023 they took the bronze in Rapid, took silver in the Blitz in 2024 and then won the 2025 World Rapid Team title in London, with 21 match points from 12 rounds. Bringing the core of India’s new generation, the team features some of the most notable young names in chess today – Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, Pranav V, Leon Luke Mendonca, as well as Harika Dronavalli.

Another notable Indian-rooted squad in Hong Kong is Chessgurukul. Their lineup includes super-strong young Indian GMs such as Praggnanandhaa R, Aravindh Chithambaram, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Pranesh M. Built around players closely linked to the Chess Gurukul school and to RB Ramesh’s wider influence on Indian chess, this team can spring a surprise in any match and should be closely watched.

Dragon Chilling has one of the most attractive national-style lineups, led by Ding Liren, Wei Yi, Yu Yangyi, Ju Wenjun, and Lei Tingjie. The biggest news is the return of former World Champion Ding Liren, who has largely retreated from the chess world after his loss to Gukesh in the 2024 match for the world crown. The World Rapid and Blitz Teams in Hong Kong will be the first time since 2024 that Ding plays in a major international event with super-elite players.

Another team from Asia – with a strong track record in the WRBT – is Kazchess, standing out with the heavyweights such as Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Alexander Grischuk, Richard Rapport, Wang Hao (the winner of the inaugural Grand Swiss, in 2019), Bibisara Assaubayeva, and Kazybek Nogerbek.

Uzbekistan has a very serious squad built around Nodirbek Abdusattorov, World Championship Challenger Javokhir Sindarov, as well as their top players Nodirbek Yakubboev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov, and one of the top players from the early 2000s and former FIDE World Champion, Rustam Kasimdzhanov.

Chess United are especially notable because of Viswanathan Anand, Humpy Koneru, Jorden van Foreest, and – the recently confirmed second youngest GM in chess history – Faustino Oro.

Endgame.AI should not be overlooked either, with Hans Niemann, Leinier Dominguez, Amin Tabatabaei, Alexey Sarana, Denis Lazavik, and Zhu Jiner.

The fast chess quality is also very high. Most of the top players of FIDE’s May 2026 Blitz ranking appear in this approved list, with Carlsen, Firouzja, Arjun, Artemiev, Vachier-Lagrave, Aronian, Anand, and Caruana all present.

WR Chess is the glamour team of the 2026 WRB Teams event, but several rival squads have enough star power to challenge them. The fact that teams have to include not only pros but also recreational players whose performance can vary makes it hard to predict anything but a big show in Hong Kong.

The full list of teams and lineups is available on the event website: Registered teams

About the Hong Kong WTRBC edition

The 2026 edition will take place in Hong Kong during the event week of 16 to 22 June. The competition days are scheduled for 17 to 21 June at Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Rapid will be played as a Swiss event over 12 rounds from 17 to 19 June, with a time control of 15 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. Blitz follows on 20 and 21 June, beginning with pools before a 16 team knockout. The blitz time control is 3 minutes plus 2 seconds.

The total prize fund is €500,000. Rapid receives €310,000, while blitz receives €190,000. The rapid champions will earn €110,000, and the blitz champions €75,000.

The other major addition is the inaugural FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup, which will run alongside the main championship. That gives the 2026 edition a broader festival shape and reinforces the event’s central idea of bringing elite and amateur chess closer together.

About the Word Team Rapid & Blitz Championships

The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships began in 2023 in Düsseldorf. The first edition featured rapid chess only. Blitz was added in 2024, turning it into the current two-title event. Three editions have been completed so far, in Düsseldorf, Astana, and London. Hong Kong 2026 will be the fourth.

Clubs, companies, federations, and independent groups to enter the competition. Every match is played over six boards. Each team must include at least one female player and at least one recreational player, defined as someone who has never reached a FIDE rating of 2000 in standard, rapid, or blitz.

The rapid title was won by WR Chess in 2023, Al-Ain ACMG UAE in 2024, and Team MGD1 in 2025. Blitz was added to the programme in 2024. WR Chess won that title in both 2024 and 2025.

Giovanni Longo International Chess Museum opens in Marostica, Italy

editor_d — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:31:44 +0000

The Giovanni Longo International Chess Museum – City of Marostica officially opened its doors on May 16 in Marostica, in the province of Vicenza, Veneto. The museum is located in the 14th-century Lower Castle, overlooking the city’s famous Chess Square, internationally renowned for the “Living Chess Game” staged every two years in autumn. It is the first museum of its kind in Italy and one of the very few dedicated chess museums in Europe.

The museum was established thanks to a donation by Giovanni Longo, a distinguished collector who wished to make the objects he gathered over the years accessible to the public. The exhibition features around 150 items, including 90 chess sets and boards, displayed in a modern exhibition space designed to be fully accessible to visually impaired and hearing-impaired visitors, with a free app serving as an audio guide.

The collection is extended across four rooms dedicated to four continents – Europe, America, Asia, and Africa – and includes both antique and contemporary works of exceptional beauty and value. Among the highlights are giant chess sets created by the Milanese artist Enrico Baj, a chess set designed by Max Ernst, and many other remarkable masterpieces.

Speakers at the inauguration included the Mayor of Marostica, Matteo Mozzo; Mara Bizzotto, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy; Marco Zecchinato, Regional Councillor for Interregional Cooperation; and Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation (FSI). The guest of honor was Zurab Azmaiparashvili, President of the European Chess Union, who congratulated both the city and the Italian chess community on this extraordinary achievement.

“The works come from all over the world,” explained donor Giovanni Longo, “and trace a journey through the centuries, from the 18th century to the present day, beginning with Chinese and Indian craftsmanship and arriving at contemporary interpretations of the game of chess. The exhibition includes chessboards and sets of every size, from miniature artifacts to monumental works measuring three by three meters, as well as sculptures, unique pieces, chess clocks, symbolic objects, and various curiosities.”

“In this period of rapid growth for Italian chess,” added Maggi, “with the Federation reaching record numbers of members and affiliated clubs, we warmly welcome the opening of this Museum. It connects the present of this wonderful sport with its glorious past and gives Italy an exhibition space that highlights the inseparable bond between chess, art, and culture.”

Winners crowned at inaugural Turkic Nations Team Chess Championship

editor_d — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:55:43 +0000

Astana stood at the crossroads of the Turkic world from May 14 to 17, 2026, capturing its significance across several domains. On the eve of the event, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid a state visit to the capital of Kazakhstan at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Concurrently, on May 15, Turkistan hosted an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States dedicated to Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.

Against this backdrop, the Kazakh National University of Sports in Astana hosted two major chess events: the inaugural Turkic Open and Women’s Team Chess Championships 2026 and the Turkic Youth U16 Chess Olympiad 2026.

Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, highlighted the significance of this coincidence: “Kazakhstan is the first in the region to host this new tournament for the Turkic world. It is highly symbolic that the event coincides with the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Astana. Under our President’s policy, Kazakhstan is consistently strengthening its position within the Turkic space, and chess is becoming a prominent tool of this diplomacy. It is no longer just a sport, but a vital element of friendship between our nations.”

Serik Zharasbayev, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, extended a warm welcome to the audience at the opening ceremony: “On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, I would like to thank all the participants and heads of delegations for joining us. I also want to personally thank Timur Turlov for his immense contribution as President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. We are already seeing the fruits of this labor. Today, we have world-class players achieving great success on the international stage—talents like Kazybek Nogerbek and Bibisara Assaubayeva, who made history as our country’s first three-time World Rapid Champion. This is a monumental achievement. I wish everyone continued success. Onward to new heights and great victories!”

In each of the three categories (Open, Women, and Youth U16), seven national teams competed in a round-robin system. The participating nations were Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, with the latter fielding two teams in each tournament as the host nation. Each team line-up consisted of four main players, one reserve, and a captain. The competitions used the new classical 45+30 format, allocating 45 minutes per game with a 30-second increment for every move. The guaranteed prize fund amounted to 27 million tenge (approximately 54,000 US dollars). The event was organized by FIDE, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess), the Kazakh National University of Sports, and the Akimat of Astana. Freedom Holding Corp. served as the General Partner of the championship.

The Open Championship

The open tournament brought together 13 Grandmasters and 18 International Masters. The battle for the title lasted until the last moments of the final round.

The national team of Kyrgyzstan delivered the biggest upset of the final round by defeating the higher-rated Uzbek team with a score of 3-1, remaining undefeated on every single board. This result largely shaped the final standings: both Kazakhstan-2 and Kazakhstan-1 won their respective final matches to ascend to the top of the standings, followed by Azerbaijan.

Final Standings (Turkic Open Team Chess Championships 2026):

Kazakhstan-2: 9 match points, 13½ board points (Prize: 5 million tenge, approximately $10,000)
Kazakhstan-1: 8 match points, 13 board points (Prize: 3.5 million tenge, approximately $7,000)
Azerbaijan: 7 match points, 14½ board points (Prize: 2 million tenge, approximately $4,000)
Uzbekistan: 7 match points, 12½ board points
Turkey: 5 match points, 12 board points
Kyrgyzstan: 5 match points, 9½ board points
Turkmenistan: 1 match point, 9 board points

Best Individual Board Results:

Board 1: 1. IM Zhandos Agmanov (Kazakhstan-2, 4½ points); 2. GM Ahmad Ahmadzada (Azerbaijan, 4 points); 3. GM Saparmyrat Atabayev (Turkmenistan, 3½ points).

Board 2: 1. GM Denis Makhnev (Kazakhstan-1, 4 points); 2. GM Ramazan Zhalmakhanov (Kazakhstan-2, 3½ points); 3. GM Misratdin Iskandarov (Azerbaijan, 3½ points).

Board 3: 1. IM Aldiyar Ansat (Kazakhstan-1, 4 points); 2. IM Arda Camlar (Turkey, 3 points); 3. IM Satbek Akhmedinov (Kazakhstan-2, 3 points).

Board 4: 1. IM Tologontegin Semetey (Kyrgyzstan, 3½ points); 2. IM Saidakbar Saydaliev (Uzbekistan, 3½ points); 3. IM Shiroglan Talibov (Azerbaijan, 2½ points).

Board 5: 1. IM Murad Ibrahimli (Azerbaijan, 3½ points); 2. IM Umut Ata Akbas (Turkey, 3½ points).

The Women’s Championship

The Women’s tournament featured six International Masters, five Woman Grandmasters, and five Woman International Masters. The national team of Azerbaijan entered as the clear favorite, fielding the exact same powerhouse line-up that secured the silver medal at the 2025 World Team Chess Championship with IM Ulviyya Fataliyeva (2450, ranked world No. 25 in the FIDE standings) and IM Gunay Mammadzada (2374) on first and second boards, respectively. Uzbekistan’s formidable roster included WGM Afruza Khamdamova (2423, ranked world No. 34 in the FIDE standings) and WGM Umida Omonova (2357).

The women’s competition was equally exciting, with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan pitted against each other in the final round. Azerbaijan, having a two-point advantage, secured a draw against Uzbekistan to successfully defend their first-place position. Meanwhile, the Kazakhstan-1 team delivered a dominant 3½–½ victory over Turkmenistan to leapfrog Uzbekistan and claim the silver spot on the podium.

Final Standings (Turkic Women’s Team Chess Championship 2026):

Azerbaijan: 10 match points, 18½ board points (Prize: 5 million tenge, approximately $10,000)
Kazakhstan-1: 9 match points, 16½ board points (Prize: 3.5 million tenge, approximately $7,000)
Uzbekistan: 8 match points, 15½ board points (Prize: 2 million tenge, approximately $4,000)
Kazakhstan-2: 6 match points, 13 board points
Turkmenistan: 6 match points, 11 board points
Kyrgyzstan: 2 match points, 4½ board points
Turkey: 1 match point, 5 board points

Best individual board results:

Board 1: 1. WGM Afruza Khamdamova (Uzbekistan, 4½ points); 2. WGM Liya Kurmangaliyeva (Kazakhstan-2, 4 points); 3. WFM Lala Shokhradova (Turkmenistan, 3½ points).

Board 2: 1. IM Meruert Kamalidenova (Kazakhstan-1, 5½ points); 2. WGM Umida Omonova (Uzbekistan, 3½ points); 3. WIM Assel Serikbay (Kazakhstan-2, 3 points).

Board 3: 1. WGM Govhar Beydullayeva (Azerbaijan, 4½ points); 2. WFM Jahan Rejepova (Turkmenistan, 3 points); 3. WIM Guldona Karimova (Uzbekistan, 2½ points).

Board 4: 1. IM Khanim Balajayeva (Azerbaijan, 4½ points); 2. WCM Madinabonu Khalilova (Uzbekistan, 4 points); 3. WFM Aiaru Altynbek (Kazakhstan-2, 3 points).

Board 5: 1. IM Gulnar Mammadova (Azerbaijan, 4 points); 2. WIM Zarina Nurgaliyeva (Kazakhstan-1, 3 points); 3. WFM Alanna Berikkyzy (Kazakhstan-2, 2½ points).

The Youth U16 Olympiad

In the youth tournament, the national team of Azerbaijan, consisting of IM Khagan Ahmad (2472), FM Shamsi Garakhanov (2316), Pasham Alizade (2252), and WFM Lala Huseynova (2149), secured first place ahead of schedule. The remaining spots on the podium went to the host country’s selections: the Kazakhstan-1 team whitewashed Turkey 4-0 in their final encounter, while Kazakhstan-2 locked in their top-three finish by overcoming Kyrgyzstan with a 3-1 victory.

Final Standings (Turkic Youth U16 Chess Olympiad 2026):

Azerbaijan: 10 match points, 16 board points (Prize: 2.5 million tenge, approximately $5,000)
Kazakhstan-1: 9 match points, 18 board points (Prize: 2 million tenge, approximately $4,000)
Kazakhstan-2: 7 match points, 13 board points (Prize: 1.5 million tenge, approximately $3,000)
Turkey: 7 match points, 11 board points
Uzbekistan: 6 match points, 13 board points
Kyrgyzstan: 3 match points, 8 board points
Turkmenistan: 0 match points, 5 board points

Best individual board results:

Board 1: 1. IM Khagan Ahmad (Azerbaijan, 6 points); 2. IM Sauat Nurgaliyev (Kazakhstan-1, 5 points); 3. FM Nazar Talgatov (Kazakhstan-2, 3½ points).

Board 2: 1. GM Edgar Mamedov (Kazakhstan-1, 5 points); 2. FM Aldiyar Zhauynbay (Kazakhstan-2, 4 points); 3. CM Sadullo Azizov (Uzbekistan, 4 points).

Board 3: 1. Pasham Alizade (Azerbaijan, 4½ points); 2. CM Ruslan Momunaliev (Kyrgyzstan, 4 points); 3. FM Javokhir Bozorov (Uzbekistan, 4 points).

Board 4: 1. WFM Mariya Kholyavko (Kazakhstan-1, 5 points); 2. WFM Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva (Uzbekistan, 4½ points); 3. Dilber Hupbyyeva (Turkmenistan, 3½ points).

The inaugural Turkic Nations Team Chess Championship highlighted the exceptional competitive standard of all six participating delegations. Competitors from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan showcased a fierce and uncompromising spirit across all categories; the majority of the final outcomes were decided only in the closing moments of the tournament. The championship has successfully established a new tradition of regular competitions between the chess federations of the Turkic states.

Photos: lk-studio

Commonwealth Chess Championship 2026 opens in Sri Lanka

editor_d — Sun, 17 May 2026 13:42:09 +0000

Commonwealth Chess Championship 2026 opens in Sri Lanka

More than 500 players, representing 14 countries, participate in the competition, taking place from May 17-25, 2026. The opening ceremony was attended by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich as well as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) is hosting the nine-day event on behalf of the Commonwealth Chess Association and FIDE. The tournament includes several categories. In addition to the Open Section, there are age group events for women and youth players, ranging from Under 8 to Under 18, in the classical format. There will also be Rapid and Blitz events held on the first three days.

Luxman Wijesuriya, President of CFSL, said that it was a great honour for Sri Lanka to host the event for the third time in the last ten years: “Obviously it is a top-level event, and hosting it positions Sri Lanka as an excellent location for important chess events.”

“It indicates the level of confidence that FIDE and the Commonwealth Chess Association have in CFSL… It must also be mentioned that hosting the event obviously makes for greater participation of the most talented Sri Lankans, enabling them to cross swords with the best players in their respective categories,” he added.

“The Commonwealth Chess Association has been a valuable part of the international chess family since 1980, bringing together countries from across the globe, with very different chess traditions and levels of development. The hosts – Sri Lanka – have a proud and growing chess community, and here we see a strong commitment to the development of chess,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said.

Dvorkovich noted that this is a “remarkable moment” for chess in Asia with world-class players, major events, and strong federations growing new talent.

“This connects strongly with FIDE’s wider work in promoting chess, and we will continue to work closely with national federations, public institutions, and private partners to bring more opportunities to players across Asia and across the world.”

Sunil Kumara Gamage, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, welcomed all the players to his country, describing the tournament as a “remarkable celebration of intellect, discipline, and sportsmanship.”

“I wish to extend our welcome to Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE, whose leadership resonates strongly across the world. I also take this opportunity to respectfully acknowledge Mr. Bharat Singh Chauhan, a towering figure in the global chess community whose 50-year dedication to the game has inspired players across the world,” Kumara Gamage added.

Bharat Singh and Luxman Wijesuriya: 50 years of chess life

The Commonwealth Chess Championship was also an occasion to celebrate the dedication and work of two important figures in the chess world, Bharat Singh Chauhan from India and Luxman Wijesuriya from Sri Lanka.

Bharat Singh Chauhan is a prominent Indian chess administrator, organiser, and International Arbiter who helped shape chess administration in India and beyond. He was instrumental in building the chess infrastructure in Asia through tournament organisation, international federation work, and the development and execution of plans to expand chess through schools, youth events, and stronger national systems.

He served as Secretary of the All India Chess Federation and became one of the key figures behind India’s growing role in international chess. He was the Tournament Director of the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai in 2022. Bharat Singh Chauhan is the Chairman of the FIDE Advisory Board, Deputy President of the Asian Chess Federation, and Chairman of the Commonwealth Chess Association.

Luxman Wijesuriya is one of the central figures in Sri Lankan chess administration. He serves as the General Secretary of the Commonwealth Chess Association and Vice President of the Asian Chess Federation. Wijesuriya is the brother of two prominent Sri Lankan chess players: Suneetha Wijesuriya, Sri Lanka’s 1992 Chess Olympiad individual gold medallist, and Vineetha Wijesuriya, an eleven-time Sri Lankan women’s champion.

Through his work, Wijesuriya has helped shape the structure of organised chess in Sri Lanka for many years, strengthening the domestic tournament system, spreading knowledge of ratings and titles, and bringing official Asian events to the country on a regular basis.

“Both Bharat Singh and Luxman Wijesuriya have played pivotal roles in the promotion of chess in Asia, laying the foundations for the continent’s current success,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said.

“The chess community around the world is grateful for their exceptional work and unwavering support over the last five decades. We owe a lot to these great people, and I am honoured to have had the privilege of learning from them and working with both of them directly,” Dvorkovich added.

About the Commonwealth Chess Association:

The Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) was founded in 1980 and unites the commonwealth chess federations while keeping strict neutrality in the internal affairs of the national chess federations. The CCA is concerned with supporting chess activity among the nations of the Commonwealth.

Last year’s Commonwealth Chess Championship was held in Malaysia and was won by English Grandmaster Daniel Howard Fernandez.

Official website: https://commonwealthchess.com/

David Navara and Joanna Worek crowned Czech Republic Champions

editor_d — Sat, 16 May 2026 21:35:38 +0000

GM David Navara and WGM Joanna Worek emerged victorious at the 2026 Czech National Championship. David claimed his 14th (!) title – a remarkable achievement – edging out rising star Václav Finěk, while Joanna captured her second national crown.

The 2026 Czech Championship, held in open and women’s sections, took place at the Bowling Brno area from May 7–16, 2026, and attracted most of the country’s top players. The open event was a 10-player round-robin, while the women’s competition followed an elimination system, comprising a preliminary round followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.

The open event evolved into a gripping duel between the two top seeds: Navara and Czech chess’s brightest young talent, Václav Finěk. Navara seized an early lead, but Finěk caught up with him after Round 5. The direct clash in Round 7 ended in a draw leaving them tied for the top position.

Both finished strongly, winning their last two games and totaling 7.5/9 points, but the superior Sonneborn–Berger tiebreaker awarded the title to Navara. Both the champion and the runner-up completed the competition unbeaten.

The bronze medal went to the experienced grandmaster Štěpán Žilka, who secured a draw against Richard Stalmach in the last round. The entire tournament was marked by uncompromising battles, with only 16 games out of 45 ending in a draw.

Final standings – Open

The women’s competition was arguably even more dramatic, with all medals matches decided in Armageddon tiebreak games. In the end, Joanna Worek won the gold medal, defeating WGM Kristýna Petrova. In the match for third place, WGM Tereza Rodshtein claimed bronze after overcoming WGM Olga Sikorová.

Final standings – Women

The PR manager of the Czech Chess Association and tournament director, Josef Bednařík, gave his thoughts on the Czech Championship during the closing ceremony: “I am thrilled with the course of this year’s Czech Championship. I would like to thank all the players for their fighting spirit and fair-play approach. The spectators certainly enjoyed the exciting games and the course of the tournaments, and I did too.”

The 2026 Czech Championship was supported by the statutory city of Brno, the South Moravian Region, the Bowling Brno area, and the Hotel Velká Klajdovka. Special thanks go to the Mayor of the statutory city of Brno, JUDr. Markéta Vaňková, and the 1st Deputy Governor of the South Moravian Region, Jiří Crh, who served as personal patrons of the tournament.

Photos: Czech Chess Federation (Facebook)

Official website: https://www.chess.cz/

Registration opens for African Continental Stage of FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026

editor_d — Sat, 16 May 2026 08:24:31 +0000

FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), with the support of its general partner Freedom Holding Corp. invite all FIDE member federations from Africa to participate in the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 (WSTC 2026).

The event will be held in the Cape Town area, South Africa, from July 6 (arrival) to July 11 (departure), 2026.

The African Continental Stage will become the second continental qualifier of the new World Schools Team Championship cycle held within the framework of the Year of Chess in Education 2026 initiative. The best teams will qualify directly for the WSTC 2026 Grand Final, where the continental champions will compete for the title of FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Champion 2026.

Team composition and eligibility

Each team shall consist of:

four main players;
one reserve player;
one non-playing captain

Each team must include at least one boy and at least one girl, except in specific cases provided for in the Regulations for single-gender educational institutions.

Players eligible to participate must be born between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018.

National federations are responsible for confirming that all players are officially enrolled in the educational institution they represent during the 2025–2026 academic year.

The tournament will be played over eight rounds using the Swiss system.

Participation conditions and organizer support

Within the framework of the Championship, selected teams will receive organizer support, including:

full-board accommodation;
airport and local transfers;
economy-class flight tickets for designated supported delegations

Detailed participation conditions are outlined in the official Invitation Letter and General Regulations.

Educational and cultural programme

In addition to the tournament itself, participants and guests will take part in a special educational and cultural programme organized in line with the Year of Chess in Education 2026 initiative. The programme will include:

masterclasses and lectures by leading chess players and educators;
interactive workshops;
side activities promoting educational exchange and intercultural dialogue

The Championship aims not only to identify the strongest school team on the continent but also to promote chess as a powerful educational and social development tool.

Registration

The registration deadline is June 18, 2026.

National federations are kindly encouraged to complete the registration process at the earliest opportunity, as the number of places in the tournament is limited, and organizer support conditions outlined in the Regulations are available only for the first 20 teams fully registered in compliance with the official requirements.

Teams may register only through their respective FIDE member federations using the official online registration form.

Registration form:
https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/registration-stage-africa

Full Invitation Letter, General Regulations and registration details are available at:
https://www.fide.com/wp-content/uploads/WSTC-2026-Invitation-Letter-African-Stage-1.pdf

Contact e-mail: worldschoolteam@fide.com

Official website: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/

Kazakhstan’s Chess “Oscar”: KazChess Awards 2026 unites champions, legends, and the nation’s future

editor_d — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:11:11 +0000

At the Hilton Astana in Astana, the KazChess Awards 2026 ceremony brought together world champions, coaches, arbiters, regional leaders, and distinguished guests from the international sports community. In just a few years, this national award has evolved into a true celebration – comparable in scale to the Oscars – except here, the spotlight is on intellect and strategic mastery.

The evening opened with a “Renaissance” performance by the FLAME STARS dance ensemble – a fitting metaphor for the renaissance Kazakhstan’s chess has experienced in recent years. Athletes, coaches, officials, journalists, and patrons filled the hall, reflecting how chess in Kazakhstan has long outgrown its niche status.

The KazChess Awards is more than an annual recognition of the best performers. It is a showcase of systemic transformation launched in January 2023 that has reshaped Kazakhstani chess. The results are measurable: 126 international medals in 2023, 160 in 2024, and 162 in 2025. These achievements form the foundation behind every statuette presented on stage.

High-level representation

A welcome address on behalf of Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, was delivered by Nurtore Zhussip, Chairman of the Committee on Socio-Cultural Development and Science. Awards to para-athletes were presented by Major General Aidar Saitbekov, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.

Nominations within the “Chess in Education” program were presented by Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education, and Aidos Zholmanov, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Education. The final nominations were announced by Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE. Such representation at a national sports award is rare in any discipline.

The ceremony also featured a congratulatory letter from Olzhas Suleimenov, poet, diplomat, Director of the International Center for the Rapprochement of Cultures under UNESCO. His message emphasized unity, shared responsibility, and chess as a tool for societal development.

International recognition

In his remarks, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich noted that Kazakhstan has become a model for chess development worldwide, particularly through its youth system and grassroots expansion. These words are supported by data: hundreds of international medals, world team titles, and junior world champions in recent years.

“Over the last few years, Kazakhstan, together with the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, has firmly established itself as one of the key global hubs for chess development – investing in school chess and education as well as in elite events. A huge part of this progress is connected to Timur Turlov and the Freedom Holding Corp., which he founded. Since 2022, Kazakhstan and Freedom have supported some of the biggest events in the global chess calendar – from the 2022 World Rapid & Blitz Championships in Almaty and the 2023 World Championship Match in Astana, to the 2024 WRB Teams as well as the WRB in New York that year, and many other initiatives worldwide. I am confident this is only the beginning. Many more ambitious projects are ahead, and Kazakhstan will continue to play an important role in shaping the future of world chess,” he said.

Vision from the federation

Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, highlighted the philosophy behind the awards: recognition not only of athletes and coaches, but also arbiters, managers, and educators working across the country toward a common goal–strengthening Kazakhstan through chess.

What produces champions: The Young Talents Support Program

A key distinction in Kazakhstan’s approach is between elite sports development and educational outreach.

The Young Talents Support Program for athletes under 16 provides grants, training camps, international exposure, and professional coaching. In 2024, 18 national team players received support totaling 454 million tenge; in 2025, 21 athletes received 425 million tenge. Over three years, Kazakhstani players across age groups have won 448 medals in official international competitions.

Standout achievements include:

Bibisara Assaubayeva – three-time World Blitz Champion
Women’s national team – historic Olympic silver in Budapest 2024
Kazybek Nogerbek – World Junior U20 Champion
Alisha Bisaliyeva – multiple youth world titles
Edgar Mamedov and Mark Smirnov – 2025 youth world champions

Over three years, the federation awarded 5 new Grandmaster and 15 International Master titles.

“Chess in Education”: 1,500 schools and 60,000 children

Separate from elite sports, the “Chess in Education” program focuses on cognitive development for all children.

The state target of 1,400 schools (2023–2027 plan) has already been exceeded: today, more than 1,500 schools and 60,000 students participate nationwide. Some 2,800 primary school teachers have been trained. In the 2025–2026 academic year, 204 students in five pedagogical universities enrolled in a specialized Minor program. Fourteen memorandums have been signed with universities.

In September 2025, Almaty hosted the III International Conference “Chess in Education” with 281 experts discussing chess’s role in the era of digitalization and AI–positioning Kazakhstan among global leaders in this movement.

Emotional highlights of the ceremony

One of the most memorable moments was the presentation of the ‘Hope of the Year’ award, named after Toktar Aubakirov. The award was personally handed to eight-year-old world champion Alisha Bisaliyeva by the first Kazakh cosmonaut himself, prompting a standing ovation.

The “Juniors of the Year” awards were presented by Olympic boxing champion Serik Sapiyev and President of the Kazakhstan Gymnastics Federation Aliya Yussupova.

Special warmth filled the hall during the para-athlete awards. Winners included Erlan Nurkhaev, Aiganim Kambarova, and Nina Zhukovskaya.

Regional emphasis

Awards for the best university, best school, and best regional branch underscore a core principle: chess development extends far beyond the two largest cities. By 2025, the federation had established fully operational branches in all 17 regional centers and three cities of republican significance, supported by centralized funding and reporting.

From the national championship to the awards stage

Notably, many stars arrived directly from the National Classical Chess Championship final, which concluded just hours before the ceremony. The new national champions – 15-year-old Sauat Nurgaliyev and 16-year-old Zarina Nurgaliyeva – represent a generation shaped by this newly built system.

A growing foundation

In three years, the number of award categories has expanded from 9 to 18. This reflects a widening circle of recognition – athletes, educators, arbiters, managers, regional leaders – all contributing to a robust chess ecosystem.

Kazakhstan’s new generation is ambitious and ready to conquer the heights of world chess. This is the principal outcome not only of one evening but of several years of deliberate, systemic work to develop chess nationwide.

Full List of Laureates – KazChess Awards 2026

Special Athlete (Visual Impairment) – Erlan Nurkhaev
Special Athlete (Mobility Impairment) – Aiganim Kambarova
Special Athlete (Hearing Impairment) – Nina Zhukovskaya
Junior of the Year (Boys U18) – Edgar Mamedov
Junior of the Year (Girls U18) – Elnaz Kaliakhmet
Best Veterans – Marat Primbetov, Inna Matveeva-Popruikalo
Best KCF Branch – Kazakhstan Chess Federation Almaty Branch
Best Young Arbiter – Akzhan Shopanov
Chess Ambassador of the Year – Aliya Ashim and Danil Lee
Media Partner of the Year – Evraziya TV (Almira Kulmukhamedova)
Best Coordinator of the “Chess in Education” Program – Gulnur Aitimova (Astana, School-Lyceum No. 8)
Best University of the “Chess in Education” Program – Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University
Best Teacher of the “Chess in Education” Program –
Meruert Temirova (Astana, BINOM School) and
Oryntai Sarkytbekova (Semey, School No. 27)
Team of the Year (Olzhas Suleimenov Prize) – Team KazChess, FIDE World Team Blitz Vice-Champions:
Darmen Sadvakasov,
Aldiyar Ansat,
Meruert Kamalidenova,
Elnaz Kaliakhmet,
Islam Aiten;
Team Captain – Gulmira Dauletova
Hope of the Year (Toktar Aubakirov Prize) – Alisha Bisaliyeva
Employee of the Year – Raushan Kulakhmetova
Best Female Athlete of the Year (Anatoly Ufimtsev Prize) – Bibisara Assaubayeva
Best Male Athlete of the Year (Anatoly Ufimtsev Prize) – Aldiyar Ansat

Photos: Kazakhstan Chess Federation / lk-studio

Kazakhstan Championship: Sauat Nurgaliyev and Zarina Nurgalieva capture titles

editor_d — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:00:09 +0000

15-year-old IM Sauat Nurgaliyev and 16-year-old WIM Zarina Nurgalieva (no relation) are the newly crowned Kazakhstan chess champions, both winning their maiden national titles.

The 2026 Kazakhstan Championship, held in open and women’s sections, took place in Astana from May 2–12. Both competitions were 14-player round-robins with classical time control (90 minutes + 30 seconds increment). Both competitions served as qualifiers for the national teams to represent Kazakhstan at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.

The open section proved exceptionally tight, as most participants were closely matched in rating. After Round 8, as many as three players – IM Zhandos Agmanov, the 2025 champion GM Kazybek Nogerbek, and Nurgaliyev – were sharing the lead on 5.5/8. A pivotal moment came in Round 9: Agmanov and Nogerbek split a point in their game, while Nurgaliyev defeated Vladislav Malygin and seized the sole lead, a position he maintained to the very end.

Heading into the final round, a full point ahead of his closest rivals, Nurgaliyev made a quick draw with FM Dinmukhammed Tulendinov and secured the title with a score of 9/13. Agmanov pulled off a final-round victory and finished just a half-point behind the champion, becoming a three-time silver medalist. Notably, both the champion and the runner-up completed the event unbeaten.

Heading into the final round a full point ahead of his closest rivals, Nurgaliyev made a quick draw with FM Dinmukhammed Tulendinov and secured the title with a score of 9/13. Agmanov pulled off a final-round victory and finished just a half-point behind the champion. Notably, both the champion and the runner-up completed the event unbeaten.

Three players tied for third place on 8/13, with GM Ramazan Zhalmakhanov taking bronze based on his superior Sonneborn-Berger tiebreaker.

Final standings – Open

The women’s competition was even more thrilling, as four participants – WGM Liya Kurmangaliyeva, WIM Zarina Nurgalieva, the 2025 champion WIM Elnaz Kaliakhmet, and IM Meruert Kamalidenova – all crossed the finish line on 9/13, resulting in a four-way tie for the first place. The rapid single round-robin that followed failed to produce a clear winner the winner: Nurgalieva and Kamalidenova both scored 2/3 forcing a two-game blitz tiebreaker.

Nurgalieva dominated both games, recording a 2–0 victory to claim the national title.

Final standings – Women

Photos: Kazakhstan Chess Federation

FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Championships in Nigeria: Registration now open

editor_d — Tue, 12 May 2026 11:17:37 +0000

All FIDE Member Federations and eligible players are invited to participate in the inaugural FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026, open to players with a FIDE rating under 2300.

The event will be held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, from August 1 (arrival) to August 8 (departure), 2026.

The Championships are open to players registered by their national federations. FIDE Member Federations have the right to enter an unlimited number of players.

There will be separate Open and Women’s Championships across the following FIDE rating categories: under 2300, under 2000, and under 1700. A separate Women’s Championship will be organized in each category provided that there are at least twenty players from at least two continents.

The Championships will be conducted using the Swiss System, with the number of rounds determined based on the final registration numbers.

The time controls:

Rapid: 15 minutes plus 10-second increment from move one
Blitz: 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment from move one

All participants who need to apply for a Nigerian visa must request an invitation letter no later than June 30, 2026.

The registration deadline for participants and accompanying persons is also June 30, 2026.

Invitation letter, regulations, schedule (PDF)

E-mail: worldamateur_rb@fide.com