FIDE World Junior U20 Rapid & Blitz Championships 2026
The FIDE World Junior U20 Rapid & Blitz Championships 2026 will take place in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, from November 1–7, 2026, bringing together talented young players from FIDE Member Federations around the world.
The championships are organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates Chess Federation and the Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club. Four official world championships will be contested: Open Rapid, Girls Rapid, Open Blitz and Girls Blitz.
Players must be born on or after January 1, 2006. Each FIDE Member Federation may register an unlimited number of eligible players, while all entries must be submitted through the respective national federation.
The event offers a total official prize fund of $33,200, together with World Championship titles, trophies, medals and category prizes.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Event | FIDE World Junior U20 Rapid & Blitz Championships 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | November 1–7, 2026 |
| ♟️ Playing Dates | November 2–6, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Al Ain, United Arab Emirates |
| ⚡ Formats | Rapid & Blitz |
| 👥 Age Eligibility | Born on or after January 1, 2006 |
| 🔄 System | FIDE Swiss System |
| 🔢 Rounds | Minimum 9 rounds in each championship |
| ⏱️ Rapid Time Control | 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move |
| ⚡ Blitz Time Control | 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move |
| ⭐ FIDE Rated | Yes |
| 💰 Prize Fund | $33,200 |
| 🏛️ Organizer | FIDE, UAE Chess Federation & Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club |
| 🏨 Venue | Danat Al Ain Hotel & Resort |
| 📝 Registration Deadline | October 20, 2026 |
| 🛂 Visa Application Deadline | October 10, 2026 |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://juniorrapidandblitz2026.fide.com/ |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The championships will be conducted under the FIDE Swiss System, in accordance with the FIDE Laws of Chess and FIDE Swiss Rules.
There will be a minimum of 9 rounds in each championship. The final number of rounds will be determined by FIDE EVE together with the organizers according to the final number of participants.
Rapid
15 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move from move one
Blitz
3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move from move one
All four championships are FIDE rated.
Tie-Break Criteria
If two or more players finish with the same number of points, the following tie-break criteria apply in order:
- Direct Encounter
- Buchholz
- Games Won, including games won by forfeit
- Average Rating of Opponents
- Buchholz Cut 1
🏆 Prize Fund
The total official prize fund is:
$33,200
Open Rapid Championship
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $2,000 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $1,500 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $1,000 |
| 4th Place | $800 |
| 5th Place | $700 |
Girls Rapid Championship
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $2,000 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $1,500 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $1,000 |
| 4th Place | $800 |
| 5th Place | $700 |
Open Blitz Championship
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $2,000 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $1,500 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $1,000 |
| 4th Place | $800 |
| 5th Place | $700 |
Girls Blitz Championship
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | $2,000 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | $1,500 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | $1,000 |
| 4th Place | $800 |
| 5th Place | $700 |
Age Category Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 👦 Open U16 Rapid | $500 |
| 👦 Open U12 Rapid | $500 |
| 👦 Open U8 Rapid | $500 |
| 👦 Open U16 Blitz | $500 |
| 👦 Open U12 Blitz | $500 |
| 👦 Open U8 Blitz | $500 |
| 👧 Girls U16 Rapid | $500 |
| 👧 Girls U12 Rapid | $500 |
| 👧 Girls U8 Rapid | $500 |
| 👧 Girls U16 Blitz | $500 |
| 👧 Girls U12 Blitz | $500 |
| 👧 Girls U8 Blitz | $500 |
Age categories are defined as follows:
- Under 16: born on or after January 1, 2010
- Under 12: born on or after January 1, 2014
- Under 8: born on or after January 1, 2018
Special Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Best Arab Player – Rapid | $400 |
| 🌍 Best Arab Player – Blitz | $400 |
| ♟️ Best Al Ain Player – Rapid | $400 |
| ♟️ Best Al Ain Player – Blitz | $400 |
| 🌍 Best Arab Girl – Rapid | $400 |
| 🌍 Best Arab Girl – Blitz | $400 |
| ♟️ Best Al Ain Girl – Rapid | $400 |
| ♟️ Best Al Ain Girl – Blitz | $400 |
Cash prizes are not shared. They are awarded according to the final ranking after application of the official tie-break criteria.
If there is no eligible player in an age category, the corresponding prize will not be awarded.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The event consists of four official FIDE World Championships:
| Championship | Section |
|---|---|
| ⚡ FIDE World Junior Rapid Championship | Open |
| 👧 FIDE World Junior Girls Rapid Championship | Girls |
| ⚡ FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship | Open |
| 👧 FIDE World Junior Girls Blitz Championship | Girls |
All participants must be born on or after January 1, 2006.
Players from all FIDE Member Federations are eligible, and each federation may register an unlimited number of players.
All entries must be submitted exclusively through the respective FIDE Member Federation. Direct entries submitted by individual players are not accepted.
Personal Rights & Official Hospitality
The champions of the 2025 FIDE World Junior U20 Rapid & Blitz Championships have personal participation rights and receive free full-board accommodation in a double room from Arrival Day through Departure Day.
In addition, free full-board accommodation in double rooms is provided to:
- the top 5 players in the Open Rapid starting list;
- the top 5 players in the Open Blitz starting list;
- the top 5 players in the Girls Rapid starting list; and
- the top 5 players in the Girls Blitz starting list.
🗓️ Schedule
Sunday, November 1, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| All Day | Arrival of Delegations |
Monday, November 2, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:30 | Technical Meeting |
| 14:30 | Opening Ceremony |
| 15:00 | Rapid – Day 1 |
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 15:00 | Rapid – Day 2 |
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 15:00 | Rapid – Day 3 |
| 20:00 | Rapid Prize Giving Ceremony |
Thursday, November 5, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 15:00 | Blitz – Day 1 |
Friday, November 6, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 15:00 | Blitz – Day 2 |
| 20:00 | Blitz Prize Giving Ceremony |
Saturday, November 7, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| All Day | Departure of Delegations |
The final playing schedule will be confirmed during the Technical Meeting.
📝 Registration
Registration must be completed by each participant’s FIDE Member Federation through the official online registration system.
Direct individual registration by players is not accepted.
Official Registration:
https://juniorrapidandblitz2026.fide.com/
Important Deadlines
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| 🛂 Visa Applications | October 10, 2026 |
| 📝 Registration | October 20, 2026 |
| 🏨 Hotel Reservations | October 20, 2026 |
| 💳 Applicable Payments | October 20, 2026 |
| ✈️ Rooming List & Travel Details | October 27, 2026 |
Registration Information
Federations must provide the following information for their participants:
- full name;
- FIDE ID;
- federation;
- title;
- date of birth;
- passport information;
- accommodation requirements;
- arrival and departure information; and
- contact details.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Registration Fee | $120 |
| ⚡ FIDE Rapid Fee | $40 |
| ⚡ FIDE Blitz Fee | $40 |
| 🛂 Visa Processing Fee | $100, if applicable |
The $120 registration fee is compulsory for every player and accompanying person, including coaches, heads of delegation, parents and other delegation officials.
For players participating in both formats, the additional FIDE fee is $80 in total: $40 for Rapid and $40 for Blitz.
The FIDE fees must be paid before the start of the tournament.
The registration fee includes:
- official accreditation;
- transportation from designated UAE airports to the official hotel on November 1; and
- transportation from the official hotel to designated UAE airports on November 7.
Late registrations may be accepted only subject to availability and approval by FIDE EVE and the Organizing Committee.
If accepted, the late registration fee is double the normal registration fee.
👤 Organizer
Organizer: International Chess Federation (FIDE), United Arab Emirates Chess Federation and Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club
General Director: IO Rajai Al Sousi
Technical Director: SFT Sami Khader
FIDE Coordination: IA Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh
Registration: Razan Alshuibee
Visas & Coordination: Zakaria Hasaneen
Transportation: Rafeeq Thengil
Media Affairs: Mahmoud Abdelzaher Abdelbaset
Email: juniorrapidblitz@fide.com
General WhatsApp: +971 50 664 9280
Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club: +971 3 763 3387
📍 Venue
Danat Al Ain Hotel & Resort – Al Salam Street, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
The championships will be held at the five-star Danat Al Ain Hotel & Resort, which serves as the official playing venue and official accommodation hotel.
The resort offers extensive accommodation, meeting and recreation facilities and is located in Al Ain, the UAE’s well-known Garden City.
Its official facilities include restaurants, spa and recreation amenities, swimming pools, fitness facilities and complimentary shaded parking.
🏨 Accommodation
The official accommodation venue is:
Danat Al Ain Hotel & Resort – Al Salam Street, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
All official accommodation rates are offered on a full-board basis.
| Room Type | Official Rate |
|---|---|
| 🛏️ Single Room | $150 per night · $900 whole period |
| 🛏️ Double Room | $200 per room/night · $100 per person/night · $600 per person whole period |
| 🛏️ Triple Room | $225 per room/night · $75 per person/night · $450 per person whole period |
The official accommodation package begins with lunch on November 1, 2026 and concludes with breakfast on November 7, 2026.
The hotel also provides complimentary access to several facilities, including the spa, together with three complimentary laundry items per person.
Accommodation reservations must be made through the Organizing Committee.
Requests submitted after October 20 are accepted subject to room availability.
For operational, transportation, security and accreditation purposes, participants and accompanying persons are strongly encouraged to stay at the official hotel throughout the official championship period.
🚆 How to Get There
Official airport transportation is provided between the designated UAE airports and the Danat Al Ain Hotel & Resort.
✈️ Designated Airports
Transfers are available from:
- Abu Dhabi International Airport
- Dubai International Airport
- Sharjah International Airport
Official arrival transfers operate on November 1, 2026.
Official departure transfers operate on November 7, 2026.
The service is included in the compulsory registration fee.
Federations must submit complete arrival and departure details to the Organizing Committee by October 27, 2026.
Transfers are arranged according to the information provided by participating federations. The Organizing Committee is not responsible for transportation problems caused by incorrect, incomplete or late travel information.
The official Danat Al Ain Resort website describes Al Ain as approximately a 75-minute drive from Dubai and approximately 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, although actual journey times depend on traffic and the airport used.
ℹ️ Other Information
🛂 Visa Requirements
Participants who require a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates must submit the required passport copy and supporting documents to the Organizing Committee.
Visa application deadline: October 10, 2026
Visa processing fee: $100 per applicant
The Organizing Committee will issue the necessary invitation letters and provide reasonable assistance with the visa application process.
The final issuance of entry visas remains the sole responsibility of the competent UAE authorities.
🏅 Titles, Medals & Trophies
The four competitions are official FIDE World Championships.
The winners will receive the titles:
- FIDE World Junior Rapid Champion 2026
- FIDE World Junior Girls Rapid Champion 2026
- FIDE World Junior Blitz Champion 2026
- FIDE World Junior Girls Blitz Champion 2026
Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each championship.
The winner of each championship will also receive the official Championship Trophy.
All prize winners must attend the relevant Prize Giving Ceremony unless officially excused by FIDE or the Organizing Committee.
A player who fails to attend without prior approval may forfeit the applicable trophy, medal, certificate and prize money.
🪪 Accreditation
Accreditation is compulsory for:
- players;
- team officials;
- accompanying persons;
- arbiters;
- FIDE officials;
- media representatives; and
- authorized guests.
Official accreditation badges will be issued upon arrival and must remain visibly displayed inside official championship areas.
👔 Dress Code
Players, team officials and accredited persons must maintain a professional and respectable appearance throughout the championships.
Additional dress-code guidance may be announced at the Technical Meeting.
🛡️ Fair Play
The championships will be conducted under the FIDE Laws of Chess and FIDE Fair Play Regulations.
All participants must cooperate fully with the Chief Arbiter, Fair Play Officers and other authorized tournament officials.
Violations of applicable Fair Play or Anti-Cheating Regulations may lead to disciplinary action, including loss of games, exclusion from the championships or referral to the appropriate FIDE bodies.
⚖️ Appeals
An Appeals Committee will be appointed before the start of the championships.
An appeal against a decision of the Chief Arbiter must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes after finishing the relevant game.
The appeal may be submitted by the player or the player’s federation delegate.
Appeal fee: $250 in cash
The appeal fee is refunded only if the appeal is upheld.
The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.
🌐 Official Information
Official Website:
https://juniorrapidandblitz2026.fide.com/
Email:
juniorrapidblitz@fide.com
General WhatsApp:
+971 50 664 9280
Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club:
+971 3 763 3387
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $33,200
Organizer
♟️ About International Chess Federation (FIDE)
International Chess Federation (FIDE), officially Fédération Internationale des Échecs, is the global governing body for chess. Founded in Paris on July 20, 1924, FIDE is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and operates under the motto Gens Una Sumus — “We are one family.” The federation regulates international chess competition and represents 204 national chess federations. In addition, the International Olympic Committee recognizes FIDE as the international sporting authority for chess.
FIDE administers the World Championship cycles, Chess Olympiads, World Rapid and Blitz Championships, youth and senior championships, international titles, ratings, tournament standards, and the Laws of Chess. Moreover, its commissions oversee areas such as arbiters, trainers, fair play, women’s chess, chess in education, players with disabilities, technical standards, development, and social chess. Through its member federations, FIDE connects professional competition with national and grassroots chess around the world.
As of September 21, 2026, GM Viswanathan Anand is serving as FIDE Interim President. Arkady Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended the exercise of his presidential powers and duties on July 23, 2026, after being included in an EU sanctions list. Under the FIDE Charter, the presidential duties passed to Deputy President Anand. Meanwhile, FIDE is holding its 2026 Congress in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where the next presidential election is scheduled for September 26, 2026.
📜 History and Global Role
FIDE was created during the international chess tournament held alongside the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Fifteen delegates signed its founding proclamation at the Town Hall of Paris’s 9th arrondissement.
Since then, the federation has developed into one of the world’s largest international sports organizations. Its responsibilities expanded significantly during the twentieth century as FIDE assumed responsibility for the World Championship system, Olympiads, international titles, ratings, and global tournament regulations.
FIDE established its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, placing the organization alongside many other international sports bodies. In 1999, the International Olympic Committee recognized FIDE as a Global Sporting Organization.
Today, FIDE coordinates chess across 204 affiliated countries. Therefore, its work ranges from elite World Championship competition to development projects, educational programs, junior chess, federation support, and international standards for rated play.
🏆 World Championships and Major Events
FIDE manages the principal global championship structure in chess. This includes the open and women’s World Championship cycles, Candidates Tournaments, World Cups, Grand Swiss events, World Rapid and Blitz Championships, and numerous age-category championships.
The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament in Cyprus determined GM Javokhir Sindarov as the challenger for the open World Championship. Consequently, reigning World Champion GM Gukesh D will defend his title against Sindarov in Switzerland later this year.
The Salesforce FIDE World Championship Match 2026 is scheduled for November 22–December 12, 2026 in Geneva. Classical games will be played at Fondation Martin Bodmer in Cologny, while the opening ceremony will take place at the Palais des Nations. Gukesh and Sindarov will both be 20 when the match begins.
Meanwhile, the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad is currently taking place in Samarkand. The 2026 edition has produced a record field, with approximately 400 teams across the Open and Women’s competitions.
🎓 Development, Education and Global Chess
FIDE’s responsibilities extend beyond elite competition. The organization works with national federations to expand chess education, coach and arbiter training, youth development, women’s chess, accessible chess, and grassroots programs.
FIDE designated 2026 as the Year of Chess in Education. As part of that program, the federation is holding a dedicated Chess in Education Summit during the 2026 FIDE Congress in Samarkand.
Furthermore, FIDE operates development funding and training programs for member federations. Its commissions establish international standards for arbiters and trainers while also supporting technical development, fair play, medical matters, ratings, titles, and tournament organization.
Technology is another growing area of activity. During 2026, FIDE announced new partnerships involving digital infrastructure, fan engagement, ratings, and major championship sponsorship. These projects complement its traditional regulatory and competitive responsibilities.
🗳️ 2026 FIDE Presidential Election and Governance
The 2026 FIDE Presidential Election will take place on September 26, 2026, during the General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The General Assembly continues on September 27 and is FIDE’s highest governing authority.
The FIDE Electoral Commission has approved three valid presidential tickets:
Jan Henric Buettner — President
Malcolm Pein — Deputy President
Wadim Rosenstein — President
Gordon Tang Yigang — Deputy President
Timur Turlov — President
Viswanathan Anand — Deputy President
Each eligible Member Federation represented at the General Assembly has one vote. FIDE is also holding elections for four elected Vice Presidents and a number of zonal and other governance positions during the Congress.
Until the presidential election is completed and the new leadership takes office, Viswanathan Anand remains FIDE Interim President. Arkady Dvorkovich remains the elected president from the previous term but has suspended the exercise of his presidential powers and duties.
Because the election takes place only days after this profile was updated, the leadership information should be revised immediately after FIDE officially publishes the election result.
Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games was founded in 1979 and is one of the leading chess clubs in the United Arab Emirates and region, with over 1000 registered members.
The chess club has a strong tradition in organizing chess events, with tens of tournaments organized every year. The main event, Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, reached its 29th Edition in 2023 and become the biggest chess festival in the world, with over 1700 participants.
The Abu Dhabi Chess Club is also organzing all the main chess events across Abu Dhabi, including inter-school chess competitions.
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