Sindarov takes command with stunning win over Praggnanandhaa; Women’s Candidates tightens as Assaubayeva and Goryachkina strike
Javokhir Sindarov took a major step toward glory this afternoon at the Cyprus FIDE Candidates, defeating R Praggnanandhaa in a striking game. With only four rounds remaining, Sindarov now leads the field by a full two points. In the Women’s Tournament, Vaishali remains in the lead, but Bibisara Assaubayeva and Aleksandra Goryachkina have re-entered contention following their Round 10 victories. Let’s take a closer look at this afternoon’s action in the playing venue at the Cap St. Georges Hotel & Resort, here in Cyprus. This afternoon, a true legend of the game, Boris Gelfand, performed the ceremonial first move on Javokhir Sindarov’s board. Gelfand, the winner of the 2009 FIDE World Cup and the 2011 Candidates Tournament, was also the runner-up in the 2012 World Chess Championship. In a delightful touch, he was joined in the frame by his 2012 opponent, Viswanathan Anand, the five-time World Champion and current FIDE Deputy President. As the players settled in and adjusted their pieces at the start of the round, commentators Jan Gustafsson and Peter Svidler discussed possible outcomes. Svidler summed it up perfectly: “I think it will be more of the same. Javokhir will continue to be very comfortable at the top, and absolute mayhem in the women’s event, which continues day in, day out. Predicting that tournament has really become a fool’s errand.” The resemblance between his prediction and what actually transpired was uncanny! Sindarov chose to challenge his opponent’s preparation in a highly complex and dangerous line of the Queen’s Gambit. Reflecting on the decision afterward, he admitted: “I went into a very tricky position. Probably it wasn’t such a good idea to play like this in my situation.” Praggnanandhaa managed to win a piece in exchange for two pawns, but Sindarov seized the initiative and launched a dangerous attack. The critical moment arose on move 22: although Black had a piece for two pawns, his king was exposed. As Sindarov demonstrated after the game, Black’s best chance was 22…Be6. After 23. Rf6 Qh7! 24. Qxh7+ Kxh7 25. Rxh6+ Kxh6 26. Rf6+ Kg5 27. Rxe6 Rd8!, White would retain only a slight edge, with a draw the most likely outcome. Instead, Praggnanandhaa played 22…Bd7?, and after 23. Rf7! Qxf7 24. Rxf7 Kxf7 25. Qf4+! Kg7 26. Qg5+! Kh7 27. Qe7+!, Sindarov decisively picked up the bishop on d7 and converted the position with ease. In the post-game press conference, Sindarov remained composed: “I think I am very close, but I still have two important games with Black. I’m just trying not to think about it and to play good chess as always.” He also shared his coach’s advice: “If I deserve the title, I will get it, so don’t think about the result. And if I don’t, we will keep working toward it.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evKS78ydeto Beating Praggnanandhaa is no small feat. Praggnanandhaa is known for his resilience and preparation, so a decisive win suggests Sindarov is not just leading, but doing so with real authority. A two-point lead with four rounds remaining is massive in a Candidates tournament; at this level, even a one-point cushion is often decisive. If Sindarov maintains composure, he’s now the clear favourite to win the event and potentially earn a shot at the World Championship. The other three games ended in remarkably solid draws, with accuracy levels nearing 98% and virtually no mistakes: an afternoon of near-perfect chess. Anish Giri and Hikaru Nakamura opted for a fashionable Exchange Variation of the Queen’s Gambit. Giri managed to secure a slight initiative, but Nakamura defended precisely and neutralized any real chances. Andrey Esipenko failed to generate anything tangible with White against Matthias Bluebaum’s reliable Petroff Defence. After a series of exchanges, the game quickly simplified into a symmetrical position, and a draw was agreed without much fuss. In the third game, Wei Yi tested the 4.Nge2 line against Fabiano Caruana’s French Winawer. Although Wei Yi obtained a slight edge thanks to the bishop pair in a queenless middlegame, Caruana’s defensive technique was impeccable, and the point was eventually shared. On the women’s side, the tournament remains far more dynamic. Vaishali’s hold on the lead is impressive, but with Bibisara Assaubayeva and Aleksandra Goryachkina closing in after their victories, the race is very much alive. Goryachkina, in particular, brings a wealth of top-level experience – including a Women’s World Championship match – and is always a serious threat in the closing stages of an event. Vaishali comfortably held Anna Muzychuk to a draw with the black pieces, in a game that featured flawless play from both sides, without a single inaccuracy. Meanwhile, Kateryna Lagno did manage to obtain a slight edge against Tan Zhongyi, who surprised with the offbeat O’Kelly Sicilian. However, Lagno misplayed a tricky endgame, allowing Tan Zhongyi to once again demonstrate her excellent defensive technique and secure the draw. The two games producing decisive outcomes followed very different trajectories. The encounter between Divya Deshmukh and Aleksandra Goryachkina had been balanced for most of the game, but around move sixty, already under time pressure, Divya committed a critical endgame mistake and paid a heavy price. Goryachkina was understandably delighted to score her first win of the tournament and was all smiles in her interview afterward: “I can’t remember a tournament in which I haven’t won at least one game in the first nine rounds. I’m happy to be winning again,” she said. Another key result of the day was Bibisara Assaubayeva’s victory over Zhu Jiner, who had started the round as co-leader. The game remained roughly balanced for a long time, but as the time control approached, Zhu Jiner chose an inaccurate plan, and her position quickly began to deteriorate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbYYRjvimC4 After a relatively quiet stretch, Assaubayeva now appears to be regaining momentum and could well emerge as a serious late contender if she manages to string together a few more wins. Standings after Round 10 Boris Gelfand delighted fans this afternoon with a simultaneous exhibition, followed by an engaging Q&A session. He delivered an outstanding
FIDE Candidates: Sindarov stumbles, Giri strikes as race tightens
Javokhir Sindarov missed a clear opportunity to secure victory this afternoon against Matthias Bluebaum, allowing Anish Giri to narrow the gap after defeating Fabiano Caruana with the black pieces. With five rounds remaining, Sindarov still leads by 1.5 points. Vaishali and Zhu Jiner share the lead at the FIDE Women’s Candidates with 5.5/9, following victories over Divya Deshmukh and Kateryna Lagno, respectively. Meanwhile, Anna Muzychuk squandered a highly promising endgame, slipping behind the leaders. Let’s take a closer look at how the afternoon unfolded. The ceremonial opening move was played by Paris Klerides, General Secretary of the Cyprus Chess Federation and FIDE Delegate for Cyprus, who made the symbolic 1.e4 on behalf of Matthias Bluebaum. However, Bluebaum opted for 1.d4 instead. Javokhir Sindarov replied with a very rare line – the Harrwitz Attack in the Queen’s Gambit Declined. Commentator Jan Gustafsson was surprised: “I have never seen this move order before, so I suspect that maybe Bluebaum hasn’t either.” Very soon, both players found themselves in uncharted territory, reaching a position with opposite-side castling and no significant master games for reference. Position of the day The critical moment arose after White played 24.bxa4. In this position, Sindarov would have had excellent winning chances with 24…Qb7 or even 24…Qa5, keeping the queens on the board and continuing the attack. Instead, he chose 24…Bxa4?, allowing a queen exchange and easing the pressure. In the post-game press conference, Sindarov admitted his miscalculation: “It was an interesting game. I had a big advantage, but I missed his resource 29.f5 in the endgame. I thought I was winning a pawn, but I should have kept the queens on the board; I would have had a very strong attack.” Bluebaum, for his part, acknowledged his good fortune: “I played like a clown and wanted to resign after 22…a4, but he let me escape into the endgame and secure a draw.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESfOEFV_Nsg During the afternoon an unexpected visitor made an appearance in the playing hall and then did a spot of commentary in the analysis booth. With this result, both Fabiano Caruana and Anish Giri had a chance to close the gap, and they didn’t disappoint. Having competed in elite tournaments for over fifteen years, it is no surprise that they have faced each other many times, with a narrow 7–4 edge in favor of the Dutch number one. In a classical Italian Game, with Giri leaving his trusted Najdorf in the “drawing box” for this encounter, both players followed well-established theoretical lines, reaching a complex middlegame with a closed pawn structure and roughly an hour remaining on the clock for each. The position remained approximately balanced, though slightly easier to handle for Giri, when Caruana committed a serious blunder on move 37, very near the time control and under mounting pressure. As he transitioned toward the endgame, he activated his king, inadvertently allowing a subtle tactical shot that Giri spotted immediately. Giri uncorked the fantastic 42…f5+! and after 43.exf5 Kh6!! threatening 44…Bh5 mate. Caruana resigned as 44.fxg6 fails to 44…e4! followed by 45…Qg5 mate or 44.Kf3 e4!+ 45.Qxe4 Bh5+ 46.Kf4 Qg5 checkmate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmdMT3ajOBs The other two games also ended in draws, although R Praggnanandhaa let a winning position slip against Wei Yi and was clearly disappointed after the game. The last game to finish, between Hikaru Nakamura and Andrey Esipenko, was a 92-move draw. The position remained balanced for most of the game, although Nakamura eventually managed to win a pawn. Peter Svidler quickly captured the essence of Black’s opening choice: “It’s a pretty dry position in which Andrey is basically saying that he doesn’t mind being strategically slightly worse because he will make a draw.” In the end, Esipenko demonstrated excellent rook endgame technique, holding the draw without any real difficulty using the method of frontal checks. It is a must-see game for anyone looking to improve their technique in this type of ending. In the Women’s FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, R Vaishali and Zhu Jiner broke away from the five-way tie with important victories. Vaishali, now scoring 3.5 out of her last four games, defeated Divya Deshmukh, who blundered a tactical sequence in the middlegame that left her without adequate defense. In her post-game interview, Vaishali said she was very happy with her performance, while Divya admitted that her middlegame play had been inaccurate, pointing in particular to 17…Nd7, where she overlooked the ensuing ideas involving Qd4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwHeH05QaP8 Meanwhile, Zhu Jiner employed the fashionable setup with 1.Nf3, 2.e3, and 3.b3 with White. Kateryna Lagno responded in classical style, seizing central space with pawns and the bishop pair in exchange for a long-term weakness around her castled king. After the queens were exchanged, Lagno blundered a pawn in the endgame, and Zhu Jiner converted her advantage with excellent technique. FIDE’s presenter Charlize van Zyl caught up with the winner after the game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxFBuzoXndQ The other two games ended peacefully. Bibisara Assaubayeva introduced a very interesting idea on move three in the Rossolimo Attack against Aleksandra Goryachkina with 3…Nd4. Peter Svidler was surprised: “This is a move that, honestly, I did not think was playable in this particular setup, but I guess everything is these days.” However, the surprise value of a move, combined with a few focused hours of engine preparation, can work wonders in a single game. Jan Gustafsson noted: “Goryachkina did look very shaky yesterday (against Kateryna Lagno) when faced with a surprise.” In this afternoon’s encounter, however, Goryachkina chose not to take risks, opting instead for a solid approach with mass exchanges leading to an equal endgame. In the final game, both players – Tan Zhongyi and Anna Muzychuk – were coming off losses the previous day and needed a win, albeit for different reasons. Facing a sharp and tactical Grünfeld Defence, Tan opted for an early queen exchange, aiming to capitalize on the bishop pair in the endgame. Muzychuk, however, established an excellent blockade with her knight and maintained a superior pawn structure, eventually achieving a significant advantage in the
Media accreditation open for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Teams 2026
FIDE is pleased to announce the opening of media accreditation to for the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026. Dates: June 16 – 20, 2026 Location: Hong Kong, China The World Rapid and Blitz Teams, which FIDE launched in 2023, is a unique chess competition where elite professionals, recreational players – both men and women – compete on the same team in a serious world event. With the knockout format and rapid and blitz games, the event is naturally built for spectators. The tournament is also growing at remarkable pace, drawing global chess spotlight as well as top world players such as Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, Hou Yifan, and others. The FIDE World Team Rapid Chess Championship will be played as a 12-round Swiss tournament across three days (June 17-19), with four rounds per day and a time control of 15 minutes for the whole game plus a 10-second increment per move. The FIDE World Team Blitz Chess Championship follows on June 20 and 21, beginning with pool stages before moving to a knockout format for the top 16 teams, with a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. Media registration form: https://worldrapidblitzteams2026.fide.com/mediaregistration Official website: http://worldrapidblitzteams2026.fide.com/ We invite all media representatives wishing to cover the tournaments to submit their accreditation applications via the media registration form above. Accreditation is open for all members of the written press, photographic press, online media, and writers and photographers working for publications and/or websites of the FIDE National Member Federations. Accredited event media will collect their badges onsite at the events. A valid travel document containing a photo must be presented to receive media accreditation. The event organisers will ensure a comfortable working environment for all Accredited Media, providing a range of facilities and services at the level established at major FIDE events. We look forward to your coverage of the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026!
European Individual Chess Championship 2026 begins in Katowice, Poland
The 2026 European Individual Chess Championship commenced today in Katowice, Poland, hosting 501 chess players over the next two weeks. The event set a new participation record with 501 players from 43 European federations competing over 11 rounds for a €100,000 prize fund and qualification spots for the next FIDE World Chess Cup. The opening ceremony of the event took place shortly before the first round and was attended by the ECU President, Zurab Azmaiparashvili, Mayor of city of Katowice Marcin Krupa, the President of the Polish Chess Federation Radoslaw Jedynak, ECU Vice Presidents Gunnar Bjornsson and Alojzije Jankovic, FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej, President of the Silesian Chess Association Michal Pazdziora, the President of MOKATE Adam Mokrysz and other distinguished guests. The ceremony was inaugurated with the renditions of the ECU anthem and the anthem of the hosting country – Poland. The Mayor of the city of Katowice, Marcin Krupa then took the floor, and warmly welcomed all the players and guests to Poland. He expressed his eagerness that Katowice would host one of the most important European tournaments of the year, and wished the players best of luck in the tournament and pleasant time in the town. The ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili then addressed the gathering extending his sincere gratitude to the Polish Chess Federation led by President Radoslaw Jedynek and the Silesian Chess Federation and Michal Pazdziora for the organisation of the event. “Thanks to you, the European chess continues to grow stronger and more united”, added Azmaiparashvili. The ECU President then warmly addressed the players, wished them the best of luck, fair play, and brilliant achievements in the game. The speech finished with the ECU moto: “Play chess – Chess makes you smarter”. The President of MOKATE, Adam Mokrysz, was invited to the stage and wished a great and successful tournament to the tournament participants. He invited them to enjoy the venue, the town, and MOKATE products which are the main part of the players’ refreshments areas. FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej welcomed the players and guests to Katowice, “European capital of chess”. He wished the contenders the best of luck, great games, and nice stay in Poland. The President of the Polish Chess Federation Radoslaw Jedynak, then took the floor. He emphasized his federation’s pride in hosting the 2026 European Individual Championship and wished players a strong and successful competition. The event was officially declared opened by the Mayor of Katowice, Marcin Krupa, who – with the ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili – made the first ceremonial move on the top board game between GMs Igor Kovalenko and Reinis Paikens. The players were eagerly anticipating the start of the clocks, and the beginning of the tournament. Most of the favourites convincingly sealed the first-round victories, but there were also a few surprising draws on the top boards. GM David Navara (CZE, 2643) drew his game against Yehonatan Azoulay (ISR, 2298) with the black pieces, GM Maxime Lagarde (FRA, 2621) didn’t manage to prevail against David Martirosyan (CZE, 2281), GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP, 2595) drew with whites against Daniil Yasmo (GER, 2271), GM Constantin Lupulescu (ROU, 2587) was held to a draw by WIM Manon Schippke (FRA, 2269), and there were a few more interesting upsets on the remaining boards. All results, pairings and rankings after first round can be found [HERE] Text and photos: European Chess Union Official website: https://eicc2026.eu/
Five-way tie keeps FIDE Women’s Candidates wide open; Sindarov increases his lead
Reinvigorated after the second rest day, the sixteen contenders returned to the playing hall for the first of seven rounds in the second half of the event. Playing with Black, FIDE Candidates tournament leader Javokhir Sindarov held his opponent to a draw this afternoon. Combined with Fabiano Caruana’s loss against Hikaru Nakamura, the result leaves Sindarov two full points clear of the field. Meanwhile, Anish Giri narrowed the gap by defeating Praggnanandhaa R in a finely played technical game. In the FIDE Women’s Candidates, Anna Muzychuk lost to Divya Deshmukh, leaving five players tied for the lead and the tournament wide open. Three decisive outcomes in Round 8 highlight the remarkable balance and competitiveness of the women’s field. Let’s take a closer look at the action this afternoon in the Cap St. Georges Hotel & Resort in Cyprus. David Luiz, player of Pafos FC and former player for the Brazil national team, Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG, UEFA Champions League winner, made the ceremonial first move in the game between Andrey Esipenko and Javokhir Sindarov, while Moshe Slav, FIDE Delegate representing Israel and member of the European Chess Union Board opened the Muzychuk vs Divya game. Even before the key game of the round began, commentator GM Peter Svidler predicted that Andrey Episenko would push for a win against tournament leader Javokhir Sindarov. “He can’t fight for first place, obviously, but he will still want to do something—what could be more memorable than beating the runaway leader?” As usual, Sindarov blitzed out his moves in a main-line Catalan, building up more than a 30-minute advantage on the clock. “I prepared very well. I expected a Catalan and a long game, and after the opening I reached a position from my preparation,” he explained afterward. On move 20, he made a well-judged pawn sacrifice to seize complete control of the light squares. “I understood that if I didn’t sacrifice a pawn, I would be slightly worse.” Andrey Episenko spent nearly half an hour searching for a better continuation but ultimately found nothing more than a threefold repetition – an evaluation even the engines confirm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBvtVBITC8w Meanwhile, on the other board, the tournament pursuers were in need of points. Hikaru Nakamura has traditionally enjoyed a strong record against Fabiano Caruana, but he has not been performing at his usual level in Cyprus. Still, in his recaps he continues to stress a “game-by-game” approach, ready to seize any opportunity that arises. This afternoon, his opening preparation paid off. “I played this same line against Oparin, Caruana’s second!” noted Jan Gustafsson during the live broadcast. Caruana soon found himself significantly behind on the clock, down nearly an hour. Nonetheless, Fabiano’s solid play kept him well in the game, as he gradually simplified into a double-rook endgame, positions that are notoriously tricky to handle. Position of the day With around fourteen minutes on his clock to make twelve moves, Fabiano Caruana played 28…h5? Although he was already slightly worse in the endgame, Caruana still had solid drawing chances with 28…Ra-b2!, conceding the a5-pawn but activating his rook along the second rank and heading for a defensible rook ending a pawn down. The problem with 28…h5 is that after 29.Rd1! Rb-b2 30.Rd8+ Kh7 31.Rd7! Rxf2 32.Rxg7+, White’s rooks penetrate decisively to the seventh rank. In such positions, their activity becomes overwhelming. Even though Hikaru Nakamura had to work until move 67 to convert the advantage, the outcome was no longer seriously in doubt. You can also check out Hikaru Nakamura’s post-game press conference, where he goes through the critical moments in detail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiyG64Dlg2w&t=1s Praggnanandhaa R opted for one of the sharp and unbalanced lines in the Queen’s Gambit Accepted that he enjoys so much, but once again Anish Giri’s opening preparation proved excellent, with the Dutchman only beginning to think seriously around move thirteen. Capitalizing on a couple of inaccuracies, Giri steered the game into a position featuring a strong knight against a weak bishop, along with a slightly superior pawn structure. From there, the grind began: the Dutch grandmaster methodically created a passed pawn, which ultimately decided the game in his favor. Both players later joined the press conference to share their thoughts on the game and their overall performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUHXtdov89A Wei Yi once again returned to his favorite Vienna Game–Bishop’s Opening, a surprising choice after the rest day, when his opponent would have had ample time to prepare. He offered an early pawn sacrifice, which Matthias Bluebaum declined in favor of a more solid approach with Black: a sensible strategy against such an aggressive opponent. Still, Wei Yi is always looking to complicate matters, and he soon found a way to sacrifice an entire rook to expose Black’s castled king. Although the engines suggested nothing more than a perpetual check, Wei Yi spent over half an hour searching for winning chances before ultimately having to settle for a draw. In the FIDE Women’s Candidates, this afternoon’s results have dramatically reshaped the standings, with five players now tied for first place and six rounds remaining. The most important encounter featured Anna Muzychuk against Divya Deshmukh. “Probably the pairing of the day. Divya has had a bit of resurgence and was very close to winning her last two games,” noted Peter Svidler during the live stream. Around move twenty, Muzychuk was already enjoying a clear spatial advantage, with no weaknesses and promising attacking prospects on the kingside. “I’m impressed with Anna’s opening preparation, considering she is the only player who hasn’t been preparing for the last few months,” reflected Svidler. “Divya does like her …c5 structures, but this time she allowed the Maroczy Bind, and Anna, as a classical player, is very comfortable controlling the centre. The engine generally prefers White’s grip, so it’s difficult to keep the balance,” added Jan Gustafsson. Muzychuk gradually pressed her advantage and at one point reached a completely winning position, but she faltered in time trouble. The position eventually simplified to a draw, but in an attempt to play for
Asia makes its move: Asian Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 kicks off in Almaty
From April 7 to 10, 2026, Almaty hosts Asia’s premier school chess event. The Asian Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 has officially begun – the first tournament of its kind, organized by FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) with the support of its general partner Freedom Holding Corp. This marks the launch of a new global cycle. Four continents will host their own stages, with winners earning direct qualification to the Grand Final in December 2026. There, the strongest school teams in the world will compete for the world championship title. The Asian stage opens the cycle and sets the tone for the season. The year 2026 has been declared by FIDE and ISCF as the Year of Chess in Education – a global initiative highlighting the role of chess in developing critical thinking, strategy, concentration, memory, discipline, and teamwork. President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Arkady Dvorkovich addressed participants in a video message: “Our goal is simple: we want to integrate chess into school systems around the world. We engage with governments, collaborate with international organizations, and organize school tournaments and conferences to demonstrate that chess is not just a game, but a powerful educational tool. The competition is not just a tournament stage – it also includes educational workshops and masterclasses. I hope you take full advantage of these opportunities.” At the same time, Arkady Dvorkovich is in Cyprus attending one of the most prestigious events in the global chess calendar – the Candidates Tournament 2026, where the world’s top players compete for the right to challenge the World Champion. Among them is Bibisara Assaubayeva. Meanwhile, in Almaty, Timur Turlov opened the Asian Stage of the World Schools Team Championship – a tournament where future stars of world chess are born. Symbolically, the event takes place on the eve of Cosmonautics Day (April 12). The theme is truly “cosmic”: young players from different countries are making their first strategic moves that, like space exploration, open new horizons of thinking, teamwork, and intellectual growth. Chess teaches you to think several moves ahead – just as dreams of space inspire generations to achieve breakthroughs. The organizers of the Asian stage include the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Akimat of Almaty, the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation led by its President Timur Turlov. He noted: “Kazakhstan is not opening the global season of school chess by chance. Over the past three years, we have built a system that has turned chess into a full-fledged element of the national educational environment — with its own methodology, trained teachers, and a strong regional network. The pace of development of school chess here is among the fastest in the region. With the support of the President, we have not only launched the initiative but expanded it nationwide. Today, more than 60,000 children are systematically engaged in chess in schools, and this number continues to grow. We see real interest from students and parents, which confirms strong social demand and long-term potential. It is therefore natural that the Asian Stage of the World Schools Team Championship is held in Almaty.” The official opening ceremony took place today, followed by the first two rounds of play. The tournament consists of eight rounds played under the Swiss system, with two rounds per day. The time control is 45+10 (45 minutes per game with a 10-second increment per move starting from move one). Teams earn 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. A total of 26 school teams from 19 countries are participating, including Australia, India, China, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and countries from Central and South Asia, among others. All participants are students aged 8–14. Teams represent general education schools only — chess academies, specialized clubs, and mixed teams are not allowed. Each team consists of four main players and one reserve. The tournament features some of the strongest school teams, including prize-winners of previous world competitions, ensuring a highly competitive field. In addition to the main competition, organizers have prepared an extensive side program. Children will take part in interactive workshops and entertainment activities, while parents and local chess enthusiasts can attend masterclasses led by leading coaches and grandmasters. Dedicated educational sessions are also organized for teachers and parents, reinforcing the tournament’s educational mission. A special highlight is a social initiative in partnership with Duolingo India: ISCF has granted a Wild Card to a girls’ team from underprivileged communities, for whom this tournament represents a meaningful step beyond their usual environment. The program also includes exhibition matches and interactive experiences such as Quantum Chess. On April 9, a joint event with QJ League and Footlab will take place, featuring a tour of a football center, joint training sessions, and friendly challenges between football players and chess players. Participants will also be introduced to the traditional Kazakh game “Asyk Atu,” learning its history and trying it themselves. A culinary masterclass will allow children to prepare traditional Kazakh sweets. In partnership with FIDE, ISCF is also launching the international “Chess in Education” grant program aimed at scaling proven educational models with measurable impact. The selection process will take place in two stages, with winners to be announced at the Grand Final in December 2026. Today, chess in schools is more than just a game – it is a powerful tool for developing future-ready skills. It teaches children to make decisions under pressure, work as a team, and think strategically. The iconic Hotel Kazakhstan, overlooking the snow-capped Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains, provides a unique setting for the tournament. Here, children not only compete but also connect, share cultures, and become part of a global community. The tournament brings together sport, education, and culture, demonstrating that chess can serve as a bridge between continents. The hosting of the tournament in Almaty has been made possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of Tourism and
World University Team Chess Championship to be held in Kazakhstan
Best university teams will meet in Almaty this August to compete for the title of FIDE World University Team Chess Champion. The event is governed by FIDE and organised by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, together with Almaty city administration and 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 3 to 10 August 2026. There will be two online Swiss Qualifiers. The registration deadlines are 27 April 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC for teams participating in Online Swiss Qualifier 1, and 4 May 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC for teams participating in Online Swiss Qualifier 2. The finals will feature 16 teams – eight that have qualified from the knockout, and eight wild cards, invited by FIDE and the organiser. 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 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2008 and 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 third-place will receive €10,000. “In the year which FIDE has dedicated to chess in education, the first University World Team Championship is a significant milestone in promoting our sport. We have seen chess enjoy a sharp rise in popularity among younger audiences and this is an opportunity for the game to get more people involved. FIDE is fortunate to have the Kazakhstan Chess Federation as our partners and we are looking forward to a successful event,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President. “Kazakhstan has already established itself as a reliable venue for international FIDE tournaments. Hosting the first-ever World University Team Chess Championship will be a special honour and responsibility for us. Events of this kind open new horizons for inter-university cooperation: they create a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the development of long-term partnerships between leading universities around the world,” said Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. In recent years, Kazakhstan has become a regional hub for education and science, and staging a championship of this scale is yet another confirmation of that progress. “We are grateful to our President for creating all the conditions necessary for tournaments of this level in Kazakhstan, and to the Akimat of Almaty for its unwavering support of the national chess movement. For our part, we will make every effort to ensure that the upcoming tournament is organised at the highest level,” Turlov added. Team registration is held here: https://worlduniversities2026.fide.com For more information, please email worlduniversity@fide.com. Official website: https://worlduniversities2026.fide.com
Smashes, rallies, and checkmates: Padel hits the Candidates
Padel is a fast-growing racket sport, particularly popular in Spain and increasingly gaining traction worldwide. Played in doubles on an enclosed court where the walls are part of the game, it combines elements of both tennis and squash. The sport emphasizes quick reflexes, agility, positioning, and team coordination. It is highly social and generally easier to pick up than tennis, making it accessible to newcomers. While padel keeps your body sharp, chess sharpens the mind, together offering a perfect balance, as one enhances reaction speed and coordination, while the other strengthens decision-making and focus. For the second rest day, the organizing team arranged a padel tournament, which quickly captured the interest of players, their seconds, commentators, the media team, and even friends and family. It provided a great opportunity to socialize while engaging in light physical activity. For many participants, it was their first time on a padel court, and judging by their enthusiasm, it would not be surprising to see them playing more often during the second half of the event. A total of sixteen teams (32 players) took part, including Candidates Fabiano Caruana and Andrey Esipenko, who teamed up with their seconds Cristian Chirila and David Paravyan. Anna Muzychuk joined Ivan Cheparinov to form another strong “chess-heavy” pair. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich also made a brief appearance in the opening round before attending to other responsibilities. The teams were divided into two groups in the initial stage, with the top performers advancing to the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and ultimately the final. After more than two hours of intense competition, the duo of Pavel Tregubov and Konstantin Kiselev emerged victorious, defeating Peter Svidler and Michael Rahal in the final. Watch participants, officials and journalists navigate the popular sport of padel, sharing their experiences and reactions to the fun activity. https://youtu.be/o9ixjj96fvQ?is=tmzQov4HvBwJNbCg Written by IM Michael A. Rahal (Cyprus) Photos: Yoav Nis (Eugene Nisenbaum)
Vincent Keymer wins Freestyle Chess Open, secures spot in FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2027
Vincent Keymer has won the Freestyle Chess Open A at the grenke Chess Festival in Karlsruhe. The German grandmaster finished tied on points with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) but secured first place on tiebreak after a short draw in their direct encounter in Round 9. Both players ended ahead of a chasing group led by world number one Magnus Carlsen. The Norwegian remained within reach throughout the final day but did not manage to overtake the leaders. With this result, Keymer qualifies for the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2027 and earns €60,000 in prize money. He joins world champion Magnus Carlsen, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan), and Fabiano Caruana (USA), who had already secured their spots through the 2026 World Championship. In the women’s race, Harika Dronavalli of India, Alua Nurman of Kazakhstan (pictured above), and Dinara Wagner of Germany claimed the three qualification spots for the FIDE Freestyle Chess Women’s World Championship 2027. All three finished on 6.0 points, ahead of a tightly packed group of eight players on 5.5, undescoring how close the race remained until the final round. A full report will be available in the news section of Freestyle Chess website. Photos: Freestyle Chess Official website: https://www.freestyle-chess.com/
Danish Championship 2026: Bjorn Moller Ochsner claims second title
GM Bjorn Moller Ochsner is the newly crowned Danish chess champion. The 31-year-old native of Aarhus claimed his second national crown after edging out IM Filip Boe Olsen in a rapid tiebreaker for the title. The Danish Championship 2026 took place from March 28 to April 6 in Svendborg, a small town that has hosted the last ten editions. The event was held in eight different sections, with the national title at stake in the Landskampklasse, a 10-player round-robin with classical time control. Svendborg Mayor Bo Hansen making the first ceremonial move Although several top Danish players (including the 2025 champion Jesper Thybo) opted not to participate, it was a fiercely contested tournament with the champion decided only on tiebreak. Ochsner seized an early lead but suffered two defeats and was overtaken by IM Filip Boe Olsen, who headed into the final round a half-point ahead of IM Viktor Haarmark Nielsen and a full point in front of Ochsner. As tournament fate would have it, Ochsner and Olsen faced each other in the final showdown, while Nielsen took on FM Casper Liu. In a dramatic turn of events, Ochsner scored a crucial victory over Olsen to catch up with him on points, while Nielsen lost his game and finished joint third with GM Boris Chatalbashev. To determine the champion, a two-game rapid tiebreaker was played. After winning the first game with Black, Ochsner achieved an overwhelming position in the second but let his opponent off the hook, allowing a draw that secured him the title. Final standings Photos: Thomas Vestergård Official website: https://nyheder.skak.dk/