World Youth Chess Olympiad U-16: Round 2 recap
The city of Barranquilla is buzzing with excitement as it hosts the World Youth Chess Olympiad U-16, bringing together teams from more than 45 countries. After the second round, the standings are beginning to reveal the teams showing the strongest performances in this prestigious event. Round 2 highlights After two rounds of play, several teams are leading the standings: Kazakhstan 1 and Kazakhstan 2, demonstrating remarkable consistency across all boards. Georgia and Canada, who continue their winning streak with back-to-back victories. India, FIDE 1, FIDE 2, Cuba 1, and Uzbekistan, completing the group of undefeated teams with excellent results. All of these squads have scored two victories in their opening matches, achieving a perfect 4/4. Featured match One of the most talked-about games of the day was the clash between Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Anna Shukman (FIDE) and Peruvian rising star Achatada Mandujano. The duel was fiercely contested and ended in a draw, showcasing the high level of competition. Latin American and Colombian presence The Colombian teams have delivered noteworthy performances, with several squads positioned in the upper half of the standings. Colombia 1, Colombia 2, Colombia 7, and Colombia 13 have all posted solid results, keeping their hopes alive against delegations with strong international reputations. In addition, teams from Paraguay, Peru, Brazil, and Cuba, along with Italy, have scored valuable points to remain competitive in the tournament. Inspiring event The Olympiad is not only a sporting competition but also a cultural and social gathering, strengthening bonds of friendship among nations. Barranquilla is consolidating its place as a global hub of youth chess, hosting some of the brightest talents of the next generation. With every round, anticipation builds over which country will emerge victorious—where the talent, discipline, and passion of young chess players take center stage. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich attended the event and made the first ceremonial move in the match between Georgia and the FIDE teams. “I hope at some point we will have the Chess Olympiad in the Americas—not U-16, but the main one. It is our ambition for the future. It is not an easy task, but it is achievable. Having more events here allows local players to improve their skills and gain valuable experience. This competition offers a great opportunity for the younger generation to grow, not only from ‘traditional’ chess countries but also from smaller ones in the Caribbean region. It is a very good sign.” Live Broadcast Renowned Grandmaster and commentator Pepe Cuenca is leading the live coverage of the games, bringing his dynamic and charismatic style that has become a hallmark in the chess world. Fans can follow the most exciting matches with live commentary on the YouTube channel of the Colombian Chess Federation (FECODAZ). All updated results are available HERE. Photos: Federación Colombiana de Ajedrez Official website: youtholympiad2025.fide.com/
FIDE opens bidding process for the 2030 Chess Olympiad
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has officially opened the bidding process for the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2030, the largest team competition on the chess calendar. This global event, lasting 15 days (including arrivals and departures), brings together thousands of players and fans from across the world. At the most recent Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, 188 federations registered teams in the Open section and 169 federations in the Women’s section, reflecting the truly universal character of the event. Events to be organised Alongside the main competition, two additional key events will be held under the umbrella of the Olympiad: FIDE Chess Olympiad 2030 – Competition for People with Disabilities (organisers must be ready to host at least 100 teams) FIDE Congress 2030 The selected organiser will be responsible for hosting all three events and providing a proposal that ensures the maximum possible number of teams can be accommodated. With FIDE now uniting more than 200 federations — and expanding each year — the scale and importance of the FIDE Chess Olympiad continue to grow with every edition. Regulations The official regulations for both Olympiad competitions will be approved no later than 30 September 2025 and will follow the structure of the 2028 FIDE Chess Olympiad Regulations in all important aspects: FIDE Chess Olympiad 2028 – Main Competition Regulations (PDF) FIDE Chess Olympiad 2028 – Competition for People with Disabilities Regulations (PDF) The requirements for hosting the FIDE Congress may be found here: FIDE Congress Regulations. Who Can Bid? Any FIDE member federation or organiser approved by a national federation is eligible to apply. Bidders proposing to host additional FIDE events alongside the Olympiad will be given priority. Expression of Interest and Bidding Process Expression of Interest: Non-binding letters of interest should be submitted to office@fide.com no later than 30 January 2026, 18:00 CET. Formal Bid: Complete bidding applications must be submitted to office@fide.com by 15 April 2026, 18:00 CET. Applications must follow the form provided in the approved regulations and include all required documents. The full responsibilities of the organiser, including financial obligations, will be defined in the regulations and any additional conditions. The final decision on the host city will be made by the FIDE General Assembly held during the next FIDE Chess Olympiad in September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, which will award the organisation rights to the applicant receiving the highest number of votes.