FIDE World Junior Chess Championships U20 2026 to be Held in Caracas, Venezuela

FIDE — the International Chess Federation — together with the Venezuelan Chess Federation and in cooperation with the Ministry of People’s Power for Sport, has announced that the FIDE World Junior Chess Championships U20 2026, covering both the Open and Girls categories, will take place at the Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites Caracas in the municipality of Baruta, Bolivarian State of Miranda, Venezuela, from November 17 (arrival) to November 28 (departure), 2026. Registration for the event is now officially open to all FIDE member federations.

Eligibility and Invited Players

Each national federation may register up to two invited players — one in the Open category and one in the Girls category. Additional players may be entered at the federation’s own expense. Beyond the two federation-nominated spots, several categories of players hold personal participation rights under FIDE regulations, provided they meet the age requirements for their respective events.

Players who qualify automatically include:

• The top three finishers from the 2025 World Junior Chess Championships;
• The Continental Junior Champions from the year preceding the 2026 edition;
• The top six Junior U20 players in the Open category and the top four in the Girls category, drawn from the FIDE Rating List as of 1 January 2026;
• The World Youth Under-18 and Under-16 Champions of the year preceding this edition.

Registration Details and Deadlines

The official registration deadline — including all requests for visa support — is October 16, 2026. All entries must be submitted through the respective national federation using the official registration form. The invitation, regulations, and the full schedule are available as a PDF through FIDE’s official channels.

Venue and Contact Information

Hosting the event at the five-star Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites Caracas, organizers have selected a venue that combines playing facilities with accommodations for delegations. Federations seeking further details may reach the organizing committee at worldjunior@fide.com. FIDE has also indicated that a dedicated official website for the championship will be launched at worldjunior2026.fide.com in the near future.

Looking Ahead

With the registration window now open, national federations are expected to begin coordinating their selections and travel arrangements well in advance of the October deadline. The Caracas event will mark a significant moment in the junior chess calendar, gathering many of the world’s most promising under-20 players across the Open and Girls categories.

Source

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

Official source: https://www.fide.com/fide-world-junior-championships-u20-in-caracas-venezuela-registration-now-open/