FIDE World Youth Age Group Championships 2026 Set for Roquetas de Mar, Spain

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has announced that the FIDE World Championships for the Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 age categories will be held in Roquetas de Mar, Spain, from 13th to 21st October 2026. The event brings together the world’s top young players across six age-group brackets in a single over-the-board championship window.

Eligibility Criteria for Indian Players

Indian participants for the world event will be selected from those who competed in the Over-the-Board National Age Group Chess Championships 2025 across the same six age categories. Players who finished among the top 50 in the final ranking list of their respective category at the national championships are eligible to enter the corresponding world age-group event.

The age eligibility is based on the date-of-birth cut-offs laid out by FIDE:

• Under-7: Players born on or after 1 January 2019
• Under-9: Players born on or after 1 January 2017
• Under-11: Players born on or after 1 January 2015
• Under-13: Players born on or after 1 January 2013
• Under-15: Players born on or after 1 January 2011
• Under-17: Players born on or after 1 January 2009

Titled players holding the GM, WGM, IM or WIM titles are exempted from participating in the National Championships.

Entry Fee Structure

The AICF has published a tiered fee structure covering registration, entry, accommodation and bank charges. Players who won their respective categories at the 2025 National Age Group Championships are required to pay Rs. 23,850/-.

For additional qualified players, the cost is Rs. 1,32,750/- for single-room accommodation and Rs. 1,07,230/- for double-sharing accommodation. Accompanying persons are charged Rs. 1,17,350/- for single rooms and Rs. 91,830/- for double sharing. These amounts cover only registration, entry, accommodation and bank charges. Visa processing, flights, insurance and related expenses are not included, and additional players and accompanying persons must arrange their own travel and visa documentation.

Registration Process and Deadline

Entries must be submitted online through the AICF payment portal and accompanied by a mandatory Google form. The federation has warned that the AICF will not extend financial support for entry fees, registration, accommodation, tickets, visa or insurance for any participant. All entries are subject to approval by the AICF and the championship organisers. No entries will be accepted after 10th September 2026.

Key Details at a Glance

• Event: FIDE World Championships U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 & U17 2026
• Host city: Roquetas de Mar, Spain
• Dates: 13th to 21st October 2026
• Age categories: Six brackets from Under-7 to Under-17
• Indian qualification: Top 50 finishers at the 2025 National Age Group Championships
• Entry deadline: 10th September 2026

Source

This report is based on information published by All India Chess Federation (AICF).

Official source: https://aicf.in/fide-world-championships-u7-u9-u11-u13-u15-u17-2026-in-roquetas-de-mar-spain-from-13th-to-21st-october-2026/