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Minsk Gymnasium Leads European Schools Chess Championship After Day Two in Tsaghkadzor
The second day of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 European Continental Stage concluded in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia, with Gymnasium N 50 of Minsk emerging as the sole leader following rounds three and four. The Belarusian school accumulated eight match points to sit one point clear of LEPL Georgia, while five teams share third place on six points each.
Standings After Day Two
| Position | Team | Match Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Gymnasium N 50 of Minsk | 8 |
| 2nd | LEPL Georgia (Kutaisi Andria Razmadze Physico) | 7 |
| 3rd (tie) | Riga State Gymnasium No. 1 | 6 |
| 3rd (tie) | Green Village School | 6 |
| 3rd (tie) | C.N. ‘Costache Negruzzi’ | 6 |
| 3rd (tie) | Yerevan’s School N 77 | 6 |
| 3rd (tie) | Tallinna Tonismae Reaalkool | 6 |
Individual Performances Drive Team Success
Katrina Yakovleva delivered a flawless day for the Minsk leaders, scoring 2/2 in rounds three and four to maintain her team’s unbeaten run. Meanwhile, Gabriel Gabadadze continued his perfect tournament for LEPL Georgia, winning both games on day two to reach 4/4 overall and propel the Georgian squad into clear second place.
The day’s play produced several decisive encounters. In round three, Svanadze capitalised on a central blunder by Predin to execute a thematic piece sacrifice and force resignation. Round four featured a dramatic reversal between Simonovic and Khachatryan, where White squandered a substantial positional advantage with consecutive errors, allowing Black to seize the initiative and convert a superior endgame.
Notable Movements in the Table
- LEPL Georgia leapfrogged the Latvian representatives to claim sole possession of second place
- Five teams are deadlocked on six points, creating a congested battle for the final podium position
- “Mkhitar Sebastatsi” Educational Complex and Osnovna sola Bojana Ilicha Maribor recovered from difficult opening days to reach five points and enter the top ten
Cultural Programme Complements Competition
Beyond the playing hall, the championship schedule included masterclasses and cultural activities showcasing Armenia’s heritage. The afternoon programme provided participants with opportunities to relax, interact with peers from different nations, and experience local traditions alongside the competitive schedule.
Source
This report is based on information published by FIDE — International Chess Federation.
Official source: https://www.fide.com/wstc-europe-day-2-bright-smiles-brilliant-moves-and-cultural-rhythms-in-tsaghkadzor/
