Four teams advance to semis of FIDE World University Team Championship Finals
Day four of the FIDE World University Team Championship Finals began away from the chessboard, as participants traded the playing hall for the mountains surrounding Almaty. Before the start of the quarterfinals, players had an opportunity to visit Shymbulak, one of the city’s best-known mountain destinations. After three intense days of group-stage competition, the morning excursion gave the students a chance to experience another side of Almaty and spend time together before returning to the tournament venue for the start of the knockout stage. A few hours later, attention turned firmly back to chess. Sixteen universities had started the championship, but following the conclusion of the group stage, only eight remained. The quarterfinals would cut that number in half once again, with four teams advancing and four ending their campaigns in Almaty. Before the opening round of the quarterfinals, the ceremonial first moves were made by Lasse Østbø Løvik, President of the Norwegian Chess Federation and Vice-President of the European Chess Union, and Andy Howie, Chairman of the FIDE Fair Play Commission and Executive Director of Chess Scotland. Ahead of the second round, Vyacheslav Kim, Managing Director of Freedom Bank and CEO of Freedom SuperApp, and Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, made the ceremonial first moves. Chess and university: Finding the balance As the championship entered its decisive stage, the players also reflected on the different paths that had brought them to Almaty and on the challenge of combining competitive chess with university life. For WGM Thalia Cervantes Landeiro of Saint Louis University, chess is connected to almost every part of her daily life. She is completing her master’s program at Saint Louis University, plays professionally, and also works at the Saint Louis Chess Club. “I work through chess, and I’m studying because of the scholarship that I got through chess, so it’s always been a big part of my life – even the reason why my family moved from Cuba to St. Louis. It’s been a big part of my life, and it will continue to be.” Her quarterfinal opponent, WIM Ellen Wang of Harvard University, studies computer science and physics and described chess as an outlet from the demands of academic life. Wang also believes that years of playing chess have influenced the way she thinks far beyond the board. “I think because of chess, the way that I think has changed a lot. I am way more analytical than I would have been had I not played chess, and I also think it’s helped a lot with my focus and my social life. I don’t really know what my life would be like without chess, to be honest.” Despite Harvard’s campaign coming to an end in the quarterfinals, Wang leaves Almaty with positive memories of the experience. “It’s been a huge honor to play here. We’ve had a lot of tough games, but it’s been a great learning experience. It’s also been wonderful to be in Almaty – the hospitality has been incredible, and we’re really grateful to be here.” For WIM Diajeng Theresa Singgih of Universitas Gunadarma, the journey into chess began at home. Her older sister, IM Irene Sukandar, was already one of Indonesia’s leading players when Singgih was a child. “When my sister became the first ever Woman Grandmaster of Indonesia, I was four years old and she was 16. Growing up, I would see her interviews on TV and in newspapers. She was always traveling, and when she came home from tournaments, she would bring medals and souvenirs and tell me about the places she had visited. As a four-year-old, I thought, ‘I want that life too.’ And my sister told me, ‘You can have it if you play chess.’” Years later, chess remains at the centre of her life. “Chess has pretty much been the center of my life since I was four. Every decision I make somehow depends on chess – where I spend my weekends, where I go to university, what hobbies I take up, and even when I have free time. It all depends on when my tournaments and training end.” For the players of the National Technical University of Athens, the connection between chess and academic studies is particularly strong. FM Nikolaos Koutlas studies electrical and computer engineering and has developed his own way of dividing his time between the two. For Koutlas, the skills developed through chess also have a direct connection with engineering. “If you combine chess and study well, I think chess can be very helpful in engineering. The schematic thinking, imagination, and pattern recognition you develop through chess can help a lot with mathematical subjects.” Koutlas joked about how the two worlds sometimes collide: “Of course chess helps with studies, but sometimes you have an exam and spend the whole night before playing blitz – that definitely doesn’t help.” Quarterfinals decide the final four Saint Louis University delivered the most dominant quarterfinal performance, defeating Harvard University 4-0 and 3.5-0.5 to comfortably secure its semifinal place. Ural State Mining University was equally convincing against Universidad de Chile, winning 4-0 and 3.5-0.5 to advance. KNUS (Kazakh National University of Sports) drew 2-2 with the National Technical University of Athens in the opening match before winning the second 3-1 to reach the semifinals. The University of Texas at Dallas defeated Universitas Gunadarma 3-1 in the opening round, but the Indonesian team came close to winning the second and forcing tiebreaks. A late mistake in a winning position turned the match around, allowing Dallas to take the second round 2.5-1.5 and secure the final semifinal place. Four teams remain After four days of competition, the original field of sixteen has been reduced to four: The University of Texas at Dallas Saint Louis University Ural State Mining University KNUS (Kazakh National University of Sports) Saturday’s semifinal pairings are: KNUS vs. Ural State Mining University The University of Texas at Dallas vs. Saint Louis University With the inaugural title now just two matches away, Saturday
Praggnanandhaa triumphs at Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2026
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu emerged as the winner of the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, clinching the title with a round to spare. The Indian GM finished 1.5 points ahead of runner-up Javokhir Sindarov and moved into second place in the Grand Chess Tour standings. Launching the Grand Chess Tour’s final stretch in the Chess Capital of America, the 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz brought ten elite grandmasters to the Saint Louis Chess Club from July 31 to August 7. Across five days of play, the field contested nine rapid rounds and 18 blitz rounds – 135 games in all – with critical tour points on the line ahead of the Sinquefield Cup and the GCT Grand Finals. The 10-player lineup consisted of seven full-tour competitors and three wild-card selections. Full-tour players Fabiano Caruana, Javokhir Sindarov, Vincent Keymer, Wesley So, Anish Giri, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, and Jorden van Foreest were joined by wildcards Leinier Domínguez, Levon Aronian, and Awonder Liang. The total prize fund for the event was $200,000, with $50,000 awarded to first place. Full-tour players also competed for tour points that help determine qualification for the 2026 GCT Grand Finals. Praggnanandhaa seized the lead as early as Round 2 and never relinquished it, although Sindarov was hard on his heels. The Indian GM won the rapid segment of the competition, scoring 12/18, and he carried the momentum into the first day of blitz, slightly increasing his lead over Sindarov. The World Championship Challenger pushed hard on the final day of blitz in an attempt to catch Praggnanandhaa, and it all came down to their duel in the penultimate round. Praggnanandhaa needed a draw to secure the title, achieving the result after successfully defending an endgame a pawn down. Notably, the champion won both the rapid and blitz segments of the tournament. Sindarov finished 1.5 points behind Praggnanandhaa, while Wesley So rounded out the podium. Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz Final Standings Photos: Lennart Ootes and Crystal Fuller / Grand Chess Tour Official website: https://grandchesstour.org/
Forty teams confirmed for 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities
Forty teams have entered the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, setting a new participation record for the competition. The tournament runs in Samarkand from 10 to 17 September alongside the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, marking the first time the two events have been staged together. The field has grown with each over-the-board edition, from 26 teams in Belgrade in 2023 to 34 in Astana last October, and now 40 in Samarkand. The tournament will be played as a seven-round Swiss, one round longer than either of the first two editions. Games are played at a time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. Each team consists of four players and one reserve, with at least one player of each gender required to play in every round. The competition brings together players with visual, hearing, and physical disabilities. Poland tops the seedings with an average rating of 2215 and the strongest record in the event’s short history. Poland won the inaugural online edition in 2020, swept all six matches to take gold in Belgrade, and finished second in Astana. The squad is led by IM Marcin Molenda, who scored 5.5/6 on board two in Belgrade, with IM Pawel Piekielny and IM Aleksander Czerwonski also in the line-up. Cuba is seeded second with an average rating of 2200. IM Carlos Larduet Despaigne and IM Pedro Morales Romero, both rated 2274, occupy the first two boards. Third seed Israel brings the highest-rated player in the field in GM Yehuda Gruenfeld (pictured below; center), rated 2379. Gruenfeld won the board-one gold medal in Astana and added two more world titles in May, winning both the rapid and blitz competitions at the World Deaf Chess Championships in Spain at the age of 70. The results also secured his place at the 2027 Deaflympics. He is joined in the Israeli team by IM Eyal Deutsch and IM Andrei Gurbanov. The three international organisations for players with disabilities also enter their own teams. The International Braille Chess Association, representing blind and visually impaired players, are fourth seeds with an average rating of 2137, with IM Predrag Nikac on the top board. The International Physically Disabled Chess Association, whose team took silver in Belgrade, is led by FM Sargis Sargissyan, rated 2254. The International Chess Committee of the Deaf completes the three international teams. Behind the top seeds, the field is tightly packed. Croatia, Germany, Argentina, the United States, the Philippines and Serbia are separated by fewer than 50 average rating points. Switzerland fielded IM Igor Yarmonov, a multiple IPCA world individual champion and, at 2315, the third-highest-rated player in the field. The United States returns with brothers Sullivan and Griffin McConnell after finishing level on match points for sixth place in Astana and placing seventh on tie-break. Celine Atassi, who received the prize for the youngest player in the physical disability category at that event, is also back in the team. Several of last year’s individual medallists return. Kishan Gangolli, who scored an unbeaten 5/6 to win the board-three prize for India in Astana after taking silver on the same board in Belgrade, plays behind IM Shashikant Kutwal. Serbia brings Jovan Pavicevic, who finished second on board two in Astana, and Jovana Pavicevic, who took third place on board five. Croatia’s Domagoj Glazar was third on board two, Argentina’s Leonel Amato third on board one, Kazakhstan’s Aiganym Kambarova first on board five and Bangladesh’s Md Ali Nawaz Sarkar second on the same board. Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza (pictured above), winner of the best-game prize in Astana, returns for the Philippines. The Philippine team also has a podium finish behind them, having taken bronze at the inaugural over-the-board edition in Belgrade. The 40-team field spans four continents. Six African federations have entered: Egypt, Eswatini, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Seven teams come from the Americas, while hosts Uzbekistan will be represented by three teams, seeded 25th, 26th, and 39th. Medals will be awarded to the top three teams, together with individual medals on each of the four boards and the reserve board. Special prizes will recognise the best performance, the most beautiful game, and the youngest and oldest players in each disability category. The opening ceremony will take place on 10 September at 6 p.m. local time. Rounds one to six begin at 3 p.m. daily from 11 September, before the final round starts at 11 a.m. on 17 September. The full list of teams and participants can be found here: https://dis-olympiad2026.fide.com/teams_pwd Official website: https://dis-olympiad2026.fide.com/
FIDE World University Team Championship Finals: Eight teams advance as group stage concludes
The group stage of the inaugural FIDE World University Team Championship Finals came to an exciting conclusion on Thursday in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with the eight quarterfinalists now confirmed after three days of intense competition. With all sixteen participating universities in action for the final time, the last rounds determined which teams would continue their quest for the inaugural title and which would conclude their championship journey. Before play began, the ceremonial first moves reflected both Kazakhstan’s commitment to chess and the inclusive spirit of the championship. The opening game was officially launched by Beket Zharokov, Vice-President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, together with Murat Zhunusov, a para-athlete, chess player and world champion among the visually impaired. On the other board it was made by Timur Buldybayev, Rector of Almaty Management University. The second match featured Saltanat Serikova, Deputy of the Almaty City Maslikhat representing the Respublica Party, and Kazakhstan National Team Coach Dastan Kapayev. Quarterfinalists confirmed After three days of competition, the following teams secured their places in the knockout stage: Pool A: Ural State Mining University and Harvard University Pool B: Saint Louis University and Universidad de Chile Pool C: The University of Texas at Dallas and National Technical University of Athens Pool D: Kazakh National University of Sports (KNUS) and Universitas Gunadarma The quarterfinal pairings are: Saint Louis University vs. Harvard University Universidad de Chile vs. Ural State Mining University Universitas Gunadarma vs. The University of Texas at Dallas KNUS vs. National Technical University of Athens The knockout stage promises a series of fascinating encounters. Host nation hopes now rest with KNUS, who will face the National Technical University of Athens for a place in the semifinals, while tournament favourites Saint Louis University take on Harvard University. Ural State Mining University will play against Universidad de Chile, while Universitas Gunadarma meets the University of Texas at Dallas in another highly anticipated matchup. Reflecting on the significance of the championship, FIDE General Secretary Łukasz Turlej emphasized its importance for the future of chess in education. “We are very happy that after so many events that happened in Kazakhstan over just the last couple of years, we are coming here to Almaty with the World University Team Chess Championships. Very important event, top universities from many different countries, many continents, and this event is one of the most important because in the world of education we have a lot to do with chess.” He also highlighted the growing recognition of chess beyond the chess community. “When non-chess people are talking about chess and the implementation of chess in the educational system, this is the moment that we are very proud of.” While celebrating the progress already made, Turlej stressed that there is still considerable work ahead. “There is a lot of work to be done. We see that there are so many countries where chess is being developed as a tool in education to build the skills of kids and students.” He also pointed to university scholarship systems as an increasingly important opportunity for young players. “If you are a very good chess player, your chances of getting into the university and to get some scholarship are higher and higher. This is an opportunity for chess players to continue their careers both in science and in sport.” While eight universities celebrated qualification, the championship also fulfilled one of its central missions: bringing together students from around the world through chess and education. Even teams whose campaigns ended in the group stage spoke overwhelmingly about the experience, friendships and lessons they would take home. For Peking University, Zechen Li described the championship as a rare opportunity for university players. “It was a very good experience to learn from such strong opponents. For university students, we don’t have many chances to play in a worldwide event.” The University of Melbourne delegation emphasized the value of competing internationally. Chloe Fan noted: “Australia is quite geographically isolated, so being able to come to Kazakhstan and play on the global stage is a huge privilege, and we’re very grateful.” Players from the University of Pretoria highlighted the life skills developed through chess. Rowan Gounder reflected: “Chess isn’t just a game – it’s mental. It teaches you that even after a loss, it’s not over. There’s always the next game.” Representatives of the University of Oxford also reflected on the connection of chess and high education. Ted Paul said: “In chess, you’ll often be losing, but then you come back and refocus. Just like in education, people have their ups and downs, but hopefully you keep fighting and come out on top in the end.” Meanwhile, representatives of Cambridge praised both the international atmosphere and Kazakhstan’s commitment to chess in education. Nicolas Pacetti-Tera said: “Seeing so many strong players who are able to balance chess and university motivates me to try to improve at both at the same time, instead of neglecting chess.” As the championship enters its decisive stage, only eight teams remain in contention for the inaugural FIDE World University Team Championship title. Yet regardless of the results still to come, the group stage has already demonstrated the power of chess to unite students from around the world, promote academic excellence alongside sporting achievement, and showcase the growing role of chess as a valuable educational tool in higher education. Pairings of the Knock-Out Stage of the FIDE World University Team Chess Championship: https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1468184.aspx?lan=1&art=0&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Follow the games live: https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-world-university-team-chess-championship-2026-finals-pool-b/round-1-game-1/czIFifAv Official website: https://worlduniversities2026.fide.com/
Team line-ups confirmed for 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad
The team lists for the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad have been published, revealing a field filled with World Champions, established national-team powers, and some of the brightest young players in chess. 400 teams have been confirmed over the two competitions: 208 in the Open and 192 in the Women’s event. That is twenty more than the record field of 380 at Budapest 2024! The opening ceremony will take place in Samarkand on September 15, followed by 11 classical rounds of competition from September 16 to 27. Based on the submitted line-ups, the United States head the Open starting list, followed by defending champions India, hosts Uzbekistan, China and Germany. In the Women’s competition, India is the top seed team ahead of Georgia, China, Kazakhstan and the United States. Open section: The champions and the champions’ curse The United States top the seeding. Fabiano Caruana (2792) is leading the team, followed by Wesley So (2765), and then the first surprise of the list: Hans Niemann (2725) takes board three, ahead of Levon Aronian (2721), with Awonder Liang (2690) on board five. Niemann and Liang are both making their Olympiad debuts. John Donaldson, who captained the United States to gold in Baku in 2016, returns as captain, with Grigory Oparin as trainer. India defends the Open title with four members of their Budapest team, although the order has been substantially rearranged. Arjun Erigaisi (2759) heads the Indian line-up, with Praggnanandhaa R (2750) on second board. Nihal Sarin (2718), replacing Pentala Harikrishna in the five-player squad, is listed third. Reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju (2703) is fourth, with Vidit Gujrathi (2697) fifth. Srinath Narayanan returns as captain. It is a striking change for Gukesh. In Budapest, he played board one and produced one of the great individual Olympiad performances, scoring 9/10 with a performance rating of 3056. He won individual gold as India finished four match points clear of the field. Arjun also took individual gold on board three. Praggnanandhaa arrives in strong form after winning Norway Chess in June. Speaking to FIDE, he put India’s objective simply: “We won the last Olympiad, so looking forward to defending it.” History, however, is against them. No country has successfully defended the Open title since Armenia won consecutive Olympiads in 2006 and 2008. The last five editions have produced four different champions: China in 2014 and 2018, the United States in 2016, Uzbekistan in 2022 and India in 2024. The host nation might be the most dangerous team in Samarkand, and they have reordered at the top tier as well. Javokhir Sindarov (2777) now leads the squad, ahead of Nodirbek Abdusattorov (2762). Nodirbek Yakubboev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov and Mukhiddin Madaminov complete the team, with former FIDE World Champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov as captain. Four members of the team that won gold in Chennai in 2022 return. Uzbekistan followed that title with bronze in Budapest, where Vokhidov won individual gold on board four. As the host federation, Uzbekistan will field three teams in each competition. Its second Open team is seeded 32nd, giving another group of the country’s young players the opportunity to compete on home soil. China has fielded another team capable of challenging for gold. Top-rated Wei Yi (2752) is followed by former world champion Ding Liren (2733). Yu Yangyi, Xu Xiangyu and Kong Xiangrui complete the squad under captain Yang Wen. China won the Open Olympiad in 2014 and 2018. Wei Yi has since established himself firmly among the world elite, while Ding brings experience from two previous Chinese medal-winning campaigns. Kong, the youngest member of the team, will make his Olympiad debut. Germany is seeded fifth with Vincent Keymer, Matthias Bluebaum, Frederik Svane, Alexander Donchenko and Rasmus Svane. Keymer leads a team containing a recent individual Olympiad medallist: Frederik Svane won reserve gold in Budapest. Jan Gustafsson is captain. The Netherlands follow in sixth place, with Azerbaijan seventh under captain Teimour Radjabov. Hungary, Armenia and France are also within the top ten, leaving very little separation between the teams immediately behind the four favourites. Women’s competition: Humpy returns as India leads the rankings India also begins the Women’s competition as defending champions and top seeds. Their average rating of 2476 places them ahead of Georgia (2449), China (2432), Kazakhstan (2421), the United States (2413) and Ukraine (2398). Humpy Koneru (2524) returns after sitting out Budapest and leads India’s order. Divya Deshmukh (2490) is second, followed by Vaishali Rameshbabu (2489), Vantika Agrawal and young Savitha Shri B. Swayams Mishra is the captain. The team has changed at both ends. Harika Dronavalli, who had been a central part of India’s Olympiad teams for more than a decade, is absent, as is Tania Sachdev. Humpy and Savitha come into the side, while Divya, Vaishali and Vantika return from the team that won gold in Budapest. Divya and Vantika both won individual gold medals in 2024, on boards three and four respectively. Vaishali has since won the Women’s Candidates Tournament and will challenge Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Championship. Ju is not part of China’s Olympiad team. Samarkand also carries good memories for Vaishali. She won the Women’s Grand Swiss there in September 2025, retaining the title she had first claimed in 2023. “Samarkand is one of my favourite places,” she said. “I won the Grand Swiss last year and I am looking forward to being back.” Humpy believes the new combination may be India’s strongest Olympiad team yet. “This is one of the strongest teams that we ever had for the Olympiad,” she said in an interview with Underpromoted. “I also played in the 2022 Olympiad in India, but comparatively, this team is even stronger, and I think we will have our best chance.” She also acknowledged the difficulty of retaining the title. “Winning is something very good, but to retain that title, you need to be playing extremely well,” Humpy said. “It is going to be quite challenging as well.” No country has defended the Women’s Olympiad title since China won consecutive gold medals
Day 2 brings high-level competition and inspiring stories to FIDE World University Team Championship Finals
The inaugural FIDE World University Team Championship Finals continued on Wednesday in Almaty as the battle for the knockout stage intensified, with university teams from around the world fighting for every point. Following another day of intense competition across the four pools, the championship once again highlighted the unique connection between elite chess, higher education, and international friendship. Before the start of play, the ceremonial first move was made by FIDE General Secretary Łukasz Turlej and President and Delegate of the Malaysian Chess Federation Akramshah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi, accompanied by the Executive Director of the Kazakhstan chess federation Gulmira Dauletova, officially launching another exciting day of university chess. The championship also provided an opportunity to showcase Kazakhstan’s long-term commitment to chess in education. Addressing participants, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek underlined the country’s vision: “Today, more than 1,500 schools across Kazakhstan teach chess as part of their curriculum, and 36 universities have already integrated chess into higher education. Chess has become part of the educational journey in Kazakhstan – from primary school to university.” The Minister also emphasized that Kazakhstan sees chess as a key part of developing future generations, making it one of the pillars of the country’s national education strategy. Throughout the day, participants shared how chess has shaped both their academic and personal journeys. Representing the University of Cambridge, Emilia Mezykowska explained that her own chess story began in the classroom. “I actually started playing chess at school through Poland’s ‘Education for Chess at School’ programme. That’s where I learned the rules and played my first tournaments.” Now studying engineering at Cambridge, she believes chess continues to play an important role in her education. “I study engineering, and chess definitely helps with concentration and logical thinking, especially in STEM subjects.” For Davin Yin of Harvard University, the championship has also been an opportunity to experience Kazakhstan for the first time. “I’m really loving Kazakhstan. The people here are wonderful, there’s so much to see and do, and it’s been great sharing this experience with my teammates.” Reflecting on balancing university life with competitive chess, he added: “Studying and chess are all about planning your time well – making sure you have time for classes, homework, and the things you enjoy.” IM Anna Sargsyan, representing Webster University, spoke about the challenges student-athletes face while pursuing excellence both academically and over the chessboard. “Balancing university studies with competitive chess is very difficult. During the academic year, it’s hard to find enough time for both.” With a master’s degree ahead of her, she acknowledged that finding the right balance will remain an important part of her future. The battle for the knockout stage intensified on Day Two as Rounds 3 and 4 concluded in Almaty. With just one day of the group stage remaining, three teams have already secured first place in their respective pools, while several others have booked their places in the quarterfinals. Pool A: Ural State Mining University kept the lead, defeating Unimelb 4-0 in both rounds to secure first place in the group with one day to spare. Harvard University strengthened its hold on second after recording back-to-back 3-1 victories over Peking University. Pool B: Saint Louis University continued its dominant run, sweeping the University of Pretoria 4-0 in both matches to clinch top spot in the group. Webster University and Universidad de Chile shared the points twice, drawing both encounters 2-2, leaving the Chilean team in second place. Pool C: The University of Texas at Dallas is leading with victories over the National Technical University of Athens, winning 3-1 before edging the return match 2½-1½. Almaty Management University stays in contention with a 2½-1½ victory over Cambridge before drawing the second match 2-2, keeping the race for second place alive until the final day. Pool D: KNUS underlined its title ambitions by defeating Oxford University 3½-½ before completing a 4-0 sweep in the return match. Host team KazNU Al-Farabi kept pace with two strong performances against Universitas Gunadarma, winning 4-0 in Round 3 and 2½-1½ in Round 4 to remain firmly in contention for the knockout stage. With just one day of the group stage remaining, Ural State Mining University, Harvard University, Saint Louis University, The University of Texas at Dallas and KNUS have already secured their places in the quarterfinals. The race for the remaining three knockout spots is still wide open. Universidad de Chile will look to confirm second place in Pool B, while in Pool C, National Technical University of Athens, Almaty Management University and Cambridge all remain in contention. In Pool D, host team KazNU al-Farabi will battle Universitas Gunadarma for the second qualifying berth, with both sides still in the hunt for a place in the quarterfinals. Away from the university championship, the day also marked the conclusion of the Kazakhstan vs. the World Youth Chess Match, bringing together some of the world’s most promising young talents. After two days of exciting competition, Team Kazakhstan claimed victory in the boys’ match, while Team World emerged victorious in the girls’ competition. Representing Team Kazakhstan, GM Edgar Mammedov described the event as an unforgettable experience. “It was an intense match. We were playing one of the strongest teams, and for me it was a rematch against the reigning World Under-18 Champion.” Looking ahead, he expressed his excitement about the university championship itself. “I’m really excited that the first FIDE World University Team Championship is taking place in Kazakhstan. I am following this event, and I’m very happy to see it happen here. When I become a university student, I hope I’ll also have the chance to represent my university team. I think it will be a great experience.” For WCM Zhihan Chen of Team World, the event was equally memorable. “I am glad to be here and I enjoy playing chess!” With the group stage continuing tomorrow, the battle for qualification remains wide open, promising another exciting day of world-class university chess. Results after Round 4
Nigeria’s 14-year-old Ekunke Odey Goodness wins FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship 2026
History was made in Abuja as Nigeria’s 14-year-old Ekunke Odey Goodness emerged as the inaugural champion of the FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship 2026, scoring an impressive 9/11. The young Nigerian produced a remarkable performance against a strong field to claim the historic title, finishing ahead of two experienced compatriots, FM Eugene Ekpoikong Unwana and FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha, who were second and third, respectively, with 8½ points each. The championship, organised by FIDE and the Nigeria Chess Federation in Abuja, was played over 11 rounds with the time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment. Sambo’s sensational rise and dramatic fall One of the most compelling stories of the championship was the rise of 17-year-old Joseph Sambo, who produced a series of outstanding results to establish himself as a serious contender for the title. Sambo’s campaign reached its high point in the eighth round when he defeated the tournament’s teenage leader, Ekunke Goodness. The victory came after he had already defeated Ekunke’s coach and mentor, FM Bomo Kigigha, making his run through the championship an extraordinary story of overcoming both teacher and student. The 17-year-old continued his charge in Round 9, scoring a win over AIM Sahil Sanjay Shejal, and headed into the final two rounds with a genuine chance for the title. However, the title slipped away in the final stretch. In Round 10, Sambo fell to Eugene Unwana, and his hopes of winning the championship suffered another decisive blow in the final round when he lost to Lanre Seye Oluwalasinu. Joseph eventually finished fourth with 7½ points, just half a point outside the podium. Eugene Unwana emerges from the shadows If Ekunke’s triumph was the headline story, FM Eugene Ekpoikong Unwana was undoubtedly the championship’s late sensation. After quietly building his position through the tournament, Eugene announced himself emphatically on the final day. He defeated FM Bomo Kigigha in Round 9 and then notched up another crucial victory over Sambo Joseph in Round 10, suddenly finding himself within touching distance of the championship title. His final-round encounter against Ekunke became the decisive battle of the championship. Unwana, playing White, entered the last round on 8 points, while Ekunke had 8½ points. With everything at stake, the two Nigerians battled to a draw, securing the 14-year-old the championship with 9 points. Eugene’s 8½ points were enough to earn him the silver medal, while Bomo Kigigha also finished on 8½ points but took bronze on tie-break. India makes its mark in Abuja The championship also featured strong representation from India, adding an important international dimension to the inaugural event. Leading the Indian challenge was AIM Sahil Sanjay Shejal, who finished an impressive fifth overall with 7½ points. Shejal remained firmly in the mix during the closing stages of the championship and faced 17-year-old Sambo Joseph in Round 9, in a game that formed part of Joseph’s dramatic late push for the title. Another Indian player who attracted attention was AFM Aryan Raj, who faced 14-year-old Ekunke Goodness in Round 7. Ekunke’s victory over the Indian player became another significant milestone in his championship campaign, coming shortly after his memorable Round 6 draw against his coach and mentor, FM Bomo Kigigha. The presence and performances of the Indian players added further international flavour to a championship ultimately dominated by a thrilling battle among the leading Nigerian players. With the inaugural title staying in Nigeria, the event nonetheless showcased the competitive strength and global appeal of amateur chess, bringing players from Nigeria, India, and other countries together in Abuja. Final standings A championship of generations The final standings offered a remarkable picture of Nigerian chess: a 14-year-old champion, a 17-year-old challenger who briefly seized control of the tournament, and experienced players who fought through the final rounds for the medals. The inaugural championship has also produced a compelling narrative for Nigerian chess, one of youthful brilliance, mentorship, rivalry and resilience, while Abuja witnessed the emergence of a new world champion whose name will now be permanently associated with the history of the FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship. Up next: The FIDE World Amateur Blitz Chess Championships! Photos: Nigeria Chess Federation Official website: https://nigeriachessfederation.com/wacc2026/
History made in Almaty as inaugural FIDE World University Team Chess Championship gets underway
History was made in Almaty, Kazakhstan, as the inaugural FIDE World University Team Chess Championship officially began, bringing together university teams from across the globe for the first-ever edition of the competition. Hosted by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University as part of FIDE’s Year of Chess in Education 2026, the championship celebrates not only sporting excellence but also the growing role of chess in higher education. The event provides a unique platform where students from leading universities combine academic achievement with international competition, fostering friendships and cultural exchange through the game of chess. From the moment the delegations arrived in Almaty, participants were welcomed with Kazakhstan’s renowned hospitality. Traditional music, national cuisine and cultural performances introduced visiting teams to the country’s rich heritage, creating a warm atmosphere before the tournament officially began. Grand opening The championship officially opened at the Farabi Hub of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University with a vibrant ceremony celebrating Kazakhstan’s culture and commitment to chess and education. The event featured traditional performances before welcome addresses from representatives of the Government of Kazakhstan, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation Timur Turlov welcomed participants to Almaty, describing the championship as a milestone for both Kazakhstan and university chess worldwide. “We are very happy to finally host this long-awaited tournament. It is a great responsibility for us to organize the first event of this size in our country, and we are honored to welcome outstanding universities from all over the world,” he said. Turlov emphasized that the inaugural championship is about much more than competition. He noted that it provides students with an opportunity to build international friendships, discover Kazakhstan’s culture and hospitality, and strengthen ties that extend beyond the chessboard. He also highlighted the country’s commitment to chess in education, pointing to the rapid growth of school and university chess programmes across Kazakhstan. Chess beyond the board While medals are at stake in Almaty, the championship is equally a celebration of the educational values of chess and the opportunities it creates for students around the world. Representing the University of Oxford, Andrea Henderson de La Fuente, a PhD student in astrophysics, described competing in Kazakhstan as a memorable opportunity. Although her demanding research leaves limited time for competitive chess, she believes the game continues to shape her academic life. “Growing up playing chess, the biggest thing I’ve noticed is my concentration. I can concentrate for a long period of time without getting distracted.” Andrea also spoke about Oxford’s long chess tradition, where students regularly meet to play and compete together. Despite entering the tournament as one of the lower-seeded teams in their group, expectations remain realistic. “We’re here to have a good time and do the best we can. If we manage to get to the knockout stage, great – but we’re really here for the experience.” Students from the University of Melbourne shared a similar passion for combining academics with competitive chess. Chloe and Ryan, both Bachelor of Science students, first discovered chess through school clubs when they were six or seven years old. For Chloe, the attraction of chess has never faded: “Every game is different. No matter how many games you play, every game is different, and it’s very exciting to keep learning new things.” Ryan explained what fascinates him most about the game: “I really enjoy the pattern recognition aspect. You can apply certain ideas in completely different positions, and it just works out. I think it’s really cool.” Balancing university studies with tournament preparation requires commitment, but Ryan described chess as her reward after a productive day: “As soon as I finish my work, it’s chess. I go online, prepare openings, prepare lines. It’s a reward for me after studying, and that keeps me motivated.” The students also highlighted the welcoming atmosphere of the University of Melbourne Chess Club, which has experienced significant growth over the past year: “Everyone can play. If people don’t know how to play, we teach them.” Reflecting on the educational value of chess, the students concluded: “Chess touches on patience, resilience, logical thinking and calculation. But at the end of the day, I think chess is an art. It’s beautiful, and it’s something that we can all enjoy and connect with.” Their stories perfectly capture the spirit of the championship, where students from different countries are united not only by competition but also by education, friendship, and a shared passion for chess. Round 1 Competition officially began with the opening round of the group stage, with each pairing consisting of two matches played with alternating colours. Pool A: Ural State Mining University took the early lead in Pool A after defeating Peking University 4-0 in both matches. Harvard University claimed second place after beating the University of Melbourne 2½-1½ before drawing the return match 2-2. Pool B: Saint Louis University dominated Webster University, winning 3½-½ and 4-0 to top the standings. Universidad de Chile secured second place after drawing 2-2 with the University of Pretoria before winning the second encounter 3½-½. Pool C: The University of Texas at Dallas swept Cambridge 4-0 and 3½-½ to finish the day on top. National Technical University of Athens followed closely after two 2½-1½ victories over Almaty Management University. Pool D: Host team KazNU Al-Farabi delighted the home crowd by defeating Oxford University 3-1 and 3½-½. KNUS opened with a 3-1 victory over Universitas Gunadarma before drawing the return match 2-2 to secure second place. The group stage continues on Wednesday as teams battle for the top two places in each pool and qualification for the knockout stage. Leaders after the Round 1 of the group stage: KazNU Al-Farabi, The University of Texas at Dallas, Ural State Mining University, and Saint Louis University. Inspiring the next generation Alongside the university championship, Almaty is also hosting the Kazakhstan vs the World children’s team match, further highlighting the event’s commitment to promoting chess across all generations. The young players took to the boards in the rapid competition on Tuesday, with Kazakhstan’s boys securing a 14½-9½ victory over the
FIDE World University Team Chess Championship starts in Almaty
Two international chess tournaments have kicked off in Almaty: the finals of the FIDE World University Team Chess Championship and a match between the Kazakhstani and the World Youth teams. From August 4 to 9, teams from 16 universities across the globe, including institutions with centuries-old academic history and rich chess traditions, such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard, will compete for the prestigious title. The chess clubs of these universities have existed for more than a century and a half. Their teams represent not only leading educational institutions but also an entire era in the history of university chess. Kazakhstan is represented by teams from three universities: the Kazakh National University of Sports, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and Almaty Management University. Today, Almaty hosted the opening ceremony for both events. “Today, Kazakhstan becomes the meeting place for the strongest young chess players representing the world’s leading educational institutions. Hosting this championship in Kazakhstan is a recognition of the level of development of domestic chess and our country’s capacity to host major international intellectual sporting events. Head of State Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev pays special attention to the development of chess, viewing it not only as a sport but also as a crucial part of intellectual culture, education, and the upbringing of the younger generation,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva in a video address to the participants. Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek noted that consistent work continues in the country to develop chess education and train teaching personnel. As part of the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Chess for 2023–2027, a minor program titled “Chess Teacher” has been introduced in pedagogical universities, aimed at building additional professional competencies among future teachers. “Chess is not only an intellectual game but also an effective educational tool that develops critical thinking, independence, responsibility, and the capacity for strategic planning. That is why it is fundamentally important for us to train educators capable of professionally integrating chess education into the learning process. Today, this work is already yielding concrete results: more than 200 students from five pedagogical universities have completed training under the ‘Chess Teacher’ Minor program, and educational programs that include chess education disciplines are being implemented in 31 universities across the country. The next important stage was the opening of the KazChessLab educational and methodological laboratory at QyzPU. It will become a center for developing modern teaching methods, providing scientific and methodological support for chess education, and training a new generation of teachers,” the minister said. Hosting the tournament continues Kazakhstan’s large-scale cooperation with FIDE. In November 2025, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with representatives of FIDE. The parties discussed the further development of cooperation, holding major international competitions in Kazakhstan, and implementing joint chess projects. The President of Kazakhstan emphasized that chess is not only a sport but also an important part of intellectual culture, upbringing, and education. Special attention in the country is paid to the development of chess infrastructure and the promotion of the game among children and youth. President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation Timur Turlov emphasized that holding the tournament in Almaty confirms the position of Kazakhstan and the national federation in the global chess movement, while the development of student chess is a key priority, as the university environment helps to form connections that reach far beyond sports. “We know from history that chess was born in India, gained strength in Persia, and spread across the world along numerous trade routes, one of which passed right here, at the foot of the Almaty mountains. Fifteen hundred years later, the game has returned to where it once journeyed onward. And the fact that Kazakhstan and Almaty are hosting this historic milestone today speaks louder than any words about the strength of our country and our federation, which has rightfully become one of the locomotives of world chess. At the same time, the development of student chess is one of our top priorities, because it is in the university environment today that ties and acquaintances are forged that go far beyond the chessboard and continue in science, education, and joint projects around the world,” stated President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation Timur Turlov. Deputy Akim of Almaty Nurlan Abdrakhim noted that Almaty is justifiably considered a student city, home to more than 236,000 students, making it symbolic that it is hosting a championship uniting youth from different countries of the world. “Almaty can rightfully be called a student city: today, more than 236,000 students study here. It is one of the largest educational and youth centers in the country, where leading universities are concentrated and opportunities are created for study, development, sports, and realizing new ideas. Therefore, it is especially symbolic that Almaty is hosting a championship that brings together students from different countries of the world – today, students from the world’s leading universities such as Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, and others have arrived here. Such competitions give young people the opportunity not only to excel in sports but also to communicate, exchange experience, and get to know each other’s culture and traditions,” said Deputy Akim of Almaty Nurlan Abdrakhim. The following universities are participating in the finals of the FIDE World University Team Chess Championship (listed according to the average classical (standard) FIDE ratings of the team members as of August 1): Saint Louis University (USA): 2577; Ural State Mining University (Yekaterinburg, FIDE): 2514; University of Texas at Dallas (USA): 2441; Kazakh National University of Sports (Astana): 2420; National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) (Greece): 2393; Universitas Gunadarma (Depok, Indonesia): 2358; Webster University (St. Louis, USA): 2223; Universidad de Chile (Santiago, Chile): 2152; University of Cambridge (UK): 2136; The University of Melbourne (Australia): 2116; Harvard University (USA): 2099; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Farabi University) (Almaty): 2064; University of Oxford (UK): 2039; Almaty Management University: 2024; University of Pretoria (South Africa): 1909;
FIDE Circuit 2026–2027: Sindarov moves into the lead
Javokhir Sindarov overtook his countryman Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the FIDE Circuit 2026–2027 race following his double victory at the Naroditsky Memorial in Charlotte, USA. Abdusattorov picked up 9.47 points for his runner-up finish at the 2026 Super Rapid and Blitz Croatia, but it was not enough to preserve his lead. It should be noted that Sindarov’s score is the sum of five tournaments, whereas Abdusattorov has played four. Wesley So gained 7.5 circuit points in Charlotte and climbed to the fourth position, while Haik Martirosyan earned 12.53 points for his second-place finish at the Open International d’Aix-en-Provence to reach sixth place in the race. Alireza Firouzja made his presence felt after two impressive tournament victories in July. Following his triumphs at the Super Rapid and Blitz Croatia and the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters, the Iran-born Frenchman broke into the top 10. With just two events counting toward the race so far, he is poised to be a serious contender for the top position in the standings. Arjun Erigaisi also recorded two strong performances in July: his shared fourth place in the III International Chess Tournament UzChess Cup – Masters and a third-place finish at the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters also propelled him into the top 10. Just outside the top 10, we see the surge of Andrew Hong, the winner of the Aktobe Open 2026 Vladimir Dvorkovich Memorial, and Mukhiddin Madaminov, who triumphed in the III International Chess Tournament UzChess Cup – Masters. August will be an important month, as the top three in the open Circuit standings as of 1 September 2026 qualify for the Total Chess pilot event. In the women’s Circuit, the Asian Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 – the only two events counting toward the race in July – minimally affected the order at the top, with Bibisara Assaubayeva maintaining her lead over Zhu Jiner and Vaishali Rameshbabu. For more information, visit the official webpages for the FIDE Circuit 2026-27 and FIDE Women’s Circuit 2026-27.