FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) invite all FIDE member federations from Asia to participate in the Asian Continental stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 (WSTC 2026).
The competition will take place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from April 6 (arrival) to April 11 (departure), 2026, at the Hotel Kazakhstan.
The winning team will earn the title of Asian Continental School Team Champion and qualify directly for the WSTC 2026 Grand Final, where four continental champions will compete for the title of FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Champion 2026.
Team composition & eligibility
Each team must consist of:
- four main players
- one reserve
- one non-playing captain
Each team must include at least one boy and one girl (with limited exceptions for single-gender schools).
Eligible players must be born between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018.
National federations are responsible for verifying that participating children are enrolled in the school they represent during the 2025–2026 academic year.
The tournament will be played over eight rounds (Swiss system).
Participation & support
In accordance with the event framework, a number of teams will receive organizer support, including:
- full-board accommodation
- airport and local transfers
- economy-class flights for designated supported teams
Detailed conditions are outlined in the official Invitation and Regulations.
Educational programme
In line with the Year of Chess in Education 2026, the championship will feature an educational programme alongside the competition, including:
- masterclasses by leading chess players and educators
- interactive workshops
- side events promoting cultural exchange and educational collaboration
The programme aims to combine competitive excellence with meaningful educational impact.
Registration
The registration deadline is March 20, 2026.
Teams must register exclusively through their respective FIDE member federations via the official online registration form.
Teams can register using the online form at: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/registration
Full Invitation, Regulations and registration details are available at: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/files/Invitation_letter_WSTC_2026.pdf
Contact e-mail: worldschoolteam@fide.com
Official website: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/