Bruno Parma (1941-2026)
The chess world mourns the passing of Yugoslav-Slovene Grandmaster Bruno Parma, who departed this life at the age of 84. Born in Ljubljana in 1941, then part of Italian-occupied Slovenia, Parma learned chess during his school years. His early career was marked by significant success in youth competitions. As a high school student, he secured second place at the 1959 World Junior Championship at the age of 17. Two years later, Parma won the World Junior Championship outright in The Hague, Netherlands, earning the International Master title. Parma was awarded the Grandmaster title in 1963 following his success at the Beverwijk tournament, becoming the third Slovenian to achieve this distinction. Among his most notable international results were a second-place finish in San Juan, Puerto Rico (1969), behind Boris Spassky, and shared first place with Georgi Tringov in Vršac (1973). A regular participant in the highly competitive Yugoslav Championships for over two decades, Parma never captured the national title but achieved a shared third-place finish in Čatežske Toplice (1968), behind co-winners Svetozar Gligorić and Borislav Ivkov. Parma represented Yugoslavia at eight Chess Olympiads (1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1978, and 1980), contributing to four team silver and two team bronze medals. He also played for Yugoslavia in nine USSR vs. Yugoslavia matches held throughout the 1960s and 1970s. After retiring from competitive play in the late 1980s, Parma transitioned to coaching. He served as a selector for both the Yugoslav national team and the inaugural Slovenian national team, helping to foster the development of future generations of players in post-independence Slovenia. FIDE expresses its deepest condolences to Bruno Parma’s family, friends, and loved ones.
Georgian Championship 2026: Baadur Jobava and Nino Batsiashvili claim titles
Baadur Jobava and Nino Batsiashvili have been crowned Georgian chess champions, each claiming their fifth national title. The 85th Georgian Chess Championship and the 83rd Georgian Women’s Chess Championship were held concurrently in Tbilisi from January 27 to February 5, 2026. Both competitions were 10-player round-robins with classical time control. Top seed Jobava lived up to his status as the pre‑tournament favorite, seizing the lead in Round 4 and preserving it to the finish. Entering the final round on 5.5/8 – a half‑point ahead of Tornike Sanikidze and a full point ahead of Luka Kiladze – he secured the title with a quick draw against his nearest rival as all other games also ended in draws. Sanikidze took silver, while Kiladze completed the podium with bronze. Notably, the champion and the runner-up completed the event unbeaten. Final standings – Open Nino Batsiashvili continued her impressive run of strong results, dominating the women’s event. The top seed strung together five consecutive victories in Round 4-8 and secured the title with a round to spare, finishing on 7.5/9. In the final round, Meri Arabidze defeated Lela Javakhishvili in a hard‑fought encounter and caught up to tie for second place. However, Javakhishvili claimed silver on the Sonneborn–Berger tiebreak, leaving Arabidze with bronze. Final standings – Women Photos: Georgian Chess Federation Facebook
Abdusattorov tops FIDE Circuit 2026-27 leaderboard after Tata Steel triumph
Nodirbek Abdusattorov has taken the lead in the FIDE Circuit 2026–27 following his impressive victory at the Tata Steel Masters 2026, netting him 25.78 points. As the first major of the year and one of the most point‑heavy tournaments on the calendar, the Tata Steel Masters propelled its top finishers into prominent positions: Javokhir Sindarov, Hans Niemann, Jorden van Foreest, and Vincent Keymer now occupy the places directly behind the leader. Andy Woodward, winner of the Tata Steel Challengers, holds sixth place with 7.46 points, while runner‑up Vasyl Ivanchuk ranks eighth. The traditional Rilton Cup, which concluded in early January, initially produced an early circuit leader, the event’s winner Xu Xiangyu. However, following the Tata Steel tournaments, he has slipped to seventh place in the standings. Rounding out the top 10 are the top two finishers from the Brazil Series in Florianópolis: Andre Diamant with 5.42 points and Aryan Tari with 4.81 points. Dedicated page for the FIDE Circuit 2026-27 is maintained on our website, featuring the latest information on eligible tournaments, current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Circuit 2026-27
New competition format for the 2026 World Schools Team Championship
The World Schools Team Championship (WSTC) will adopt a new tournament structure for its 2026 edition, featuring four continental qualifying stages followed by a four-team Grand Final in December. First held in 2023 in Kazakhstan and then in 2025 in the US, the World Schools Team Championship is the primary global scholastic chess competition, jointly organised by FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) in cooperation with Continental bodies. The 2026 edition will take place during the Year of Chess in Education, a joint FIDE and ISCF initiative to promote the role and value of chess as part of education, supporting both cognitive and social development among schoolchildren. In October 2025, FIDE and ISCF signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, which announced a series of international school team tournaments for 2026. The WSTC will serve as a flagship circuit of the “Chess in Education 2026” programme. It was then announced that the tournaments would unfold in two stages: Continental Championships for Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe and the Grand Final, featuring the winners of the respective Continental Championships. FIDE and ISCF now announce the structure of the new format and the regulations for the event. The 2026 cycle will consist of four continental stages: Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, all held throughout 2026. Each continental championship will produce one champion school team that will directly qualify for the Grand Final, which will take place in December 2026 as a four-team tournament. The WSTC 2026 will kick off with the Asian Continental stage in Almaty, Kazakhstan in early April. Exact dates and locations for all stages will be announced at a later date. Only teams representing a single general educational institution (such as a school) may take part in the event. Each team must include at least one boy and at least one girl, with possible exceptions for single-gender schools. Eligible players must have been born between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018 (inclusive). The regulations explicitly provide for substantial organiser support for participating teams. “Everyone has something they can learn from someone or teach someone. By bringing together children from different countries and cultures to play chess, we are sowing the seeds of knowledge, creativity and multiculturalism, which are essential for a thriving life and society. The ISCF is excited to be partnering with FIDE on this project, and we are looking forward to a successful series of events in the Year of Chess in Education,” ISCF President Timur Turlov said. “FIDE has consistently championed education and learning, and we have always believed that chess is a powerful tool for education, whether among children or adults. After the successful Year of Social Chess in 2025, we have dedicated 2026 to education and to children in school. The four continental championships, as well as the Grand Final, will not only further promote chess in schools, but will be an impulse for many schoolchildren to take up the game, spreading the wonder of our sport further. We are exceptionally grateful to ISCF for their work on this project, which has the full backing of FIDE,” said Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board. The regulations for the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 can be found [HERE]. Official email: worldschoolteam@fide.com Official website (coming soon): https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/ About ISCF: The International School Chess Federation (ISCF) is dedicated to the promotion and integration of chess within the educational system globally. Launched in September 2024 as a FIDE affiliated organisation, the ISCF operates as a main institutional platform for advancing chess in schools, developing educational programmes, supporting national federations and fostering cognitive and social growth among students through the game of chess. Official website: https://ischoolchess.com/
From local vision to European stage: The New Zagreb Classic’s remarkable rise
Launched two years ago the New Zagreb Classic has grown into one of the biggest open tournaments in Europe. Here’s what makes it special. When, in 2024, a group of four people, colloquially known as Chess Dads, set out to build an international tournament from scratch, their main motivation was giving their children, talented players from SK Novi Zagreb, a taste of chess on the “big stage”: a well-organized, ‘proper’ competition where they could face not only peers but also adults at comparable skill levels – something that previously required traveling outside Zagreb and Croatia. They envisioned a tournament where everyone – regardless of their age, gender, nationality or rating – would feel welcome and valued. They called it the New Zagreb Classic, reflecting not only their club’s name but also their aspiration to set new standards while respecting the local rich tradition. Two years later, the New Zagreb Classic 2026, held from January 30 to February 1 in one of the city’s best hotels, the Sheraton, brought together 506 players from 36 federations compete on the chess board. That makes it not only the biggest Open tournament with classic time control (90+30) in Croatia, but now also one of top 10 in Europe by participation. The compact format proved a big hit: players were divided into five rating‑based sections of approximately 100 participants each, with all five rounds condensed into a single weekend (Friday afternoon through Sunday evening). This structure made the event accessible to players who could not take extended time away from work or school. The New Zagreb Classic 2026 had it all – from beginners and pure enthusiasts to FIDE Masters, International Masters and even Grandmasters. Rather than aiming for elite players, the organizers made an extra effort to attract Croatia’s strongest cadets, talents from neighboring countries, and promising juniors from across Europe. These young players provided some of the tournament’s most memorable moments. Samuel Bro Jacobsen, a player from Denmark (born in 2014), scored the biggest upset in the top-tier group, defeating the Croatian-French veteran GM Darko Anic, while CM Andras Ilko-Toth (also born in 2014) of Hungary held Avinash Ramesh, a strong, up-and-coming Indian IM, to a draw and completed the event unbeaten. Ilko-Toth tied on points with 14-year-old Erik Golubovic, Croatia’s youngest FIDE Master, who came fifth in the final ranking as the highest-placed among these stars of the future. IM Vladyslav Larkin of Ukraine won the Open A tournament, ahead of FM Vinko Malada (Croatia) and FM Nicolas Perossa (Italy). WFM Elizaveta Dorokhina, competing under FIDE flag, was the top-scoring female player, followed by WFM Barbara Skuhala and WFM Petra Kejzar, both from Slovenia. Every group and every player had their own unique story – be it a breakthrough achievement, a crushing disappointment or just pure joy of play. The tournament’s growing significance in the local chess community was evident in the roughly 30 unrated adults who chose the New Zagreb Classic for their competitive debuts – many playing in their first official tournament or returning to competitive chess after years away. And probably the most heartening sight came after the final round: players of vastly different ages, backgrounds, and strengths mingled freely and, while awaiting the awards ceremony, spontaneously launched into friendly blitz games. It is exactly this kind of diversity and the instant bond chess can provide that embody the ‘Gens una sumus’ motto and make the New Zagreb Classic truly special. Complete results (chess-results) Official tournament website: newzgclassic.com/
History of the Candidates: From Budapest (1950) to Cyprus (2026)
The Candidates Tournament, the final test that a player must pass to challenge the World Champion in chess, has a rich history dating back to 1950. This event emerged as a response to the need for a systematic approach to determine a world championship challenger. Prior to 1950, contenders had to navigate a maze of negotiations directly with the champion, secure funding, and organise a match – a process that lacked structure and consistency. The turning point came in 1950 when Budapest hosted the inaugural Candidates Tournament, a 10-player double round-robin to select the Challenger for the then World Champion, Mikhail Botvinnik. This tradition, set in Budapest, continued almost every third year until 1993, alternating between tournaments and matches. However, the early 1990s saw a disruption due to the split in the world championship structure. The Candidates Tournament returned to prominence in 2007 as part of the unified cycle, initially in the form of matches. The modern-day era has witnessed notable tournaments in London (2013), Khanty-Mansiysk (2014), Moscow (2016), Berlin (2018), Yekaterinburg (2020-2021), Madrid (2022) and Toronto (2024), each contributing to the great history of the championship qualification process. Cyprus now writes the next chapter in this distinguished lineage. The Inaugural Tournament in Budapest (1950) The inaugural Candidates Tournament was held in Budapest from April 11 to May 18, 1950. It was a double round-robin with ten contenders—Bronstein, Boleslavsky, Smyslov, Keres, Najdorf, Kotov, Stahlberg, Lilienthal, Szabo, and Flohr. The event in Budapest became the only Candidates Tournament to end in a tie for first place with no tiebreaker in place. Bronstein and Boleslavsky had to play a playoff match held in Moscow in the summer of 1950. It ended in another tie, but Bronstein won the first decisive game and became the official Challenger. He drew a match with Botvinnik, who retained his title, as an equal score favoured the champion at the time. The Memorable Second Candidates (1953) The second Candidates stands out as one of the most famous chess tournaments ever, thanks to the timeless popularity of excellent tournament books by participants David Bronstein and Miguel Najdorf. The tournament was a massive affair – a double round-robin with 15 contestants, meaning each participant played 28 games. The superb lineup contributed to the rich chess heritage of this event: Smyslov, Bronstein, Keres, Reshevsky, Petrosian, Geller, Najdorf, Kotov, Taimanov, Averbakh, Boleslavsky, Szabo, Gligoric, Euwe, Stahlberg (named in order of final standings). The clear winner, Vasily Smyslov, went on to draw his first match with Botvinnik, who, therefore, retained the title. Amsterdam 1956 and the Success of Vasily Smyslov Photo: GaHetNa (Nationaal Archief NL) The 1956 Candidates Tournament in Amsterdam showcased the remarkable success of Vasily Smyslov, who secured victory for the second consecutive time. Finishing 1.5 points above the field of 10 players, he lost only one game – to 19-year-old debutant Boris Spassky. Having reached his prime form, the next year, Smyslov beat Botvinnik 12½-9½ in the match for the title and became the 7th World Chess Champion. Yugoslavia 1959 – A Chess Odyssey After winning the rematch against Smyslov 12½–10½ in 1958, Botvinnik was again the World Champion and awaited a new Challenger. In 1959, Yugoslavia hosted the Candidates Tournament, narrowing down to eight participants. In a quadruple round-robin, meaning each player meeting every opponent four times, 28 games were played in total. Three cities in Yugoslavia hosted the event, with the first half played in Bled and then moving to Zagreb and finally Belgrade. Despite the disastrous result against Keres (1-3), the young 22-year-old debutant Mikhail Tal swept through the rest of the field – Petrosian, Smyslov, Gligoric, the other remarkable newcomer 16-year-old Fischer, Olafsson and Benko. Half a year later, “the magician from Riga” took the title from Botvinnik, defeating the Soviet chess Patriarch 12½–8½. Curacao 1962 – The Caribbean Challenge And again, the World Champion was Mikhail Botvinnik. Like Smyslov, Tal held the title only for a year before handing it back to the Patriarch, who won the rematch 13-8. The next Challenger for the resilient and ever-resourceful but ageing 50-year-old Botvinnik was to be determined in the Caribbean. The eight-player quadruple round-robin format stood another test – Petrosian, Geller, Keres, Fischer, Korchnoi, Benko, Tal and Filip were to stay on the tropical island for two months. Tal’s deteriorating health did not let him finish the event, and he withdrew after 21 rounds. At the height of the Cold War, all eyes were on the performance of 19-year-old Bobby Fischer, but he was not yet ready to stand up against the Soviet chess machine, especially when its players had the benefit of making short draws between each other. Tigran Petrosian won the tournament without losing a single game and went on to become the 9th World Champion. 1965-1968 – The Era of Matches The Candidates Matches of 1965 and 1968 were the golden era of Boris Spassky, who won both events. In their first match, Tigran Petrosian held his title by one point, 12½–11½, but in the second encounter, three years later, he was defeated by the younger opponent (Spassky was eight years his junior) 12½–10½. 1971 – Fischer’s Dominance The next cycle went into the history of chess as Robert (Bobby) Fischer’s crescendo of dominant victories, culminating in the famous 1972 Reykjavik Spassky-Fischer face-off, dubbed the Match of the Century. Fischer’s remarkable victories in the Candidates matches, beating Taimanov 6–0, Larsen 6–0, and Petrosian 6½–2½, paved the way for him to face Spassky. In the World Championship Match, he dethroned Spassky with 12½–8½ and became the 11th World Chess Champion. 1974 – 1984 – Anatoly Karpov’s Era In the decade following the Match of the Century, Anatoly Karpov gathered momentum and turned into the chess scene’s leading actor, winning the Candidate Matches 1974 and becoming the 12th World Champion following Fischer’s withdrawal. His historic battles with Victor Korchnoi, winner of the 1977-78 and 1980 Candidate Matches, and later with Garry Kasparov, winner of the 1983-84 Candidate Matches, are some of the 20th-century chess saga’s
Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort becomes an official FIDE Partner for the 2026 Candidates
The luxurious Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort in Cyprus has signed an agreement with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to become the Official Partner for the 2026 Candidates tournaments taking place this March and April in Cyprus. Cyprus and the award-winning Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort were selected by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) as the ideal destination meeting the most stringent international standards for hosting an event of global historical significance. This selection represents the highest level of international recognition and a clear affirmation of the prestige, credibility, and organizational excellence required for the world’s premier chess event. As the Official Partner of the Tournament in the area of hotel services, Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort will be featured throughout FIDE’s global broadcast and event branding. “One of the most important tasks of FIDE is to provide the players with the best possible conditions so they can focus on the tournament,” FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky said. “During my first visit to Cap St.George, I was impressed with the grandeur of the hotel and resort, its facilities and amenities. Throughout two months of preparation, and now, after the second visit, FIDE organizing team and I witnessed a dedicated and very professional approach from the hosts. I am sure the players, their teams and everyone attending will have a great experience at FIDE Candidates in Cyprus.” George Ioannou, the owner and CEO of Cap St Georges, said the FIDE Candidates aligns with the resort’s commitment to hosting world-class events. “We are passionate about providing a wonderful experience for our guests and visitors, while at the same time contributing to the local community. Hosting the most prestigious chess tournament in the world reflects our dedication to excellence and our goal of making Paphos a premier destination for global events.” The 2026 Candidates tournaments will take place between 28 March and 16 April in Pegeia (also known as Peiya), near Paphos, Cyprus, and feature a record €1,000,000 prize fund. The event will see eight players in the Open and eight in the Women’s tournament, playing in a round-robin format to determine the challengers for the World Chess Championship title. Regulations for the FIDE Candidates 2026 can be found below: Open – handbook.fide.com/files/handbook/Regulations_for_the_FIDE_Candidates_Tournament_2026.pdf Women’s – handbook.fide.com/files/handbook/WomenCandidatesRegulations2026.pdf Tickets are available here: tickets.fide.com/ FIDE Candidates 2026 official website: candidates2026.fide.com/ About Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort: Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort: An Award-Winning Luxury Destination at Cape St George Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort is an award-winning luxury destination located at Cape St George, along the picturesque coastline of Pegeia, in Paphos, Cyprus. Set in a remarkable natural setting, the resort offers an inspiring environment where elegance, tranquillity and excellence come together with the area’s rich history and local culture, creating a truly distinctive experience for every guest. Visitors enjoy access to an impressive range of facilities, including the pristine Olive Tree Beach and Kafizis Beach, outdoor and heated indoor swimming pools, a spa and wellness centre, and fully equipped sports facilities. The resort also features a collection of ten restaurants and bars, offering refined international flavours alongside authentic local cuisine. Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort attracts both international visitors and permanent residents, offering a diverse range of experiences that balance relaxation, entertainment and cultural discovery. Surrounded by unspoiled natural landscapes and complemented by modern infrastructure, the resort provides an elegant and comfortable setting for unforgettable moments as well as high-profile events. For more information, visit: capstgeorges.com/
Queens’ Online Chess Festival returns in March 2026
The Queens’ Online Chess Festival will return in March 2026, marking its 6th edition as a global celebration of women’s chess. Organised by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess under the Chess4All FIDE WOM Project, the festival will run from March 1-29, 2026 and is dedicated to International Women’s Day (March 8). Participation is free of charge, and the festival is open to women and girls of all ages and playing levels, including unrated players from around the world. The 2026 edition of the Queens’ Online Chess Festival will once again feature two parallel competitions, offering opportunities for both rated and unrated players: Queens’ Women’s Open Tournament Unrated Princesses’ Tournament Queens’ Women’s Open TournamentOpen to all female players with a FIDE ID, the Women’s Open is structured as a series of continental online blitz qualifiers, followed by a Semi-Final and a Final. The qualification tournaments will take place as follows: African Online Blitz Qualification – March 1 (9:00 UTC) European Online Blitz Qualification – March 7 (9:00 UTC) Asian Online Blitz Qualification – March 8 (9:00 UTC) American Online Blitz Qualification – March 15 (13:00 UTC) Each continental qualifier will be played as a 9-round Swiss tournament with a 3+2 blitz time control. The winner of each qualifier will receive the title of Queen of her respective continent. The top 25 players from each continent will advance to the Queens’ Online Semi-Final, scheduled for March 22 at 13:00 UTC, where 100 players will compete in a 9-round Swiss tournament. The top eight finishers from the Semi-Final will qualify for the Queens’ Online Final, a 7-round round-robin blitz tournament played on March 29 at 13:00 UTC, with a 5+5 time control, to determine the overall winner of the festival. Registration deadlines for the continental qualification tournaments are as follows: Africa: February 22, 2026 Europe & Asia: March 1, 2026 Americas: March 7, 2026 The registration form for the Queens’ Women’s Open is available [HERE]. Unrated Princesses’ TournamentDesigned for girls without a FIDE rating, the Unrated Princesses’ Tournament is open to players in the U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17 age categories (U17 players must be born on or after 1 January 2009). The Princesses’ competition will include: Online Qualification Group A – March 16 (9:00 UTC) Online Qualification Group B – March 16 (13:00 UTC) Online Final Stage U9, U11, U13, U15, U17 – March 29 (13:00 UTC) All stages of the Princesses’ tournament will be played with a 5+5 blitz time control, with 7 rounds for each qualification stage Unrated players under 17 years old may choose to participate in the Queens’ Women’s Open, the Unrated Princesses’ Tournament, or both events. Registration for the Princesses’ tournament closes on March 8, 2026. The registration form is available [HERE]. Fair play and online regulations Fair play remains a central pillar of the Queens’ Online Chess Festival. All Semi-Final and Final stages will be conducted under FIDE Online Chess Regulations, including mandatory Zoom supervision, screen sharing, and camera monitoring. All games will undergo post-event fair play verification using statistical analysis tools and the FIDE Screening Tool. Awards All participants will receive an electronic certificate of participation. Additional awards include: Queens’ Women’s Open Continental titles for the winners of each qualification tournament 100 USD FIDE shop voucher for the winners of each qualification tournament Training sessions with Women Grandmasters for top performers A prize fund of USD 600 for the top three finishers in the Queens’ Women’s Open Final An invitation for the overall winner of the Queens’ Women’s Open to attend the 46th World Chess Olympiad 2026 in Uzbekistan, including three nights of hotel accommodation with full board Unrated Princesses’ Tournament Diplomas for the top three finishers in each age category for both qualification stages of the Princesses’ Chess Festival Training sessions with Women Grandmasters for top performers A physical trophy for the winner of the final 100 USD FIDE shop voucher for the final winner, and 50 USD vouchers for second and third place finishers. We are looking forward to your registrations! Regulations (PDF) Contact Information: General Director: Ozgur Solakoglu (TUR)Tournament Director: Ulkar Umudova (AZE)Festival Coordinator: Yilmaz Kar tal (TUR)Chief Arbiter: IA Kaussar Bauyrzhan (KAZ) E-mail address: queensfestival@fide.com FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess official website: wom.fide.com/
Winners crowned at Muscat Nights International Chess Championship 2026
The Muscat Nights International Chess Championship 2026 concluded in Muscat, Oman. Running from January 14–24, 2026, the competition has grown into one of the most significant FIDE-rated international chess events in the Middle East. Organized by the Oman Chess Committee and hosted at the Al Amal Club Hall, the championship attracted a broad global field and delivered a strong competitive standard across two categories – Over 2000 (Open A) and Under 2000 (Open B). Both competitions were 9-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control. The event also featured a highly competitive blitz tournament. The 2026 edition continued the strong legacy of previous years, seeing expansion in both participation and international diversity. The championship featured 270 players representing 36 countries, including more than 10 GMs and over 10 IMs. The strong presence of titled players provided valuable competitive exposure for regional and emerging players. The competition in Oman was widely recognized for its organizational quality, competitive excitement, and its contribution to the local and international chess ecosystem. Final standings – Open A Final standings – Open B Final standings – Blitz Indian players delivered particularly strong results, sweeping top honors across two categories and once again proving the strength of their national chess development programs. As part of the accompanying programs of the Muscat Nights Chess Championship, the Oman Chess Committee organized a cultural sightseeing tour for the participating players, which included visits to several prominent tourist and cultural landmarks in Muscat Governorate, such as Mutrah Souq, Al Alam Palace Square, the National Museum, and the Royal Opera House Muscat. This initiative was aimed to introduce participants to the Sultanate of Oman’s rich cultural and historical heritage, while enhancing their overall experience beyond the competitive atmosphere of the tournament. In addition, the Committee organized friendly football matches for the players at the outdoor artificial pitch of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, following the conclusion of the daily competitive rounds. These recreational activities were designed to strengthen bonds of friendship, encourage interaction, and promote camaraderie among players from different countries.
Nodirbek Abdusattorov wins Tata Steel Chess Masters 2026
Nodirbek Abdusattorov emerged victorious at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2026. After thirteen rounds of top-level chess in Wijk aan Zee, the Uzbek grandmaster claimed the Tata Steel Masters title on his fourth attempt. The 88th edition of the tournament, often referred to as the “Wimbledon of chess”, was held from January 16 to February 1 and once again brought together the world’s best players, emerging talents and hundreds of amateur chess players under one roof. A thrilling final weekend The battle for first place remained open until the very last round. Going into the final 13th round, no fewer than five players were still in contention for the Masters title: Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sindarov, Hans Niemann, Vincent Keymer and Jorden van Foreest. Abdusattorov had come agonizingly close to winning the tournament in the previous three editions, each time staying among the leaders until the final weekend. In 2026, he finally converted that consistency into overall victory, adding his name to the tournament’s long list of champions. Reaction from the tournament director Tournament director Jeroen van den Berg praised the winner’s performance: “What a great achievement by Nodirbek Abdusattorov. He played at a very high and stable level throughout the tournament. In recent years he was always very close, and now he has rightfully won the title. I congratulate him warmly and of course invite him to return next year to defend his crown in Wijk aan Zee.” Andy Woodward wins the Challengers In the Tata Steel Challengers, Andy Woodward emerged victorious after a closely contested tournament. With his win, Woodward earns an invitation to compete in the Tata Steel Masters 2027, continuing the tournament’s long-standing tradition of promotion from the Challengers group. Vasyl Ivanchuk and Aydin Suleymanli both remained in the race for the Challengers title until the final round! Global reach and new highlights The Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2026 once again attracted a worldwide audience. Games from De Moriaan were followed live by hundreds of thousands of viewers each day, with peak viewing numbers reaching close to one million. New this year was the Tata Steel Chess Rapid Tournament at Hotel Hoge Duin, adding an extra dimension to the event’s already extensive program. Alongside the Masters and Challengers, the tournament also featured numerous amateur tournaments, the Tata Steel Chess Festival for families and children, and live commentary at Café de Zon. Looking ahead After the final games concluded, the prize ceremony took place in De Moriaan, bringing the 88th edition of the tournament to a close. The 89th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament will be held from 15 to 31 January 2027 in Wijk aan Zee. Once again, world-class grandmasters, rising talents and amateur players will come together for two weeks of chess at the highest level. Text and photos: tatasteelchess.com/ Official website: tatasteelchess.com/