World University Team Chess Championship: Registration deadline extended
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to the strong interest in the tournament from universities worldwide, and considering that additional time is required to complete all stages of the registration process, it has been decided to extend the registration period. The new deadline for applications is April 29, 2026, 11:59 PM (UTC). The best university teams will meet in Almaty, Kazakhstan, this August to compete for the title of FIDE World University Team Chess Champion. The World University Team Chess Championship is governed by FIDE and organized by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, together with the Almaty city administration and with support from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Sports and Tourism. The competition has three stages. It begins with Online Swiss Qualifiers, followed by an Online Knockout stage. The over-the-board finals will then take place in Almaty from August 3–10, 2026. There will be two Online Swiss Qualifiers. The registration deadlines are: April 29, 2026, 11:59 PM UTC for teams participating in Online Swiss Qualifier 1 May 4, 2026, 11:59 PM UTC for teams participating in Online Swiss Qualifier 2 The finals will feature 16 teams – eight that qualify from the knockout stage and eight wild cards invited by FIDE and the organizer. The tournament features an inclusive team concept – each match will be played on four boards, and lineups must include at least one female and at least one male player. Participation is open to university teams with players born between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2008 who are currently enrolled in at least one class at the university. The winning team will become the FIDE World University Team Champion and receive a prize of €25,000. The team finishing second will be awarded €15,000, while the third-place team will receive €10,000. The entry fee is €100 per team. However, each national chess federation may nominate one university to participate free of charge. Payment details will be published on the tournament website. Team registration is available here: https://worlduniversities2026.fide.com Among the registered teams there are many well-known universities, including: Universidad de El Salvador The University of Texas at Dallas University of Auckland Riga Technical University Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) The Egyptian Chinese University Universiti Malaya University of Dhaka Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Webster University Samarkand State Pedagogical Institute École Polytechnique de Ouagadougou For more information, please email worlduniversity@fide.com. Official website: https://worlduniversities2026.fide.com
Vaishali Rameshbabu: “Chess makes me happy”
After her triumph at the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 in Cyprus, Vaishali Rameshbabu shares her thoughts and feelings in an interview with Charlize van Zyl. She spoke about her games, her love and passion for chess, and her journey to victory. Below you can find both text and video versions of this interview. CharIize van Zyl: I am joined today by Vaishali Rameshbabu, the winner of the FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026. Vaishali, you were quite speechless in the last press conference, with the feeling still being new. Now that it’s sunk in, tell me how you feel about this amazing victory. Vaishali: It’s a dream-come-true moment for all of my family. It’s been a long journey to become World Champion and to be playing there, and I’m very happy that I won the Candidates. It was a very close event and quite an unpredictable one. Charlize van Zyl: Indeed, very close and very unpredictable until the last moments of the final round. Let’s talk about that last round. It’s fourteenth round; mathematically six of the eight players still have a chance to win, and everything’s on the line. You’re playing against Lagno. Tell me, what went through your preparation going into that and your mind-set from the night before to the start of the game? Vaishali: The one good thing is that we had the same round timing as any other round, unlike an early morning game or something else compared to other tournaments. I just kept to my routine and prepared as usual. The approach was simply to play the base game and accept whatever comes, because only my game is under my control. The Sicilian Dragon came as a huge surprise, but I had prepared it before the tournament, so that helped. Charlize van Zyl: So, knowing you had to win and knowing that Lagno also knew you had to win, there was no special preparation even outside of the board? Vaishali: Not really. Again, if she beats me, then she also had some chances, and the tournament would have been wide open. That’s why she played for more and chose the Dragon because, otherwise, she could have chosen some other solid option. Of course, that also helped me because I was happy to face the Sicilian given the situation. Charlize van Zyl: In the final round, did you find yourself looking over at Bibisara – Divya at all or did you stay focused on what was going on in your own game? Vaishali: Of course, I checked briefly here and there, but I tried my maximum to focus on my game, because that’s what matters in the end. Charlize van Zyl: Let’s talk a bit about your escape-artist phase in the first half of the event. With Divya and Goryachkina, there were a few slippery moments, but you handled them so well. This is a very good trait that you have. Do you think it is luck, or is this a skill of yours that you don’t give up, you keep going? Vaishali: A bit of both. Even when you’re very resourceful, it doesn’t work all the time, so I had some luck there for sure. I also feel that I was very resourceful and I didn’t give up: I kept putting small pressure, because everyone here is so strong and it’s not easy to fight back from a worse position against them. Even starting from the first game in which I found this a4, Nc4 idea and she had to find this Qf8 idea, which was the only way to keep the advantage. That wasn’t easy at all. Then in the second game against Divya there was this one slip where she found Qg4, and my position became lost, but with less time it wasn’t easy. So, summing up, resourcefulness and a bit of luck. Charlize van Zyl: So you had this resourcefulness in the first half while in the second half you showed a lot of technique and played some incredibly good games. Did you change anything between the first and the second half of the event; preparation or anything outside the chess? Vaishali: My first win came against Lagno: I played a very good game, but towards the end I missed some chances and over a couple of moves I was lost, and by the time we reached the time control, she blundered and I was winning again. Overall I was outplaying her but during two or three moves, things bent up. I felt that I should not have missed that chance but that is was OK. Then let’s not forget my game against Tan Zhongyi in the first half, because it changed things totally. I played very badly right from the opening and I was very lucky to score a win from this position. Initially, I felt very bad because I shouldn’t be playing like this and taking points, so therefore I started to focus on my game quality: I just wanted to play some good games. I think in the second half, my play drastically improved and I, indeed, played some good games. Charlize van Zyl: You told us in the press conference that you felt bad, but do you have that feeling during the game itself, or do you try to mute it? Vaishali: There are games where I’m worse and I keep defending and save the game, but in this one it didn’t feel like I was defending. It’s just a moment of lapse that could happen to anybody. I’ve had many painful losses like this, and it’s just tough: I have also been there, and it will just feel miserable, what to do? The moment she played Ra1, she obviously understood, but it was too late. It’s very tough, but it goes on. Charlize van Zyl: Another tough game was against Zhu Jiner in the second half. It was such a critical one, where she caught up to you, but you kept fighting back afterwards. You told
Winners crowned at FIDE World Cadet and Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship
The FIDE World Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship, which brought together 450 young players from 40 national federations competing across six age categories (U8 to U18) in both Open and Girls’ sections, concluded in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia’s renowned tourism capital. The six-day program culminated in an 11-round blitz chess tournament with the time control of 3 minutes per player plus a 2-second increment per move. 15 medals – 7 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze – were won by players from Russia. Kazakhstan followed closely with 4 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals. A remarkable highlight came in the U18 Open section, where 11-year-old IM Roman Shogdzhiev claimed victory, stunning older and more experienced opponents. The closing ceremony, exceptionally well-attended, featured the presentation of trophies, medals, diplomas, and prizes, prepared by the Chess Federation of Serbia. Speeches were delivered by Saša Jevtić (tournament director), Özgür Solakoğlu (a representative of FIDE), Boban Đurović (President of the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja), and finally Andrija Jorgić (President of the Chess Federation of Serbia), who officially closed the competition. Saša Jevtić expressed deep gratitude to the Chess Federation of Serbia for entrusting him with leading “this great and significant project.” He also thanked FIDE for its timely support during preparations and praised Chief Arbiter Nenad Dorić and the arbiter team for their professionalism in managing such a demanding event. Özgür Solakoğlu reflected on the spirit of the week and sincerely thanked the Ministry of Sports and the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja for their strong support: “This championship was enriched by two outstanding side events – the 1st World Cadet & Youth Blitz Solving Championship and the International Youth Rapid Team Championship – both of which added excitement, teamwork, and inspiration to an already extraordinary week. To our medallists and prize winners: congratulations. Your hard work and dedication brought you here. Wear your medals proudly. To all participants – not just the champions – you impressed us with your energy, sportsmanship, and love for the game. Every one of you contributed to the spirit of this event.” Boban Đurović, Mayor of Vrnjačka Banja, congratulated all participants and expressed hope that they had enjoyed their stay: “I hope you take beautiful memories from our town and return again – not only as competitors, but also as guests. Thank you to the Chess Federation of Serbia and to Mr. Jorgić for choosing Vrnjačka Banja once more to host a world-class event like this.” Finally, Andrija Jorgić officially closed the championship: “I congratulate all winners and prize recipients—and to those who didn’t celebrate this time: your moment will come. I wish you safe travels home, and I hope to see you back soon. I am proud of every single participant. Onward – to new chess victories!” Photos: Chess Federation of Serbia Official website: https://wcyrb.beochess.rs/
Javokhir Sindarov: “I will try to win the World Championship match.”
After winning the FIDE Candidates 2026, Javokhir Sindarov gave an in-depth interview to Charlyze van Zyle, in which he shared his ambitions and long-term goals. The Uzbek GM reflects on his path to victory, discusses his preparation, and reveals key insights into his work with his coach. Below you will find both text and video versions of this interview. Charlize van Zyl: I am here with Javokhir Sindarov, FIDE Candidates 2026 winner. You’ve had some time for this result to settle in. Congratulations once again. Take me back to the night, after round thirteen, what happened? Who was the first person you spoke to? How did the celebrations go? Javokhir Sindarov: It was a fantastic day for me and for our country. Everyone started celebrating after the result. I received millions of messages from my friends, my parents and my family, and also from our federation and government. It’s a huge victory for our country, and everyone was very happy. The next day, our president even called me to congratulate me, which really surprised me. I’m very happy to have won this tournament. Charlize van Zyl: Is that something you’re starting to get used to, getting congratulations from the president? Javokhir Sindarov: No, of course not. You need to achieve big victories to get a call like that. I’m very happy. I already won the World Cup, now the FIDE Candidates, and hopefully by the end of the year I will try to win the World Championship match as well. It gives me a lot of motivation. Charlize van Zyl: Let’s talk about the event. You mentioned earlier in one of the press conferences that your coach hoped for +1 at the midpoint, but you finished +6 (10/14), which is incredible. Did you ever lose confidence that that would happen? What was your goal at halfway? Javokhir Sindarov: Actually, my coach told me that if I finished the first half with +1, I would have good chances to win the tournament. But I finished +5. At the same time, I knew the second half would be much harder, especially with important games where I had Black. These games take a lot of energy and good preparation. Probably, the key moment of the tournament was my draw against Fabi. After that, I started to feel like I could win. I was also a bit lucky; Caruana was always very close to me, he won some games in the first half, but he lost a few in the second half. Then he lost to Anish, who had good chances too. But after beating Pragg, I was ahead of Anish by two points with four rounds left. I realized that anything could still happen, but I felt 90% sure I would win. I’m very happy that I played very well with Black and I didn’t lose any games. It was a very good streak, and I’m very happy with my results. Charlize van Zyl: Many players say they take it game by game, but you seemed very conscious of the standings. Did that add more stress to you? Javokhir Sindarov: Not really. I always try to prepare very well. With White, I’m ready to fight, but in the second half after the draw with FabiI thought I had to play with White also some forced solid drawish lines. I didn’t need long, complicated games; I wanted to save energy for the critical ones with Black. But if my opponent chose sharp lines, such as the King’s Indian or Benko, I was ready to fight. On the other hand, if they played solidly, I was fine with a draw. I think this strategy worked perfectly. Against Anish I played really well, it was a nice game: maybe if he had defeated Wei Yi the tournament situation would have changed a little bit but after he drew I thought I had a 99% chance to win the tournament. Therefore, I made two quick draws in the last two games, everyone would have done the same. Remember that Nepo in 2022 did the same, although he did have some trouble with Black in two games, whereas I had problems here only against Fabi and in the first game. I played very well, I was also lucky, of course, and I took advantage of my opponent’s mistakes, which is very important. Charlize van Zyl: Your game against Anish was your favourite one? Which victory are you most proud of? Javokhir Sindarov: I really loved my game against Fabi with White. It was a very clean game; I found the best moves, the best tactics, and managed time pressure. A fantastic game in which I showed another level, which I am capable of demonstrating. Charlize van Zyl: Since our pre-event interviews, you have been very confident about your winning chances, but you mentioned last week was the most difficult of your life, sleeping, eating, and handling pressure. How did you manage that? Javokhir Sindarov: It’s always hard when you’re leading a tournament. You start thinking about the outcome. The last week was very hard for me, but after my draw against Fabi, I felt much better. The three games previous to that one went easy for me, with hardly any stress. I was well-prepared, had more than an hour on the clock, and I played positions in my style. But with Fabi the position did not suit my style, and it’s hard for me to play these types of positions. That game was very long and took a lot of energy, but after surviving, I felt like I would win the tournament. After that, I slept better and didn’t feel as much stress. Charlize van Zyl: Let’s talk about your preparation. It’s been a big talking point. You seemed to out-prepare your opponents. How does your team work? Who takes what responsibilities, and what do you do before the games? Javokhir Sindarov: Before the tournament, we worked very hard. Everyone in my team did their job at
Teenage triumph: Roman Dehtiarov stuns field to win European Championship 2026
Turning 18 this year, IM Roman Dehtiarov caused a major sensation by winning the European Individual Chess Championship 2026. The Ukrainian teenager, seeded 126th, captured the title after defeating GM David Anton Guijarro in a thrilling final-round encounter. Dehtiarov finished with an impressive score of 9/11, achieving a remarkable 2781 rating performance and achieving a GM title. The 2026 edition of the European Individual Championship took place in Katowice, Poland, from 6 to 19 April, bringing together 501 players in a fiercely contested battle that went down to the wire. Heading into the final round, as many as five players shared the lead with 8/10: Dehtiarov, GMs David Anton Guijarro from Spain, who was in the lead for most of the tournament; Aydin Suleymanli, Mahammad Muradli, and Nijat Abasov (all three from Azerbaijan). To make things even more exciting, Dehtiarov faced Anton, while Suleymanli took on Muradli. Roman Dehtiarov (pictured above, right) scored what may be the most important victory in his career, defeating David Anton to claim the title while all his main rivals drew his games. Abasov, Suleymanli, and Muradli tied for second place on 8.5/11, with Abasov taking silver and Suleymanli bronze based on tiebreaks. Six female players finished the championship with 6.5 points each, tying for the prizes for the best-ranked Women players in the tournament. With the best tiebreak criteria, IM Teodora Injac (SRB, 2410) won the top prize, IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE, 2452) was second; IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL, 2399) came third, while IM Mai Narva (EST, 2411), IM Aleksandra Maltsevskaya (POL, 2393), and WGM Mariam Mkrtchyan (ARM, 2368) did not climb the podium. GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (UKR, 2621) was the best-ranked senior player in the tournament with the score of 7.5/11, GM Hannes Stefansson (ISL, 2414) was second with 6.5/11, and legendary GM Oleg Romanishin (UKR, 2255) won third prize with the score of 5.5/11. The closing ceremony of the event took place in the playing venue. The ceremony was attended by Vice President of the City of Katowice Maciej Stachura, ECU Vice Presidents Alojzije Jankovic and Gunnar Bjornsson, President of the Polish Chess Federation Radoslaw Jedynak, FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej, President of the Silesian Chess Federation Mr. Michal Pazdziora, Ambassador of Georgia to Poland Diana Zhgenti, Director of the Arena Katowice Pawel Cebula, Director of the Department of Sports in the city of Katowice Dawid Kaminski, the Head of Commission of Sport in Katowice Adam Szymczyk, and other distinguished guests. Final standings Photos: European Chess Union Official website: https://eicc2026.eu/
Invitation: 46th Chess Olympiad, 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities & FIDE Congress 2026
Dear chess Friends from across the globe, On behalf of FIDE and the Organising Committee of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, it is our distinct honour and pleasure to invite you to the 46th Chess Olympiad and the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, the world’s strongest and most important team chess competitions. Alongside these events, FIDE will hold its Congress and elections. The Open and the Women’s Olympiad The Chess Olympiads will take place in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 15 till 27 September 2026. The 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest set a record for the number of participating teams – 193 in the Open and 181 in the Women’s competition. The 46th Chess Olympiad is expected to surpass that number and bring together thousands of players and fans from across the world. The Olympiad will consist of two sections, Open and Women. Both events will be played over 11 rounds, using the Swiss system, with teams of four players plus one reserve. More information about tournament regulations can be found here: https://handbook.fide.com/files/handbook/Olympiad2026MainCompetition.pdf Three trophies There will be three trophies: The Hamilton-Russell Cup for the winners of the Open section The Vera Menchik Cup for the winners of the Women section The Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy for the best combined federation performance across the Open and Women sections Schedule The Opening Ceremony will take place on 15 September, while the first round will be played on 16 September. After round six, there will be a day off on 22 September. Round 11 and Closing Ceremony will take place on 27 September. Team Registration and further information: The registration for the FIDE Chess Olympiad starts on 20 April 2026. Participating teams in the Open and Women’s sections are invited to register following the credentials they shall receive to their official federation’s e-mail address. More information about the FIDE Chess Olympiad can be found here: https://chessolympiad2026.fide.com/. The 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities Alongside the 46th Chess Olympiad, the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities will take place from 10 to 18 September. The international team competition is promoted by the FIDE Players with Disabilities Commission and aims to promote inclusivity and accessibility in chess. More information about the FIDE Chess Olympiad for People With Disabilities, including the schedule, can be found here: https://dis-olympiad2026.fide.com/. The FIDE Congress FIDE will also hold its Congress during the Chess Olympiad. The Congress will take place from 20 to 27 September. Bringing together the member federations at General Assembly, FIDE Council, Zonal Council, and FIDE Commissions, the Congress will include the FIDE Election on 26 September. Delegates will choose the leadership of FIDE for the following four years. The General Assembly will also decide the hosts of the 2030 Chess Olympiad. Honouring the FIDE Year of Chess in Education, an Educational Summit will be hosted during the Congress. The program and details about the Congress are available here: https://congress.fide.com/. We look forward to seeing you all in Samarkand for another important step forward for chess. The invitation and event guide booklet for the Chess Olympiad, Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities and Congress is available here: https://doc.fide.com/docs/2026_Olympiad/Invitation_Olympiad_Congress_2026.pdf
World Senior Team Chess Championship 2026 begins in Durrës, Albania
The World Senior Team Chess Championship 2026 officially commenced on 19 April at the five-star Grand Blue Fafa Resort in Durrës, Albania. Nestled on the Adriatic coast, the venue offers excellent playing conditions befitting a world-class event. This year’s edition has once again drawn strong international participation. In the 50+ section, a total of 36 teams from 23 countries are competing, while the 65+ section features 54 teams from 28 countries, making it the largest group of the event. The top-seeded teams based on average rating are USA 1, England 1, and Kazakhstan, followed by Italy, Iceland, and Alkaloid Chess Club. Among the many titled players, notable participants include GMs Michael Adams, Simen Agdestein, and Jaan Ehlvest. In the 65+ section, rating favorites include Lasker SGK, England I, and Iceland, with Montenegro, the FIDE team, and France 1 also among the main contenders. This field features renowned players such as GMs Artur Yusupov, John Nunn, and Sergey Janovsky. Due to insufficient registrations for separate competitions, the Open and Women’s categories have been merged, in accordance with FIDE regulations. The opening ceremony was conducted by Chief Arbiter IA Mahdi Abdulrahim, who also introduced the dignitaries. Brief welcoming speeches were delivered by Albanian Chess Federation President Erald Dervishi (pictured above), European Chess Union President Zurab Azmaiparashvili, and FIDE Council Vice President Georgios Makropoulos. Round 1, featuring matchups such as USA I vs. Philidor Brothers (France) in the 50+ section and Lasker Schachstiftung GK vs. England 4 in the 65+ section, has already been played, with the favorites scoring convincing victories. Looking back at the previous edition for a short recap: USA I captured the title in the 50+ category, led by Jaan Ehlvest and Alexander Shabalov, who also secured the individual gold medal on board three, delivering crucial victories, including in the final round against the German team Confluentia. In the 65+ category, England I claimed gold, edging out Lasker Schachstiftung GK. With strong participation and a distinguished field across both sections, the championship promises tightly contested matches in the rounds ahead. Moreover, the comfortable surroundings and well-balanced schedule allow participants to combine competitive play with moments of relaxation, as the author can personally attest, having participated in the 2023 European Club Cup held at the same venue. Report and photos by WFM/IA Georgia Grapsa Official website: https://wstcc.com/
Winners crowned at 1st FIDE World Blitz Solving Championship and International Team Tournament
Last night, trophies and medals were awarded to the best competitors in the 1st FIDE World Blitz Solving Championship, as well as in the International Team Tournament. In the boys U-8 category, Kairat Abdul-Malik from Kazakhstan emerged victorious, while Ibragim Atabekov and Mihail Shishov from Russia claimed silver and bronze, respectively. In the girls U-8 group, Shreyanshi Jain from India placed first; Miraslava Shatsila from Belarus finished second, while Venera Zhakisheva took third position. Trophies and medals in this age group were presented by Zoran Stanimirović, President of the Chess Federation of Vojvodina. Daniil Kaminskii from Russia won first place in the boys U-12 category, silver went to competitor Aryan Mehta from India, while Konstantin Alekseev also from Russia completed the podium. Alexandra Aymerich Sazonova won the competition in the girls’ section; Husnorakhon Khusnitdinova from Uzbekistan claimed silver, while Zhansaya Sholpanbek from Kazakhstan took bronze Awards in this group were presented by Boban Nikolić, President of the Assembly of the Chess Federation of Serbia. In the boys U-18 group, Turbat Todmunkh from Mongolia captured gold, while silver and bronze were won by competitors from Serbia, Aleksandar Kutanjac and Aleksa Avramović. The best in this girls’ group was Darya Efimova from Russia, second place went to Esther Prieto Rol from Spain, and third place was taken by Nika Venskaya from Belarus. Trophies and medals were awarded by Igor Lukić, President of the Chess Federation of Central Serbia. After that, awards were presented to the best teams in the International Team Tournament in rapid chess, which attracted 58 teams. Team PFO from Russia lifted the trophy in the U-10 category; silver went to the team Intellect Academy, also from Russia, while the team from Serbia took bronze. Among girls, the most successful were competitors from Russia, the team Polar Bears, followed by the team from Ukraine – Ukrainian Chess queens, while team from Poland took third place. Awards in this category were presented by Saša Jevtić, the tournament director. In the U-14 category, teams from Russia claimed gold and silver, while Uzbekistan placed third. The team from Belarus won first place in the girls’ section; second and third place went to Russian teams Gusinaya-sila and Oranges. Trophies and medals were awarded by Ozgur Solakoglu, the FIDE delegate at this tournament. Finally, awards for the best in the U-18 category were presented by the President of the Chess Federation of Serbia, Andrija Jorgić. In the open competition, the trophy went to the team Just Winners from Russia, second place to the team Spain 018 from Spain, and third to the Russian team Llama-knights. Among girls, the most successful were competitors from Slovenia; in second position was the team from Spain; and third-placed competitors were from the team of Serbia. Photos: Chess Federation of Serbia / Nemanja Sipka Official website: https://wcyrb.beochess.rs/
From little stars to World Champions: Sweden’s Chess Party unites over 7,000 participants
The second day of the Chess Party, held on April 18 in Stockholm, Sweden, at Avicii Arena, brought together rising talents, seasoned players, and global icons such as Magnus Carlsen, Judit Polgar, Levy Rozman, Pia Cramling, Anna Cramling, Andrea Botez, and many more in a vibrant celebration of the game. With over 7,000 participants and more than 60 events across two days, the festival has quickly established itself as one of the most dynamic gatherings in the international chess calendar. The day began with the Little Star Girls Blitz, a tournament dedicated to girls under 18. Opened by Swedish Grandmaster Pia Cramling, the event set a welcoming and supportive tone. Designed as a fun and encouraging competition, it provided a platform for young girls to experience chess in a positive environment. The tournament is part of a broader international initiative led by the FIDE Women’s Commission, aiming to inspire more girls worldwide to take up and enjoy the game. Running alongside it was the Queen’s Party, an inclusive and engaging tournament for women of all backgrounds, welcoming beginners and those eager to explore chess, develop their skills, or perhaps discover for the first time that they truly belong in the chess community. Between rounds, participants were treated to a special highlight: a talk by Judit Polgar, widely regarded as one of the greatest female players in history. At the same time, a large-scale open tournament brought together approximately 1000 players. Open to all regardless of age, rating, or experience. It embodied the festival’s inclusive spirit. Schackfyran is the competition where everyone is valuable. It is also the world’s largest class chess competition, where as many as 25,000 fourth graders from over 1000 classes participate each year. Since its inception in 1979, Schackfyran has taught over half a million 10-year-olds to play chess! Every year, the project reaches a third of all Swedish schoolchildren in fourth grade. Jesper Hall, CEO of ChessParty, and one of the driving forces behind the festival, Chairman of the European Chess Union (ECU) Education Commission: “This initiative actually dates back to 1979, and at its core, it’s a social project. The goal is not to turn children into top chess players, or even necessarily to make them much stronger at chess. The real aim is to strengthen the group. We show that every child matters by using the ‘1-2-3 pawn system’: one point for participation, two for a draw, and three for a win. This way, it’s not about having elite players; it’s about including as many children as possible. Stronger players support the weaker ones, helping and encouraging them. The idea is to involve the whole class and create a sense of unity through chess.” One of the main highlights of the day was a talk by Henrik Carlsen, who shared the story of how Magnus Carlsen began his journey in chess. He spoke about Magnus’s early challenges, his development as a young player, and the key factors behind his rise to becoming the world’s strongest chess player. The session was highly engaging, especially for younger members of the audience, who showed great interest in the story. As a special surprise, they were also given the opportunity to ask questions directly to Magnus Carlsen, who joined the Chess Party online. And of course, the presence of Levy Rozman, better known as GothamChess, generated huge excitement among attendees. He took part in a meet-and-greet session that drew hundreds of fans, many of whom queued for the chance to take a photo with him. Later in the day, GothamChess took to the main stage for a live show alongside Judit Polgar and Anna Cramling. The two-hour event was packed with instruction, humor, and lively interaction with the audience. Known for his entertaining and accessible content, Levy Rozman brought his signature dynamic and engaging style to the stage. Levy Rozman about the event: “I’m meeting people from all over the world who came here for this event, and that’s what makes it so great.” The event featured a strong representation of women in chess, including Judit Polgar, the strongest female player of all time, alongside Pia Cramling, a legendary figure in Swedish chess, and Anna Cramling, a popular chess streamer and content creator. Together, they discussed the challenges women continue to face in chess, including the difficulties of competing at the highest level and the barriers that can discourage long-term participation. The conversation also explored possible solutions, particularly how to better support young girls entering the game. A key topic was the system of titles in chess, including the existence of separate titles for women and men. Why they were introduced, whether they remain necessary, and whether a unified system could be possible in the future. Overall, the discussion highlighted important steps needed to increase engagement, promote inclusion, and ensure that women in chess have equal opportunities to succeed and be recognized on equal terms with their male counterparts. Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the Management Board of FIDE presented the audience with two important topics: “Chess and leadership” and “future of chess”. Dana Reizniece stated: “We are now part of what is, in its own way, the largest chess celebration, a festival where tournaments, live lessons, training camps, shows, and inspiring talks take place over several days. Alongside this, we present initiatives such as our exhibition, where chess is used as a tool for integration and for building a better society. The girls’ tournament is especially important to us; it’s a tradition we bring to many countries to spark energy and inspiration in young girls who are discovering chess. At the same time, chess offers valuable lessons that go far beyond the board, teaching skills and perspectives that can be applied in many areas of life.” Alongside other distinguished guests, former Women’s World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova was also part of the event. She took part in a simultaneous exhibition and delivered a masterclass, sharing her experience and insights with participants. The program also featured David Howell,
Stockholm hosts Chess Party with world record attempt
Stockholm is hosting a Chess Party on April 17–18, bringing together over 7,000 participants and leading figures of the international chess community, including Magnus Carlsen, Judit Polgár, Pia and Anna Cramling, GothamChess (Levy Rozman), and Andrea Botez. The highlight of the opening day was a world record attempt on the Kings & Queens Stage, led by Judit Polgár, Andrea Botez, and Jesper Hall. The initiative aimed to establish the largest chess lecture ever held. During the session, thousands of participants engaged in a collective learning experience, solving puzzles and interacting with the presenters in real time. The format combined instruction with public participation, creating a large-scale educational event. The attempt also aimed to surpass the existing record while demonstrating new ways of presenting chess to broad audiences and highlighting its educational and social value. With thousands of participants and visitors on-site, multiple activities unfolded simultaneously throughout the venue. Swedish Grandmaster Nils Grandelius gave a 12-board simultaneous exhibition using a chess clock, adding an extra layer of difficulty. Additional simuls were held by Pia Cramling and Anna Cramling, offering players of all levels the chance to test themselves against seasoned competitors. The chess competitions were an important part of the program. Two senior events (50+ and 65+) ran in parallel, underlining the inclusive nature of chess. For newcomers, the Friday Beginner Tournament provided an opportunity to experience organized competition for the first time. Among the special formats, “The Blindfold Challenge” presented by Axel Smith attracted particular interest. One of Sweden’s leading chess trainers and co-author of The Woodpecker Method, Smith conducted a blindfold simultaneous exhibition, playing multiple opponents without sight of the board. The event drew strong attention, captivating especially younger participants. Educational activities also featured prominently. On the International Stage, Alexei Shirov delivered a lecture on “Chess Classics.” Simen Agdestein, Norway’s first Grandmaster, who is also known for his role in the early development of Magnus Carlsen, led an engaging masterclass. One of the most popular activities among younger participants was the Meet & Greet session with Andrea Botez and Anna Cramling on the Kings & Queens Stage (Expo). Children especially enjoyed the chance to meet them in person, take photos and selfies, and spend time in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. A special appearance by IJustWantToBeCool added to the atmosphere, engaging the audience and creating a lively and enjoyable experience for participants. Towards the end of the day, participants were invited to join the Friday Night Blitz tournament, providing a fast-paced conclusion to the program. The day also featured a prize-giving ceremony for the youth competition that began on April 16. A total of 25,000 schoolchildren from 1,000 classes took part in the initiative, with the finals held on April 17. Following the final rounds, the top performers were awarded, recognizing the achievements of the finalists and medalists. The scale of participation highlighted the strong engagement of young players and the growing popularity of chess in schools. Photos: Pavel Dvorkovich Official website: http://www.chessparty.com/