The curtain fell on the World Schools Team Championship Europe 2026. After four days of intense competition, brilliant sacrifices, and unparalleled teamwork, the young chess champions were crowned in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia.
Gymnasium No. 50 of Minsk (Belarus) established their dominance from the opening round. Starting with back-to-back 4–0 clean sweeps, they held a firm grasp on the number-one spot. Led by Board 1 star Damir Bulgak and Board 4 standout Katrina Yakovleva, the Belarusian squad never let their grip slip, successfully turning away all challengers to finish with a flawless, undefeated record. Their first-place finish officially secures their slot in the prestigious global Grand Final this December.
Coming into the event as the top-seeded team by average rating, Riga State Gymnasium No. 1 (Latvia) confidently navigated eight rounds, losing only to the champions and winning all their other encounters. Powered by Daniel Beniosev’s unbeaten run on Board 2, the Latvians easily defended their position down the stretch to lock up the silver medals.
LEPL Georgia, Kutaisi Andria Razmadze Physico secured the third position in a tough competition with the local team from Armenia.
Let’s take a look at how the action unfolded on the final day of the competition.
Round 7
Gymnasium No. 50 of Minsk further consolidated its lead, scoring a hard-fought victory over ZS Wolkerova Bardejov. Meanwhile, in the clash of the teams chasing the leaders, Riga State Gymnasium No. 1 dominated LEPL Georgia, Kutaisi Andria Razmadze Physico by a score of 3-1.
Move of the day
Matej Viglas – Damir Bulgak
Leading up to move 26, Black emerged clearly better, but there was nothing decisive in sight after the correct 26.Ne5 f6 27.Nd3. However, White committed a fatal error with 26. Nd2??, walking right into a devastating tactical strike. The knight sacrifice 26… Nxf2! completely shattered White’s kingside shelter. Accepting the sacrifice leads to a forced checkmate after 27.Kxf2 Qxh2+ 28.Kf1 Re6!, while declining it leaves White completely lost. The rest was smooth sailing for Bulgak.
Round 8
Gymnasium No. 50 of Minsk finished with a perfect match score after defeating Green Village School of Israel. Riga State Gymnasium No.1 swept Osnovna sola Bojana Ilicha Maribor, while in the crucial match for third place LEPL Georgia, Kutaisi Andria Razmadze Physico prevailed over the local team Yerevan’s basic school N 77.
A web of friendships
Beyond the intense chess battles on the chessboards of Tsaghkadzor, the World Schools Team Championship 2026 celebrated the power of global connection through a deeply symbolic “Threads that connect” side event. In this heartwarming activity, young chess prodigies from across Europe stood in a large circle, sharing their reflections and tossing colorful balls of yarn across the room while holding onto their piece of the string. As the yarn traveled from hand to hand, it created a magnificent, intricate web, a striking, tangible visualization of international networking and shared community. This playful yet profound exercise beautifully reminded our future grandmasters that just like their strategic choices on the board, their paths, cultures, and newfound friendships are all interconnected in one grand, supportive network.
School Champions crowned in Tsaghkadzor amid tears, triumphs, and anthems.
The European Stage World Schools Team Championship 2026 concluded with an unforgettable, high-energy closing ceremony hosted at the 88 Hotel & Spa. Bringing together young players, captains, parents, and international chess dignitaries, the event celebrated four days of intense boundary-crossing competition, ultimate triumphs, and cross-cultural camaraderie.
The Master of Ceremonies opened the evening by thanking the young players for building friendships across borders, emphasizing that the global chess community is “one big family.” Special recognition was paid to Freedom Group of companies, the event’s main sponsor and General Partner of the International School Chess Federation (ISCF). The MC also expressed deep appreciation to the tournament’s key co-organizers: the Armenian Chess Federation, the Chess Academy of Armenia, the European Chess Union, and the venue host, 88 Hotel & Spa.
The official segment of the evening began with the national anthem of Armenia. The audience remained respectfully standing before the proceedings transitioned seamlessly into the official FIDE anthem.
Following the protocols, the energy in the hall skyrocketed during the screening of the tournament’s highlight film, titled “How It All Happened.” Young players filled the room with thunderous shouts and laughter, following the MC’s prompt to “make some noise” whenever they spotted themselves on screen.
Individual board triumphs
Chief Arbiter Vahagn Khachatryan took the stage to announce the individual category medalists, who were presented their awards by an esteemed lineup of academic and chess royalty.
Reserve Board awards were presented by Mariam Ispiryan, Pro-rector of the Armenian State Pedagogical University.
- Lile Svanadze from LEPL Georgia, Kutaisi Andria Razmadze Physico-Mathematical Public School N41
- Catalan Julen Arbizu from Ikastola San Fermin
- Maksymilian Wylezinski from Azymut Szkola Podstawowa Fundacji Sternik
Board 4 awards were presented by Grandmaster and Honored Coach of Armenia, Arman Pashikyan.
- loana-Cristiana Pomirleanu from C.N. Costache Negruzzi
- Katrina Yakovleva from Gymnasium No. 50 of Minsk
- Adam Ben Avi from Green Village School
Board 3 awards were presented by Varduhi Sargsyan, Executive Director of the Chess Academy of Armenia
- Krisjanis Lazars from Riga State Gymnasium No. 1
- Platon Kiritshenko from Tallinna Tonismae Reaalkool
- Kiryl Babeikin from Gymnasium No. 50 of Minsk
Board 2 awards were presented by Lilit Mkrtchyan, Rector of the Armenian State Pedagogical University
- Daniel Beniosev from Riga State Gymnasium No. 1
- Mikita Mazanik from Gymnasium No. 50 of Minsk
- Adrian Kornilov from Tallinna Tonismae Reaalkool
Board 1 awards were presented by Ion-Serban Dobronauteanu, Director of Youth Chess of the European Chess Union.
- Damir Bulgak from Gymnasium No. 50 of Minsk
- Tin Biti from OS Spansko Oranice
- Uros Vuckovic from Mathematical Grammar School
Following the individual honors, the Tournament Director of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championships 2026, Nadzeya Krauchuk, delivered a brief address congratulating the field on their tactical excellence.
The podium
The culmination of the 60-minute ceremony belonged to the three best school teams in Europe, who took their places on the podium to thunderous applause.
Smbat Lputian, founder of the Chess Academy of Armenia and Vice President of the Armenian Chess Federation, presented the bronze medals, trophy, and certificates to LEPL Georgia, Kutaisi Andria Razmadze Physico.
Zurab Azmaiparashvili, President of the European Chess Union, called up the silver medalists from Riga State Gymnasium No. 1 to accept their team trophy.
To crown the ultimate champions, 7th FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich took the stage to welcome the undefeated European Continental Champions: Minsk Gymnasium No. 50. The hall stood for a passionate rendition of the winning team’s national anthem, accompanied by a standing ovation, fireworks, and the iconic strains of “We Are the Champions.”
Cultural farewell and party time
To capture the true heartbeat of the host country, the evening concluded with a stunning exhibition of traditional Armenian dance, showcasing the deep roots and breathtaking spirit of the local culture.
With the European chapter now officially closed, the top-qualified teams from all four Continental Stages are shifting their focus to the upcoming Grand Final this December.
Photos: Arlan Olzhabay / BI-Group