The 2026 FIDE World Championships U7–U17 has kicked off with great excitement in the coastal town of Roquetas de Mar, located in the province of Almería in southern Spain. Reaching an outstanding turnout with 721 young players representing 82 countries, the tournament is taking place from October 13 to 21 at the Evenia Zoraida Beach Resort. Jointly organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Spanish Chess Federation, this prestigious event has already captured the attention of the chess world with surprise upsets and perfect scores in the opening rounds.

Global Competition Across 12 Categories

The championship features six age groups—Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, Under 15, and Under 17—divided into separate Open and Girls sections, making for a total of 12 distinct categories. One of the most notable highlights of this year's edition is the broad representation of national delegations across all age brackets. Chess powerhouses known for their strong youth development programs, such as Kazakhstan, have fielded players in every single category, underscoring the vital role this tournament plays as a stepping stone for future Grandmasters.

A Revolution in Youth Events: The 'Fast Classical' Format

While the tournament follows the traditional 11-round Swiss system, this year introduces a groundbreaking innovation in time control. Following several successful pilot events, the "fast classical" format is making its debut in an official FIDE youth championship. Each player is allotted 45 minutes for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment per move starting from move one. Fully rated for standard FIDE ELO, this new time control is designed to offer a more dynamic and energetic playing experience for young minds while preserving the deep strategic nature of classical chess.

Messages of Friendship and Success at the Opening Ceremony

Representing FIDE at the official opening ceremony, Technical Delegate Özgür Solakoğlu welcomed the young talents and their families from around the globe, wishing everyone a successful and enjoyable competition. Joined by Javier Ochoa de Echagüen, President of the Spanish Chess Federation, the officials inaugurated the event before the players made their opening moves on the boards. Running until October 21, this grand chess festival promises fierce battles as it shapes the next generation of world chess stars.