World Championships U7–U17 2026: Young talents make their mark in Spain

Opening Overview

The 2026 FIDE World Championships U7–U17, a tournament showcasing the next generation of chess players, began on October 13 and concluded on October 21 in Roquetas de Mar, Almería, southern Spain, at the Evenia Zoraida Beach Resort.

Participation and Format

With an entry list of 721 competitors representing 82 nations, the event featured 12 age categories—Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17—each split into Open and Girls sections. Kazakhstan fielded athletes in every age group, underscoring the competition’s role in talent development. The Under 7 Open division comprised 53 players, while the Girls section had 28 participants. The championships followed an 11‑round Swiss system, and each player used a 45‑minute time control with a 30‑second increment per move, a format making its debut in an official youth championship and counting toward FIDE ratings.

• 12 age categories with Open and Girls divisions
• 721 players from 82 countries
• 11 rounds played under Swiss system
• 45‑minute game plus 30‑second increment per move

Early Results and Surprises

After two rounds, the leading positions in the Under 7 Open were shared by ten players, including Spain’s Pau Vizcaya Lopez and Egypt’s Mohab Ahmed Assem, who both posted perfect 2/2 scores. In the Girls Under 7 category, five competitors had also secured two wins, with Uzbekistan’s Malika Ikromova leading the table on tiebreak. The Under 9 Girls section saw second seed Varvara Volkova, competing under the FIDE flag, maintain an unbeaten start.

Organizational Highlights

International Chess Federation technical delegate Ozgur Solakoglu officially opened the championships, welcoming participants and expressing hopes for a successful event. Javier Ochoa de Echagüen, president of the Spanish Chess Federation, noted the long journeys undertaken by many delegates and encouraged athletes to enjoy the resort setting while delivering their best performance. International Arbiter Panagiotis Nikolopoulos reviewed the regulations and initiated the clocks for the opening day’s first two rounds.

Looking Ahead

The competition, running continuously for nine days, will conclude with the final rounds on October 21, after which the overall standings will be determined according to the Swiss pairing system. The event serves as a key platform for nurturing young talent across the globe.

Source

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

Official source: https://www.fide.com/world-championships-u7-u17-2026-young-talents-make-their-mark-in-spain/