Romanian Championship 2026: Bogdan-Daniel Deac and Corina-Isabela Peptan claim titles
GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac and IM Corina-Isabela Peptan triumphed at the 2026 edition of the Romanian Championship. Deac won his second national title (his first came back in 2021), while Peptan claimed her 13th (!) women’s crown. The event took place in Timișoara from February 14–22 across three sections – Open, Women, and Amateurs – all 9-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control. Top seed Deac lived up to expectations and emerged as champion, but it was no walk in the park for him. Deac got off to an excellent start, winning four straight games and taking the lead, but GM David Gavrilescu caught up with him in the very next round. Deac surged ahead again, only to share the top spot after Round 7 – this time with another strong competitor IM Filip Magold. In the penultimate round, Deac scored a crucial victory over FM Artiom Vedmediuc and pulled away again, as Magold drew with Constantin Lupulescu. Heading into the final round a half point ahead of Magold, Deac drew with IM Henry Edward Tudor and secured the title with an impressive score of 7.5/9, as his main rival also split the point with Gavrilescu. Magold and Lupulescu (who pulled off a final-round victory) tied for second place on 7/9, with the former claiming silver due to superior tiebreaks. Final standings – Open Top seed in the women’s event, Corina-Isabela Peptan, also rose to the occasion, claiming her record-breaking thirteenth national title. Peptan reeled off four consecutive victories in Rounds 3–6 and seized the lead, which she never relinquished. Drawing three final games proved sufficient to claim the crown. IM Andreea-Marioara Cosman finished a half point behind the champion for silver, while WGM Elena-Luminita Cosma edged out four competitors on superior Buchholz score to complete the podium. Final standings – Women Răzvan-Cătălin Tudoroiu emerged as the winner in the Amateur section. Final standings – Amateurs Photos: Federația Română de Șah
Mahammad Muradli and Ulviyya Fataliyeva win Azerbaijani Championship 2026
Mahammad Muradli and Ulviyya Fataliyeva are the newly crowned Azerbaijani chess champions. In the final matches, Muradli defeated Shakhriyar Mamedyarov to win the competition for the third time, while Fataliyeva prevailed over Ayan Allahverdiyeva to claim her maiden national title. The 2026 Azerbaijan Championships took place in the country’s capital, Baku, from February 6-22. Both the open and women’s competitions were knockout tournaments (two-game matches with tiebreakers if needed) played under classical time controls. The total prize fund was 62,000 AZN (~$36,500 USD) for the open section and 30,000 AZN (~$17,500 USD) for the women’s event. The open tournament, which attracted 30 participants, began with a preliminary round. The winners advanced to join the seeded players in the Round of 16. Muradli smoothly progressed to the quarterfinals, where he defeated Eltaj Safarli in the rapid tiebreaker. At this stage, the 2025 Azerbaijani champion Rauf Mamedov was eliminated, losing to IM Read Samadov. The rating favorite and last year’s finalist, Mamedyarov, needed no tiebreaks to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals, Muradli convincingly outplayed Samadov in the second classical game after drawing the first, securing his place in the final. The other semifinal match was much tenser and saw Mamedyarov battle past the young Aydin Suleymanli, winning the third rapid game to advance. The first game of the final between Mamedyarov and Muradli ended in a draw after a sharp tactical battle. In the second game, Muradli took full advantage of Mamedyarov’s mistake right out of the opening, winning the match and the title. In the match for third place, Suleymanli defeated Samadov twice to claim the bronze medal. In the women’s event, top seed IM Ulviyya Fataliyeva confirmed her pre-tournament favorite status, cruising past her opponents and advancing to the final. Somewhat surprisingly, her opponent in the title match was the seventh seed, WIM Ayan Allahverdiyeva, who eliminated defending champion Gunay Mammadzada in the quarterfinals and became the revelation of the tournament. Despite a substantial rating difference, the final match was very close. After the opponents exchanged victories in the classical games, Fataliyeva took control in the tiebreak, capturing her first national title. Gulnar Mammadova defeated Turkan Mammadyarova 1.5-0.5 in the match for third place to complete the podium. Photos: Azerbaijan Chess Federation
FIDE introduces World Cadet Championship cycle U8-U12 2026
Starting in 2026, FIDE is introducing a new and exciting championship cycle for the Under 8, Under 10, and Under 12 age categories, with the aim of strengthening the global pathway for young players and increasing the clarity and prestige of FIDE youth competitions. Under this new structure, the FIDE World Cadets Cup U8-U12 serves as a unique and qualifying event of the cycle, while the FIDE World Cadets Championships U8, U10, and U12, held later in the year, represent the final stage where world titles are decided. This distinction is central to the updated cycle and ensures greater clarity for federations, players, and parents. As part of this update, the event previously known as the World Cadet Championship U8-U12 has been renamed the FIDE World Cadets Cup U8-U12. While the competitive format and playing conditions remain unchanged, the new name reflects the event’s role as a global, merit-based competition that brings together the strongest young players from around the world and acts as a gateway to the World Cadets Championships later in the year. The inaugural edition of the FIDE World Cadets Cup under this new structure will take place from June 15-28, 2026 in Batumi, Georgia, and will follow the same proven system used in recent editions of the World Cadet Championships, with separate tournaments for boys and girls in the U8, U10, and U12 categories. Who can play? Each national federation is entitled to nominate one invited player per age category and gender, for a total of up to six players, along with one head of delegation holding a valid FIDE ID. In addition to these federation nominations, invited players also include those who finished in first to third place at the previous World Cadets Championships and World Cadets Cup, as well as the champions of the most recent Continental Cadet Championships. National federations may also register additional players and accompanying persons, subject to confirmation by the Organizing Committee, with all related costs covered by the federation, while FIDE-affiliated organizations may register players too and FIDE-endorsed chess academies may do so through their respective national federations. Venue Batumi provides an ideal setting for this global youth event. The city has a strong track record of hosting major international competitions, including the 2018 Chess Olympiad and recent top-level FIDE events, and benefits from Georgia’s deep-rooted chess culture and extensive organisational experience. The proven ability of Georgian Chess Federation and local organisers to deliver world-class events makes Batumi a trusted and familiar destination for federations and players alike. Commenting on the upcoming event, Akaki Iashvili, Chair of the FIDE Events Commission and President of the Georgian Chess Federation, said: “This event is an important opportunity for young players to test themselves on the world stage and to experience international chess at the highest organisational level. Georgia is proud to welcome the global chess community to Batumi once again, and we look forward to hosting the next generation of champions in a city with a deep love for the game.” FIDE member federations are kindly reminded that the registration deadline for the FIDE World Cup U8-U12 is April 15, 2026. Important dates of the cycle April 15, 2026 Deadline for federation registration for FIDE World Cup U8-U12 June 15-28, 2026 FIDE World Cup U8-U12 November 10-17, 2026 FIDE World Cadet Championships U8, U10, U12 with only 48 players in total More information about the FIDE World Cup U8-U12 can be found on the official website: wcc2026.fide.com/ Regulations for FIDE World Cadets’ Championship Cycle 2026 (PDF) For any additional queries, federations may contact the organisers directly at wcc@fide.com. The FIDE World Cup U8-U12 marks an important step in reinforcing the international competitive pathway for young players and underlines FIDE’s continued commitment to developing chess talent from the earliest stages on the global stage. FIDE World Cadets Championship U8, U10, U12 It is important to note that the FIDE World Cadets Championships U8, U10, and U12, held later in the year (November, 10-17), are a final-stage event with a limited field. A total of 48 players will participate, with only eight players per each of the six age categories. All participants in the World Cadets Championships qualify as personal right players and receive free full-board accommodation. Qualification places are allocated as follows: 3 spots – the three winners of the FIDE Cadets World Cup4 spots – one nomination from each continent. The nominations shall be sent by the continental President’s offices.1 spot – nomination from the organizing federation This structure ensures that the World Cadets Championships bring together the very strongest performers from the global qualification pathway.
FIDE Director for Chess Development visits Togo
The Togolese Chess Federation (FTDE) welcomed FIDE Director for Chess Development, Grandmaster Nigel Short, for an official visit aimed at promoting and structuring the game across Togo. The visit is part of FIDE’s ongoing efforts to support national federations in Africa and foster sustainable chess growth on the continent. During the visit, discussions focused on expanding the chess player base, structuring clubs, and enhancing coach training programs. The delegation and FTDE leadership shared strategies to create an environment conducive to discovering new talent and strengthening the organization of chess nationwide. As part of the program, the FTDE organized a conference on the educational value of chess, bringing together young players and key partners, including the National Social Security Fund. Nigel Short highlighted the role of chess in developing concentration, decision-making skills, and strategic thinking, while emphasizing that regular tournaments and fostering a love for the game are critical to nurturing emerging talent. FTDE President Me Ndjellé Abby Edah emphasized the federation’s commitment to democratizing chess starting from schools and broadening the licensed player base to boost Togo’s competitiveness at regional and international levels. Commenting on FIDE’s support for Africa and Togo, Tshepiso Lopang, President of the African Chess Confederation, said: “FIDE’s continued engagement and support provide our federations with the tools and guidance needed to grow chess from the grassroots to the elite level. Nigel Short’s visit to Togo exemplifies FIDE’s commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening chess infrastructure across the continent.” The visit also provided an opportunity to launch the Chess Popularization Program (PIVE), designed to promote chess among youth and integrate the game into educational and community settings. Supported by FIDE, the program aims to cultivate early interest in chess and expand participation across Togo. Photos: African Chess Confederation