Asia makes its move: Asian Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 kicks off in Almaty
From April 7 to 10, 2026, Almaty hosts Asia’s premier school chess event. The Asian Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 has officially begun – the first tournament of its kind, organized by FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) with the support of its general partner Freedom Holding Corp. This marks the launch of a new global cycle. Four continents will host their own stages, with winners earning direct qualification to the Grand Final in December 2026. There, the strongest school teams in the world will compete for the world championship title. The Asian stage opens the cycle and sets the tone for the season. The year 2026 has been declared by FIDE and ISCF as the Year of Chess in Education – a global initiative highlighting the role of chess in developing critical thinking, strategy, concentration, memory, discipline, and teamwork. President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Arkady Dvorkovich addressed participants in a video message: “Our goal is simple: we want to integrate chess into school systems around the world. We engage with governments, collaborate with international organizations, and organize school tournaments and conferences to demonstrate that chess is not just a game, but a powerful educational tool. The competition is not just a tournament stage – it also includes educational workshops and masterclasses. I hope you take full advantage of these opportunities.” At the same time, Arkady Dvorkovich is in Cyprus attending one of the most prestigious events in the global chess calendar – the Candidates Tournament 2026, where the world’s top players compete for the right to challenge the World Champion. Among them is Bibisara Assaubayeva. Meanwhile, in Almaty, Timur Turlov opened the Asian Stage of the World Schools Team Championship – a tournament where future stars of world chess are born. Symbolically, the event takes place on the eve of Cosmonautics Day (April 12). The theme is truly “cosmic”: young players from different countries are making their first strategic moves that, like space exploration, open new horizons of thinking, teamwork, and intellectual growth. Chess teaches you to think several moves ahead – just as dreams of space inspire generations to achieve breakthroughs. The organizers of the Asian stage include the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Akimat of Almaty, the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation led by its President Timur Turlov. He noted: “Kazakhstan is not opening the global season of school chess by chance. Over the past three years, we have built a system that has turned chess into a full-fledged element of the national educational environment — with its own methodology, trained teachers, and a strong regional network. The pace of development of school chess here is among the fastest in the region. With the support of the President, we have not only launched the initiative but expanded it nationwide. Today, more than 60,000 children are systematically engaged in chess in schools, and this number continues to grow. We see real interest from students and parents, which confirms strong social demand and long-term potential. It is therefore natural that the Asian Stage of the World Schools Team Championship is held in Almaty.” The official opening ceremony took place today, followed by the first two rounds of play. The tournament consists of eight rounds played under the Swiss system, with two rounds per day. The time control is 45+10 (45 minutes per game with a 10-second increment per move starting from move one). Teams earn 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. A total of 26 school teams from 19 countries are participating, including Australia, India, China, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and countries from Central and South Asia, among others. All participants are students aged 8–14. Teams represent general education schools only — chess academies, specialized clubs, and mixed teams are not allowed. Each team consists of four main players and one reserve. The tournament features some of the strongest school teams, including prize-winners of previous world competitions, ensuring a highly competitive field. In addition to the main competition, organizers have prepared an extensive side program. Children will take part in interactive workshops and entertainment activities, while parents and local chess enthusiasts can attend masterclasses led by leading coaches and grandmasters. Dedicated educational sessions are also organized for teachers and parents, reinforcing the tournament’s educational mission. A special highlight is a social initiative in partnership with Duolingo India: ISCF has granted a Wild Card to a girls’ team from underprivileged communities, for whom this tournament represents a meaningful step beyond their usual environment. The program also includes exhibition matches and interactive experiences such as Quantum Chess. On April 9, a joint event with QJ League and Footlab will take place, featuring a tour of a football center, joint training sessions, and friendly challenges between football players and chess players. Participants will also be introduced to the traditional Kazakh game “Asyk Atu,” learning its history and trying it themselves. A culinary masterclass will allow children to prepare traditional Kazakh sweets. In partnership with FIDE, ISCF is also launching the international “Chess in Education” grant program aimed at scaling proven educational models with measurable impact. The selection process will take place in two stages, with winners to be announced at the Grand Final in December 2026. Today, chess in schools is more than just a game – it is a powerful tool for developing future-ready skills. It teaches children to make decisions under pressure, work as a team, and think strategically. The iconic Hotel Kazakhstan, overlooking the snow-capped Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains, provides a unique setting for the tournament. Here, children not only compete but also connect, share cultures, and become part of a global community. The tournament brings together sport, education, and culture, demonstrating that chess can serve as a bridge between continents. The hosting of the tournament in Almaty has been made possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of Tourism and
World University Team Chess Championship to be held in Kazakhstan
Best university teams will meet in Almaty this August to compete for the title of FIDE World University Team Chess Champion. The event is governed by FIDE and organised by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, together with Almaty city administration and support from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Sports and Tourism. The competition has three stages. It begins with Online Swiss Qualifiers, followed by an Online Knockout stage. The over-the-board finals will then take place in Almaty from 3 to 10 August 2026. There will be two online Swiss Qualifiers. The registration deadlines are 27 April 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC for teams participating in Online Swiss Qualifier 1, and 4 May 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC for teams participating in Online Swiss Qualifier 2. The finals will feature 16 teams – eight that have qualified from the knockout, and eight wild cards, invited by FIDE and the organiser. The tournament features an inclusive team concept – each match will be played on four boards and lineups must include at least one female and at least one male player. Participation is open to university teams, with players born between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2008 and currently enrolled in at least one class at the university. The winning team will become the FIDE World University Team Champion and receive a prize of €25,000. The team finishing second will be awarded €15,000, while third-place will receive €10,000. “In the year which FIDE has dedicated to chess in education, the first University World Team Championship is a significant milestone in promoting our sport. We have seen chess enjoy a sharp rise in popularity among younger audiences and this is an opportunity for the game to get more people involved. FIDE is fortunate to have the Kazakhstan Chess Federation as our partners and we are looking forward to a successful event,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President. “Kazakhstan has already established itself as a reliable venue for international FIDE tournaments. Hosting the first-ever World University Team Chess Championship will be a special honour and responsibility for us. Events of this kind open new horizons for inter-university cooperation: they create a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the development of long-term partnerships between leading universities around the world,” said Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. In recent years, Kazakhstan has become a regional hub for education and science, and staging a championship of this scale is yet another confirmation of that progress. “We are grateful to our President for creating all the conditions necessary for tournaments of this level in Kazakhstan, and to the Akimat of Almaty for its unwavering support of the national chess movement. For our part, we will make every effort to ensure that the upcoming tournament is organised at the highest level,” Turlov added. Team registration is held here: https://worlduniversities2026.fide.com For more information, please email worlduniversity@fide.com. Official website: https://worlduniversities2026.fide.com