FIDE Candidates 2026 pairings drawn in Cyprus
The pairings for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 have been determined following the official Drawing of Lots ceremony held at the Cap St George’s Hotel & Resort in Paphos, Cyprus, the host venue of both events. The FIDE Candidates Tournaments, which will take place from 28 March to 16 April 2026, will determine the challengers for the World Championship and Women’s World Championship titles. With the playing schedule now established, preparations enter their final phase as players begin targeted opening preparation and match strategy against their confirmed opponents. Drawing of lots ceremony The ceremony held at the Cap St George’s Hotel & Resort brought together FIDE officials, representatives of the Cyprus Chess Federation, government authorities, partners and invited guests, marking the formal commencement of the Candidates stage of the World Championship cycle. FIDE Vice President Georgios Makropoulos underlined the importance of hosting the event in Cyprus: “It is a very important decision to bring both the Open and Women’s Candidates to Cyprus. I am sure the players will enjoy Paphos and the chess games here. Chess in Cyprus is developing rapidly, and this event will help it grow even further.” Cyprus Chess Federation President Criton Tornaritis then took to the stage and highlighted the significance of staging one of the world’s premier chess events in the country and its inspiration for young players: “We have the Candidates now in Cyprus, one of the biggest events in world chess. I would like to thank FIDE for bringing such an important event to our country. Our main priority as a federation is to support children and develop chess in schools, and events like this inspire the next generation of players in Cyprus.” Constantinos Malaou, the Business Development Director of Cap St George’s Hotel & Resort welcomed participants and emphasised Cyprus’ place on the global chess map as the road to the World Championship begins: “The selection of Cyprus and of Cap St Georges by FIDE is a distinction of exceptional importance. It reflects international confidence in the standards, credibility, and organisational excellence required to host an event of historic and global significance, and it places our country and our resort on the world chess map at the very moment when the world’s attention turns to the road toward the crown.” Following the addresses by officials, attention turned to the highlight of the night, the drawing of lots. FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 The drawing procedure was conducted by Chief Arbiter Takis Nikolopoulos, who explained the double round-robin format and the role of Berger pairing tables in determining the full schedule once players receive their draw numbers. In line with standard practice in elite double round-robins, the Berger tables were adjusted by exchanging Rounds 6 and 7, ensuring that no player receives the same colour three times consecutively. In accordance with FIDE regulations, players from the same federation must meet in the first rounds of the tournament. With two participants from the United States, Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura were assigned paired numbers to ensure they face each other in Round 1. The draw resulted in the following numbers: Round 1 pairings The opening round already features several key clashes, including the all-American encounter between Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, a matchup with deep Candidates history, and the two rating favourites of the event. Praggnanandhaa R – Giri brings together two of the most theoretically prepared and solid players in the field, while Sindarov – Esipenko pairs two of the youngest participants in a direct generational contest. Matthias Bluebaum and Wei Yi complete the Round 1 lineup in a meeting between two players making their Candidates debut. With colors reversed, the same pairings will be repeated in Round 8, and the Berger tables schedule several decisive encounters late in the event. FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 The Women’s draw required an additional preliminary step due to federation distribution: three players from India, two from China, and two representing FIDE. Regulations require players from the same federation to meet in the early rounds. The drawing first determined the group of numbers assigned to the three Indian players, ensuring they would oppose each other within the first three rounds. Chinese players and those under the FIDE flag were then allocated paired numbers to meet in Round 1. The final numbers are: Round 1 pairings The first round in the FIDE Women’s Candidates also presents several top-level encounters, many featuring players from the same federation. Zhu Jiner faces former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi, Aleksandra Goryachkina meets long-time rival Kateryna Lagno, and Vaishali R takes on Bibisara Assaubayeva in a matchup between two of the youngest players in the field. The round is completed by the meeting between Anna Muzychuk (who stepped in after Humpy Koneru’s withdrawal) and Divya Deshmukh, pairing one of the most experienced players in the tournament with one of its newest participants. With the draw completed, the competitive framework of both FIDE Candidates Tournaments is now fixed. Over fourteen rounds in Cyprus, each player will face every opponent twice, once with each color, in the most demanding and balanced format in elite chess. For the participants, the announcement of pairings marks a decisive shift in preparation. Opening repertoires, rest-day planning, and strategic approaches are refined months in advance based on the confirmed sequence of opponents. FIDE Candidates 2026 pairings Round 1 on 2026/03/29 at 15:30 Javokhir Sindarov – Andrey EsipenkoMatthias Bluebaum – Wei YiPraggnanandhaa R – Anish GiriFabiano Caruana – Hikaru Nakamura Round 2 on 2026/03/30 at 15:30 Andrey Esipenko – Hikaru NakamuraAnish Giri – Fabiano CaruanaWei Yi – Praggnanandhaa R Javokhir Sindarov – Matthias Bluebaum Round 3 on 2026/03/31 at 15:30 Matthias Bluebaum – Andrey EsipenkoPraggnanandhaa R – Javokhir Sindarov Fabiano Caruana – Wei Yi Hikaru Nakamura – Anish Giri Round 4 on 2026/04/01 at 15:30 Andrey Esipenko – Anish Giri Wei Yi – Hikaru Nakamura Javokhir Sindarov – Fabiano Caruana Matthias Bluebaum – Praggnanandhaa R Round 5 on 2026/04/03 at 15:30 Praggnanandhaa R
Montenegrin Championship 2026: Denis Kadrić captures first title
Grandmaster Denis Kadrić, has become the newly crowned Montenegrin Chess Champion. The second seed scored impressive 9/11 in a strong field and claimed his first national title after finishing third in each of his three previous appearances. The championship, an 11-round Swiss tournament, was organized by the Chess Federation of Montenegro and held at the National Library “Radosav Ljumović” in Podgorica from February 10-19, with sponsorship provided by the Ministry of Sports and Youth. The total prize fund amounted to €15,000. Arbiters Zoran Peruničić and Momčilo Pekić carried out their duties smoothly and professionally. As many expected, the event turned into a close race with the winner decided only in the final round. Kadrić and FM Oleg Jaksin had a great start both winning four straight games before clashing in Round 5. Jaksin prevailed but his lead was short-lived as he lost in the next round allowing IM Aleksandar Tomic, FM Jovan Milovic and Kadrić to catch up. In Round 7 Kadrić and Milovic scored victories and pulled away. The new joint leaders locked horns in Round 8. Kadrić emerged victorious, took the sole lead and preserved it to the very end. Heading into the final round a half point ahead of GM Nikola Đukić, he drew with the 2025 Champion and top seed Nikita Petrov and claimed the title, as his main rival also split the point with FM Nemanja Vukcevic. Đukić and Milović finished a half point behind the champion, tying for second place. Tiebreak criteria awarded the silver medal to Đukić and the bronze to Milović, who also serves as President of the Chess Federation of Montenegro and recalled his days as a youth representative for Yugoslavia. Đukić delivered a stable performance and improved his rating, scoring seven wins and three draws with his sole loss coming in the fourth round against eventual champion Kadrić. Playing with determination and flair, Milović notched eight wins, one draw, and two losses to secure his first podium finish at the national championship. Final standings Special prizes were awarded to Nikolina Koljević as the tournament’s most successful female player, and to Peko Đurović as the top junior. Rating category prizes went to Nikola Popović (under 1700), Mito Đukanović (under 2000), and Božidar Kisić (under 2200). Photos: Šahovski savez Crne Gore
Asian Continental stage of FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 announced
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.comOfficial website: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/ INVITATION LETTER (PDF)
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships head to Hong Kong
Hong Kong will host the fourth edition of FIDE’s World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships, from 17 to 21 June 2026. Bringing together top pros like Magnus Carlsen and amateur players in a fun, high-stakes format, the event is expanding its global reach to East Asia for the first time. After Dusseldorf in 2023, Astana in 2024 and London in 2025, the World Rapid and Blitz Teams heads to Hong Kong, giving chess a new global stage. Organised by FIDE, the event features rapid and blitz championships, scored with match points. Each team must include at least one female player and one recreational player, defined as someone who has never reached 2000 Elo in standard, rapid or blitz. “We are proud and delighted to bring the fourth edition of the event to the world. As we have seen in previous WRB Teams, this is more than a tournament. The competition attracts players and fans from different cultural and professional backgrounds, helping build connections and creating opportunities,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said. A mix of fun and high stakes competition, the tournament attracts teams from the corporate and sports worlds across the globe. WR Chess which has dominated the event since its launch, has already announced the key players in its team, including Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Hou Yifan and others. In recent years Hong Kong has become a serious international host for large open and regional events. The Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship in 2025 drew more than 400 players, including more than 80 titled participants. Most recently, the city hosted the 2025 Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. “This is the first time Hong Kong will host a major global chess event and it is important to us to use the opportunity to promote the tournament, chess and the host city to a new audience,” Dvorkovich added. The winners of the World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships since 2023 In 2023, the inaugural FIDE World Rapid Team Championship featured rapid only with no blitz. It was a 12 round Swiss event, won by the WR Chess Team. In 2024, the event expanded to include blitz. The rapid remained a 12 round Swiss and was won by Al Ain ACMG from the UAE, while the blitz debuted in a two-stage format, with pool round robins, followed by a 16-team knockout. WR Chess won the blitz. In 2025, the structure stayed the same. Rapid was a 12 round Swiss, won by Team MGD1. Blitz followed the same format of pool stage and a 16 team knockout and was again won by WR Chess Team. More details about the regulations, prize fund and competition will be announced in due course.
Jan Timman (1951-2026)
FIDE and the entire chess community mourn the passing of Jan Timman, who died on February 18 at the age of 74. The nine-time Dutch champion, elite player from the late 1970s through the early 1990s, multiple-time Candidates participant, he will be remembered for his imaginative playing style, outstanding competitive achievements and rich literary legacy. Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Timman learned chess around the age of eight and quickly showed exceptional talent. His first notable success came at the 1967 World Junior Championship in Jerusalem where, aged just 15, he won the bronze medal. Timman earned the International Master title in 1971 and he was awarded the Grandmaster title in 1974, becoming only the third Dutch player to achieve this honor after Max Euwe and Jan Hein Donner. The same year he won his first Dutch championship title. His rapid ascent continued with a string of excellent results in international tournaments. In Hastings 1973/74 he shared victory with Tal, Kuzmin, and Szabó; he then went on to win Sombor 1974 (jointly with Boris Gulko), Netanya 1975, Reykjavík 1976 (with Fridrik Olafsson), Amsterdam IBM 1978, Nikšić 1978 (with Gulko) and Vidmar Memorial 1979. At the peak of his career, Timman stood out as the best non-Soviet player earning the moniker “the best of the West”. By 1982 he was ranked second in the world, behind only Anatoly Karpov. In the 1980s Timman won a number of very strong tournaments, including Amsterdam IBM in 1981, Wijk aan Zee in 1981 and 1985, Linares in 1988, Euwe Memorial 1987 (with Karpov) and 1989, and the 1989 World Cup tournament in Rotterdam. Other triumphs included Las Palmas 1981, Mar del Plata 1982, Bugojno 1984, and Sarajevo 1984 (shared with Korchnoi). Timman’s quest for the chess crown began in 1972, but he first qualified for the Candidates in 1985 after winning the Interzonal in Taxco. His pursuit culminated in the title match of the 1993 FIDE World Championship against Anatoly Karpov (organized by FIDE following the Kasparov–Short split), which Timman lost. Timman represented the Netherlands in 13 Chess Olympiads from 1972 to 2004, playing on the top board on 11 occasions. In 1976 he won the gold medal for the best individual performance on board one. Beyond competition, Timman made significant contributions as a chess writer and editor, including long-term roles with New in Chess magazine and authoring several acclaimed books such as The Art of Chess Analysis (1980), The Art of Attacking Chess (2014) and Timman’s Titans (2016). He was also a distinguished endgame study composer – one of the strongest practical players to excel in chess compositions. In October 2025, Jan Timman was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame in recognition of his enduring contributions to chess. FIDE and global chess family extend their deepest condolences to Jan Timman’s family, friends and loved ones. Photo: Harry Gielen
2027 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championships to be held in Weissenhaus
Hamburg, February 19, 2026 – FIDE and Freestyle Chess have agreed that the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championships will again be staged in Weissenhaus, Germany in 2027. The agreement confirms the continuation of the championship at the Baltic Sea venue following the inaugural edition in 2026. The FIDE Women’s Freestyle Chess World Championship, will take place over three days on the first weekend of February 2027, followed by the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship over three days on the second weekend of February 2027. The format and calendar have been coordinated between FIDE and Freestyle Chess to ensure continuity within the international chess schedule. The decision follows the successful staging of the first FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship in February 2026. In that event, Magnus Carlsen (Norway) won the title in Weissenhaus, defeating Fabiano Caruana (USA) 2.5–1.5 in the final. As finalists in 2026, Carlsen and Caruana have already qualified for the 2027 World Championship. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan), who secured third place in 2026, also earned direct qualification for the 2027 edition. Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kazakhstan) qualified for the 2027 Women’s FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship by winning the 2026 exhibition match against Alexandra Kosteniuk (Switzerland). By returning to the Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort, FIDE and Freestyle Chess aim to consolidate the venue as the home of the Freestyle World Championship. The location provides stable conditions for a compact, high-level knockout format and allows for consistent organizational standards year to year. The continuation at the same venue is intended to strengthen the identity of the Freestyle title within the broader FIDE world championship framework. The partnership between FIDE and Freestyle Chess, formalized ahead of the 2026 edition, establishes the FIDE Freestyle World Championship as an officially recognized world title. The agreed multi-year planning framework provides predictability for players, organizers, and commercial partners, and supports the integration of Freestyle Chess into the global competitive calendar. The championship cycle will continue to include qualifying events. The next confirmed step in that pathway is the grenke Freestyle Chess Open, to be held April 2–6, 2026, in Karlsruhe, Germany. For the first time, the grenke event will carry official qualification status for the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship. Jan Henric Buettner, co-founder and CEO of Freestyle Chess, said: “The decision to return to Weissenhaus in 2027 reflects our commitment to building a stable and credible world championship cycle for Freestyle Chess. Continuity of venue and structure allows us to focus on sporting quality and long-term development.” Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE, said: “The 2026 championship marked an important milestone as the first official Freestyle Chess World Championship, recognized by FIDE. By confirming Weissenhaus as the stage for 2027, we are reinforcing the institutional framework of the title and supporting the continued growth of this format within the international chess ecosystem, in compliance with FIDE’s rules and regulations.” Freestyle Chess is also known as Chess960 or FIDE Fischer Random Chess, as per the FIDE Charter. The FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship is a continuation of FIDE’s previous events in the Fischer Random format (held in 2019 and 2022).
Selection completed for the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) 2026 Project
The Kazakhstan Chess Federation has announced the results of the selection process for national chess federations in the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) 2026 project. The application period for the new stage of the initiative, implemented with the support of Freedom Holding Corp., FIDE, and the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), concluded in early January. Following a comprehensive review of applications, the following countries have been approved as participants of FACI 2026: 🇰🇭 Cambodia 🇯🇵 Japan 🇯🇴 Jordan 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan 🇳🇵 Nepal 🇵🇰 Pakistan 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan The selection was based on compliance with the project criteria and the potential for sustainable chess development in the respective countries. The FACI project aims to foster at the sustainable development of chess across Asia through strengthening national federations, enhancing professional training standards, and promoting international cooperation. The program includes training camps, educational seminars, and support for participation in international competitions. In 2025, FACI supported seven national chess federations: Oman, Cambodia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and Pakistan. The participating countries demonstrated strong sporting results, including prize-winning finishes at international tournaments. Several federations also received grant support to participate in the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championship held in Almaty, providing young players with valuable experience competing at the highest international level. KazChess warmly congratulate selected federations on becoming part of FACI 2026. May this initiative open new opportunities, and contribute to the continued growth and unity of the Asian chess community. More detailed information about the FACI project is available in our video feature and on our website.
Botswana concludes 2026 National Team Selection Finals in multi-phase championship
The Botswana Chess Federation has successfully concluded its 2026 National Team Selection Finals, culminating a championship defined by competitive integrity, and alignment with the governance standards of the African Chess Confederation and FIDE. Hosted at Yarona Country Lodge, the tournament brought together Botswana’s strongest players in both the Open and Women’s Sections for a demanding and meticulously organised selection process. A rigorous multi-phase qualification battle The championship featured a round-robin format, ensuring that each contender faced every other opponent in their respective section. Beyond its format, the tournament unfolded in several phases, each increasing in intensity. Sustaining performance across multiple phases required endurance, discipline, and elite-level focus. Open Section: Experience reaffirmed, youth rising In the Open Section, Mothudi Arnold Mogotsi emerged as tournament winner after a composed and strategically mature campaign. His performance marks a significant return to the pinnacle of Botswana chess. Joining him are Sebetlela Gaasite, CM Thuto Mpene, and CM Thuso Mosutha, each of whom demonstrated consistency and fighting spirit throughout the contest. The qualification of Gaasite and Mpene, in particular, reflects the continued success of Botswana’s youth development structures and signals a strong generational transition in national chess. The team is further strengthened by the automatic inclusion of the country’s highest-rated player, IM Providence Oatlhotse, whose international experience adds depth and leadership to the squad. Women’s Section: Stability and strategic growth In the Women’s Section, WIM Onkemetse Mendu Francis once again showcased her class and consistency, securing qualification through a strong performance. She will be joined by WCM Maya Otimile, WCM Amolemo Atlang Mosweu, and WCM Laone Phoebe Moshoboro, an ambitious trio whose qualification reflects the steady growth of women’s chess in Botswana. Their achievement marks a significant milestone not only in their individual careers, but also in the broader strengthening of the women’s competitive structure nationally. Completing the team is WFM Natalie Banda, the country’s highest-rated female player, whose presence ensures experience and rating strength across the boards. “The successful completion of the 2026 National Team Selection Championship signifies far more than the announcement of a national squad. It reflects the continued institutional growth of the Botswana Chess Federation, the strength of our transparent and merit-driven qualification framework, and the effectiveness of a clearly defined pathway from youth development to elite national representation. By integrating experienced masters with an ambitious new generation of talent, we are demonstrating both continuity and strategic foresight a model aligned with the development vision of the African Chess Confederation and FIDE. As we prepare for continental and global engagements, Botswana enters the 2026 cycle united, structurally stronger, and firmly focused on delivering competitive excellence on the international stage,” said Kutlwano “Jady” Tatolo President of Botswana Chess Federation Preparing for global and continental engagement The selected teams will represent Botswana at the prestigious Chess Olympiad 2026, to be staged in Uzbekistan. The Olympiad remains the foremost global team chess event, offering nations an opportunity to benchmark progress against the world’s elite while gaining invaluable competitive exposure. In addition, Botswana will host the African Individual Chess Championship 2026 in June. Hosting this flagship continental event underscores Botswana’s growing organisational capacity and its expanding role within African chess structures.
FIDE distributes €37,000 among chess veterans
After carefully reviewing the numerous applications received, the special panel appointed by the FIDE Council has selected seventeen chess players, coaches, and organizers to benefit from FIDE’s 2026 support program for chess veterans: GM Leonid Yudasin (ISR)GM Florin Gheorghiu (ROU) WGM Irina Levitina (USA)IA Boris Postovsky (USA)GM Yehuda Gruenfeld (ISR)IM Vadim Faibisovich (RUS)IM Alexander Lysenko (RUS)Mark Ruderfer (RUS)GM Nikolay Legky (FRA) IM Aleksander Veingold (EST)WIM Ligia Jicman (ROU)FM Yunus Hasan (BAN)FM Danilo Buela Valdespino (CUB)WFM Valeria Dotan (ISR) WIM Lyudmila Aslanian (UKR)WFM Jambaldoo Lkhagva (MGL)Zdenek Zavodny (CZE) A total of €37,000 will be distributed among them. Since the program’s inception twelve years ago, FIDE has allocated nearly €500,000 in support of chess veterans. As in previous years, we will honor these distinguished veterans with brief profiles highlighting their careers and achievements, recognizing their enduring contributions to the game of chess. Leonid Yudasin (ISR) Born in 1959 in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Leonid Yudasin was introduced to chess by his father, a strong amateur player. His progress was steady rather than rapid. Yudasin’s early career in the Soviet Union unfolded amid significant personal challenges, including discrimination and expulsion from university due to antisemitism. In 1981, he qualified for the USSR Championship; a year later, he was awarded the title of International Master, and in 1984, he won the championship of his native city. Yudasin became a joint winner of the 1990 USSR Championship alongside Alexander Beliavsky, Evgeny Bareev, and Alexey Vyzmanavin. Beliavsky claimed the title on tiebreak, while Yudasin took silver. That same year, he earned an individual bronze medal and a team gold medal at the Chess Olympiad in Novi Sad, playing for the Soviet Union. In 1994 and again in 1996, he represented Israel at the Olympiads in Moscow and Yerevan, respectively. Yudasin qualified for the Candidates cycle twice. In 1990, he tied for fifth place at the Manila Interzonal but lost to Vassily Ivanchuk in the Round of 16. Three years later, he qualified again after finishing sixth at the 1993 Biel Interzonal, only to be eliminated by Vladimir Kramnik in the quarterfinals. His standout international result came at León 1993, where he won ahead of Alexey Vyzmanavin, Veselin Topalov, Anatoly Karpov, and a young Peter Lékó. His tournament victories include Leningrad 1989, Calcutta 1990, Pamplona 1990/91 (and jointly in 1991/92 with Miguel Illescas), Dos Hermanas 1992, the Botvinnik Memorial 1995, the Haifa Super Tournament 1996, and St. Petersburg White Knights 1998. At Reggio Emilia, he tied for first with Dimitri Komarov in 1997/98 (ceding the title on tiebreak) and won outright in 1999/2000. In 2002, he tied for first at the U.S. Masters Chess Championship. Yudasin lived in Israel for many years and was twice Israeli champion, winning in Tel Aviv (1994) and Jerusalem (1996). He has won tournaments across the United States and placed second at the 1990 U.S. Open and the 2001 World Open in Pennsylvania. Since 2002, he has resided primarily in New York, frequently competing in the weekly Masters tournament at the Marshall Chess Club. In 2004, he won a strong tournament in Montreal, Canada. He is also a coach and director of the Brooklyn Chess Academy. Among his notable former students are Varuzhan Akobian, Maurice Ashley, Irina Krush, and Jennifer Shahade. Yudasin authored the monumental historical-philosophical work The Millenary Chess Myth (2004). Florin Gheorghiu (ROU) Photo: Alexandru Dolea Florin Gheorghiu stands as Romania’s most accomplished chess player and the nation’s first Grandmaster. Born in Bucharest in 1944, he rose to international prominence by winning the World Junior Chess Championship in 1963. A nine-time Romanian National Champion, Gheorghiu represented his country in 14 Chess Olympiads between 1962 and 1990, primarily on top board. His career peak arrived in 1980, when he reached world No. 10 with an Elo rating of 2605 – a record unmatched by any other Romanian player. Among his notable international achievements are three consecutive U.S. Open titles (1979–1981) and a historic victory over Bobby Fischer at the 1966 Havana Olympiad. After retiring from competitive play with a final FIDE rating of 2367, Gheorghiu remains celebrated as one of Romania’s greatest chess figures. Beyond competition, Florin Gheorghiu has made a lasting contribution to chess culture through his books and writings, culminating in his most recent volume, Art in Chess and in Life, a reflective volume that blends elite-level analysis with personal insights from more than four decades at the highest level of the game. Irina Levitina (USA) Photo: World Chess Hall of Fame / Austin Fuller Irina Levitina is a distinguished Woman Grandmaster (awarded 1976) whose career spans more than five decades at the highest levels of international chess. While also recognized as an elite bridge player, her enduring legacy lies in competitive chess –particularly her campaigns in the Women’s World Championship cycle – and her decades of coaching and mentorship. Born in 1954 in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Levitina began playing chess seriously around age ten. Her formal training commenced at the Pioneers Palace in her hometown under the guidance of Master Byvshev. Later she worked with Master Kondratiev, and GM Furman (coach of the 12th World Champion, Anatoly Karpov). She progressed rapidly, winning the USSR Girls’ Championship in 1969. Two years later, she claimed the USSR Women’s Championship title in 1971—a feat she repeated in 1978, 1979, and 1981. Her pursuit of the women’s world championship culminated in a title match against Maia Chiburdanidze in 1984, which Levitina lost. She also played a pivotal role in the Soviet Union’s Chess Olympiad successes, contributing to gold medal victories from 1972 to 1984. After emigrating to the United States in 1990, Levitina became U.S. Women’s Champion in 1991 (jointly), 1992, and 1993 (jointly). As a co-founder and coach at the International Chess Academy (ICA), Levitina has mentored numerous students to expert and master strength. Her coaching emphasizes tournament preparation, strategic understanding, and long-term player development. In 2024, Irina Levitina was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame. Boris Postovsky (USA) Photo: Maria Emelianova Born in 1937 in Moscow,
Magnus Carlsen wins 2026 FIDE Freestyle World Championship
Magnus Carlsen (Norway) is the 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Champion. A draw in the fourth and final game against Fabiano Caruana (USA) was enough to seal a 2.5–1.5 match victory in Weissenhaus, Germany. The decisive moment came in game three. Carlsen won from a dead lost position, turning the match in his favor. Entering the final game, he needed only a draw and achieved it in an equal endgame after Caruana missed late chances to mount a comeback. Both finalists qualified for the 2027 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship. The 2026 tournament marks the first official FIDE-recognized Freestyle Chess World Championship. World number one Carlsen had previously attempted to win the FIDE Fischer Random World Championship without success. In Weissenhaus, he secured the official FIDE Freestyle Chess title – his 21st world title across formats. In the match for third place, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan) defeated Vincent Keymer (Germany). Abdusattorov secured the match by drawing a winning position in the final game, also ensuring qualification for the 2027 championship. Hans Niemann (USA) took fifth place with a 2–0 victory over Arjun Erigaisi (India), while Levon Aronian (USA) won his Armageddon against Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan) to take seventh place. In the women’s exhibition match, Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kazakhstan) prevailed over Alexandra Kosteniuk (Switzerland) after winning the third game and drawing the fourth. Key facts: Location: Weissenhaus, Germany Dates: February 13–15, 2026 Prize fund: $300,000 Winner’s prize: $100,000 Top three qualify for 2027 A full report is available [HERE]. Written by Till Behrend Photos: Lennart Ootes and Steve Bonhage / Freestyle Chess Official website: https://www.freestyle-chess.com/