FIDE Circuit 2026-27: Abdusattorov maintains the lead; Sindarov closes in
The recently concluded FIDE Candidates and the European Individual Championship have considerably reshaped the upper echelon of the FIDE Circuit 2026-27. Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who has not played classical chess since early March, preserved his lead, but Javokhir Sindarov trails him by only 2.75 points following his triumph in Cyprus. The runner-up and third-place finisher of the point-heavy FIDE Candidates tournament – Anish Giri and Fabiano Caruana – as well as Wei Yi, have also entered the Circuit’s top 10. Aram Hakobian moved up two positions after earning 6.2 circuit points for his third-place finish in the XXIII Karpov tournament, while Vasyl Ivanchuk collected 10.2 points in the Reykjavik Open and the X Open Internacional de Ajedrez Semana Santa San Vicente, placing third in both tournaments. Roman Dehtiarov, turning 18 this year, caused a major sensation in the European Individual Chess Championship by claiming the title. This result catapulted the Ukrainian teenager to 7th position in the circuit race. The bronze winner, Aydin Suleymanli, gained 10.09 points in this competition to round out the top 10. The FIDE Women’s Circuit 2026-27 also saw major shifts in the top layer, following the FIDE Women’s Candidates and the IV International Women’s Tournament in Uzbekistan. The winner of the Women’s Candidates, Vaishali Rameshbabu, surged to the top of the standings, followed by other top finishers: Bibisara Assaubayeva, Zhu Jiner, Aleksandra Goryachkina, and Anna Muzychuk. Ulviyya Fataliyeva’s victory at the IV International Women’s Tournament in Uzbekistan earned her 15.37 circuit points, propelling her to the fifth position in the race, while the runner-up, Nana Dzagnidze, broke into the top 10. We maintain dedicated pages on our website for the FIDE Circuit 2026-27, featuring the latest information on eligible tournaments, current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Circuit 2026-27 and FIDE Women’s Circuit 2026-27
Chess debuts at South American Youth Games
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich visited Panama to take part in activities aimed at strengthening the role of chess in education and supporting its growth across Latin America. During the visit, he attended the 2026 South American Youth Games, a continental multi-sport event for young athletes. This is the first edition of the Games to include chess in the official program, providing new competitive opportunities for young players. FIDE President made the ceremonial first move and later participated in the awards ceremony. Alongside the Games, a seminar for school instructors was held, bringing together around 40 teachers from Panama. The seminar focused on modern methods of teaching chess in schools, equipping educators with practical tools to introduce the game to pupils and integrate it into the learning process. This initiative forms part of FIDE’s broader commitment to promoting chess as an educational tool worldwide. “Developing chess at the grassroots level is essential for the future of our sport. By introducing chess in schools, we not only nurture future champions but also equip children with valuable life skills. It is especially symbolic that 2026 has been designated as the Year of Chess in Education, reinforcing our global commitment to this mission,” said Dvorkovich. As part of the visit, he also met with Damaris Young Aranda, the President of the Panama Olympic Committee, Mario Moccia, First Vice President of ODESUR, and José Carrillo Pujol, President of the Confederation of Chess for America. The discussions explored future joint initiatives to further develop chess across Latin America. In recent years, the region has emerged as a dynamic hub for international chess, hosting major events such as the FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad in Colombia. Strengthening partnerships with continental organizations remains a strategic priority for FIDE as it continues to invest in the long-term, sustainable growth of the game.