Egon Mattaaq wins historic first Greenlandic Chess Championship
In late April 2026, a quiet but significant milestone was reached at the edge of the Arctic. From April 24 to 26, Greenland staged its first-ever national chess championship – a groundbreaking event that brought together players from across the country in a unified competition. The tournament was played over seven rounds on Lichess and featured 10 participants. In a country where vast distances and challenging geography often make travel difficult, the online format proved to be the perfect solution, allowing players from multiple cities and settlements to compete together in an official national championship for the very first time. After three days of intense play, Egon Mattaaq (6/7) of Upernavik Chess Club emerged as the inaugural national champion. Silver went to Hans Christian Dahl (5/7), while Carl Fleischer (4/7) claimed the bronze medal. Final standings Self-taught 24-year-old champion works night shifts as a fish packer. Mattaaq’s victory carries special significance. He represents Upernavik, a small town located on an island of the same name in northwestern Greenland. With a population of just 1,067 people as of 2025, Upernavik is a powerful reminder that chess talent can emerge from even the most remote communities. The championship marks an important step forward for the development of chess in Greenland. The national federation, Kalaallit Nunaanni Skakkertut Kattuffiat, was founded in 2014 with the mission of promoting and developing the game across the island. A major milestone followed on September 24, 2024, when the federation was unanimously admitted as a full associated member of FIDE during its 100th anniversary congress in Budapest. Kids from Tasiilaq, Greenland at a chess festival, organized by Chess Club Hrókurinn While Greenland has traditionally had a small chess culture, recent years have seen growing efforts to expand the game. A key contributor to this development has been Hrókurinn, whose members have been traveling to Greenland since 2003, organizing events in towns and villages and helping to inspire new generations of players. The success of the 2026 championship demonstrates that, despite geographical challenges, a vibrant chess community is taking shape. By connecting players across the country and providing a national platform for competition, the event represents not just a tournament, but the beginning of a new chapter for chess in Greenland.
World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026: Hong Kong debuts as global chess hub
Hong Kong, April 29, 2026 – Organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Hong Kong China Chess Federation Limited, the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026 will be held in Hong Kong for the very first time, taking place from June 17 to 21, 2026, at Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The tournament, which establishes Hong Kong as the epicenter of the chess world, will convene 42 teams and more than 300 world-class players from across the globe, all competing for a total prize purse of €500,000. The event is anticipated to attract players and tourists from more than 50 countries, significantly boosting the development of the city’s sports tourism and related industries and further solidifying Hong Kong’s position as a centre for major international sports events. The fourth edition of the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships also marks its inaugural appearance in East Asia. In gathering the world’s elite players in Hong Kong, the tournament promises a showcase of high-level matchups, defined by its rapid pace and dynamic complexity. For audiences, it is an opportunity to witness first-hand the strategic brilliance and real-time decision-making of global masters, offering an immersive insight into the captivating world of international chess. Best grandmasters to gather in Hong Kong Around 50 of the top 100 players, from both the men’s and women’s categories, have confirmed their attendance, making this the strongest field in the event’s history. Among them are seven of the world’s top ten male players and four of the world’s top ten female players, including current World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and women’s World No. 1 Hou Yifan. Reigning Blitz champion WR Chess Team has confirmed that Magnus Carlsen will be returning to board 1, alongside Fabiano Caruana on board 2, with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave also joining the lineup. Their women’s boards remain unchanged, with Hou Yifan and Alexandra Kosteniuk. Six Hong Kong teams will compete, providing local players with a rare and invaluable opportunity to compete alongside the world’s elite. Women’s World No. 1 Ms. Hou Yifan remarked, “I am eagerly anticipating the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Hong Kong. This is more than just a matchup of minds featuring the world’s elite. It is a pivotal milestone that will elevate the profile of chess across Greater China. As a premier international city with world-class facilities and a vibrant community, Hong Kong is perfectly positioned to bring its unique vibrance to this prestigious tournament.” Arkady Dvorkovich, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), said, “FIDE is truly delighted to learn that Hong Kong is hosting the tournament. In recent years, we have watched your city grow into a genuine powerhouse of the game. One of the key pillars of this revival has been the hard work and enthusiasm of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation. We believe Hong Kong is the perfect stage for expanding this collaboration, and we look forward to seeing you all in Hong Kong this June.” Geoffrey Kao, Honorary President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, said, “We are honoured to partner with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to bring this world-class tournament to Hong Kong. This event gathers the world’s most distinguished chess elite. While past editions have predominantly been held in Europe, its relocation to Hong Kong this year signifies a historic shift, bringing the global chess spotlight to Asia—and specifically to Hong Kong – on an unprecedented scale. With participants expected from over 50 countries, the tournament will be broadcast globally via major media and live-streaming platforms, allowing millions of spectators to discover and engage with our city. This is more than just a sporting spectacle; it serves as a vital window to showcase Hong Kong’s internationalism, vibrant dynamism, and unique urban charm to the world, further solidifying Hong Kong’s status as the Premier Hub for Mega Events.” George TSOI, JP, Commissioner for Sports, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, said, “Today marks a significant milestone for our city’s sporting calendar as we announce the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026. We are excited to welcome hundreds of elite grandmasters. By hosting this prestigious event, we are providing a platform for local athletes to sharpen their skills on home soil, and for the broader community to engage with and enjoy the sport. I would like to express my gratitude to FIDE and the Hong Kong China Chess Federation for their relentless efforts in bringing the Championships to Hong Kong.” M Mark Event The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026 has been awarded “M” Mark status by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolizing an intense, spectacular, and signature event in the territory’s sports calendar, which helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events. Mixed team format with total prize fund of €500,000 Following three successful editions in Düsseldorf (2023), Astana (2024), and London (2025), the championship returns with an exciting format: mixed teams where elite professionals and recreational players compete side by side across rapid and blitz events. Every match is played on six boards, and each team must include at least one female player and at least one recreational player, defined as someone who has never achieved a FIDE rating of 2000 or higher in standard, rapid, or blitz. The FIDE World Team Rapid Chess Championship will be played as a 12-round Swiss tournament across three days (June 17-19), with four rounds per day and a time control of 15 minutes for the whole game plus a 10-second increment per move. The FIDE World Team Blitz Chess Championship follows on June 20 and 21, beginning with pool stages before moving to a knockout format for the top 16 teams, with a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. The total prize fund across both championships is €500,000. The Rapid Champion team will receive €110,000, with the Blitz Champion team taking home €75,000. Tickets now on sale – enjoy exclusive early bird