Khumoyun Begmuratov of Uzbekistan and Eline Roebers of the Netherlands triumphed at the FIDE World Junior Rapid Championship 2026, winning the titles in the Open and Girls sections, respectively.
His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, made the ceremonial first move in the ninth and final rapid round before crowning the champions at the Danat Al Ain Resort.
The occasion was attended by Hisham Ali Al Taher, Secretary-General of the Asian Chess Federation, Managing Director and CEO of the Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club, and Tournament Director. He also helped present the trophies and medals alongside His Excellency Counsellor Yousif Al Afreet Al Kuwaiti, Board Member and Treasurer of the club.
Bringing together 185 players from 40 countries competing for four world titles, the championship showcases the next generation of international chess talent and reinforces Al Ain’s standing as a host of major global chess events.
Held from November 1 to 7 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Zayed for Good Foundation and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event was organised by the Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club in cooperation with the UAE Chess Federation, under the supervision of FIDE.
The opening of the decisive round was also attended by José Antonio Carrillo, President of the Confederation of Chess for the Americas; Javier Ochoa, President of the Ibero-American Chess Federation; and Bernard Wanjala, President of the African Chess Confederation, alongside representatives of the participating delegations. The three officials also joined in presenting the special awards at the subsequent ceremony.
In the Rapid Open competition, Uzbekistan’s Khumoyun Begmuratov secured the world title with an unbeaten score of 7.5/9, recording six wins and three draws. India’s Pranav V. claimed silver and Azerbaijan’s Raad Samadov took bronze, both finishing with 7/9, their final positions determined by tiebreaks.
In the Rapid Girls section, Eline Roebers of the Netherlands claimed the world title, scoring 7/9. Uzbekistan’s Umida Omonova earned silver, while Marina Kuznetsova, competing under the FIDE flag, secured bronze. Both finished with 6.5/9, with Omonova taking silver on tiebreaks.
The medal ceremony brought together players, international chess officials, and delegation representatives to celebrate the new world champions and podium finishers following nine rounds of competition.
To celebrate Al Ain’s designation as the Arab Capital of Tourism for 2026, special awards were presented to the best-performing Arab male and female players. Egypt’s Abdalrahman Sameh Mohamed received the Best Arab Player award, while the UAE’s Rouda Essa Alserkal was recognised as the Best Arab Female Player.
Ghaith Saeed Al Nuaimi also received the Best Male Player award for the Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club, while Sheikha Abdulla Almeraikhi received the corresponding Best Female Player award.