The 21st Asian Individual Chess Championships started with 245 Players from 28 Asian Countries in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 29 May 2026.
General Secretary of the Asian Chess Federation, Mr. Hisham Al Thaer, President of the Mongolian Chess Federation, Mr. Zandanshatar, Gombojav, and Head of the Olympic Committee of Mongolia attend the Opening Ceremony.
The Asian Individual Chess Championship, one of the continent’s most prestigious chess events, has officially commenced in Mongolia. Established in 1998, the championship is being held in Mongolia for the first time, bringing together nearly 250 players from 28 countries.
The 21st Open Championship and the 27th Women’s Championship will take place over ten days at the Grand Hall of Bayangol Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Speaker of the State Great Khural (Parliament) S. Byambatsogt, President of the Mongolian Chess Federation G. Zandanshatar, General Secretary of the Asian Chess Federation Hisham Al-Tahir, Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth J. Aldarjavkhlan, Members of Parliament P. Batchimeg and J. Galbadrakh, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education T. Nyam-Ochir, Chairman of the State Physical Culture and Sports Committee E. Bilegt, and other honored representatives.
Opening the championship, President of the Mongolian Chess Federation G. Zandanshatar stated:
“Chess is an art, a science, and a sport. The combination of these three elements makes chess a truly remarkable intellectual sport. Together with FIDE and with the support of the Ministry of Education, we are launching a program to further develop chess in Mongolia. FIDE has endorsed this initiative. As part of this effort, our friend and teammate, German philanthropist Vadim Rosenstein, has generously donated 10,000 chess sets. These sets will be distributed to 700 schools across Mongolia. Teachers who actively promote chess will also have opportunities to visit Germany for professional development and exchange programs. I am delighted to share this wonderful news, which will make a valuable contribution to the development of Mongolian chess. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Vadim Rosenstein. I wish all participants great success in the Asian Chess Championship and am confident that Mongolia will leave every guest with unforgettable memories.”
Addressing the participants, Speaker of Parliament S. Byambatsogt remarked:
“On this historic occasion, as Mongolia hosts the Asian Chess Championship for adults for the first time, I would like to express my gratitude to all players, guests, officials, and chess enthusiasts on behalf of the State Great Khural and myself. It is both an honor and a great responsibility for us to welcome Asia’s finest minds to our country. Chess is more than just a sport—it is an education in vision, patience, and strategic thinking. Throughout history, Mongolians have valued foresight and thoughtful decision-making as essential wisdom. Hosting one of Asia’s most prestigious sporting events is not only an achievement in sports but also a reflection of Mongolia’s commitment to intellectual and human development. May the competitors strive not only for medals but also for resilience, friendship, and sportsmanship. Mongolians are known for their hospitality, and I am confident that your time in Mongolia will be memorable and enjoyable.”
The championship features an impressive field, including 34 Grandmasters, 12 Women Grandmasters, 51 International Masters, 20 Women International Masters, 49 FIDE Masters, and 18 Candidate Masters.
The total prize fund for the 2026 Asian Chess Championship is USD 100,000, with the Open Champion receiving USD 15,000. The top four finishers in the Open section will qualify for the FIDE World Cup, while the winner of the Women’s section will earn a place in the Women’s World Cup.
All games will be played on DGT smart boards and broadcast worldwide through live video and real-time game data.
Fans can follow the championship through the official Asian Individual Chess Championship 2026 website, YouTube, Chess.com, Lichess, and the Mongolian Chess Federation’s platforms, where professional commentators will provide live analysis and coverage.
Please check the link to the results here:
See Live games on chess.com here:
See live games on Lichess.com here:
See live broadcast on YouTube:
See facebook page with Live video and records here
