European Individual Championship 2026: Vignir Vatnar Stefansson seizes sole lead crossing halfway mark
After six rounds at the European Individual Chess Championship 2026, GM Vignir Vatnar Stefansson (ISL, 2512; pictured above, left) emerged as the sole leader with an impressive score of 5.5/6. Round 6 featured clashes on the top boards among six players on 4.5/5. The round was ceremonially opened by FIDE Deputy Chair and ECU Deputy President Dana Reizniece and the Mayor of Gliwice, Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, who made the first move on the top board in the game between GMs Robert Hovhannisyan and Can Işık. While the games on boards one and two ended in draws, Stefansson defeated GM Lorenzo Lodici (ITA, 2601) in a very tense encounter. Following a balanced opening, Lodici overpressed and lost a pawn, handing Stefansson a clear advantage in a complex queen endgame. Although the opponents exchanged mistakes in the final portion of the game, causing the evaluation to fluctuate, Lodici was the last to err and capitulated on move 71. With this victory, Stefansson moved a half a point ahead of a tightly packed group of 16 players sharing second place on 5/6: GMs Robert Hovhannisyan (ARM, 2621), Can Işık (TUR, 2563), Jonas Buhl Bjerre (DEN, 2623), Aydin Suleymanli (AZE, 2653), Eduardo Bonelli Iturrizaga (ESP, 2575), Daniel Dardha (BEL, 2596), Jan Malek (POL, 2533), Nikolozi Kacharava (GEO, 2500), David Antón Guijarro (ESP, 2656), Nikita Meshkovs (LAT, 2532), Jaime Santos Latasa (ESP, 2610), Haik Martirosyan (ARM, 2633), Maxime Lagarde (FRA, 2621), Jakub Kosakowski (POL, 2533), Alexander Donchenko (GER, 2642), and IM Teodora Injac (SRB, 2410). With five rounds to go, the event remains wide open. Pairings, results & standings can be found [HERE]. Official website: https://eicc2026.eu/ Text: European Chess Union Photos: ECU & Rafal Oleksiewicz
Rising stars and Grandmasters meet at Pafos International Chess Open
The 4th Pafos International Open Chess Tournament was officially opened this afternoon at the Attikon & Palia Ilektriki Multiculture Spaces in Pafos, Cyprus, by the mayor of the city, Angelos Onisiforou (pictured below). Directed by Arkadios Koulaxidis, President of the Pafos Chess Club, and held under the supervision of International Arbiter Tania Karali, the event has attracted 185 players. Participants are divided into three groups and include six Grandmasters, one Women’s Grandmaster, and 20 other titled players representing 29 different countries. The tournament runs from April 13 to April 19 and offers participants the possibility of taking byes in order to attend the final rounds of the FIDE Candidates Tournament, held just half an hour away. In fact, many participants arrived a few days early and have already taken the opportunity to meet their favourite elite players at the Cap St. Georges Hotel & Resort. Top seeds in the A-group include 2500+ rated Grandmasters Evgeny Postny (Israel; pictured below) and A. Ra Harikrishnan (India). The field also features several prominent competitors, including China’s International Master Lu Miaoyi, currently ranked as the world’s No. 3 junior girl. Lu is the reigning Chinese Women’s National Champion and the fourth-youngest girl in chess history to achieve the International Master title. In an interview with FIDE presenter Charlize Van Zyl, she confirmed that she has been closely following the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament and is supporting Zhu Jiner. One of the youngest participants in the main event is Woman Candidate Master Aida Paunescu, the Women’s Cyprus National Champion, who has already represented her country at the Chess Olympiad Budapest 2024 and is set to do so again in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, this September. Organised by the Pafos Municipality and the Pafos Chess Club, under the supervision of the Cyprus Chess Federation, the tournament offers a total prize fund exceeding €5,000. The event is also an official side event of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9SkgHn-sOc Pairings and results (chess-results) Event photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fide/ Written by IM Michael A. Rahal (Cyprus) Photos: Niki Riga
1st FIDE Council meeting, April 2, 2026: List of decisions
CM1-2026/01 To note President’s report. CM1-2026/02 To approve Treasurer’s report. CM1-2026/03 To approve technical amendments to the FIDE Financial Rules regarding membership fees. CM1-2026/04 To note the FIDE Planning and Development funding programme guidelines 2026. CM1-2026/05 To note the update regarding the 2026 – Chess in Education Year. CM1-2026/06 To approve the FIDE Council Resolution regarding refugee team participation at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. CM1-2026/07 To approve the extension of the deadline for the bids for the FIDE Olympiad 2030 until June 15, 2026. CM1-2026/08 To approve a limit of 60 teams participating in the Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities edition 2028, for which the Organiser is financially responsible and foresee that 20 more teams may participate at their own costs. Adjust the Regulations accordingly. CM1-2026/09 To approve the FIDE World Amateur Championships Rapid & Blitz 2026 to be organised in Abuja, Nigeria, provided that the National Federation settles its arrears. CM1-2026/10 To approve the FIDE World Amateur Championships 2027 to be organised in Hong Kong, China. CM1-2026/11 To approve the FIDE World University Team Chess Championship 2026 to be organised in Almaty, Kazakhstan and the relevant Regulations. CM1-2026/12 To approve the FIDE Grand Swiss 2027 & FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2027 to be organised in Isle of Man. CM1-2026/13 To note the Global Strategy Commission’s report CM1-2026/14 To note the Arbiters’ Commission’s report CM1-2026/15 To approve the recommendations of the Arbiters’ Commission on Seminars, Classification upgrades, Amendments to the lecturer list, FA norms and titles. CM1-2026/16 To approve the proposal of the Arbiters’ Commission. Table of Changes. CM1-2026/17 To approve the recommendations of the Qualification Commission on titles. CM1-2026/18 To approve Direct Titles for ASEAN Championship for 2026. CM1-2026/19 To explore further an appeal regarding the Oceania Youth Championship. CM1-2026/20 To approve the recommendations of the Trainers’ Commission on titles and Academies. CM1-2026/21 To approve the recommendations of the Events Commission on titles. CM1-2026/22 To approve the recommendations of the Chess in Education Commission on titles. CM1-2026/23 To note the Fair Play Commission’s report. CM1-2026/24 To approve the recommendations of the Fair Play Commission on titles. CM1-2026/25 To note the Social Commission’s report. CM1-2026/26 To note the Commission’s for Women’s Chess report. CM1-2026/27 To note the Constitutional Commission’s report. CM1-2026/28 To note Continental Presidents’ reports. CM1-2026/29 To note the Petition Regarding the 2026 ACC Elective General Assembly. CM1-2026/30 To note the report on the Sierra Leone Chess Federation and to approve the corresponding resolution. CM1-2026/31 To note the compliance report regarding FIDE Affiliated organisations. CM1-2026/32 To approve the FIDE Council Resolution regarding the Pakistan Chess Federation. CM1-2026/33 To approve the request of the US Virgin Islands Chess Federation related to Mr. Connor Eickelman. CM1-2026/34 To note the information regarding CAS litigations. CM1-2026/35 To note the IOC Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport and Guiding Considerations for International Federations and Sports Governing Bodies. CM1-2026/36 To note and explore further the FIDE – EDU Research Program. CM1-2026/37 To approve the FIDE Council Decision regarding the rotation principle for the Chess Olympiad and the priority right to host the Chess Olympiad 2032 in Africa and Chess Olympiad 2034 in Americas. 1st FC Meeting – April 2026 – List of Decisions (PDF)
Queen’s Online Chess Festival 2026 sets new participation record
The sixth edition of the Queen’s Online Chess Festival, organized by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, successfully concluded after a month of exciting competition from March 1 to March 29, 2026. Held as part of the global Chess Women’s Day Celebration, this year’s festival marked a historic milestone, becoming the largest edition ever, with a remarkable 991 participants from all over the world. The festival once again demonstrated the power of online chess to connect players across continents, offering competitive opportunities, visibility, and inspiration for women and girls at different stages of their chess journey. We are thankful to Lichess for our new partnership, which made it possible on such a level. A unique format connecting continents The Queen’s Online Chess Festival featured two parallel competitions: Queens’ Festival, designed for all female players, including the titled and experienced players Princesses’ Section, aimed at youth players The Queens’ Festival followed a multi-stage format: Continental Qualifiers (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe), played in a 9-round Swiss (3+2) Semi-Finals (9 rounds, 3+2) Finals (7 rounds, 5+5) The Princesses’ Section included two large qualification groups, attracting 189 participants in Group A and 109 participants in Group B, highlighting the strong global interest among young players. Continental Champions The qualification stage saw strong participation across all regions: Africa – 117 players Europe – 129 players Asia – 313 players Americas – 134 players In highly competitive events, the following players emerged as continental winners: Africa: Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi (Nigeria)Asia: WFM Sachi Jain (India)Europe: WCM Khadija Khalilova (Azerbaijan)Americas: IM Deysi Cori (Peru) Their performances secured qualification to the later stages and set the tone for a very strong knockout phase. Deysi Cori wins the Queens’ Festival for the 3rd time! The final stage brought together the top performers in a closely contested event. After seven rounds of rapid play, the podium was determined as follows: IM Deysi Cori (Peru) WCM Khadija Khalilova (Azerbaijan) WFM Sachi Jain (India) IM Deysi Cori delivered an outstanding performance throughout the event, adding another significant achievement to her already impressive career – it is in fact her 3rd time claiming victory in the Queens’ Online Festival. Congratulations! Final standings Princesses’ Festival: Emerging talents shine The Princesses’ Festival once again highlighted the remarkable potential of the next generation, with young players demonstrating impressive skill, determination, and fighting spirit throughout the competition. After a hard-fought final, the top three places were secured by Joana Maria Pinholi Martins de Souza (Brazil), Sarah Qiu (USA), and Modi Janis (India). Their performances stood out in a highly competitive field, reflecting both the growing global depth of girls’ chess and the bright future ahead for women in the game. Final standings A successful first-time partnership with Lichess A key highlight of the 2026 edition was the first-ever collaboration with Lichess, which proved to be highly successful. Meaningful prizes and opportunities Beyond competition, the festival offered valuable incentives and development opportunities: 1st place (Queens’ Final): Invitation to the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 USD 300 2nd place: USD 200 3rd place: USD 100 At the qualification stage, top performers received: Training sessions with a former Women’s World Champion – GM Antoaneta Stefanova Diplomas and vouchers to the official FIDE shop The Princesses’ Festival also provided trophies, vouchers, and training opportunities, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of players. Lessons with a former Women’s World Champion – GM Antoaneta Stefanova – will be a special prize for the top performances Supporting the next generation: Partnership with DGT The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess was also proud to continue its growing partnership with DGT, whose support was dedicated to the youngest participants in the Princesses’ Festival. Through this collaboration, DGT provided meaningful prizes aimed at encouraging and inspiring young talents: 1st place: DGT Pegasus + Pegasus travel bag 2nd and 3rd place: DGT 1500 chess clocks These prizes represent more than just equipment – they serve as motivation for young players as they develop their skills, confidence, and passion for the game. This partnership builds on previous successful collaborations, including initiatives such as the DGT Seminar and the Pia Cramling Cup held earlier this year in Stockholm. The continued involvement of committed partners like DGT plays an important role in advancing women’s chess, helping to create opportunities, recognition, and a more inclusive future for the next generation. Inclusion and impact: Participation of the girls from the Kakuma Refugee Camp A particularly meaningful aspect of this year’s festival was the participation of girls from the Kakuma Refugee Camp, who joined the Princesses’ section and competed alongside players from around the world in a celebration of chess, connection, and opportunity. As part of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess Girls’ Club project, these young players meet weekly online to learn and grow together under the guidance of experienced coaches IM Salome Melia and WGM Anastasiya Karlovych, with invaluable on-the-ground support from their dedicated coach Alaak Daniel Pager. Their participation in the Queen’s Online Chess Festival marked an important step – bringing together months of learning and preparation, and giving the girls a chance not only to compete, but also to connect and share their passion for chess with peers across the globe. A global celebration of women’s chess As part of the Chess Women’s Day Celebration, the Queen’s Online Chess Festival continues to play an important role in promoting women’s participation in chess. By combining competitive opportunities with inclusivity and global outreach, the event reflects the ongoing mission of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. The atmosphere throughout the festival was widely praised, with participants expressing appreciation for the organization, fair play standards, and overall experience. Acknowledgements Special thanks are extended to the dedicated team whose efforts ensured the smooth organization and fair conduct of the event: Event Director: Ozgur Solakoglu (TUR) Tournament Director: Ulkar Umudova (AZE) Fair Play Specialist: Andy Howie (SCO) Chief Arbiter: Kaussar Bauyrzhan (KAZ) Technical Support: Yilmaz Kartal (TUR) Deputy Chief Arbiter: Melih Cicek (TUR) and many more who worked tirelessly to ensure the event runds smoothly. We would also
FIDE Candidates: Sindarov inches closer as all games are drawn; Zhu Jiner joins Vaishali in the lead
Javokhir Sindarov chose a cautious approach, drawing his game against Hikaru Nakamura this afternoon. With two rounds remaining, he moves one step closer to winning the Candidates and earning the right to challenge Gukesh for the title. The rest of the games also ended in draws, although Anish Giri came very close to defeating Wei Yi. In the women’s section, Zhu Jiner made a strong statement by winning over Vaishali with the black pieces in an impressive game, moving into a tie for the lead. Bibisara Assaubayeva also secured a victory over Kateryna Lagno, narrowing the gap, while Anna Muzychuk missed a major opportunity against Aleksandra Goryachkina. With just two rounds to go, the tournament remains wide open. Let’s take a closer look at the action. The ceremonial first move was performed by Mr. Manish, High commissioner of India, who opened the game for Vaishali. Before the round began, all eyes were on the pairing between Javokhir Sindarov, leading the tournament with a two-point advantage, and Hikaru Nakamura. Would Sindarov push for a win? “Every draw gets him miles nearer to the end goal,” noted commentator Peter Svidler during the live broadcast. The eight-time national champion, drawing on his vast elite experience, correctly anticipated that a cautious approach would prevail. After trading all the pieces and signing the scoresheets, while the rest of the field were still deep in their openings, Sindarov and Nakamura headed to the media centre to explain their swift and strategically sound draw. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KeVjzNc6_c Sindarov was explicit about his strategy: “Yesterday’s game was very important, and today I needed a quick draw to rest and prepare well for tomorrow’s game against Anish Giri during the rest day. I was aiming for forcing draw lines; a fast draw is ideal for my situation. In fact, if I had the chance, I would have offered a draw immediately, but we have to play 40 moves.” Nakamura also adopted a pragmatic stance: “If the scores were closer, I would have gone for a King’s Indian Defence, but I didn’t see any reason to take risks. I’ve stabilized my performance, but it hasn’t been my best tournament and, realistically, I was never going to win it. I’m just looking forward to the end.” Still, Sindarov had a contingency plan: “If Hikaru had played something unusual, I was well prepared and ready to fight. But before the game, my coach advised me not to go for a long battle if he stuck to his usual lines. Against Anish, though, I’m ready for a long fight if he wants to push for a win: we’ll see.” The remaining three games also ended in draws, underlining the remarkably high level of play among all the contenders. In their encounter, Andrey Esipenko and Praggnanandhaa R entered a sharp and dynamic opening that both players had deeply analysed in their home preparation. Unsurprisingly, the game was handled with near-perfect precision and ultimately steered to a draw, with accuracy levels approaching 99%. Matthias Bluebaum, meanwhile, stuck to his preferred Carlsbad structure in his game against Fabiano Caruana, introducing a subtle twist with 6.Qc2. As commentator Jan Gustafsson described it, it was “a cunning little waiting move.” The game was another model of precision, reaching an accuracy of 97–98%, with virtually no mistakes from either side. However, Anish Giri missed a significant opportunity to close the gap with Javokhir Sindarov in his game against Wei Yi. Wei Yi remained faithful to his Candidates preparation with the 2.Nc3 and 3.Bc4 setup, but on this occasion, he was outprepared. Giri seized the initiative early, winning a pawn and transitioning into a favorable middlegame featuring a strong knight against a weak bishop, yet ultimately was unable to convert the advantage into a full point. The key moment of the game arose on move 32. With nearly 20 minutes remaining to make eight moves, Anish Giri spent 15 minutes searching for a winning continuation. The position is extremely tricky. Although Giri has extra material, his king is exposed and White’s passed c-pawn carries significant counterplay. The winning move was, perhaps unsurprisingly, 32…Qe3!. A queen exchange would have effectively decided the game in Black’s favour. If 33.Qd5+ followed, then 33…Kh8! and after 34.Bg7+ Kxg7 35.Qxg5+ Kf7 36.Qf5+ Ke7 37.Qxh7+ Kd6 38.Qd7+ Kc5!, Black escapes the checks with a decisive advantage. Instead, Giri chose a different continuation, namely 32…Qc5? which failed to 33.c7! Although Anish retained some chances later in the game, he was ultimately unable to convert. His final opportunity will come in the next round, where he faces a must-win situation with the white pieces against tournament leader Javokhir Sindarov. With three decisive outcomes and just one draw, the round in the FIDE Women’s Candidates proved even more exciting. Zhu Jiner scored an impressive victory with the black pieces against Vaishali Rameshbabu in a rich and complex game, joining the tournament lead with only two rounds remaining. Both players joined Zach for the press conference after the game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRW5ImwBTmM Meanwhile, Bibisara Assaubayeva also scored a crucial win over Kateryna Lagno, moving to within half a point of the leaders. Assaubayeva opted for a fashionable line in the Greco Gambit – generally considered equal for Black – but one she had analyzed deeply in preparation. The game quickly turned highly tactical, and at one stage it seemed as though Lagno might come out on top. However, the momentum eventually shifted, and the full point went to the Kazakh grandmaster. In her press conference, Assaubayeva expressed both relief and gratitude, particularly for her mother’s support: “I am happy that I won today. It’s my first win against Lagno in classical chess, although it wasn’t my best game. It was a difficult position to play because there were many weaknesses, and it wasn’t easy to understand what to do. I missed some tactics, but I had time to think and found some practical ideas to keep fighting. At some point it was at least a draw, and then I found a way to
FIDE Candidates: Sindarov preserves lead as Vaishali takes command
Javokhir Sindarov continues to dominate the FIDE Candidates after Round 11, where all games ended in draws. With only three rounds remaining, he still holds a two-point lead. If Sindarov maintains stability, he’s in an excellent position to win the tournament and secure a shot at the world title. In the women’s section, Vaishali R scored a crucial win with the black pieces over Aleksandra Goryachkina, moving a full point ahead of the field and taking clear control heading into the final rounds. Let’s take a closer look at this afternoon’s eleventh round action in the playing venue at the Cap St. Georges Hotel & Resort, here in Cyprus. Of course, the key game of the afternoon was the encounter between Fabiano Caruana and Javokhir Sindarov. Caruana essayed a relatively new idea – 11.Be3 in the mainstream Catalan Opening – a move that has already been played a couple of times by Nihal Sarin. “I didn’t really prepare for the last two games; I just played something safe. But then I got a bit of pressure and some serious winning chances at one point,” Caruana explained after the game. The idea involves a pawn sacrifice in exchange for long-term compensation. “We know that Caruana’s preparation runs deep!” exclaimed commentator Jan Gustafsson during the live broadcast. Co-commentator Peter Svidler offered a different perspective: “It’s not played with the intention of proving an advantage, but rather to reach a strange new position that the opponent may not yet have seen.” Sindarov, however, defended excellently, returning the pawn at the precise moment and securing an important draw for his tournament chances. “I tried to make an impact in the tournament, but he defended very well,” Caruana concluded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH70eNvlvA0 The other three games also ended in draws, although there were missed opportunities along the way. The game between Hikaru Nakamura and Wei Yi was a solid encounter, with both players blitzing out the classical mainline of the Catalan Opening. Sensing that his opponent was deeply prepared, Nakamura opted to force a threefold repetition at an early stage, though not before spending nearly forty minutes weighing his options. In his post-game interview, Nakamura explained his decision-making process and also shared some thoughts on his upcoming clash with the tournament leader. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCAQSJb8MrI&t=19s In an attempt to catch the leader, Anish Giri tried to improve on a previous game by Andrey Esipenko earlier in the tournament, opting for 11.Qa4 instead of 11.Rc1. Esipenko had already equalized comfortably in that earlier encounter, and interestingly, the same move had also appeared in game fourteen of the Fischer–Spassky World Championship match. However, trying to outplay Esipenko in an isolated pawn–minor piece endgame is a notoriously difficult task. His defensive technique was once again impeccable, and Giri was unable to generate any real winning chances. A draw was agreed on move 43, a result that can be considered a model example of defensive play in this type of structure. The player who will likely regret the afternoon most is no doubt R Praggnanandhaa, who reached a winning position against Matthias Bluebaum but ultimately failed to convert. Praggnanandhaa had already missed a strong continuation a few moves earlier, but with only five minutes left for six moves, the critical moment arose. He played 34.Qf3, activating his queen with threats against f7. However, after 34…d4!, Black’s coordination suddenly held everything together; the queen on b3 defends f7, and the initiative faded, allowing the game to simplify into a draw. Instead, the decisive continuation was: 34.Rxf7! with strong attacking ideas, including the threat of 35.Qxg5 and mating patterns on g7. The key line continues: 34…Rxe5 35.Qa7!! Bd3 (covering h7) 36.Rxg7+ Kh8 37.Rc7 (or 37.Rf7) with decisive threats such as 38.Rc8 and 38.Qd4, leading to a winning attack. In the FIDE Women’s Candidates, Vaishali Rameshbabu took a major step toward winning the tournament by defeating Aleksandra Goryachkina with the Black pieces. In their game featuring a London System, Vaishali equalised comfortably, and the position was heading toward a draw when Goryachkina missed a crucial tactical resource spotted by her opponent. Most moves would have preserved equality (one of them is 30. a4), but 30.Be2–c4?? proved to be the decisive mistake. Under time pressure, Goryachkina failed to notice that her rook was becoming dangerously trapped. After 30…Bc6!, White had no way to prevent …Nd7, which would win the trapped rook. Goryachkina tried 31.Rxc5, but after 31…b6, she was forced to give up the exchange and resigned a few moves later. In her post-game press conference, Vaishali reflected on the game and her improved standing in the tournament. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyMWZwgDNp4 The other three games also ended in draws. Kateryna Lagno and Anna Muzychuk have played many games against each other, with Muzychuk holding a slight plus score in their head-to-head. This time, Anna switched from the Grünfeld Defence to a Queen’s Indian / Bogo-Indian hybrid. Although the position out of the opening was slightly more pleasant for White, Muzychuk held the balance comfortably, finishing with an impressive 98% accuracy. The game between Zhu Jiner and Divya Deshmukh was also very well played by both sides. Zhu Jiner spent a long time in the opening in a Maroczy Bind sideline against the Sicilian, but Divya had clearly done her preparation and played quickly, reaching a slightly inferior but fully defendable position. She even had a small chance to press in the endgame, but the game ultimately petered out into a draw. Finally, Tan Zhongyi came closest to scoring a full point against Bibisara Assaubayeva. As commentator Peter Svidler noted, Tan has been having a difficult tournament so far, with three losses and no wins. In this game, she arrived well-prepared, played confidently, and put her opponent under pressure. However, just when a draw in the rook endgame should have (and ultimately did) arise, Assaubayeva made a single inaccuracy that briefly allowed winning chances. Unfortunately for Tan, those chances were not converted, and the game still ended in a draw. Standings after Round 11 This afternoon’s fan-zone activities included
School chess unites continents: Winners crowned at Asian Continental Stage of World Schools Team Championship 2026
The Asian Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 concluded in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with Wisdom School (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) claiming victory and securing a berth in the Grand Final scheduled for December 2026. The top Kazakh team, SEED Uniker School (Astana), finished fourth. Organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Akimat of Almaty – with Freedom Holding Corp as General Partner – the tournament took place from April 7-10, 2026 at the Kazakhstan Hotel. It brought together 114 young players aged 8 to 14 from 19 countries, competing in an 8-round Swiss system with a time control of 45 minutes plus a 10-second increment. The entire event embraced a space theme in honour of Cosmonautics Day on 12 April. On the final day, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Kazakh cosmonaut and National Hero of Kazakhstan Aydyn Aimbetov made the ceremonial first move – a symbolic gesture highlighting the shared values of chess and space exploration: strategic thinking, teamwork, and the pursuit of new horizons. “This tournament has become a true example of the promising future of chess on our continent and the potential of educational systems. We all understand and value the importance of education, especially at the school level. In FIDE, 2026 has been declared the Year of Chess in Education, and school team championships hold a special place among the key events of this initiative. This year, numerous conferences, seminars, and tournaments are taking place, all dedicated to promoting the positive role of chess in early development,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. Final standings (average rating in parentheses): Wisdom School (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) (2024) – 16 match points Kurchatov School (Moscow, Russia) (2275) – 14 Velammal MHS School (Chennai, India) (1908) – 12 SEED Uniker School (Astana) (2023) – 10 (EMGSB – 141) Bashu Secondary School (Chongqing, China) (1722) – 10 (132) RFMSH (Almaty) (1676) – 10 (116) Maliyadeva College (Kurunegala, Sri Lanka) (1602) – 10 (95) Bolovsrol Secondary School (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) (1616) – 9 ACG Sunderland (Auckland, New Zealand) (1834) – 8 (157) Lyceum School No. 173 (Almaty) (1818) – 8 (143) In case of a tie, Extended Direct Encounter (EDE) was applied first, followed by EMGSB (Extended Sonneborn-Berger). In addition to team awards, gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded to the best players on each board (based on performance percentage). Among them were two Kazakhstani juniors. The closing ceremony on 10 April at the Kazakhstan Hotel featured distinguished guests including FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhuldyz Suleimenova, Deputy Akim of Almaty Nurlan Abdrakhim, and President of the International School Chess Federation and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation Timur Turlov. “The Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has identified the formation of an intellectual nation as one of the country’s key strategic priorities. Today’s tournament clearly demonstrates the consistent implementation of this policy. Chess has firmly entered both the academic curriculum and extracurricular activities, becoming an important part of the modern school environment. It develops strategic and logical thinking and strengthens discipline among young people,” said Minister Zhuldyz Suleimenova. She also noted the successful implementation of the “Chess in Education” program in partnership with the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. The ceremony included a performance by Junior Eurovision participant Karakat Bashanova. During her song, the lights were turned off, and the audience raised LED bracelets, creating a sky of hundreds of glowing “stars.” Organizers emphasized: “If stars are lit, it means someone needs them,” symbolizing that every child present is a future star. The event culminated in a symbolic handover to Africa – the next continental stage – marked by a countdown and hundreds of paper airplanes launched by the audience. “Kazakhstan is building open and friendly connections with the world,” said Timur Turlov. “I hope our tournament has contributed to this process. We are very glad that our international guests experienced genuine Kazakh hospitality and discovered Almaty. I believe the connections formed here will stay with these young players for years to come.” Two memorandums were also signed during the event. The first established cooperation between FIDE and Freedom Holding Corp., providing additional support for national federations and chess initiatives worldwide. The second memorandum was signed between the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and the Kyrgyz Chess Union. The Akimat of Almaty provided significant support in hosting the tournament, ensuring comfortable conditions for young players from 19 countries. Full results: https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1387968.aspx Photos: World Schools Team Championship Official website: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/
Freedom Holding Corp becomes FIDE Partner for 2026 chess programmes
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the investment company Freedom Holding Corp have signed a Memorandum on cooperation focused on global promotion, development, and accessibility of chess. Freedom Holding Corp will serve as an official Partner of FIDE in chess development programmes in 2026. The cooperation covers four areas and includes: a) Organisation and sponsorship of international, continental, and regional chess tournaments b) Provision of financial and material support to players, coaches, and training centres across all continents c) Implementation of chess educational programmes with financial support d) Talent scouting programmes and initiatives through financial support The agreement covers the period from April 6 to December 31, 2026, with both parties viewing it as the first step in a broader long term cooperation.. Both FIDE and Freedom Holding Corp have committed to working in good faith for the benefit of chess development worldwide. Freedom Holding Corp has already contributed significant financial support for elite and school chess in recent years, recognising the importance of chess in education, cognitive development, and cultural exchange. As the official Partner, Freedom Holding will support FIDE’s ongoing initiatives and strategic goals to broaden the reach of chess, building a greater, stronger, and more inclusive chess community. “Freedom Holding Corp and its CEO, Mr. Timur Turlov, have been strong supporters of chess in recent years, recognising the value and high potential of the sport. In a year when FIDE is staging many of our most important events, we are strengthening our existing bond and laying a foundation for a better and more prosperous global chess community,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said. More details on the projects and the funding will be released in due course.
Coventry City vs Derby County football fans recreate rivalry on the chessboard
Coventry’s CBS Arena witnessed a landmark moment over Easter as chess made its debut in the Coventry City Fan Zone. Fans of Coventry City FC faced Derby County fans in a West vs East Midlands clash that extended beyond the pitch. Representatives from the English Chess Federation, including National Master Paul Lam and Andy Ward of the Coventry Chess Academy, engaged fans ahead of kickoff, introducing the game to supporters of all ages. The initiative also spotlighted the upcoming British Chess Championships, set to take place at the University of Warwick from August 1 to 9 this summer. Joining the event were rising stars from the academy: 15-year-old Woman FIDE Master Elis Dicen, 14-year-old Candidate Master Billy Fellowes, and five-year-old prodigy Riyaan Garnsworthy, already ranked among England’s top under-7 players. “It was a fantastic experience at the Fan Zone,” said Paul Lam. “We were blown away by the level of interest and enthusiasm from the public, particularly among young people. It was incredibly encouraging to see so many eager to learn and play.” The day ended on a high note for Coventry as the Sky Blue Army secured a dramatic 3–2 victory over Derby County FC, capping off a memorable fusion of sport and strategy. Alex Holowczak, the ECF Director of Events, said: “We are grateful to Coventry City Council, and Coventry City Football Club, for allowing us the opportunity to showcase chess at the Fan Zone. We are committed to creating a legacy of chess in Coventry that extends beyond this year’s British Championships, and the Fan Zone helped us bring chess to a wider audience.” Lam added: “We’d like to thank everyone who came to meet us and play. And a special thanks to Coventry City Council and Coventry City FC for making this opportunity possible. Play up, Sky Blues!” More than 1,000 chess players from across the UK, including the nation’s leading grandmasters and emerging young talents, are expected to take part in a series of tournaments and wider chess activities when Coventry hosts the nine-day British Chess Championships. Players will compete for a total prize fund of £34,000 at the city’s University of Warwick, the largest prize pot in the Championship’s history, while the Women’s Championship prize fund has more than doubled. The event in Coventry will be the 112th British Chess Championship, continuing a tradition that has run almost uninterrupted since 1904. Coventry last hosted the Championships in 2015, when Grandmaster Jonathan Hawkins won his first British title and Akshaya Kalaiyalahan claimed the women’s championship. The city previously staged the event in 1970. More details about the Championships can be found [HERE]. Photos: Dennis Dicen / English Chess Federation The English Chess Federation (ECF) is the governing chess organisation in England and is affiliated to FIDE (the Fédération Internationale des Échecs). Its mission is to promote the game of chess, in all its forms, as an attractive means of cultural and personal advancement to the widest possible public. In addition, the ECF exists to develop chess by creating the means to enable the highest forms of chess excellence to be achieved, and to expand the game as a social and sporting activity.
Pacers vs sitters: Two thinking styles at the FIDE Candidates Tournament
By IM Michael A. Rahal, FIDE Press Officer (Cyprus) Over the past week at the FIDE Candidates Tournament, I have been closely following the players during their games, paying particular attention to their demeanour at the board. As top professionals, they naturally adhere to best practices: most of their time is spent analysing positions at the board, both on their own move and their opponent’s, especially in time trouble, when the tension in the room becomes palpable. Nonetheless, I believe the players can broadly be divided into two categories: the “pacers” and the “sitters.” The pacer, often referred to as a “walker” or “restless type,” tends to think away from the board. These players reset mentally between moves and stay physically relaxed through movement. This approach is quite common at high-level tournaments, and many strong players rely on it. In contrast, the sitter, or “board-focused player,” is someone who appears “locked in” or “glued” to the board. Sitters calculate continuously while maintaining visual contact with the position, rarely stepping away. The most striking example of a pacer is Javokhir Sindarov. The tournament leader has a very distinctive way of relaxing between moves, confidently strolling up and down the playing hall, seemingly without a care in the world. Other notable pacers include Anish Giri, often seen with his hands interlocked behind his back, occasionally idly twirling a captured piece. In fact, he once admitted in an interview that he has accidentally taken pieces back to his hotel room in his pocket. Fabiano Caruana has his own variation of this habit: he frequently stands in front of the large screen displaying all the games in progress. Watching him there, one might wonder whether he is analysing his current position – or already preparing an opening for a future opponent! His teammate Hikaru Nakamura is intensely competitive in his pursuit of victory, while appearing outwardly calm or even detached! His mood during the game actually depends a lot on the situation on the board. On the other side of the spectrum, the archetypal sitter is none other than Wei Yi. His focus is extraordinary: he hardly moves at all, except occasionally to clean his glasses. One might even speculate whether he practices something akin to Jingzuo, or “quiet sitting,” a form of seated meditation and self-cultivation that became prominent during the Song dynasty. This practice was used by scholars to cultivate moral character and achieve a calm, focused mind in daily life. I would say that Praggnanandhaa also adheres to this stoic, calm way of approaching the game – in fact, he attended the Inner Engineering Program at the Isha Yoga Center in 2022, and asked Indian guru Sadhguru a question about handling tension during a tight game. Other regular sitters include Matthias Bluebaum and Andrey Esipenko, although I have noticed that Esipenko occasionally walks around early in the game, particularly when he has surprised his opponent in the opening. Ultimately, neither style is inherently superior at the highest level; it is largely a matter of temperament and personal thinking style. Some players calculate more effectively away from the board, while others rely on constant visual engagement with the position. That said, Sindarov’s outstanding performance might even suggest that the pacer’s approach has its advantages. Photos: FIDE / Michal Walusza, Yoav Nis