The FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship 2026 commenced in Klang, Malaysia on November 5. The event attracted 392 players competing across three rating sections: Under-2300, Under-2000 and Under-1700. Each section features separate Open and Women’s 9-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control. A number of disabled players from the host nation’s para-multisport contingent also participate.
The championship is organized by Selangor Chess Association under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Malaysian Chess Federation.
His Highness Tengku Amir Shah ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, Crown Prince of Selangor, officially opened the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships 2026 at the KSL Esplanade Hotel in Klang.
The Crown Prince attended as the Royal Patron of the Tournament and played a friendly blitz game against the FIDE Representative, British Grandmaster Nigel Short. The game ended in a draw.
Malaysian players upset the top two seeds
The host nation made a strong start in the Open Under-2300 championship. On board one, Nik Ahmad Farouqi (1999) won against Hungary’s top-seeded FM Gyula Mester (2277) with the black pieces. On board two, Tin Shan Wen (1998) defeated Colombia’s second-seeded FM Ramon Junior Gonzalez Parejo (2261) with White. Malaysia also secured a point on board six, where CM Shen Ree Herng (1976) prevailed over FM Ammar Sedrani (2223) of the United Arab Emirates.
In the Women’s Under-2300 championship, WCM Nithyalakshmi Sivanesan of Malaysia, WCM Kristina Kim of Kazakhstan and WCM Mumtozbegim Mansurova of Uzbekistan each scored a full point in the opening round.
Sunday, November 8, is a rest day, while the final round and closing ceremony are scheduled for Thursday, November 12.
Photos, scoresheets and live games