FIDE World Cadet and Youth Rapid & Blitz Championships 2026: Kazakhstan dominates rapid
After three days of exciting battles and 11 rounds, the first part of the six-day program of the FIDE World Youth and Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championship – the rapid chess competitions – has concluded. A total of 432 players from 40 national federations took part, with 72 participants from 11 national federations earning medals. Players from Kazakhstan proved the most successful, securing five gold, four silver, and two bronze medals, followed by representatives of Russia with two gold, four silver, and four bronze medals. Notably, two top-seeded players – Aldiyar Ansat from Kazakhstan (U18 Open) and Afruza Khamdamova from Uzbekistan (U18 Girls) – confirmed their favorite status, claiming gold medals in their sections. Tomorrow, while some competitors have a scheduled rest day, most participants will take part in the team event, with 50 teams registered so far. Photos: Chess Federation of Serbia Official website: https://wcyrb.beochess.rs/
Freedom Holding Corp. acquires ChessBase, a market leader in chess software, data and content
Almaty, April 16, 2026 – Freedom Holding Corp., the international investment and technology company, has announced the acquisition of ChessBase, one of the world’s oldest and largest platforms specializing in chess software, analytics and database solutions. The company plans to strengthen the platform’s market position through the broader deployment of artificial intelligence and its integration with the group’s ecosystem. The expected investment in the project is approximately €5 million. “ChessBase is an exceptionally strong brand with a rich history and, arguably, one of the most important projects for the global chess community. Together with the team that created the platform and continues to run it, we believe we can make substantial progress in modernizing the service, enriching its functionality through artificial intelligence, and integrating it into our digital ecosystem through SuperApp,” said Timur Turlov, Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Holding Corp. Turlov added: “I believe this partnership will strengthen ChessBase’s position not only among professional chess players but will also open up new opportunities by giving our clients direct access, with more than 11 million clients across the group in more than 20 countries.” Turlov stated that the investment will be directed toward modernizing the platform and further developing and expanding its technological architecture. At the same time, ChessBase’s headquarters will remain in Hamburg, and the core team will remain in place. No job cuts are planned. On the contrary, the company expects to invest significantly in the business and recruit additional staff as the platform develops further. “This is great news for the chess world. ChessBase, an important part of the chess heritage, is entering a secure new stage of development. Having an investor who genuinely loves chess is perhaps the best outcome imaginable. I am confident that new and exciting opportunities lie ahead for the global chess community,” said Rainer Woisin, Managing Director of ChessBase. Timur Turlov, Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Holding Corp., is also actively involved in the development of the chess industry and educational initiatives. Since January 2023, he has served as head of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, and since September 2024, he has led the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), a subsidiary organization of FIDE, the International Chess Federation. Freedom Holding Corp. actively invests in the development and promotion of chess, allocating more than $15 million annually to these efforts. In recent years, Kazakhstan has significantly strengthened its position as an international venue for school, junior, and university chess championships. Freedom Holding regularly partners with FIDE on projects and participates in organizing and sponsoring international tournaments, including the World Rapid and Blitz Championships, as well as corporate and school championships. About Freedom Holding Corp. Freedom Holding Corp. provides financial services in 21 countries, including Kazakhstan, the United States, Cyprus, Poland, Spain, Uzbekistan, and Armenia. The Company’s principal executive office is located in New York City. In Kazakhstan, Freedom is actively developing its financial and digital ecosystem, which includes Freedom Bank, Freedom Broker, the insurance companies Freedom Life and Freedom insurance, as well as a lifestyle segment that features Arbuz.kz, Freedom Ticketon, and Freedom Travel. Freedom Holding Corp. shares are traded on the U.S. technology exchange NASDAQ, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), and the Astana International Exchange (AIX) under the ticker symbol FRHC. Freedom Holding Corp. is regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the common stock is included in Russell 3000 Index. About SuperApp SuperApp is Freedom Holding Corp.’s flagship application, with more than 5 million users. In addition to traditional banking services, the app enables users to purchase insurance, buy tickets to events, order groceries and other goods for delivery, book airline tickets and travel packages, and access a broad range of government services. About ChessBase GmbH ChessBase GmbH is a German company founded in Hamburg in 1986. It develops and sells game databases, analytical software, training products and online services for chess players, and also operates its major chess news platform. Its proprietary chess database has become the industry-standard database powering professional chess worldwide. The company is widely recognized as a global leader in its niche and remains one of the leading brands in professional chess training.
From Abuja to the Isle of Man: FIDE is widening chess’s world map
FIDE confirmed a new schedule of international events and a policy shift towards continental rotation during its Council meeting on April 2, 2026. The decisions point to a broader aim, to spread major tournaments more widely and expand chess’s global reach. The latest decisions confirmed events spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa. Following IOC recommendations, the International Chess Federation has established a principle to rotate the Chess Olympiad between continents where practical. Taken together, these choices reflect FIDE’s approach to spreading major events across different regions, providing opportunities for greater audience growth and fan engagement, while at the same time building stronger links with governments and organisations across the world. At the end of May, the Nigerian capital of Abuja is due to host the World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Championship (August 1–9). Abuja submitted the bid in January 2026, and it was conditionally approved. The World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Championship could provide a significant boost for chess in Africa, where, after years of FIDE work and support for training and social/educational programmes, the appetite for chess is rapidly growing. Continuing its strong support for events linking chess and education, the Chess Federation of Kazakhstan will host the 2026 World University Team Chess Championship. Following Swiss qualifiers and an online knockout, the historic city of Almaty will host the top 16 teams in the finals, scheduled for August 3-10. Only university students born between 2001 and 2008 can take part. The prize fund starts with €25,000 for first place. FIDE has also confirmed that the 2027 editions of the prestigious Grand Swiss and Women’s Grand Swiss will return to the Isle of Man. The event will take place from May 10-25, 2027 and has so far secured a prize fund of $900,000. It will see a field of 170 players in both Open and Women’s competitions, in what has become the strongest Swiss tournament in the world. This will be the third time (after 2019 and 2023) that the Isle of Man will host the Grand Swiss tournaments, sponsored by the Scheinberg family, whose support is set to extend to the 2028 Candidates tournament as well. The 2027 edition of the World Amateur Championships has been awarded to Hong Kong. It will take place between September 30 and October 8, 2027. Moving away from its more traditional locations in Europe, the event is expected to attract a large cohort of amateur players, particularly from East Asia. One of the most important Council decisions concerns the future hosting of the Chess Olympiads. The FIDE Council adopted the principle that Olympiad hosting should follow continental rotation where this is practical and where organisational standards and financial guarantees are met. The decision follows IOC recommendations that its members make every possible effort to ensure the balanced development of sport across all continents. With the 2028 Olympiad set for Abu Dhabi and the bidding open for the 2030 Olympiad, the FIDE Council has decided that the priority right for the 2032 Olympiad will go to Africa and to the Americas for the 2034 Olympiad. Direct negotiations will continue with the African Chess Confederation and officials until October 1, 2027. If no suitable bid is in place by October 1, 2027, FIDE can open a general bidding process, but still with priority to Africa, the continent that has never hosted the Olympiad. “FIDE is truly a global organisation, in terms of membership, diverse projects, events across the world, and an international team working for the organisation. Chess can only fulfil its international role if we keep bringing the game to every part of the world. We promised more events, more funding, and more global outreach, and we are delivering on that promise. Tournaments, seminars, conferences, and educational projects all have a strategic role in making chess accessible and enjoyable in every part of the world,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said.