FIDE opens Shenzhen Office, ushering in a new era of international chess collaboration
On June 16, the FIDE Shenzhen Office was officially inaugurated in Qianhai, Shenzhen. As the federation’s first office in Asia since its founding in 1924, the new hub marks a major milestone for FIDE’s global expansion and makes it the first international sports organization to establish a formal presence in Shenzhen. The move represents a significant step forward in the city’s efforts to strengthen international sports cooperation and attract global resources. FIDE is an International Olympic Committee-recognized federation responsible for the governance and global promotion of chess. With more than 200 member federations, it ranks among the world’s most influential international sports organizations. The establishment of the Shenzhen Office reflects FIDE’s strategic push to deepen its presence in Asia while further elevating Shenzhen’s profile in the global mind sports community. The Shenzhen Office will serve as FIDE’s primary base for liaison, coordination, and partnership-building across China and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Its key goals include bringing top-tier international events to the area, promoting cultural exchange through chess, and fostering industry collaboration. The office is also expected to reinforce Shenzhen’s role as a vital bridge between China and the rest of the world. The inauguration ceremony featured FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE Executive Director Viktor Bologan, FIDE Treasurer and Chief Representative of the FIDE Shenzhen Office Zhu Chen, Deputy Chair of FIDE Management Board Vice Dana Reizniece, along with Director of the Chess and Card Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China He Fengxiang, President of the Chinese Chess Association Xie Jun, Director of the Chess Department of the Chess and Card Sports Management Center Xu Yuhua, Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau Zhu Hongwei, as well as other FIDE officials and distinguished guests from Shenzhen municipal and district governments. Together, they witnessed this historic moment. Speaking at the ceremony, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich thanked all parties involved in making the office a reality. “I’ve visited Shenzhen many times, and today we’re seeing the rewarding outcome of those collective efforts,” he said. “People often ask me: why Shenzhen? The answer is simple – this city has a strong chess culture and a powerful spirit of innovation. That made the choice very easy for us.” “Much like in chess, we hope to see many exciting positions and bold new moves here in Shenzhen,” Dvorkovich added. “The 4th FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship, which begins tomorrow in Hong Kong, is a clear sign of the vibrant chess development across the Greater Bay Area. Chess is a bridge and a bond. We hope even more people will join us. Shenzhen is becoming a new center for chess, and the eyes of the world will be watching this city.” The concentration of international organizations has become a key measure of a city’s global connectivity, ability to mobilize resources, and international influence. International sports bodies, in particular, serve as important platforms for hosting major events, driving industry growth, and promoting cross-cultural understanding. In recent years, Shenzhen has been actively developing itself as a world-renowned international sports city and a national pilot for sports consumption. The city has made steady progress in hosting major events, expanding its sports industry, and deepening international cooperation. As a frontier of China’s reform and opening-up, Shenzhen offers an open, inclusive environment, a robust industrial ecosystem, and strong global orientation – qualities that make it highly attractive to international sports organizations. The opening of the FIDE Shenzhen Office is both a recognition of the city’s dynamic environment, innovative spirit, and global outlook and a powerful new platform for Shenzhen to integrate more deeply into global sports governance and international exchanges. Chess, as a mind sport that blends competition, education, and broad appeal, enjoys a strong following in Shenzhen. The city has been vigorously promoting the game in schools and communities, hosting high-level tournaments, and developing talented players. FIDE and Shenzhen have enjoyed close ties for years, with many FIDE-branded events and programs already held here. With the new office now operational, FIDE will work even more closely with the Chinese Chess Association, Guangdong Province, and Shenzhen authorities to advance high-quality chess development, strengthen cultural exchanges, and inject fresh momentum into Shenzhen’s ambition to become a world-class, innovation-driven international city. Text and photos: Liang Ziming
FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 officially open in Hong Kong
The opening press conference for the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 took place on June 16 at The Pavilion, The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong, marking the official start of one of FIDE’s most dynamic and spectator-friendly competitions. Held in Hong Kong for the first time, and making its inaugural appearance in East Asia, the fourth edition of the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships will take place from June 17-21 at Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The event brings together more than 40 teams and over 300 players from around the world, featuring elite grandmasters, top women players, rising stars and amateur participants competing side by side in a unique team format. The press conference featured FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Hong Kong China Chess Federation President K.K. Chan, as well as three leading players: GM Levon Aronian, representing Hexamind; and GM Lei Tingjie, representing Dragon Chilling. Opening the press conference, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich welcomed the media, players and organisers, underlining the significance of the championships, “Hong Kong isn’t just hosting a chess tournament. It is taking place on the global chess map, with the best players, rising stars and chess fans from all over the world coming together,” he said. “We see this competition not only as a tournament, but as a festival of chess, where people and ideas come together and where we build a basis for a stronger and more connected chess community.” The FIDE President also emphasised the rapid growth of the competition. What began in Düsseldorf with 36 teams has now developed into a major international event, with the World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships and the newly introduced FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup bringing together more than 800 players across the full programme. “This event is built for spectators. It is fast, team-based, international and easy to follow, and I invite everyone to come, enjoy, learn and connect,” added Dvorkovich. K.K. Chan, President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, welcomed the international chess community to the city and described the event as an important moment for Hong Kong’s chess development. “Today is a statement: Hong Kong is open, ambitious, and ready to host the world,” said Chan. “This is a city that has always thrived on competition — in commerce, in culture, in ambition. Chess belongs here. And today, the very best players of this global game are here — in our city.” Chan also stressed the inspirational value of hosting a world-class chess event for young players in Hong Kong, “When we were asked why Hong Kong should host a World Championship, our answer was simple: you do not wait until you have champions before you host a world event. You host a world event so your young players can see champions with their own eyes. That is how champions are made,” he said. He further noted that the championship has been awarded “M” Mark status by the Major Sports Events Committee, a recognition of Hong Kong’s standing as a world-class host city. Following the official remarks, the press conference continued with an interactive discussion featuring GM Levon Aronian and GM Lei Tingjie. Asked about Hexamind’s expectations for this year’s event, Aronian said the addition of Alireza Firouzja had significantly strengthened the team’s chances of fighting for gold. He also pointed to the importance of having a second female player in the line-up, with Kateryna Lagno, a multiple-time world rapid and blitz champion, joining the team. Aronian noted that although Divya Deshmukh delivered an excellent performance in London last year, the demanding schedule fatigued her, making it necessary to bring in another female player. Lei Tingjie spoke about Dragon Chilling’s all-Chinese line-up and the spirit of competing together as one team. In a light-hearted exchange, she was also asked about the origins of the team’s name. “Dragon Chilling” is a nod to the viral “Ding Chilling” moment from the 2024 FIDE World Championship Match, with Lei explaining that the name was chosen by the team captain GM Ni Hua, and that the “dragon” carries strong symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. The conference concluded with questions from the media and a group photo session. The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 will run from June 17-21 at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, promising five days of fast-paced action, team drama and world-class chess in the heart of Hong Kong. Written by Chalize Van Zyl Photos: Michal Walusza Official website: https://worldrapidblitzteams2026.fide.com/
FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 begin in Montesilvano
The FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 officially commenced yesterday at the magnificent Pala Dean Martin Congress Center in Montesilvano, Italy, bringing together hundreds of talented young players from around the globe for one of the most prestigious events on the international youth chess calendar. The day began with the Technical Meeting, led by Chief Arbiter Marco Biagioli and tournament officials, where players, coaches, and accompanying persons received important information regarding tournament regulations, schedules, and playing conditions ahead of the competition. Later in the day, participants gathered for the Opening Ceremony, which welcomed players from all continents. Several distinguished guests addressed the audience and officially welcomed participants to Montesilvano and to the championship. Speeches were delivered by: GM Roberto Mogranzini, Tournament Director Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation Ozgur Solakoglu, FIDE Delegate Marco Biagioli, Chief Arbiter Ottavio De Martinis, Mayor of Montesilvano Adriano Tocco, City Council Member The speakers highlighted the importance of youth chess, international friendship, fair play, and the role of chess in connecting young people across cultures and nations. A total of 758 players from 83 countries have arrived in Montesilvano to compete for world titles across two main sections and three age categories: Open Section: Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 Girls Section: Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 The host federation, Italy, fields the largest delegation with 65 participants. The championship also features an impressive number of titled players. Among the participants are 291 titled competitors, including: 2 Grandmasters (GM) 22 International Masters (IM) 14 Woman International Masters (WIM) and many other FIDE title holders. The event is being played over 11 rounds using the classical time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment added from move one. In addition to the main competition, participants will enjoy several side events throughout the championship. A football match is scheduled for 18 June, while a Blitz Tournament will take place on 20 June. Players will also have the opportunity to enjoy a free day on 21 June, featuring various recreational activities. Following the Opening Ceremony, the first round got underway, with players eager to begin their quest for the coveted World Youth titles. The opening day of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship unfolded largely according to the ratings, with most top seeds across all categories securing comfortable victories. However, every section delivered a few surprises, as several lower-rated players produced impressive performances to either defeat or hold their higher-rated opponents to a draw, injecting early excitement into the race for the world titles. In the Open Under-18 section, several interesting results were expected on the very first day. While most of the top seeds began their campaigns with victories, the biggest upset came on board ten, where England’s 74th seed, William Alexander Olsen, defeated Romania’s 10th seed and 2421-rated Vladimir-Alexandru Cnejev. Top seed IM Filip Magold of Romania started with a win over Serbia’s Nikola Leskovac, while second seed GM Aksel Kvaloy of England defeated Austria’s Aron Schneider. On board three, FIDE’s IM Artem Pingin was held to a draw by fellow FIDE player and 67th seed Timur Checkanov. In the Girls Under-18 section, all of the top ten seeds scored convincing victories. Top seed WIM Zarina Nurgaliyeva of Kazakhstan prevailed over Israel’s Michal Moscovitch. Second seed WFM Valeria Kleymenova of FIDE overcame Sri Lanka’s H. Sandithi Kusalya Alwis, while third seed Iren Lyutsinger of FIDE defeated Ananya Ananth of the United States. In the Open Under-16 section, top seed IM Lukas Dotzer of Austria beat Daniel Ibanez Koblash of Spain, while second seed IM Felix-Antonio Ilinca of Romania started his campaign with a victory over Alberto Ganci of Italy. Among the top ten boards, two games ended in draws. Third seed IM Sauat Nurgaliyev of Kazakhstan was held to a draw by 78th seed Zhu Pengxiao of England, while eighth seed FM Mykola Korchynskyi of Ukraine also split the point with 83rd seed Danail Jurgen Sergooris of Belgium. In the Girls Under-16 section, the top seeds made a strong start to the championship. Top seed WIM Elnaz Kaliakhmet of Kazakhstan defeated WFM Rukiya Olimova of Uzbekistan, while second seed WIM Rachael Li of the United States scored a convincing victory over Valentina Neumeier of Germany. Third seed WFM Veranika Abramkina of FIDE also began with a win, overcoming Caissa Liduvina Galaviz Medina of Mexico. The only draw on the top ten boards came on board nine, where Poland’s WIM Wiktoria Smietanska was held to a draw by her compatriot Maria Gora. Apart from that result, the leading contenders enjoyed a successful opening round as they began their quest for the world title. In the Open Under-14 section, the top seeds also started impressively. Top seed and defending champion IM Mark Smirnov of Kazakhstan defeated Savvas Konstantinides of Cyprus, while second seed FM Alisher Abdsattar of Kazakhstan scored a victory over Lauritz Nissen Hellerud of Norway. Among the top ten boards, three games ended in draws. Third seed FM Danis Kuandykuly of Kazakhstan was held by Deividas Ivanauskas of Lithuania; sixth seed FM Antoni Radzimski of Poland shared the point with Rodion Romanko of FIDE, while ninth seed FM Joachim Le Geay of France was held to a draw by Makar Berdashkevich of FIDE. In the Girls Under-14 section, top seed WFM Sara Maria Sunea of Romania began her campaign with a victory over Mathilde Rath Vesterbaek of Denmark, while second seed WIM Laurie Qiu of the United States defeated Alima Omirserik of Kazakhstan. The biggest upset on the top ten boards came on board four, where Amit Baruch of Israel defeated fourth seed WFM Christina Jordan of South Africa. The only draw among the top ten boards occurred on board six, where Maya Sahin of Turkey held sixth seed Luomeng Wang of China to a draw. Written by Pavel Dvorkovich & Niklesh Jain Photos: Mark Livshits and Niklesh Jain Official website: https://www.chessworldyouth.com/
Mukhiddin Madaminov triumphs in UzChess Cup Masters
Mukhiddin Madaminov of Uzbekistan claimed the UzChess Cup Masters title after defeating his fellow countryman Shamsiddin Vokhidov in an exciting tiebreaker. The third edition of UzChess Cup was held in Tashkent from June 7 to 15, 2026 and featured a stellar lineup of top Uzbek players and elite international Grandmasters. The most prestigious Masters tournament, a 10-player round-robin with classical time control, boasted a prize fund of $20,000. Alongside the Masters, the Challengers, Futures, and Open were also contested. The top finishers in each section advanced to the higher tier in the next-year edition. With the field closely matched in rating, the Masters tournament turned into a very tightly contested affair. Suffice it to say that neither participant completed the event unbeaten. After losing his second-round game, Vokhidov scored three consecutive victories and seized the lead but could not feel safe as three players – Arjun Erigaisi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Madaminov – trailed him by just a half-point. In Round 6, Madaminov defeated Vidit Gujrathi and caught up with the leader, who drew his game with Abdusattorov. Heading into the final ninth round on 5/8, the co-leaders were a half-point ahead of Ian Nepomniachtchi and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Madaminov and Vokhidov drew their games, and with their closest rivals also splitting the point, the duo finished in a two-way tie at the top. In the ensuing tiebreaker, Madaminov was dominant, winning both games to capture the title – arguably the biggest triumph of his career. Nepomniachtchi, Mamedyarov and Erigaisi shared third place, with Nepomniachtchi completing the podium on tiebreaks. Final standings Masters GM Mahammad Muradli of Azerbaijan secured a landslide victory in the Challengers event, clinching the title with a round to spare and finishing two points ahead of the field. Khumoyun Begmuratov (Uzbekistan) triumphed in the Futures section, while Timur Gareyev came out on top in the Open tournament, edging out another local player, Shavkatjon Abdukholikov, on tiebreaks. Final standings Challengers Final standings Futures Final standings Open Photos: Uzbekistan Chess Federation Official website: https://uzchesscup.uz/en/2026