Surprises and perfect scores shape the opening rounds of the 2026 World Championships U7–U17
With an outstanding turnout of 721 players representing 82 countries, the 2026 FIDE World Championships U7–U17 got underway on October 13 in the coastal town of Roquetas de Mar, in the province of Almería, southern Spain.
Running until October 21, the event is jointly organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Spanish Chess Federation and is being held at the Evenia Zoraida Beach Resort. The competition features 12 age categories: Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17, with separate Open and Girls sections in each age group.
Many national delegations are represented across all six age groups, highlighting the breadth of participation at this year’s championships. Kazakhstan, for example, has players competing in every age category, underlining the importance of the event as a platform for developing young chess talent.
As is customary in tournaments of this kind, the championships follow an 11-round Swiss system. The main innovation this year is the time control: each player receives 45 minutes for the entire game, with a 30-second increment per move from move one.
Following several successful pilot events, this *fast classical* format is being introduced for the first time in an official youth championship, with all games counting towards FIDE ratings. The new time control aims to offer a more dynamic playing experience while retaining the strategic depth of classical chess.
Representing FIDE, Ozgur Solakoglu (Technical Delegate), officially opened the championships, welcoming all participants and wishing them every success and an enjoyable competition.
Javier Ochoa de Echagüen, president of the Spanish Chess Federation, acknowledged that many players had travelled long distances to take part in the event. He expressed his hope that they would enjoy their stay at the resort and perform to the best of their abilities over the coming days.
Finally, International Arbiter Panagiotis Nikolopoulos reviewed some of the main rules and regulations and reminded players of the tournament schedule. With the formalities completed, he started the clocks for the first of the two rounds scheduled for the opening day.
As is customary in Swiss-system tournaments, where the top seeds are generally paired against lower-rated opponents in the early rounds, most of the favourites made a strong start. However, there were a few surprises, particularly in the youngest age groups.
The Under 7 Open section is especially unpredictable, with more than half of the participants yet to receive a FIDE rating. With so many players still establishing their competitive strength, the opening rounds offer plenty of scope for unexpected results and emerging talents to make their mark.
Under 7 (53 players in the open section and 28 players in the girls’ section)
The youngest participants play in a dedicated room adapted to their needs, with a spacious waiting area nearby where parents can easily collect their children as soon as their games finish.
After two rounds, the top two seeds in the Under 7 Open section, Spain’s Pau Vizcaya Lopez and Egypt’s Mohab Ahmed Assem, are among a group of 10 players who have won both their games and share the lead with a perfect 2/2 score.
In the Girls’ section, five players have also won both games. Uzbekistan’s Malika Ikromova tops the standings on tiebreak.
Under 9 (82 players in the open section and 40 players in the girls’ section)
In the Girls’ section, second seed Varvara Volkova, competing under the FIDE flag, holds the top position on tiebreak. Five other players have also won their first two games, including Finland’s Stella Zhu, the highest-rated participant in the field.
In the Open section, 14 players share the lead with a perfect score after two rounds, headed by Latvia’s Akims Jefimovs. Top seed Wiktor Stankowski of Poland has already dropped half a point and sits just behind the leaders.
Under 11 (99 players in the open section and 47 players in the girls’ section)
Candidate Master Amirzhan Anetov leads the Under 11 Open section after winning both of his games, with 14 other players close behind on a perfect score. Seeds two to five have all dropped points, underlining the strength of the field and suggesting that several young competitors may be underrated.
In the Girls’ section, only six players have maintained a perfect score after two rounds. Israel’s Arbel Ben Ari is the surprise leader on tiebreak, despite being ranked just 43rd among the 47 participants at the start of the tournament.
Under 13 (75 players in the open section and 43 players in the girls’ section)
WFM Alina Donets, representing Austria, leads the Under 13 Girls’ section on tiebreak, although she shares a perfect score with seven other players. In this category, most of the top seeds have lived up to expectations, demonstrating their strength in the early rounds.
The Under 13 Open section is even more tightly contested, with 15 players sharing the lead on 2/2. While the top seeds remain in contention, it is surprise performer Saravanan Keertieshvar, seeded 53rd, who currently tops the standings.
Unfortunately, the second and fourth seeds, both FIDE Masters representing Syria, have yet to arrive in Spain. They are expected to join the competition tomorrow, but will have to begin their campaigns from zero points after missing the opening rounds.
Under 15 (85 players in the open section and 43 players in the girls’ section)
In the Under 15 Open section, 16 players have won both their games, including the six highest-ranked masters in the category. Kazakhstan’s Zhanbolat Amankos deserves special mention after producing one of the biggest upsets of the round by defeating Austria’s FM Florentin Stickler.
In the Under 15 Girls’ section, local player Amaya Alfaro Aldunate scored an impressive second-round victory over Turkey’s WCM Arya Aydogan. She is among nine players who have started the tournament with two wins from two games. WFM Aiaru Altynbek currently leads the group on tiebreak.
Under 17 (77 players in the open section and 49 players in the girls’ section)
China’s WIM Xue Tianhao leads the Under 17 Girls’ section on tiebreak, sharing a perfect score with eight other players. Top seed WIM Mariya Kholyavko of Kazakhstan has already dropped half a point, but with nine rounds still to play, there is plenty of time for the standings to change.
In the Open section, top seed FM Maxime Hauchamps is among 12 players who have won both their games. The opening rounds have already produced several surprises, underlining the competitive strength of the field and promising plenty of exciting chess in the days ahead.
TACTIC OF THE DAY
Pre-tournament open U-17 favourite FM Maxime Hauchamps (2419) has started off very well with two consecutive wins. In his first-round game, he executed a nice tactic against Spaniard Pablo Martinez Soriano (2127).
Hauchamps has castled queenside and launched a kingside attack. Black’s knight has landed on d5, and White finds a surprising way to tactically exploit the position.
The key move is 20. Rxd5!, when White sacrifices the rook for Black’s knight, opening lines and maintaining the initiative against the king. Of course, the bishop on e7 is hanging, which forces Black’s hand.
The game continued 20…Bxg5 and now the intermediate move 21. Rc5! Hitting the queen and winning material. After 21… Qb6 Hauchamps recaptured 22. hxg5 and went on to win.
