Bojan Maksimović wins 2026 Serbian Championship
GM Bojan Maksimović emerged victorious at the 20th Serbian Individual Chess Championship, claiming his maiden national title. The 20th Serbian Individual Chess Championship, a 10-player round-robin, took place in Senta from 13-21 June. For the first time in the history of the open section, the 2026 edition featured a female participant – national team player Sofia Pogorelskikh. Maksimović made a flying start, winning three consecutive games to seize the lead – a position he never relinquished. He secured the title with a round to spare, totaling 6.5/9. “Before the start of the championship, I was hoping for one of the top three places, although I wasn’t sure about my form. However, it turned out that I was in good shape. Although the tournament was long and demanding, with many difficult games, I capitalized on my opponents’ mistakes, and in the end everything worked out as it should,” Maksimović said after his victory. IM Stefan Tadić finished half a point behind the champion and claimed silver, while GM Mihail Brjakin took bronze with 5.5/9. 2026 Serbian Chess Championship – Final Standings The top three players also earned the right to participate in the next Individual Championship of Serbia. Trophies and medals were presented to the winners by Goran Vlajković, Vice President of the Chess Federation of Serbia. Photos: Šahovski savez Srbije
Nepal Championship 2026: Rupesh Jaiswal and Kritisara Adhikari claim titles
The 26th Nepal National Chess Championship and the 11th Nepal Women’s National Chess Championship 2026 concluded in Hotel Kamakshya, Damak, Koshi Province. Held from 14–19 June 2026, the event brought together the country’s top chess players, with 12 qualified participants competing in Open and Women’s categories under a round-robin format. The championships were organized jointly by the Province Sports Development Board, Koshi Province, and the Jhapa District Chess Association under the auspices of the Nepal Chess Federation. In the Open section, top seed FM Rupesh Jaiswal successfully defended his national title, scoring an impressive 9.5/11. The champion completed the event undefeated and finished two points ahead of runner-up Ashish Phunyal. Final standings – Open In the Women’s section, Kritisara Adhikari delivered an excellent performance and, despite a sixth-round setback, emerged as the champion with 8.5/11. Pooja Bhandari and Nihana Shrestha claimed silver and bronze, respectively. Final standings – Women Based on their performances in the national championships, the following players qualified to represent Nepal at the 46th Chess Olympiad: Open Team: FM Rupesh Jaiswal Ashish Phunyal Rajan Subedi CM Sushrut Dahal CM Purushottam Dilwal Women’s Team: Sindira Joshi Kritisara Adhikari Pooja Bhandari Nihana Shrestha Angel Maharjan The Nepal Chess Federation congratulates all participants, winners, and qualifiers and extends its appreciation to the organizers, officials, sponsors, and supporters who contributed to the successful conduct of the championships.
Dragon Chilling complete golden double at the FIDE World Team Blitz Championship
China’s Dragon Chilling crowned a remarkable week in Hong Kong by winning the FIDE World Team Blitz Chess Championship, defeating Endgame.AI in the final and adding the blitz title to their rapid gold. The victory earned the Chinese squad the €75,000 first prize from the €190,000 Blitz Championship prize fund. The final day at Queen Elizabeth Stadium delivered everything expected from elite blitz: upsets, tie-breaks, sudden swings and several favourites falling before the medal matches. Dragon Chilling survived a difficult quarterfinal against Mr Birdie and Friends, edged Uzbekistan in the semifinals, and then dominated the final against Endgame.AI. This is the first time a team from China has won the WTRBСС event. Endgame.AI took second place and €50,000, while Uzbekistan won bronze and €30,000 after a dramatic third-place match against Hexamind. Fourth place went to Hexamind who took €20,000, while WR Chess, the top-rated team and defenders of the 2025 Blitz crown, had to settle for fifth place and €15,000 after being knocked out by Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals. At the closing ceremony, FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand praised Hong Kong’s role as host, saying: “Hong Kong did not simply host the event – it embraced it, lifted it, and gave it a stage worthy of the world’s best players.” He also underlined the broader message of the event: “Chess does not belong only to the elite. It belongs to clubs, schools, families, local communities and every player who loves the game.” Geoffrey Kao, Honorary President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, said Hong Kong had made a statement: “We proved that Hong Kong is not just a hub of finance and commerce. We are also a stage of international chess.” Prize winners: FIDE World Team Blitz Championship 1st: Dragon Chilling – €75,0002nd: Endgame.AI – €50,0003rd: Uzbekistan – €30,0004th: Hexamind – €20,0005th: WR Chess – €15,000 A closer look at the final day The day began with the traditional first move ceremony on the top boards. Alpha Lau, Director General of Investment Promotion of Hong Kong, and Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har, Member of the Board of Directors of Hong Kong Science and Technology began with the traditional first move ceremony on the top boards. Alpha Lau, Director General of Investment Promotion of Parks, made the ceremonial move in the game between Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Magnus Carlsen, part of the Uzbekistan vs WR Chess quarter-final clash. That match immediately produced the day’s first major shock. Uzbekistan defeated WR Chess 3.5:2.5 in the opening match, helped by strong results on the lower boards. WR pushed hard in the return match, but Carlsen lost to Abdusattorov, and the match ended 3:3, sending Uzbekistan through and eliminating one of the tournament favourites from the medal race. Endgame.AI also caused an upset, knocking out Team MGD1. Led by Hans Niemann, Endgame.AI won the first match 3.5:2.5 and then held the return match to secure a place in the semi-finals. Hexamind advanced by defeating Chessgurukul 3.5:2.5 in both matches, while Dragon Chilling had to survive the only quarter-final playoff, coming from behind against Mr Birdie and Friends before winning the tie-break 4:2. The 5th–8th place playoffs produced an unusual sight: Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Praggnanandhaa R and Arjun Erigaisi all playing in matches for 5th to 8th place. WR Chess eventually won fifth place after defeating Team MGD1 in a tie-break, but their day was marked by disappointment. Despite being the strongest-rated team in the field, WR Chess finished without a medal, with Carlsen suffering three defeats on the final day. In the semi-finals, Dragon Chilling and Uzbekistan traded heavy blows. Dragon Chilling won the first match 4.5:1.5, only for Uzbekistan to respond with the same score in the return match. In the tie-break, however, Dragon Chilling again found their rhythm, winning 4.5:1.5 to reach the final. The second semi-final was equally tense. Hexamind edged the first match against Endgame.AI after Volodar Murzin defeated Leinier Dominguez in a bishop endgame. But Endgame.AI responded with a crushing 5:1 victory in the return match, then won the tie-break 4:2 to book their place in the final. Uzbekistan then secured bronze in spectacular fashion. After losing the first match to Hexamind 4:2, they struck back 3.5:2.5 to force tie-breaks. There, Uzbekistan dominated, winning 5.5:0.5 to claim third place and the €30,000 prize. Dragon Chilling dominate the finals The final between Dragon Chilling and Endgame.AI opened with a powerful statement from former World Champion Ding Liren, who defeated Hans Niemann on board one. Dragon Chilling followed through across the match, winning 5:1 and putting Endgame.AI under immediate pressure. The second match confirmed the direction of the final. Ding drew his game, but his teammates took over: Ju Wenjun, Wei Yi, Lu Shanglei and Wang Zihao all scored victories, while Yu Yangyi drew the last game against Alexey Sarana. Dragon Chilling sealed the match and completed a golden double in Hong Kong. “We prepared for a long time and played as a family; we are a family,” said Grandmaster Ni Hua, captain of Dragon Chilling, after the victory. Champions crowned in the inaugural Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup Golden Stars from Vietnam won first place after a dramatic Armageddon showdown with Pool B winners Bosoo Noyon. The first match between the two finalists ended in a draw. This meant that the winner was decided in an Armageddon match on board one. According to Armageddon rules, a draw means victory for Black, however, Black has less time than White. Following the rules, the teams placed their secret bids for the lowest time for Black. Mongolian team Bosoo Noyon had the lowest bid (four minutes) and were awarded Black pieces. Unfortunately for them, their top board lost the match, handing the first place to Golden Stars from Vietnam. That Nhu Tung, team captain of Golden Stars, said he was exceptionally happy with the result “especially given that we came here just for fun.” “In Vietnam amateur chess is very big, but we don’t have a lot of professionals. The parents clubbed
World Youth Chess Championship 2026: Final sprint begins after rest day
The FIDE World Youth Chess Championship held at the Pala Dean Martin Congress Center in Montesilvano has now crossed the halfway stage. With six rounds completed, the battle for the titles in the Open and Girls Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 categories remains wide open. Each round has produced intense and exciting encounters, and at this stage it is still difficult to identify a clear favourite in any section, with several players remaining firmly in contention. Let’s take a look at the current situation in each category. Open Under-18 If rating is any indication, the Open Under-18 section is one of the strongest and most competitive events of the championship. At the end of Round 6, FM Louis Vallee of France and FM Vache Hovakimyan of Armenia share the lead with 5.5/6. Their direct encounter in the next round could potentially produce a sole leader, although with six players just half a point behind on 5 points, the race remains completely open. In Round 6, Vallee scored an important victory on the top board with the black pieces against Latvia’s CM Georgijs Germanovs, who had started the day as the sole leader. Playing a Sicilian Rossolimo Attack, Vallee launched a powerful kingside offensive and converted his advantage into a win after 54 moves. Meanwhile, on Board 3, Hovakimyan defeated third seed IM Artem Pingin. The game featured a Nimzo-Indian Defence, and after several exchanges, gradually transitioned into an endgame. Hovakimyan’s active pieces and superior pawn play proved decisive, allowing him to secure victory in 44 moves and join the lead. Standings after Round 6: https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1438701.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=LAT&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Girls Under-18 The biggest game of Round 6 in the Girls Under-18 section took place on the top board, where second seed WFM Valeria Kleymenova faced top seed and tournament favourite WIM Zarina Nurgaliyeva of Kazakhstan. Kleymenova emerged victorious to score her sixth consecutive win and become the sole leader with a perfect 6/6 score. Playing White in a Closed Catalan, Valeria established an early advantage thanks to her superior space. Although Nurgaliyeva fought back after the queens were exchanged and managed to improve her position as the game opened up, a problematic light-squared bishop that remained passive throughout the endgame eventually proved to be her undoing. Valeria converted her advantage confidently and maintained her perfect score. Meanwhile, on Board 2, India’s WFM Pratitee Bordoloi, seeded 16th, defeated Narmin Abdinova of Azerbaijan to move into clear second place with 5.5 points. As a result, the Round 7 clash between Kleymenova and Bordoloi has become one of the most important games of the tournament so far. At the moment, Kleymenova and Bordoloi appear to have pulled away from the rest of the field. Behind them, as many as eleven players are tied on 4.5 points, keeping the race for the medals very much alive. Standings after Round 6: https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1438698.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=LAT&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Open Under-16 The Open Under-16 section witnessed a result very similar to that of the Open Under-18 category, as the tournament leader at the start of the round also suffered defeat. India’s IM Krishna H. Goutham, who had won his first five games in a row, was beaten by FM Oleksii Karvatskyi of Ukraine. Playing with the white pieces, Karvatskyi outplayed Goutham in a Caro-Kann Defence. Although the Indian IM obtained a promising position out of the opening, he was unable to cope with the pressure generated by Karvatskyi’s kingside attack. The Ukrainian gradually increased the initiative and eventually forced resignation on move 40. The victory propelled Karvatskyi into sole first place with 5.5 points out of 6. Behind him, the chase remains extremely close, with six players sharing second place on 5 points, including Goutham himself. Standings after Round 6: https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1438700.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=LAT&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Girls Under-16 The Girls Under-16 section has developed in a manner very similar to the Girls Under-18 category, with Jiang Tianyu of China emerging as the player to beat. Tianyu has won all six of her games so far and leads the standings with a perfect 6/6 score, strengthening her credentials as one of the leading contenders for the title. Four players remain in pursuit on 5 points, one full point behind the leader. In Round 6, Tianyu defeated Oksana Goriachkina (FIDE) on the top board. Playing a Petroff Defence with the black pieces, Goriachkina managed to equalize comfortably out of the opening, and the game remained balanced for a long time. However, Tianyu initiated a kingside attack and gradually increased the pressure. A queen exchange on move 27 proved to be a critical mistake from Black’s perspective, and the Chinese player went on to convert her advantage comfortably, securing victory on move 43. Elsewhere, second seed WIM Rachael Li of the United States defeated WFM Aiaru Altynbek of Kazakhstan on Board 3, while on Board 4, WFM Veranika Abramkina (FIDE) scored an important win against WIM Diana Khafizova (FIDE). Standings after Round 6: https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1438697.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=FID&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Open Under-14 The Open Under-14 section remains one of the most intriguing events of the championship, largely because defending champion IM Mark Smirnov of Kazakhstan is attempting to retain the title he won in the previous edition. However, with several rounds still to be played, the battle remains completely open. At the end of Round 6, FM Ethan Guo of the United States leads the standings with 5.5 points. Close behind him are no fewer than nine players on 5 points, including Smirnov, ensuring that the fight for the title remains wide open heading into the second half of the tournament. In Round 6, Guo drew with FM Tyhran Ambartsumian of Armenia while playing with the black pieces on the top board. Meanwhile, Smirnov, who had already conceded two draws earlier in the event, bounced back strongly with a victory over FM Alvaro Torres Rebolledo of Spain. Playing with the black pieces, the defending champion secured a valuable win to remain firmly in contention for another world title. Standings after Round 6: https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1438699.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6&fed=FID&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Girls Under-14 The Girls Under-14 section saw a cautious day on the top boards, with the leading players avoiding unnecessary risks as the tournament headed into its rest day. Zahra Allahverdi of Azerbaijan remains the sole leader with 5.5 points. After winning her first five games, she was held to a draw
FIDE Youth World Cup U8-U12 reaches midpoint
After five rounds played at the FIDE Youth World Cup 2026 in Batumi, the tournament is starting to heat up. Hundreds of young players from around the world are competing with dedication and sportsmanship, embodying the spirit of chess that unites nations beyond borders. Several players hold a perfect score of 5/5 and lead their respective sections: Elizabeth Zhou (USA) – U12 Girls Chen Zhihan (CHN) – U10 Girls Ulemj Mendsaikhan (MGL) – U8 Open Shatsila Miraslava (FID) and Shanojan Akshara (SRI) – U8 Girls In the U12 Open category, Mustafa Demirkan (TUR) emerged as the sole leader with 4.5/5, while the U10 Open, a tightly contested section, has seven leaders with 4.5 points: Mani Sarbartho (IND), Batbileg Boldbaatar (MGL), Li Aiden Linyuan (USA), Elemes Nurmukhamed (KAZ), Damnitski Uladzislau (FID), Nurshin Nurali (KAZ), and Yilanli Mehmet (USA). Standings after Round 5: U8 Girls https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1435097.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U8 Open https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1435087.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U10 Girls https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1435098.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U10 Open https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1435092.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U12 Girls https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1435099.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 U12 Open https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1435095.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&flag=30&SNode=S0 Games in all age categories are being broadcast live, allowing chess fans, parents, coaches, and supporters around the world to follow the action in real time. This technology provides maximum accessibility and brings the excitement of the tournament to a global audience, further underscoring the prestige and high standard of the event. Follow the games here: https://www.chess.com/events/world-cadets-cup-2026-girls-08/games Bodybuilder David Mskhaladze as a special guest One of the rounds began with a ceremonial first move in the Under 12 Open category, made by the guest of honor, renowned bodybuilder David Mskhaladze. The appearance of the “Georgian Giant” became a memorable moment for the young participants. Many of the players were pleasantly surprised by his visit and watched him with curiosity and admiration as he walked among the chessboards, observing the games and positions. Players, arbiters, and guests of the tournament took many memorable photos with him. David remarked that it was inspiring to witness the concentration, focus, and strong will displayed by these young chess players. “Sport unites all of us, whether it’s physical or mental. Also, many thanks to Mr. Akaki Iashvili for creating such a wonderful atmosphere! Thanks and all the best!” Mskhaladze said. Every game matters Reflecting on the significance of the championship and the opportunities it provides for young players, Chief Arbiter Gopakumar M. S. shared his thoughts on the event, emphasizing its international character and its importance for the development of future chess stars. “As Chief Arbiter, I am truly delighted to be part of this remarkable championship. With an impressive participation of 662 players from 68 countries, the event offers an exceptional platform for budding talents to compete against one another at a truly global level. The format itself is highly engaging, as players are not only striving for top honors here but also aiming to secure qualification for the World Cadet Championship this November. This unique structure ensures that every game carries significance and fosters a spirit of competitive excellence. Such an environment, where young players are exposed to high standards and the opportunity to compete with the best in their age category, will undoubtedly contribute immensely to their growth and future in the game,” he said. FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar in Batumi Simultaneously with the tournament, a FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar is being held in Batumi from 17 to 21 June 2026. The seminar is organized by the Georgian Chess Federation under the auspices of FIDE. The seminar is led by experienced IA Ashot Vardapetyan (ARM), who is delivering comprehensive lectures on the Laws of Chess, tournament regulations, arbiters’ responsibilities, and practical aspects of officiating international competitions. A total of 24 arbiters representing three different countries are taking part in the seminar. The program is designed in accordance with FIDE regulations and provides participants with the opportunity to earn norms and qualify for the FIDE Arbiter title. The seminar will conclude with an official examination, during which participants will demonstrate their understanding of FIDE rules and arbitral procedures. Photos: Mindia Malakhmadze Official website: https://wcc2026.fide.com/
Favourites prevail on first day of FIDE World Team Blitz Championship
The FIDE World Team Blitz Chess Championship kicked off today in Hong Kong, with an intense opening day featuring both the pool stage and the first elimination round. Of 48 teams at the start of play, only eight remain in contention for the title, with most of the favourites successfully navigating the first test of the blitz event. Unlike the Rapid Championship, which was played as a single 12-round Swiss tournament, the Blitz event has a two-stage format: pools followed by knockouts. The 48 teams were divided into four pools of 12 teams each, with every pool played as a round-robin. The top four teams from each pool advanced to the Round of 16, which was also played today. From that point, the tournament became direct elimination, with each duel consisting of two blitz matches with colours reversed. If the score is still level, tie-breaks decide who advances. The pool phase In Pool A, defending blitz champions WR Chess recovered from a disappointing Rapid Championship and showed why they remain one of the most dangerous teams in this format. They won every match except one: a surprising 3:3 draw against China’s Schnappi Krokodil Team. In that encounter, WR’s top boards suffered heavily, with Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana both losing, while Alexandra Kosteniuk also fell on the women’s board. Wesley So and Jan-Krzysztof Duda steadied the match in the middle boards, before team owner Wadim Rosenstein won on the final board to secure the draw. Chess United, headed by former World Champion Viswanathan Anand and featuring the young Argentinian star Faustino Oro, finished second. Their only major setback was a heavy 5:1 defeat against WR Chess. Barys took third place after scoring eight wins, two losses and one draw, while China’s Schnappi Krokodil Team completed an excellent pool-stage run, losing only two matches and taking the final qualifying spot. In Pool B, Endgame.AI, led by Hans Niemann, secured the top spot after winning 10 matches and drawing one. Rapid champions Dragon Chilling also advanced comfortably, finishing second with nine wins and two draws. Indian Chessgurukul and Indonesia claimed the remaining two qualifying places. Endgame.AI and Dragon Chilling were the only two teams in Pool B to go through the pool stage undefeated. In Pool C, Hexamind and Uzbekistan set the pace, chasing each other for first place throughout the day. Hexamind eventually came out on top, winning 10 matches and drawing one. Uzbekistan finished second, also unbeaten, with eight wins and three draws. Team MGD1, one of the strongest squads in the field, took third place, while Sky Chess secured the fourth and final qualification spot. Pool D produced the only perfect score of the day. Mr Birdie and Friends, one of the standout teams of the Rapid Championship, won all 11 matches to take clear first. Their lower boards were especially impressive: Carissa Yip and Ning Yunlong both scored 10/11, giving the team a major advantage throughout the round-robin. KazChess finished second on 18 match points, Odlar Yurdu from Azerbaijan took third, and Interstellar Club claimed fourth place to reach the knockouts. The first knockout round The Round of 16 immediately raised the stakes: every pairing was played as a two-match duel, with only the winners advancing to the final day. The favourites largely held their ground. WR Chess, Hexamind, Endgame.AI, Mr Birdie and Friends, Dragon Chilling, Team MGD1 and Uzbekistan all made it through, while Chessgurukul produced the upset of the round by eliminating Chess United. There was still plenty of tension. Dragon Chilling were held to a draw by Barys in the first match before pulling away with a 4:2 win in the second. Uzbekistan also had to work hard, drawing the first match against Odlar Yurdu before edging the second 3.5:2.5. Endgame.AI’s Hans Niemann had a strong run on his birthday, although the day ended on a bitter individual note as he lost his final blitz game in the knockout round to Xu Xiangyu, rated nearly 200 points lower. The biggest surprise was the elimination of Chess United. The team led by Viswanathan Anand fell to the Indian squad Chessgurukul, losing 4:2 in the first match and then suffering a heavy 5:1 defeat in the second. It was a major statement from Chessgurukul and a sharp reminder that, in blitz, reputation offers little protection once the clocks start ticking. Everything will be decided tomorrow, when the quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place match and final will determine the 2026 FIDE World Team Blitz Champions. Six Amateur Rapid Cup finalistsThe pool stage of the inaugural FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup concluded on Saturday in Hong Kong. After nine rounds, three first-placed teams from each group go on to fight in the finals. The top three teams in Pool A:Golden Stars (15 match points)Tam Sky (14 match points)Le Petit Prince (14 match points) The top three teams in Pool B:Bosoo Noyon (16 match points)Hong Kong Young Dragons (14 match points)Aton Chess (13 match points) The top three teams from each pool advance to the final stage, where the pool winners play for the title, the runners-up meet for third place, and the third-placed teams contest fifth place. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Michal Walusza About the WTRBСС and the FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships were launched in 2023. It is a global team competition where teams are made up of elite grandmasters, prodigies and recreational players. It consists of two tournaments – rapid and blitz. This is the first time the event is being held in Hong Kong and East Asia. The Hong Kong event also features the FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup, where teams are strictly made up of amateur chess players. The WTRBCC take place from 17-21 June, with three days for the rapid and two days for the blitz. The prize fund for the WTRBСС is €500,000, and €25,000 for the Amateur cup. Official websites:WTRBCC: http://worldrapidblitzteams2026.fide.comAmateur Cup: http://worldteamamateurrapid2026.hkchessevent.com
World Refugee Day: How chess is changing lives
World Refugee Day, initiated by the United Nations in 2001 to recognize the resilience and struggle of refugees in finding sanctuary and a better life, occurs in 2026 at a time when conflicts across the globe continue to intensify, bringing more threats and disasters to people worldwide. FIDE and the entire global chess community have always sought to highlight the role chess can play in bringing people together, regardless of their backgrounds. This mission is perfectly encapsulated by FIDE’s simple yet powerful motto: Gens una Sumus – “We are one family.” As we mark World Refugee Day, FIDE reaffirms its ongoing commitment to supporting displaced communities. The Chess for Protection Project Launched in August 2021 by FIDE in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Chess Kenya, and the Kakuma Chess Club, the Chess for Protection project aims to promote chess as a vital sport and highlight the opportunities it offers. The program provides training to enhance players’ chess knowledge and life skills, empowering them to pass these lessons on to others. The initiative is also building strong networks with the broader chess community in Kenya and globally to further develop the game within the camp and settlement, while creating external opportunities for the players’ professional growth. Ultimately, the program contributes to the protection and well-being of refugee youth and adolescents, establishing chess as a key activity for their engagement and development. Recognizing that many young women and girls find it difficult to engage meaningfully in education and extracurricular activities due to negative cultural norms, the project features a dedicated Girls Club. This initiative offers various activities, such as meeting and communicating with successful women, reading and discussing books, painting workshops, and many others. As of the end of 2025, more than 2,500 children had been trained in chess in Kakuma Camp and the Kalobeyei Settlement. Twenty-five facilitators continue training children in various schools and youth centers, and tournaments are held. Thanks to a dedicated team of international coaches, the project and the Girls Club continue to grow. WGM Anastasiya Karlovich and IM/WGM Salome Melia lead regular online workshops and training sessions for the girls in Kakuma boarding schools, while FM Sergey Klimakovs has conducted two in-person coaching sessions in Kakuma. He is planning one more in August–September to prepare the refugee team for the Olympiad. A historic debut in Samarkand In accordance with an agreement between FIDE and UNHCR, FIDE will field Refugee Olympic Teams for the first time at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, taking place from 15 to 28 September 2026. The Olympiad team selection, organized in February 2025, was made competitive and focused on the four main segments covered by the Chess for Protection project in Kakuma Refugee Camp: community chess played at different youth centers, chess in 26 primary schools, chess in 9 secondary schools, and the Girls Club project (across 3 schools). Following the team selection, five men and five women qualified for participation in the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. FIDE is going to cover all travel, visa, accommodation, and logistical costs for the team and the project leader. UNHCR plans to have an officer from the Protection Unit to accompany the delegation. To celebrate World Refugee Day 2026, FIDE, in cooperation with Chess Kenya and UNHCR, will organize chess tournaments on 20–21 June for the Girls Club and the entire Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement chess community. Expansion to Bangladesh From June 11-16, the FIDE Chess for Protection team visited Bangladesh to start the new stage of the project in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camp, in cooperation with the NGO Movement in Refuge. The visit was intense and deeply impactful. Two days, two IOM/UN land cruisers, roughly 300 students – and what felt, unambiguously, like the most significant moment in MiR’s story to date. The FIDE delegation – Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board; Anastasia Sorokina, FIDE WOM Chairperson, ACF Social Commission Chairperson and the Leader of FIDE Social projects; and Monalisha Khamboo, Founder of Himalayan Chess Academy and Secretary and a member of the Nepal Chess Federation – brought a rare combination of institutional authority, personal conviction, and field energy. The pace was relentless: camps, shelters, schools, meetings, and a lunch on the floor of Sadeka’s house. The caliber of the delegation opened doors that would have taken MiR years to open alone – from the Minister of Youth and Sports in Dhaka to the RRRC and the CICs in the field. Every institution expressed strong enthusiasm for the launch of the Chess for Protection initiative in Bangladesh. The program included training camps, visits to Sonarpara High School and Cox’s Bazar Chess Academy, as well as high-level meetings with Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), Government of Bangladesh; Aminul Hoque, Minister for Youth and Sports, Government of Bangladesh; Juliette Murekeyisoni, Deputy Representative, UNHCR Bangladesh; Peter Kern, Head of Office, Cox’s Bazar; and Mohammed Sala Uddin, IOM Protection Officer. The Gift of Chess project, an active participant of the initiative, plans to provide 100 chess sets to the Cox Bazar refugee community. “Chess teaches you to take responsibility. To handle losses with resilience. To know you are not the only one in the room – to think of others’ plans and aspirations. In chess you learn to manage your pieces, your decisions. And this gives you the strength to not be manipulated by others – to manage the pieces and moves of your life,” Dana Reizniece shared. Anastasia Sorokina added: “The whole world is on the chessboard. You have to act calm. Take decisions. It helps girls to empower themselves. If you touch a piece, you have to move it – subtle things that help girls lead their future careers.” Photos: Stev Bonhage, Denis Burko and Rawful Alam
2026 African Individual Chess Championships kick off in Botswana
More than 100 players are taking part in the Open and Women’s sections in a nine-round Swiss tournament. The event was opened by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich together with leaders of several African chess federations. The most important African championship is taking place at the Cresta Hotel in Jwaneng, Botswana. The time control is 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes until the end of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. Egypt’s star player Bassem Amin headlines the field in the Open section, while the Women’s event includes a strong group of under-18 players from across the continent. With direct qualification to the FIDE World Cup at stake, Presiden of the African Chess Confederation (ACC), Tshepiso Lopang urged the players to make the most of the opportunity. “Bring it all. Play safe. Defend. Attack! I’m really excited to see you all here and for making this event a reality,” Lopang said. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich attended the opening ceremony, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the African Chess Confederation at the Chess Olympiad in Tripoli in 1976. From its initial 11 founding nations, the ACC has grown to 48 member federations. Dvorkovich congratulated the ACC on the milestone and praised the work of Lopang and Botswana Chess Federation President Kutlwano Tatolo in organising the championship. “This signals that Botswana wants to be one of the leaders of chess development in Africa,” Dvorkovich said. Turning to the players, Dvorkovich reminded them that they are role models for many children who will follow their games. He noted that FIDE has dedicated 2026 to promoting chess in education, which remains one of the organisation’s key priorities. Dvorkovich added that players and organisers in Africa have an important place in this endeavour. “You are going to play the key role, together with us. I hope we will do this together and make it a success,” Dvorkovich said. “Since my first year as FIDE President, we have focused on developing chess in this region, which has huge potential. We have done some good things, and much more will follow. We are relying on all of you to help us promote this cause further.” The FIDE President and officials from national federations then made the first ceremonial moves in the Women’s event, marking the official start of the 2026 African Individual Chess Championships. Written by Milan Dinic
China’s Dragon Chilling win FIDE World Team Rapid after dramatic finish
The 2026 FIDE World Team Rapid Championship finished in thrilling fashion in Hong Kong, with the title decided by the smallest of margins. With three teams tied for first place on 18 match points, Dragon Chilling emerged on top thanks to superior tiebreaks. Defending champions Team MGD1 finished second, while Hexamind took third place. The final day of the FIDE World Team Rapid Championship opened with symbolism and ended in drama. In a reminder of where much of today’s chess power is coming from, representatives from three Asian countries made ceremonial first moves on the leading boards. Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov, Consul General of Kazakhstan, Rajesh N. Naik, Consul General of India, and Utut Adianto, President of the Indonesian Chess Federation, opened play as the teams entered the decisive rounds in Hong Kong. China’s Dragon Chilling entered the day as sole leaders and the only undefeated team after eight rounds. In Round 9 they scored a dominant 5:1 victory over Barys. But in the following two rounds, the tables were turned on the Dragons. In round 10, they lost 4:2 to Hexamind, with Alireza Firouzja and Volodar Murzin winning their games. Even after this loss, Dragon Chilling were still in the lead. But then came another shock: the team captained by experienced Chinese GM Ni Hua lost again, suffering a narrow 3.5:2.5 defeat to Mr Birdie and Friends. Going into the 12th and final round, the squad made up of chess pals – Mr Birdie and Friends – had emerged as the surprise leaders of the tournament. Chasing them were three teams packed with chess superstars: Dragon Chilling, Hexamind and defending champions Team MGD1. Ding Liren sets the tone in the final round When it was needed most, the goddess of chess Caissa smiled on Dragon Chilling. Their board one, former World Champion Ding Liren, finally broke a six-game drawing streak and defeated Zhao Jun of Interstellar Club in just 20 moves. This victory set the tone for the rest of the match, which ended 5:1 in Dragon Chilling’s favor. This meant the other title contenders had to push even harder. In another direct duel for first place, Hexamind edged out Mr Birdie and Friends 3.5:2.5, tying Dragon Chilling for first place. With Team MGD1 also winning their match against Barys 5:1, three teams finished on 18 match points. Everything then depended on tiebreaks. Dragon Chilling had the strongest tiebreak score – 647.5, ahead of Team MGD1’s 632 – and clinched first place. Third place went to Hexamind, who had a tiebreak score of 611.5. Grandmaster Ni Hua, captain of Dragon Chilling, summed up the tension of the final rounds: “It was very tense. It reminded me of Arsenal vs Manchester City. We lost in the previous match, but this round we won. You can see that Ding started very slow and then he became better and better. In the last round we asked him to push, and he made it.” In honour of friendship Despite missing out on a medal, Mr Birdie and Friends deserve credit for one of the surprise performances of the tournament. Named in homage to friendship and dedicated to a pet bird that died exactly a year ago, the team took a different approach from most of the other leaders. While many top teams relied on strong GM coaches and detailed preparation, Carissa Yip, who played on the women’s board for Mr Birdie and Friends, said her team prepared in a more relaxed way – through blitz games, friendship and time spent together. WR Chess fall short in the Rapid Despite a stellar lineup of top world grandmasters and exceptionally strong preparation, WR Chess finished in 17th place, winning only half of their matches, drawing one and losing five. Their star player, world number one Magnus Carlsen, appeared in just two games today – and lost both. In total, Carlsen lost four games in a row in Hong Kong: to Arjun Erigaisi, Shant Sargsyan, Javokhir Sindarov and Aydin Suleymanli. It was an exceptionally rare losing streak for the world’s top-rated player. With the Rapid now concluded, the focus shifts to the FIDE World Team Blitz Championship, which starts on Saturday, June 20. U-2400 and U-2200 winners In an effort to support emerging players and teams, FIDE also awarded special prizes to the best-performing teams in the Rapid with average ratings below 2400 and below 2200, respectively. The U-2400 prize was claimed by MongolZ, who produced one of the standout underdog performances of the tournament. The team scored seven match victories and finished in 15th place, ahead of several higher-rated squads, including WR Chess, Chessnut Nova and the Qatar Chess Team. Their run included a stunning 4:2 win over WR Chess in the penultimate round of the World Team Rapid. In the U-2200 category, the prize went to InstAdapt, who won five matches and placed 30th. Five leaders in the FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup Three more rounds were played on the second day of the FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup. After six rounds – three on day one and three on day two – three teams share the lead in Pool A on 10 match points: Golden Stars, Team Sky and day-one co-leaders Le Petit Prince. In Pool B, Hong Kong Young Dragons and Bosoo Noyon lead the standings, also on 10 match points. All of the leaders have five match victories and one defeat. On day three, the final rounds of the pool stage will decide which teams advance to the finals of the inaugural FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Michal Walusza About the WTRBСС and the FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships were launched in 2023. It is a global team competition where teams are made up of elite grandmasters, prodigies and recreational players. It consists of two tournaments – rapid and blitz. This is the first time the event is being held in
Shenzhen welcomes FIDE: Strengthening global chess cooperation
On June 16, the inauguration ceremony for the FIDE Shenzhen Office was held in Qianhai, Shenzhen. Following the official unveiling, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich held talks with He Fengxiang, Director of the Board and Card Games Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport of China. The two sides discussed further deepening cooperation in chess and promoting coordinated development between international sports organizations and Chinese cities. The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts and mutual good wishes for the future of the game. He Fengxiang stated that China has always actively supported FIDE’s work. He described the official establishment of the FIDE Shenzhen Office as a major milestone in bilateral relations and a new starting point for future collaboration. He expressed hope that the new office would serve as a platform to broaden and deepen cooperation between FIDE and China. By leveraging the geographical advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the two sides can explore innovative models in event hosting, youth training, international exchanges, and industrial cooperation, jointly driving the continued growth of chess. Dvorkovich expressed his gratitude to China for its long-standing strong support for FIDE. He noted that China not only possesses a deep-rooted chess culture but also boasts world-class capabilities in organizing large-scale events. A series of international chess tournaments held in China in recent years has demonstrated high standards of organization, professional hosting, and positive social impact, making important contributions to FIDE’s global tournament calendar. During the meeting, He Fengxiang presented Dvorkovich with a horse sculpture. As 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, the gift symbolizes the spirit of “taking the lead,” conveying wishes for continuous breakthroughs and broader development for FIDE and the global chess community. He Fengxiang also showed Dvorkovich a commemorative album, showcasing the achievements of major international chess events hosted in China in recent years. While browsing the album, Dvorkovich paused to share his thoughts, noting that he knew many of the outstanding players and was deeply impressed by China’s chess achievements. In return, Dvorkovich gifted He Fengxiang a copy of the book Chess Players. He expressed his hope that the book would serve as a medium to spread chess culture, help more people appreciate the charm of the game, and promote mind sports worldwide. With the FIDE Shenzhen Office now fully operational, both sides look forward to expanding their collaboration in event hosting, talent cultivation, cultural exchanges, and international organizational partnerships. With Shenzhen as a hub, the office will connect the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and integrate chess resources across China, injecting new momentum into the global advancement of chess and fostering international sports exchanges and cooperation. Text and photos: Liang Ziming