Western Asian Youth & Juniors Chess Championships 2026

The All India Chess Federation (AICF), under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and FIDE, is honored to announce the invitation to the Western Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026. The event will be hosted in Ahmedabad, India, from the 22nd to the 31st of October 2026.

1. Invitation and Eligibility

National Chess Federations from the Western Asian region (Zones 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7, and 3.8) are formally invited to participate. The championships will feature both Open and Girls’ categories for the following age groups:

  • Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 (Note: Players must not have reached their respective birthday before 1st January, 2026).

Requirement: All participants must possess a valid FIDE ID prior to registration.

See the regulations :

Western Asian Youth 2026

Western Asian Juniors 2026

2. Tournament Format and Schedule

The championships will be conducted under FIDE rules using the Swiss System (9 rounds) or Round Robin (for groups of 10 or fewer). The schedule includes:

  • Standard Chess: 9 Rounds
  • Blitz Championship: 7 Rounds (29th October)
  • Rapid Championship: 7 Rounds (30th October)

Key Dates:

  • Arrival: 22nd October 2026
  • Opening Ceremony & Technical Meeting: 23rd October, 14:00 hrs
  • Closing & Award Ceremony: 30th October, 18:00 hrs
  • Departure: 31st October, before 12:00 noon

3. Titles and Awards

The tournament offers a prestigious platform for earning FIDE titles:

  • U18 Category: Gold medalists will be awarded IM/WIM titles; Silver/Bronze will receive FM/WFM titles.
  • U16 Category: Gold medalists will earn IM/WIM norms; Silver/Bronze will receive CM/WCM titles.
  • U12 & U14 Categories: Gold medalists will be awarded FM/WFM; Silver/Bronze will receive CM/WCM.
  • U8 & U10 Categories: Gold, Silver, and Bronze medalists will be awarded CM/WCM titles.
  • Team Awards: Trophies will be awarded to the three best delegations based on medal counts.

4. Registration and Logistics

  • Registration Deadline (Federations): 28th September 2026 (Intention to participate).
  • Registration Deadline (Individual): 15th October 2026.
  • Official Website: waycc2026.chesstournament.org
  • Official Venue: Rajpath Club (Diamond Hall), Ahmedabad.
  • Official Hotel: Gateway Hotels & Resorts, Ahmedabad.

Fees:

  • Registration Fee: USD 100 per participant/official.
  • Entry Fee (Main Player): USD 75 (includes Standard, Rapid, and Blitz).
  • Entry Fee (Additional Players): USD 150.

5. Contact Information

For official inquiries, please contact the Organizing Committee: