The Western Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 are underway in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, bringing together young players from the region to compete for honours in Standard, Rapid and Blitz chess. The event runs from 22 to 31 October 2026, with play taking place at the Diamond Hall of Rajpath Club. The championships are organized by the All India Chess Federation and Gujarat State Chess Association under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dev A. Patel, Honorary Secretary of the All India Chess Federation, alongside state delegates, Grandmasters and other distinguished guests. The ceremony marked the beginning of a programme combining international competition, sportsmanship and friendship among young chess players.
The Youth Championships feature Open and Girls sections in six age groups: Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18. Players compete across three time controls, offering opportunities to demonstrate both their depth of calculation and their ability to make decisions under time pressure.
According to the published schedule, the nine-round Standard competition began on 23 October and continues through 29 October. Each player has 90 minutes, with a 30-second increment from the first move. The Blitz Championships are scheduled for the afternoon of 29 October, followed by the Rapid Championships and the closing and award ceremony on 30 October.
Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category. The three leading delegations will also receive trophies based on their medal results in the Standard competition, adding a collective goal to the pursuit of individual honours.
Chess enthusiasts can follow the pairings and results online, while a live broadcast provides coverage of games from the Western Asian Youth and Junior Championships taking place in Ahmedabad.
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