Six World Amateur Chess Champions Crowned in Klang

Klang, Malaysia — The FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships 2026 concluded with six new world amateur champions rising to the top after nine grueling rounds at the KSL Esplanade Hotel.

The event, organized by the Selangor Chess Association under the auspices of FIDE and the Malaysian Chess Federation, saw players from Kazakhstan, India, Vietnam, Poland, Ukraine, Mongolia, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, China, and other nations battle for world amateur glory across four age-and-gender categories.

Mongolia’s Bayarjargal Stars with Highest Score

Mongolia’s Javkhlan Bayarjargal posted the highest individual score of the entire championship, scoring 8½ out of 9 unbeaten in the Open U1700 division with eight wins and a single draw. China’s Tang Keran took silver on 7½/9, while fellow Mongolian Munkhbat Batnyam claimed bronze on tiebreak with 7/9.

Open U2300 Decided on Tiebreaks

Kazakhstan’s Amir Tulegenov claimed the Open U2300 title on tiebreak after all three leading players finished on 7/9. Tulegenov secured his position by drawing his final-round game, while Vietnam’s CM Tran Pham Quang Minh and Poland’s CM Tomasz Jaskolka both won theirs. A stunning final-round victory by Jaskolka over overnight co-leader FM Nestor Favian Lozano Ramirez completely reshuffled the podium standings.

Pavithra Dominates Women’s U2300

India’s Pavithra R V captured the Women’s U2300 title with an impressive unbeaten campaign, finishing on 7½/9. She preserved her half-point lead with a final-round draw against Uzbekistan’s WCM Mumtozbegim Mansurova, who took silver on 7/9. Malaysia’s WCM Nithyalakshmi Sivanesan secured bronze with 6/9 after drawing her last game.

Malaysian Hope Shines in Open U2000

Host nation pride came from Malaysia’s Aqil Ainuddin Naufal Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah, who won the Open U2000 title a full point clear with an unbeaten 8/9, featuring seven wins and two draws. He sealed the championship with a draw on the top board against Kazakhstan’s Mukhtar Ainakul. Ainakul earned silver on tiebreak with 7/9, while India’s C Maniswar took bronze after a domestic clash victory over Ashutosh Kumar.

Osadchuk and Dolgormaa Seal Titles Early

Ukraine’s Anastasiia Osadchuk clinched the Women’s U2000 crown in Round 8, finishing on 7½/9. Mongolia’s WCM Odmaa Enkhsaikhan won silver with 6½/9, and Naranzaya Zorigoo claimed bronze on tiebreak. In the Women’s U1700, Mongolia’s Dolgormaa Lkhavgasuren and Sod-Erdene Naranbaatar both finished level on 7½/9, but Dolgormaa prevailed on tiebreak for gold. Malaysia’s Kuan Rhe Anne earned bronze with 7/9 after defeating Dolgormaa on the top board in the final round.

Tournament Highlights

• Six world amateur titles were awarded across Open and Women’s divisions at U1700, U2000, and U2300 levels
• Javkhlan Bayarjargal recorded the highest score of the event at 8½/9
• Three victories went to tiebreak decision, including the Open U2300 and Women’s U1700 championships
• Players from ten nations featured among the medalists

Source

This report is based on information published by FIDE — International Chess Federation.

Official source: https://www.fide.com/six-world-amateur-chess-champions-crowned-in-klang-malaysia/