The finalists have been officially determined at the 6th Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, organized under FIDE's flagship social rehabilitation initiative, #ChessForFreedom. On October 14, the championship round (quarterfinals) brought together the top-performing teams from the opening day in an intense round-robin format. Across three different sections, the group winners secured their spots in the much-anticipated championship clashes.

Armenia and Mexico to Clash in the Men's Final

In Group A of the men's section, a demanding 16-team round-robin concluded with a triumph for Armenia. By overcoming key rivals including Mongolia 1, Mongolia 2, and India 1, the Armenian squad claimed the top spot. Mongolia 1 delivered a solid run but missed out on qualification by finishing just one point behind. Group B provided the tensest battle of the entire stage, as Serbia 2 and Mexico 1 tied at the top with 10 match points each. Thanks to superior tiebreak criteria, Mexico 1 edged ahead to secure their place in the final.

Fierce Contests Across Women's and Youth Sections

In the women's category, Group A turned into a thrilling duel between India 1 and Ukraine. The teams locked horns in the penultimate round, where India 1 scored a narrow, decisive victory to clinch their spot in the final. Group B featured a two-match series between Mexico and USA (KS – Topeka), with the Mexican squad showing dominant form to cruise into the final with back-to-back wins.

The youth section delivered high drama until the very end. In Group A, India 1 and Malawi 2 entered the final round with perfect scores, turning their encounter into a direct qualification showdown. Relying on crucial wins on boards one and four, India 1 prevailed in a hard-fought match. Meanwhile, Serbia was unstoppable in Group B, sweeping all their matches—including a key victory over second-placed Ecuador 3—to advance undefeated. Showcasing the transformative and rehabilitative power of chess behind bars, this global championship is now set for a memorable conclusion.