The FIDE August 2026 rating list was primarily shaped by the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters, Biel International Chess Festival, Oskemen Open, and several open tournaments across Europe.
Both the top 10 Open and top 10 Women sections saw two important changes at the lower end. Alireza Firouzja returned to the prestigious list after a two-month absence, following his triumph in the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters, while Polina Shuvalova delivered an excellent performance in the Oskemen Open – Masters, earning 24 rating points and making her debut in the top 10 Women.
Biggest gains in the top 100 Open and Women
Bat-Erdene Mungunzul (pictured below) became the biggest rating gainer in July across both top 100 lists. The 21-year-old WIM from Mongolia participated in three European open tournaments – Festival prijateljstva (Slovenia), Festival International de La Plagne, and Open International d’Aix en Provence (both in France) – where she hauled an impressive 63 rating points, jumping to a career-high 52nd position on the Women’s list.
Rachael Li had very good runs in the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship and the 13th Annual Washington International, gaining 60 rating points and returning to the top 100 Women and top 10 Girls lists.
Mariam Mkrtchyan held her own against strong opponents in the Open International d’Echecs des Menuires in France, receiving 37 points for her efforts and moving 29 places up on the top 100 Women.
Aamuktha Guntaka had a successful campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina, earning 25 points in two Sahovko Ljeto open tournaments. Similarly, Nadya Toncheva (pictured above) overperformed in the II Lince Andujar Chess Festival, adding the same amount to her tally.
Amina Kairbekova returned to the top 100 Women, following her strong showing in the Serbia Open – Masters, while Bella Khotenashvili tied for third place at the 19th Palaiochora International Tournament netting 15 points.
Leon Luke Mendonca (pictured above) and Govhar Beydullayeva were among the top performers in the Open International d’Aix-en-Provence open tournament, each gaining 15 rating points. Thanks to this result, the Indian GM returned to the top 100 Open after a more-than-year hiatus.
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