FIDE World University Team Chess Championship 2026: 32 teams advance to knockout stage
The first stage of the FIDE World University Team Chess Championship 2026 has officially concluded, with university teams from around the world competing in two online Swiss qualifiers for places in the next phase of the competition. Organised by FIDE and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, together with the Almaty city administration and support from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Sports and Tourism, the championship has already attracted strong international participation in its inaugural edition. The over-the-board finals will take place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from August 3-9, 2026. The championship format includes three stages: two Online Swiss Qualifiers, an Online Knockout stage, and the final over-the-board event in Almaty. Following the completion of the two Swiss qualifiers, the top 16 teams from each event have advanced to Stage 2, the Online Knockout. Qualifier 1: Americas and Africa (May 2) The first online Swiss qualifier took place on May 2 on Lichess.org, bringing together 22 university teams from the Americas and Africa regions in a seven-round Swiss-system tournament played at a rapid time control of 10 minutes plus 3 seconds per move. After the event’s completion, 16 teams had secured their spots in Stage 2. Saint Louis University (USA) came out on top with 13 match points and 23 game points, with Webster University (St. Louis, USA) finishing second on 12 match points. The University of Texas at Dallas rounded out the top three, ahead of UTRGV (The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) and Texas Tech University, both of which also advanced comfortably. The strength of the field was notable from the outset. Saint Louis University fielded a lineup that included GM Aryan Chopra (2637, India), GM Bharath Subramaniyam H. (2599, India), GM Nikolozi Kacharava (2528, Georgia), and WGM Thalia Cervantes Landeiro (2262, USA). Webster University’s roster, led by GM Awonder Liang (2718, USA), was also very strong and included GM Francesco Sonis (2556, Italy), IM Anna Sargsyan (2360, USA), and WIM Munika Akshaya Bommini (2128, India). The 16 teams that qualified from Qualifier 1 are: Qualifier 2: Europe and Asia (May 9) The second qualifier, held on May 9 also on Lichess.org, featured 36 university teams from the Europe and Asia region and proved equally competitive. Ural State Mining University finished first with 13 match points and 24.5 game points, ahead of Universitas Gunadarma (Indonesia) in second and SRMIST (India) in third. Ural State Mining University entered the event with the highest average rating in the field at 2524. The team included GMs Arseniy Nesterov (2599), Rudik Makarian (2551), and Sergei Lobanov (2515), as well as IM Leya Garifullina (2431). Universitas Gunadarma represented Indonesia with a strong lineup consisting of IM Gilbert Elroy Tarigan (2421), IM Aditya Bagus Arfan (2370), FM Fabian Glen Mariano (2361), and WIM Diajeng Theresa Singgih (2308). SRMIST, which finished third overall, was led by IM Harsh Suresh (2435) and GM Raahul V S (2402). The 16 teams that qualified from Qualifier 2 are: With both Swiss qualifiers complete, attention now turns to Stage 2, the Online Knockout, scheduled for May 16-17 on Lichess.org. The 32 qualified teams will compete in a knockout format, with the top eight teams earning spots in the over-the-board finals in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The finals, which will take place from August 3-9, 2026, will bring together the eight surviving teams advancing from the knockout stage, alongside eight wildcard teams invited by FIDE and the organisers, competing for the championship title. The broadcast of the knockout stage will be available at: https://worlduniversities2026.fide.com/live For full tournament information, regulations and live results, visit the official championship website: https://worlduniversities2026.fide.com
ISCF’s “Chess in Education” Grant Program: Application submissions continue
Following the joint announcement by the International School Chess Federation and FIDE declaring 2026 the Year of Chess in Education, ISCF launched the “Chess in Education” Grant Program – a global initiative designed to scale proven educational projects that integrate chess into school systems.The program builds on a shared vision to bring chess closer to classrooms worldwide and strengthen its role as a tool for developing critical thinking, creativity, and social skills among children. Supporting what already works The grant program is specifically designed for projects that have already completed a pilot phase and demonstrated measurable educational impact. Its goal is to expand and strengthen existing “Chess in Education” initiatives, rather than fund new concepts. By supporting scalable and structured programs, ISCF aims to accelerate the global integration of chess into formal education – one of the key priorities of the Year of Chess in Education 2026. Who can apply Applications are open to: Schools (public and private) Educational organizations and NGOs Foundations and social enterprises Eligible applicants must already be implementing a chess-based educational program in school settings for at least one academic year. Program structure The competition will be conducted in two stages: Stage 1: Open call and initial selection Stage 2: Detailed project evaluation At the conclusion of the evaluation process, three projects will be awarded grant funding and recognized at the Grand Final Tournament. A global initiative The program is open across all four FIDE continents: Asia Americas Europe Africa It complements the broader international calendar of events under the Year of Chess in Education, including the World Schools Team Championship League 2026 and other educational initiatives worldwide. Key dates Application Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+5), July 31, 2026 Driving impact through education Selected projects must demonstrate: Proven results and measurable outcomes A structured educational methodology Readiness for scaling Real implementation in school environments Funding is allocated exclusively for scaling existing programs, ensuring long-term and sustainable impact. Apply now As part of the global Year of Chess in Education 2026, ISCF invites organizations to expand their impact and become part of a growing international movement. Register [HERE] For inquiries: edu@ischoolchess.com
Faustino Oro, the ‘Messi of chess,’ becomes second-youngest GM in history
Faustino Oro, often hailed as the “Messi of chess,” achieved a historic milestone in his chess career, becoming the second-youngest Grandmaster in history.Born on October 14, 2013, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Faustino was introduced to chess at the age of six by his father – a chess enthusiast and active member of the local chess community. This happened during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in May 2020. He quickly mastered the game’s fundamentals, displaying extraordinary talent, and soon began formal lessons – supplemented by online training sessions. Faustino’s rapid ascent includes breaking multiple age-related records, such as the youngest player to achieve a 2300 rating, the highest-rated 11-year-old in history, and the youngest player to attain an IM norm (later broken by Ethan Pang). He was ten when he beat reigning world number one Magnus Carlsen in an online bullet game, in a clip that went viral within hours. Faustino became an IM at the age of 10 years, 8 months and 16 days (another record, later broken by Roman Shodzhiev). At eleven, he became the first under-12 in chess history to cross 2500, a rating reached by fewer than 200 active players in the world. In November of last year, at twelve, he became the youngest player ever to win a match at the FIDE World Cup. In his pursuit of the coveted Grandmaster title, he cleared the first hurdle and achieved his first GM norm at the Legends & Prodigies 2025 tournament with an undefeated 7½/9 score, surpassing the 2500 rating mark along the way. His second norm came three months later on home soil in Buenos Aires, at the Magistral Szmetan-Giardelli, where he scored 5.5/9 and reached a 2516 rating. At the Aeroflot Open 2026, Oro came at the striking distance of becoming the youngest GM in history, but lost a crucial final-round game and had to wait for another chance. Faustino Oro at the Sardinia World Chess Festival; KNZO Photography Faustino clinched his final norm at the Sardinia International Chess Festival, scoring 6/9 and finishing 16th. Oro’s meteoric rise has resonated across Argentina and South America, sparking a surge in youth chess participation. The president of the Argentine Chess Federation (FADA) described it as a “revolution,” highlighting its broad impact. As one of the world’s oldest chess federations (founded in 1922), FADA has long supported young talent through sponsorships, school programs, and partnerships such as its cooperation with SENAF. Faustino’s success exemplifies the effectiveness of these initiatives.
2026 FIDE EDU Classroom Contest winners announced
By Abel Talamantez, FIDE Senior Lead Instructor (SLI), FIDE EDU Commission The 2026 FIDE EDU Classroom Contest attracted 120 submissions from 30 different countries! To help celebrate the 2026 FIDE Year of Chess in Education, we invited schools with chess programs from around the world to submit photos of their chess classes to showcase how they use chess as an educational tool and how chess brings communities and cultures together. We wanted to engage schools and bring them into the larger FIDE EDU community, and we hoped it would give us an opportunity to better understand two things: what makes chess programs different across the world and, more importantly, what are the things that make us all alike. The universal language of chess is expressed so beautifully in pictures, and we were excited to capture how different cultures use chess in school to inspire and uplift communities. The response was amazing! We received 120 submissions from 30 different countries and over 350 photos. Looking at the photos gave us great appreciation for the wonderful teachers, coaches, parents, and children who are part of these programs. The photos told a story. Deciding which photos to choose was a challenge, but we wanted to select those that elicited an emotional response and invited further questions. In our selection process, we focused on photos that told many stories. We looked for community, culture, learning, and joy, hoping to see special ways in which chess was used to engage kids in fun ways. We selected pictures in which the culture of a region was expressed through chess, much like how the food of a particular region can itself tell a story of the region’s history. We also narrowed our selection process down to schools that were making the most of the resources available, as chess brings inspiration to all, regardless of race or socio-economic status. Although the contest was originally advertised awarding three winners, the number of submissions and quality and stories behind them led us to expand the contest and include five winners. Here are the five winners of the 2026 FIDE EDU Classroom Contest: 5th place – Nossa Senhora Aparecida, Nova Prata, Brazil Who says chess is an indoor sport? At Nossa Senhora Aparecida in Brazil, students take chess outdoors to enjoy learning, playing, and socializing outside in the fresh air. Sometimes a change in environment can make a difference in the learning process, and what better than to enjoy a game of chess on a clear day, outdoors on the green grass. Playing chess outdoors in public areas promotes it as a social activity to people who may not yet play, and inspires curiosity. The photo also shows that chess can be enjoyed in a different setting, engaging various senses and enhancing the learning experience for all. 4th place – EL Qiyem El Hadaria, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria Sportsmanship is at the heart of any competition, and learning to start off a game with respect is an important lesson in life. At EL Qiyem El Hadaria in Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria, this picture tells a story of respectful competition in an outdoor setting. Coach Soumia Oukid says, “We often change the place to study chess to create a different and engaging environment for the students. As for the handshake, in Algeria we usually shake hands before starting a game. For this class, there are about ten girls, but in the whole school there are 325 students. I work with all the students in the school.” This photo captures a simple yet important concept, and it serves as a lesson on how children learn mutual respect and sportsmanship, win or lose, through chess. 3rd place – Experimental Primary School, Songling Road Branch, Zichuan District, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China This photo doesn’t show a full class, but rather one student solving a problem. However, it speaks volumes. I love how the learning tools in one photo show the classical way of learning chess, through the demo board and chalkboard, and then the modern tools in the center with the television monitor and online platform, beautifully capturing the evolution of learning. National pride with the flag of China displayed on top creates a beautiful scene. 2nd place – Addis Ababa No. 2 Government School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia This photo is a classic school chess photo. The kids are in a classroom playing chess, but the details reveal the depth of chess’s power to connect people. We can see three tables of what looks like competitive games, but one of the tables shows a group of students watching and actively discussing a game with the coach. The tables themselves inspire a lot of curiosity, as the chessboards are embedded into the wood, like chess is part of the learning environment, and all this goes on against the background of a chalkboard with an academic lesson. This photo reveals community, culture, and the uniting social power of chess. 1st place- Zhanir Khan School Class 1B, Khan Ordasy Village, Kazakhstan This picture captures everything wonderful about the power of chess to inspire creativity, learning, and fun while bringing kids together. This is from a 1st grade class where the students are learning the basics of chess through art. Their teacher Alfia Aksenova explains, “During the lesson, we decided to pretend we were “heroes,” chess pieces, and divided up the roles. The parents agreed to sew costumes, and the kids made large chess pieces out of play dough. This made our open lesson even more colorful. The kids were thrilled to be the King and Queen, Knight and Rook. These are our costumes for the open lesson.” The broad creative use of art, chess learning, and parental engagement with the idea to make learning more colorful and bring things to life makes this photo this year’s contest winner! Congratulations to the contest winners and many thanks to all the schools that submitted photos. We will be publishing more photos and telling the stories of some of
Frederik Svane wins Sardinia World Chess Festival 2026 as Faustino Oro secures historic grandmaster title
The third edition of the Sardinia World Chess Festival has come to a successful close, once again confirming its place among the strongest open tournaments in Italy. The event was proudly hosted by the Club Hotel Marina Beach in Orosei, offering an exceptional setting that combined high-level chess with the beauty of Sardinia. Svane triumphs after tight finish Germany’s Frederik Svane claimed victory in Open A with an impressive score of 7½/9. In a dramatic final round he scored a crucial victory over Murali Karthikeyan of India, clinching clear first place. Behind him, the battle for the podium was extremely close. Haik Martirosyan, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Mamikon Gharibyan all finished on 7/9, sharing second place. The final order was decided by tiebreaks, with Martirosyan taking second place, Nepomniachtchi third, and Gharibyan fourth. Historic milestone for Faustino Oro One of the defining moments of the tournament came from Faustino Oro, who achieved his final Grandmaster norm, becoming the second-youngest Grandmaster in chess history. In the final round, Oro faced Ian Nepomniachtchi on the top board. Having already secured the required performance of 6/9, Oro only needed the game to take place for the norm to be valid. Nepomniachtchi’s participation ensured this crucial requirement, allowing Oro to complete his historic achievement regardless of the game result. Closing ceremony and distinguished guests The closing ceremony was a festive conclusion to the event, celebrating the winners across all sections. Prizes were awarded in the presence of: GM Roberto Mogranzini, organizer and tournament director Danilo Mallò, President of the Sardinian Regional Chess Committee Gerhard Bertagnolli, Chief Arbiter of the tournament Their presence underlined the strong cooperation between organizers and regional chess authorities, contributing to the success of the festival. A unique chess experience in Sardinia Beyond the competition, players enjoyed the outstanding conditions offered by the Club Hotel Marina Beach, combining high-level chess with the beauty of Sardinia – its beaches, hospitality, and relaxed atmosphere. This unique blend of sport and location continues to make the Sardinia World Chess Festival a special event on the international calendar. Looking ahead At the closing ceremony, organizers officially announced the next edition of the Sardinia World Chess Festival to take place from May 2 to May 9, 2027, and invited players from around the world to return for another unforgettable experience. With record participation, a stronger field than ever, and historic achievements, the 2026 edition has set a new benchmark for the festival – leaving players and fans already looking forward to next year. All final standings can be found on the official results pages: Open A:https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1251111.aspx?lan=1&art=4&fed=ARG&flag=30&SNode=S0 Open B:https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1407196.aspx?lan=1&art=4&fed=ARG&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Open C:https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1407197.aspx?lan=1&art=0&fed=ARG&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0 Photos: KNZO Photography
Hans Niemann wins first leg of 2026 Grand Chess Tour: Super Rapid & Blitz Poland
U.S. Grandmasters sweep the podium in Poland; next stop: Super Chess Classic Romania The first leg of the 2026 Grand Chess Tour (GCT) concluded in Warsaw as American Grandmaster (GM) Hans Niemann, competing in his first GCT appearance as a wildcard player, claimed victory at Super Rapid & Blitz Poland with a standout performance against one of the strongest fields in international chess. The Super Rapid & Blitz Poland kicked off the eleventh season of the Grand Chess Tour. Located in the heart of Warsaw, the Super Rapid and Blitz Poland was the first of three speed-chess events each with a $200,000 total prize fund. The event started with nine rounds of rapid action, followed by eighteen rounds of blitz, for a total of 135 games spread across seven days, from May 3-10. The tournament featured five tour players along with five wildcards. “It was an exciting tournament and a great kickoff to the 2026 season,” said Michael Khodarkovsky, Executive Director of the GCT. “Warsaw has developed a bit of a tradition where wildcard players rise to the occasion and win the event – last year it was Vladimir Fedoseev, and this year continues that storyline. It speaks to the depth of the field and the unpredictability that makes the Grand Chess Tour so compelling.” Niemann led an impressive American sweep of the podium in Warsaw, with GM Fabiano Caruana finishing second and GM Wesley So taking third, marking a dominant 1-2-3 finish for the United States on the global stage. “Congratulations to Hans Niemann on an impressive breakthrough victory in his Grand Chess Tour debut, and congratulations to Fabiano Caruana and Wesley So on an incredible all-American podium sweep,” said Augusta Dragic, President of the Super Foundation. “The Grand Chess Tour continues to showcase the excitement, intensity, and global appeal of elite chess competition, and Warsaw once again delivered unforgettable moments for chess fans around the world.” Super Rapid & Blitz Poland overall standings: Place Player Rapid pts Blitz pts Total pts Prize money 1 GM Hans Niemann 13 9½ 22½ $50,000 2 GM Fabiano Caruana 9 13 22 $40,000 3 GM Wesley So 12 9 21 $30,000 4 GM Vladimir Fedoseev 11 7 18 $20,000 5 GM Alireza Firouzja 6 11½ 17½ $15,000 6 GM Gukesh Dommaraju 9 8 17 $11,000 7-9 GM Javokhir Sindarov 8 8½ 16½ $9,000 7-9 GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 8 8½ 16.5 $9,000 7-9 GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda 9 7½ 16½ $9,000 10 GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek 5 7½ 12½ $7,000 “After the rapid, I wasn’t stressed – I genuinely couldn’t believe I could lose three games in a row and still be leading. I was asking myself, why do I feel so bad and still be in front? It was a real rollercoaster,” said Niemann. “In the end I’m just happy I won. Anything could have happened, but all the stars aligned. It’s a great privilege and honor to win.” Outside of the historic American sweep of the podium, one of the tournament’s most closely watched storylines was the highly anticipated matchup between reigning World Champion GM Gukesh Dommaraju and GM Javokhir Sindarov – expected to be their only over-the-board meetings ahead of their upcoming World Championship clash. Gukesh captured victory in their rapid game, while Sindarov responded by winning both blitz encounters, adding even more intrigue to one of chess’s most anticipated emerging rivalries. The GCT now heads to Bucharest for the second leg of the Tour, the Super Chess Classic Romania, set to begin May 12 as the first classical event of the 2026 season. The tournament will feature a 10-player round-robin format with a total prize fund of $475,000 and includes all nine full-tour participants alongside Romanian GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac, competing as the event wildcard. Text: Grand Chess Tour Photos: Grand Chess Tour / Lennart Ootes Official website: https://grandchesstour.org/
Icelandic Championship 2026: Hilmir Freyurisson claims maiden title
IM Hilmir Freyurisson emerged as the winner of the 2026 Icelandic Championship, securing his maiden national title. The 2026 edition of the Icelandic Championship, a 10-player round-robin with classical time control, took place in Reykjavik from May 1–9. The event was a very close race, with as many as three players – Freyurisson (7/8), defending champion GM Vignir Vatnar Stefansson (6.5/8), and GM Hannes Stefansson (6/8) – having a shot at the title heading into the final round. Freyurisson took matters into his own hands and clinched the title by defeating FM Bárður Örn Birkisson. The champion’s record in this event is nothing short of remarkable: eight wins, one loss, and not a single draw. Vignir Vatnar Stefansson also pulled off a final-round victory over Gudmundur Kjartansson but finished half a point behind the champion. Notably, he was the only player to beat the champion and completed the event undefeated. Hannes Stefansson rounded out the podium with 6.5/9 following a quick draw with IM Dagur Ragnarsson in the final round. Final standings Photos: https://skak.is/ Official website: https://skak.is/
Chess in Schools: Greek Chess Federation’s national initiative
The Greek Chess Federation, under the presidency of Mr. Stathis Efstathopoulos, has achieved something truly transformative in recent years: it has introduced chess into Greek classrooms in an organized and sustainable way. In May 2022, the Ministry of Education approved the teaching of chess within the framework of the Skills Labs, incorporating strategic thinking, concentration, and creativity into everyday school life. Subsequently, through its School Chess Committee, the Federation submitted three comprehensive educational programs – tailored respectively for Kindergarten, Primary School, and Junior High School – which were officially approved by the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP) of the Ministry of Education. As a result, chess is now being taught in schools. As Mr. Stathis Efstathopoulos, President of the Greek Chess Federation, stated: “From vision to every classroom – we believed in chess education, and we made it a reality.” To support this growth, the Federation took a decisive next step last year by establishing the Teachers’ Training Committee. Its mission is both clear and far-reaching: to equip educators throughout Greece with the knowledge and tools required to teach chess effectively, not only within the Skills Labs but also in after-school clubs, creating a strong foundation for future generations of students. Furthermore, during the summer of 2025, the School Chess Committee brought together students from geographically remote communities through a series of online chess events under the project “Inter-Island Chess Actions.” Fourteen schools from eight islands, involving 65 students, participated in lessons, tournaments, and team activities that fostered cooperation, friendship, and fair play. The initiative helped reduce the sense of isolation often experienced in island communities by using chess and technology to connect young people across Greece. This outreach continues through the new “Chess Bridges” initiative, which aims to include more islands as well as remote mountainous regions of mainland Greece, using chess as a shared language among communities. At the same time, this year the Strategic Planning Committee was established under the supervision of Mr. Georgios Makropoulos. The Committee has submitted to the Ministry of Sports a comprehensive four-year program for school chess. Beyond the organization of the Student Qualifying Championships in every prefecture and region of the country, the program includes informational presentations in schools, the development of a competition network, collaborations with institutions and organizations, the promotion of school and interschool activities, the use of digital technologies and the internet, as well as the mapping of schools with chess activity. More specifically, the responsibilities of the Strategic Planning Committee include the systematic collection and evaluation of data from schools, cooperation with local unions and chess clubs for the organization of qualifying tournaments, and the development of partnerships with the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece and the Union of Regions of Greece, so that municipalities and regional authorities can actively support chess in their areas and facilitate student participation in the final phase of the championships. Within the same framework are included the search for sponsors to secure the necessary chess equipment, the creation of promotional videos and informational brochures aimed at students, parents, and educators, as well as the development of a digital platform for school chess. This platform will host a competition calendar, an interactive map of active chess clubs and schools, an archive of articles, and extensive photographic material. The year 2026 marks the foundational starting point of this long-term strategic plan and, with participation reaching the impressive number of 10,000 students, this vision began its path toward implementation through the Greek National Student Chess Championships, held on May 2nd and 3rd in Thessaloniki. Organized by the Greek Chess Federation, in cooperation with the Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki Chess Clubs Association, the Ministry of the Interior (Macedonia–Thrace Sector), the Municipality of Thessaloniki, and HELEXPO, the championships evolved into one of the largest school chess events ever held in Greece. Hosted at the historic Thessaloniki International Fair, home of the 1984 and 1988 Chess Olympiads, the event welcomed around 1,600 students from 74 schools, alongside more than 3,000 parents and guests. Team championships were held on Saturday, followed by individual events on Sunday with 1,223 participants. Beyond the boards, families enjoyed activities including face painting, children’s workshops, blindfold chess demonstrations, robotics showcases, and exhibition games against the AI-powered SenseRobot. The closing ceremony brought together leading figures from Greek and international chess, including FIDE Vice President Georgios Makropoulos, President of the Greek Chess Federation Stathis Efstathopoulos, and Secretary General of the European Chess Union Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou, alongside government officials and institutional representatives, including the Minister for Macedonia and Thrace, Konstantinos Gioulekas. A special highlight was the presence of Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, who participated in the award ceremonies and honored distinguished individuals for their contribution to chess, including Pavlos Anastasiadis, First Vice President of the Greek Chess Federation (1984–1988), who played a decisive role in securing and organizing the two Chess Olympiads held in Thessaloniki in 1984 and 1988, and who has supported chess whenever needed for more than 40 years. In addition, FIDE honored for their contribution to school chess Vera Avramidou, Chair of the School Chess Committee, and Stathis Theofylaktidis, President of the Teachers’ Training Committee. “Chess has the unique ability to bring together education, culture, and community,” said Makropoulos. “What we are seeing in Greece today is not simply the growth of a sport, but the creation of opportunities for young people to learn, connect, and develop important life skills through chess.” The Greek Chess Federation is guided by an ambitious vision: to give every student in Greece the opportunity to learn and benefit from chess. Supporting this vision is a dedicated leadership team working in close collaboration under the presidency of Prof. Stathis Efstathopoulos. Key contributors include FIDE Vice President Georgios Makropoulos, who leads the Strategic Planning Committee; Vera Avramidou, head of the School Chess Committee; and Vice President Stathis Theofylaktides, leader of the Teachers’ Training Committee. Through sustained effort, strategic planning, and a deep commitment to education, they continue to redefine the role of chess in Greek society — not merely as
Magnus Carlsen wins TePe Sigeman 2026
Magnus Carlsen claimed victory at the TePe Sigeman & Co. Chess Tournament 2026, defeating Arjun Erigaisi in a dramatic blitz tiebreaker. The 2026 edition of the tournament held in Malmö, Sweden, featured a stellar eight-player round-robin lineup, with the world’s No. 1 (Magnus Carlsen), No. 4 (Nodirbek Abdusattorov), No. 11 (Arjun Erigaisi), and No. 16 (Jorden Van Foreest) in action. Erigaisi opened with two draws but seized the lead after victories over Nils Grandelius (Round 3) and Jorden van Foreest (Round 5). Carlsen got off to a good start but suffered a setback in Round 4, losing a seesaw battle to Van Foreest. Given the short tournament distance, Magnus had to score as many points as possible in the remaining rounds, and the world No. 1 delivered. Heading into the final round, Erigaisi was a half-point ahead of Carlsen and faced Andy Woodward, while Magnus took on Turkish prodigy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. Erigaisi’s risky approach in the opening quickly backfired, and he had to fight hard to salvage a draw, while Carlsen caught up with him by grinding down Erdogmus. Both finished on 5/7, and the title was decided in a blitz tiebreaker. The first two games saw each player win with the Black pieces, setting the stage for a sudden-death Armageddon game, in which Carlsen had the black pieces but 30 seconds more on the clock. It culminated in a mutual time scramble as Erigaisi blundered his queen, handing Magnus the title. Erdogmus and Abdusattorov scored 4 points each and tied for third place. Close behind was Jorden Van Foreest with 3½ points. Andy Woodward finished with 3 points, followed by Zhu Jiner with 2 points and Nils Grandelius with 1½ points. Final standings Photos: Peter Doggers Official website: https://www.tepesigemanchess.com/
List of qualified teams for the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities 2026
FIDE publishes the list of qualified teams for the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities 2026: National federations whose teams have been qualified are requested to confirm the participation of their national teams of people with disabilities to the official email address of the Olympiad at olympiadpwd2026@fide.com by May 15, 2026. Please see the regulations for the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities here: https://handbook.fide.com/files/handbook/Olympiad2026CompetitionForDisabled.pdf We urge all national federations whose teams have been qualified to meet the confirmation deadline. Looking forward to meeting you in Samarkand. Official website: https://dis-olympiad2026.fide.com