With six rounds completed and five to go, every half-point counts as the race for the world titles intensifies in Roquetas de Mar, Spain.
As the 2026 World U7-U17 Chess Championships reaches the halfway point, the tension is mounting across all age categories. With six rounds completed and five still to play, every half-point matters, and the pressure is becoming increasingly evident as young players face the challenge of balancing ambition with nerves.
Some have established commanding leads, while others find themselves in tightly packed groups where a single mistake could dramatically change the standings. Rating favourites are fighting to stay in contention, and emerging talents are seizing their opportunities on the world stage.
With Round 7 approaching after a well-deserved rest day, the players will return to the boards knowing that the final stretch is drawing closer and that the margin for error is shrinking with every move.
Let’s take a closer look at each age group.
Under 7 (53 players in the open section and 28 players in the girls’ section)
A three-way tie at the top of the Under-7 girls’ standings sees Margad Bayasgalan of Mongolia, Leila Aldazharova of Kazakhstan, and Echo Heming Fang, representing Canada, all on 5/6, with five rounds still to play. Two of the three leaders have already suffered a defeat, while Aldazharova has drawn twice – a relatively rare occurrence in the Under-7 section, where decisive games are the norm.
In the Open section, Poland’s Ignacy Mongay Miland (pictured above) is setting the pace with a perfect six out of six. He holds a full-point lead over Egypt’s Mohab Ahmed Assem, with a further seven players just behind on 4.5/6.
The seventh round will see the two leaders face each other in a potentially pivotal encounter. There is still a long way to go, but a positive result for Mongay Miland would strengthen his position considerably as he looks to maintain his perfect score.
Standings after Round 6 – Open U7
Standings after Round 6 – Girls U7
Under 9 (82 players in the open section and 40 players in the girls’ section)
Kazakhstan’s Amaliya Yedresheva leads the Girls’ section with 5.5/6, half a point ahead of New Zealand’s Vera Jintian Xu. Top seed Stella Zhu of Finland is among three players on 4.5/6, keeping the pressure on the leaders as the tournament progresses.
Mate of the day
Symbat Otargali – Varvara Volkova
One of the most striking tactical moments came in the third round, when Varvara Volkova found a neat three-move forced checkmate. Her combination began with the spectacular 28…Rf1+!, followed by 29.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 30.Qxf1 Rxf1#. Black’s precise execution secured an important point.
The Open section has two co-leaders on 5.5/6, with a third player just half a point behind. Latvia’s Akims Jefimovs holds a slight tiebreak advantage over Uzbekistan’s Sayfuddin Erkinboev, while Estonia’s Lev Jevglevski remains firmly in contention on 5/6. With the leaders separated by such narrow margins, the next rounds could prove decisive in shaping the race for the title.
Standings after Round 6 – Open U9
Standings after Round 6 – Girls U9
Under 11 (99 players in the open section and 47 players in the girls’ section)
Uzbekistan’s Akbar Mustafakulov leads the Under-11 Open section with an impressive 5.5/6, half a point ahead of a group of five players on 5/6. The 2026 Asian Champion has displayed solid fundamentals throughout the opening six rounds, dropping just half a point so far. Among his closest pursuers is top seed Amirzhan Anetov of Kazakhstan, a Candidate Master who remains firmly in the title race.
In the Girls’ section, Kazakhstan’s Women Candidate Master Milana Filippova (pictured below) is setting the pace with a perfect six out of six. She holds a full-point lead over Georgia’s Sara Saltkhutsishvili, whom she has already defeated, giving her a valuable advantage in the race for the title.
Filippova has already demonstrated her strength at continental level, winning the Under-10 Asian Championship in 2025. She will now look to maintain her winning streak as the tournament enters its next phase.
Standings after Round 6 – Open U11
Standings after Round 6 – Girls U11
Under 13 (75 players in the open section and 43 players in the girls’ section)
Women Candidate Master Lilian Schirmbeck of Germany leads the Under-13 Girls’ section with 5/6, having recorded four wins and two draws. She holds a half-point advantage over a group of six players on 4.5/6, including several of the other rating favourites. With the standings still tightly packed, the battle for the title remains wide open.
In the Open section, Egypt’s International Master Abdalrahman Sameh Mohamed (pictured below) has made a perfect start, winning all six of his games. His next challenge promises to be a major test, as he faces Kazakhstan’s International Master Danis Kuandykuly, the rating favourite, who has dropped just one draw so far.
Sameh arrives at this crucial encounter with an impressive recent achievement to his name: victory in the 2025 FIDE World Cup in the Under-12 category. With both players among the strongest competitors in the field, their meeting could prove a pivotal moment in the race for the title.
Standings after Round 6 – Open U13
Standings after Round 6 – Girls U13
Under 15 (85 players in the open section and 43 players in the girls’ section)
The Under-15 Open section is proving to be one of the most competitive categories in the championship. Kazakhstan’s FIDE Master Aldiyar Zharas currently leads with 5.5/6, but the pressure is mounting, with no fewer than five titled players just half a point behind on 5/6. Among them is Spain’s FIDE Master Martin Krauchi Romero, who remains firmly in contention as the battle for the top places intensifies.
The Girls’ section is equally competitive, with three players sharing the lead on 5/6. Women FIDE Master Aiaru Altynbek of Kazakhstan, Vietnam’s Vu Nguyen Bao Linh and Mongolia’s Women Candidate Master Batkhishigt Enkhnamuun are level at the top. With several rounds still to play, the race for the title remains wide open.
Standings after Round 6 – Open U15
Standings after Round 6 – Girls U15
Under 17 (77 players in the open section and 49 players in the girls’ section)
Second seed Women International Master Kesaria Mgeladze (pictured below) is setting the pace in the Girls’ section with a perfect six out of six. Her next encounter could prove decisive, as she faces Vietnam’s Women FIDE Master Dang Le Xuan Hien in round seven.
Le Xuan Hien sits in second place on 5/6, just a point behind the Georgian leader, making this a potentially pivotal clash in the race for the title.
In the Open section, Lithuania’s FIDE Master Zanas Nainys has also made a flawless start, winning all six of his games to establish a clear lead. Four players are his closest pursuers on 5/6, three of them representing Spain.
With the local contingent well represented among the challengers, the next round promises to be an important test for the unbeaten Lithuanian leader.
The championship resumes on Sunday, October 18, with Round 7 of the 11-round competition. Before the action continues, the young players will enjoy a well-deserved rest day, with plenty of opportunities to relax and have fun away from the chessboards.
Many are expected to make the most of the hotels’ swimming pools, sports facilities, foam parties and a range of games and activities for children. The afternoon programme will also offer a taste of local culture, with a traditional flamenco music and cajón workshop, adding a distinctly Andalusian flavour to the championship experience.
Written by IM Michael A. Rahal (Roquetas de Mar, Spain)
Photos: Javier Garrido
Official website: https://fedaworld.org/