Dragon Chilling complete golden double at the FIDE World Team Blitz Championship
China’s Dragon Chilling crowned a remarkable week in Hong Kong by winning the FIDE World Team Blitz Chess Championship, defeating Endgame.AI in the final and adding the blitz title to their rapid gold. The victory earned the Chinese squad the €75,000 first prize from the €190,000 Blitz Championship prize fund. The final day at Queen Elizabeth Stadium delivered everything expected from elite blitz: upsets, tie-breaks, sudden swings and several favourites falling before the medal matches. Dragon Chilling survived a difficult quarterfinal against Mr Birdie and Friends, edged Uzbekistan in the semifinals, and then dominated the final against Endgame.AI. This is the first time a team from China has won the WTRBСС event. Endgame.AI took second place and €50,000, while Uzbekistan won bronze and €30,000 after a dramatic third-place match against Hexamind. Fourth place went to Hexamind who took €20,000, while WR Chess, the top-rated team and defenders of the 2025 Blitz crown, had to settle for fifth place and €15,000 after being knocked out by Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals. At the closing ceremony, FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand praised Hong Kong’s role as host, saying: “Hong Kong did not simply host the event – it embraced it, lifted it, and gave it a stage worthy of the world’s best players.” He also underlined the broader message of the event: “Chess does not belong only to the elite. It belongs to clubs, schools, families, local communities and every player who loves the game.” Geoffrey Kao, Honorary President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, said Hong Kong had made a statement: “We proved that Hong Kong is not just a hub of finance and commerce. We are also a stage of international chess.” Prize winners: FIDE World Team Blitz Championship 1st: Dragon Chilling – €75,0002nd: Endgame.AI – €50,0003rd: Uzbekistan – €30,0004th: Hexamind – €20,0005th: WR Chess – €15,000 A closer look at the final day The day began with the traditional first move ceremony on the top boards. Alpha Lau, Director General of Investment Promotion of Hong Kong, and Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har, Member of the Board of Directors of Hong Kong Science and Technology began with the traditional first move ceremony on the top boards. Alpha Lau, Director General of Investment Promotion of Parks, made the ceremonial move in the game between Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Magnus Carlsen, part of the Uzbekistan vs WR Chess quarter-final clash. That match immediately produced the day’s first major shock. Uzbekistan defeated WR Chess 3.5:2.5 in the opening match, helped by strong results on the lower boards. WR pushed hard in the return match, but Carlsen lost to Abdusattorov, and the match ended 3:3, sending Uzbekistan through and eliminating one of the tournament favourites from the medal race. Endgame.AI also caused an upset, knocking out Team MGD1. Led by Hans Niemann, Endgame.AI won the first match 3.5:2.5 and then held the return match to secure a place in the semi-finals. Hexamind advanced by defeating Chessgurukul 3.5:2.5 in both matches, while Dragon Chilling had to survive the only quarter-final playoff, coming from behind against Mr Birdie and Friends before winning the tie-break 4:2. The 5th–8th place playoffs produced an unusual sight: Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Praggnanandhaa R and Arjun Erigaisi all playing in matches for 5th to 8th place. WR Chess eventually won fifth place after defeating Team MGD1 in a tie-break, but their day was marked by disappointment. Despite being the strongest-rated team in the field, WR Chess finished without a medal, with Carlsen suffering three defeats on the final day. In the semi-finals, Dragon Chilling and Uzbekistan traded heavy blows. Dragon Chilling won the first match 4.5:1.5, only for Uzbekistan to respond with the same score in the return match. In the tie-break, however, Dragon Chilling again found their rhythm, winning 4.5:1.5 to reach the final. The second semi-final was equally tense. Hexamind edged the first match against Endgame.AI after Volodar Murzin defeated Leinier Dominguez in a bishop endgame. But Endgame.AI responded with a crushing 5:1 victory in the return match, then won the tie-break 4:2 to book their place in the final. Uzbekistan then secured bronze in spectacular fashion. After losing the first match to Hexamind 4:2, they struck back 3.5:2.5 to force tie-breaks. There, Uzbekistan dominated, winning 5.5:0.5 to claim third place and the €30,000 prize. Dragon Chilling dominate the finals The final between Dragon Chilling and Endgame.AI opened with a powerful statement from former World Champion Ding Liren, who defeated Hans Niemann on board one. Dragon Chilling followed through across the match, winning 5:1 and putting Endgame.AI under immediate pressure. The second match confirmed the direction of the final. Ding drew his game, but his teammates took over: Ju Wenjun, Wei Yi, Lu Shanglei and Wang Zihao all scored victories, while Yu Yangyi drew the last game against Alexey Sarana. Dragon Chilling sealed the match and completed a golden double in Hong Kong. “We prepared for a long time and played as a family; we are a family,” said Grandmaster Ni Hua, captain of Dragon Chilling, after the victory. Champions crowned in the inaugural Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup Golden Stars from Vietnam won first place after a dramatic Armageddon showdown with Pool B winners Bosoo Noyon. The first match between the two finalists ended in a draw. This meant that the winner was decided in an Armageddon match on board one. According to Armageddon rules, a draw means victory for Black, however, Black has less time than White. Following the rules, the teams placed their secret bids for the lowest time for Black. Mongolian team Bosoo Noyon had the lowest bid (four minutes) and were awarded Black pieces. Unfortunately for them, their top board lost the match, handing the first place to Golden Stars from Vietnam. That Nhu Tung, team captain of Golden Stars, said he was exceptionally happy with the result “especially given that we came here just for fun.” “In Vietnam amateur chess is very big, but we don’t have a lot of professionals. The parents clubbed
World Youth Chess Championship 2026: Final sprint begins after rest day
The FIDE World Youth Chess Championship held at the Pala Dean Martin Congress Center in Montesilvano has now crossed the halfway stage. With six rounds completed, the battle for the titles in the Open and Girls Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 categories remains wide open. Each round has produced intense and exciting encounters, and at this stage it is still difficult to identify a clear favourite in any section, with several players remaining firmly in contention. Let’s take a look at the current situation in each category. Open Under-18 If rating is any indication, the Open Under-18 section is one of the strongest and most competitive events of the championship. At the end of Round 6, FM Louis Vallee of France and FM Vache Hovakimyan of Armenia share the lead with 5.5/6. Their direct encounter in the next round could potentially produce a sole leader, although with six players just half a point behind on 5 points, the race remains completely open. In Round 6, Vallee scored an important victory on the top board with the black pieces against Latvia’s CM Georgijs Germanovs, who had started the day as the sole leader. Playing a Sicilian Rossolimo Attack, Vallee launched a powerful kingside offensive and converted his advantage into a win after 54 moves. Meanwhile, on Board 3, Hovakimyan defeated third seed IM Artem Pingin. The game featured a Nimzo-Indian Defence, and after several exchanges, gradually transitioned into an endgame. Hovakimyan’s active pieces and superior pawn play proved decisive, allowing him to secure victory in 44 moves and join the lead. Standings after Round 6: https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1438701.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=LAT&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Girls Under-18 The biggest game of Round 6 in the Girls Under-18 section took place on the top board, where second seed WFM Valeria Kleymenova faced top seed and tournament favourite WIM Zarina Nurgaliyeva of Kazakhstan. Kleymenova emerged victorious to score her sixth consecutive win and become the sole leader with a perfect 6/6 score. Playing White in a Closed Catalan, Valeria established an early advantage thanks to her superior space. Although Nurgaliyeva fought back after the queens were exchanged and managed to improve her position as the game opened up, a problematic light-squared bishop that remained passive throughout the endgame eventually proved to be her undoing. Valeria converted her advantage confidently and maintained her perfect score. Meanwhile, on Board 2, India’s WFM Pratitee Bordoloi, seeded 16th, defeated Narmin Abdinova of Azerbaijan to move into clear second place with 5.5 points. As a result, the Round 7 clash between Kleymenova and Bordoloi has become one of the most important games of the tournament so far. At the moment, Kleymenova and Bordoloi appear to have pulled away from the rest of the field. Behind them, as many as eleven players are tied on 4.5 points, keeping the race for the medals very much alive. Standings after Round 6: https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1438698.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=LAT&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Open Under-16 The Open Under-16 section witnessed a result very similar to that of the Open Under-18 category, as the tournament leader at the start of the round also suffered defeat. India’s IM Krishna H. Goutham, who had won his first five games in a row, was beaten by FM Oleksii Karvatskyi of Ukraine. Playing with the white pieces, Karvatskyi outplayed Goutham in a Caro-Kann Defence. Although the Indian IM obtained a promising position out of the opening, he was unable to cope with the pressure generated by Karvatskyi’s kingside attack. The Ukrainian gradually increased the initiative and eventually forced resignation on move 40. The victory propelled Karvatskyi into sole first place with 5.5 points out of 6. Behind him, the chase remains extremely close, with six players sharing second place on 5 points, including Goutham himself. Standings after Round 6: https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1438700.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=LAT&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Girls Under-16 The Girls Under-16 section has developed in a manner very similar to the Girls Under-18 category, with Jiang Tianyu of China emerging as the player to beat. Tianyu has won all six of her games so far and leads the standings with a perfect 6/6 score, strengthening her credentials as one of the leading contenders for the title. Four players remain in pursuit on 5 points, one full point behind the leader. In Round 6, Tianyu defeated Oksana Goriachkina (FIDE) on the top board. Playing a Petroff Defence with the black pieces, Goriachkina managed to equalize comfortably out of the opening, and the game remained balanced for a long time. However, Tianyu initiated a kingside attack and gradually increased the pressure. A queen exchange on move 27 proved to be a critical mistake from Black’s perspective, and the Chinese player went on to convert her advantage comfortably, securing victory on move 43. Elsewhere, second seed WIM Rachael Li of the United States defeated WFM Aiaru Altynbek of Kazakhstan on Board 3, while on Board 4, WFM Veranika Abramkina (FIDE) scored an important win against WIM Diana Khafizova (FIDE). Standings after Round 6: https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1438697.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=FID&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Open Under-14 The Open Under-14 section remains one of the most intriguing events of the championship, largely because defending champion IM Mark Smirnov of Kazakhstan is attempting to retain the title he won in the previous edition. However, with several rounds still to be played, the battle remains completely open. At the end of Round 6, FM Ethan Guo of the United States leads the standings with 5.5 points. Close behind him are no fewer than nine players on 5 points, including Smirnov, ensuring that the fight for the title remains wide open heading into the second half of the tournament. In Round 6, Guo drew with FM Tyhran Ambartsumian of Armenia while playing with the black pieces on the top board. Meanwhile, Smirnov, who had already conceded two draws earlier in the event, bounced back strongly with a victory over FM Alvaro Torres Rebolledo of Spain. Playing with the black pieces, the defending champion secured a valuable win to remain firmly in contention for another world title. Standings after Round 6: https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1438699.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=FID&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Girls Under-14 The Girls Under-14 section saw a cautious day on the top boards, with the leading players avoiding unnecessary risks as the tournament headed into its rest day. Zahra Allahverdi of Azerbaijan remains the sole leader with 5.5 points. After winning her first five games, she was held to a draw
FIDE Youth World Cup U8-U12 reaches midpoint
After five rounds played at the FIDE Youth World Cup 2026 in Batumi, the tournament is starting to heat up. Hundreds of young players from around the world are competing with dedication and sportsmanship, embodying the spirit of chess that unites nations beyond borders. Several players hold a perfect score of 5/5 and lead their respective sections: Elizabeth Zhou (USA) – U12 Girls Chen Zhihan (CHN) – U10 Girls Ulemj Mendsaikhan (MGL) – U8 Open Shatsila Miraslava (FID) and Shanojan Akshara (SRI) – U8 Girls In the U12 Open category, Mustafa Demirkan (TUR) emerged as the sole leader with 4.5/5, while the U10 Open, a tightly contested section, has seven leaders with 4.5 points: Mani Sarbartho (IND), Batbileg Boldbaatar (MGL), Li Aiden Linyuan (USA), Elemes Nurmukhamed (KAZ), Damnitski Uladzislau (FID), Nurshin Nurali (KAZ), and Yilanli Mehmet (USA). Standings after Round 5: U8 Girls https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1435097.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U8 Open https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1435087.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U10 Girls https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1435098.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U10 Open https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1435092.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U12 Girls https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1435099.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U12 Open https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1435095.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 Games in all age categories are being broadcast live, allowing chess fans, parents, coaches, and supporters around the world to follow the action in real time. This technology provides maximum accessibility and brings the excitement of the tournament to a global audience, further underscoring the prestige and high standard of the event. Follow the games here: https://www.chess.com/events/world-cadets-cup-2026-girls-08/games Bodybuilder David Mskhaladze as a special guest One of the rounds began with a ceremonial first move in the Under 12 Open category, made by the guest of honor, renowned bodybuilder David Mskhaladze. The appearance of the “Georgian Giant” became a memorable moment for the young participants. Many of the players were pleasantly surprised by his visit and watched him with curiosity and admiration as he walked among the chessboards, observing the games and positions. Players, arbiters, and guests of the tournament took many memorable photos with him. David remarked that it was inspiring to witness the concentration, focus, and strong will displayed by these young chess players. “Sport unites all of us, whether it’s physical or mental. Also, many thanks to Mr. Akaki Iashvili for creating such a wonderful atmosphere! Thanks and all the best!” Mskhaladze said. Every game matters Reflecting on the significance of the championship and the opportunities it provides for young players, Chief Arbiter Gopakumar M. S. shared his thoughts on the event, emphasizing its international character and its importance for the development of future chess stars. “As Chief Arbiter, I am truly delighted to be part of this remarkable championship. With an impressive participation of 662 players from 68 countries, the event offers an exceptional platform for budding talents to compete against one another at a truly global level. The format itself is highly engaging, as players are not only striving for top honors here but also aiming to secure qualification for the World Cadet Championship this November. This unique structure ensures that every game carries significance and fosters a spirit of competitive excellence. Such an environment, where young players are exposed to high standards and the opportunity to compete with the best in their age category, will undoubtedly contribute immensely to their growth and future in the game,” he said. FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar in Batumi Simultaneously with the tournament, a FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar is being held in Batumi from 17 to 21 June 2026. The seminar is organized by the Georgian Chess Federation under the auspices of FIDE. The seminar is led by experienced IA Ashot Vardapetyan (ARM), who is delivering comprehensive lectures on the Laws of Chess, tournament regulations, arbiters’ responsibilities, and practical aspects of officiating international competitions. A total of 24 arbiters representing three different countries are taking part in the seminar. The program is designed in accordance with FIDE regulations and provides participants with the opportunity to earn norms and qualify for the FIDE Arbiter title. The seminar will conclude with an official examination, during which participants will demonstrate their understanding of FIDE rules and arbitral procedures. Photos: Mindia Malakhmadze Official website: https://wcc2026.fide.com/