The FIDE World Cadets’ Championships 2026 will take place in Batumi, Georgia, from November 10 to 17, 2026. The event represents the final stage of FIDE’s redesigned world championship cycle for players in the U8, U10, and U12 age groups. Only 48 qualified players will compete across six Open and Girls categories.

Unlike the large World Cadets Cup held in Batumi in June, the November championship uses an elite, invitation-only format. Each category contains only eight players. First, the players compete in two four-player round-robin groups. Afterwards, players with the same finishing position in each group meet in classification matches that decide the final standings.

The championship will crown six individual FIDE world champions. Every qualified participant holds a personal participation right and receives free full-board accommodation for the championship period. FIDE and the Georgian Chess Federation organize the event as the decisive stage of the 2026 World Cadets Championship cycle.

📌 Event Details

The 2026 finals bring together only eight qualified players in each age and gender category. Therefore, the event differs substantially from a traditional open youth championship.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The FIDE World Cadets’ Championships use a two-stage competition format. Each classical game gives both players 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one.

The default time is 30 minutes. Therefore, a player who arrives after the permitted default period can lose the game under the applicable FIDE rules.

Stage 1 – Group Competition

Each championship category contains eight players. The organizer divides them into Group A and Group B, with four players in each group.

Both groups play a single round-robin tournament. As a result, each player completes three classical games during Stage 1.

The organizer must make the average Elo ratings of the two groups as equal as possible. If unrated players compete, the organizer allocates them alphabetically.

Stage 1 Tie-Breaks

If players finish the group stage with the same score, the following criteria determine their order.

Stage 2 – Classification Matches

After the group stage, players with the same finishing position in Groups A and B face each other in a two-game classical match.

Therefore, every Stage 2 match determines two consecutive positions in the final standings.

For matches involving players who finished in an odd-numbered group position, the Group A player receives White in Game 1. The Group B player then receives White in Game 2.

For matches involving even-numbered positions, the Group B player receives White first. The Group A player receives White in Game 2.

Rapid & Blitz Tie-Breaks

A drawn two-game classical match does not end the contest. Instead, the players continue with a two-game rapid match.

If the rapid match also finishes level, the players move to sudden-death blitz.

During the rapid match, colors continue to alternate from the classical match.

If the rapid match remains tied, the organizer conducts a draw to determine White for the first blitz game. Colors then alternate. The first player to win a blitz game wins the match.

🧩 Sections / Groups

The FIDE World Cadets’ Championships include six separate world-title competitions. Each category contains exactly eight finalists.

Age eligibility follows the birth-date requirements established for the 2026 championship cycle.

FIDE or the organizers may require players or delegation officials to present passports. This procedure verifies the player’s age eligibility.

📅 Schedule

FIDE has officially confirmed the championship period as November 10–17, 2026 in Batumi.

However, the currently published regulations do not yet provide the detailed November round schedule. Therefore, round times, the opening ceremony, technical meeting, classification-match timetable, and closing ceremony should not be published until FIDE releases the official finals program.

The championship format requires the completion of the group stage followed by the classification matches and any required rapid or blitz tie-breaks.

📝 Registration

The FIDE World Cadets’ Championships 2026 are not open for public registration. Every participant must obtain one of the eight qualification places available in their category.

Each category follows the same qualification structure.

The four continental places consist of one nomination from each continental president’s office.

The Georgian Chess Federation receives one additional nomination in every category as the organizing federation.

World Cadets Cup Qualification

The FIDE World Cadets Cup U8-U12, held in Batumi from June 15 to 28, serves as the main global qualifying tournament.

The top three finishers in each of its six categories receive places in the November World Cadets Championships. Consequently, the World Cup determines 18 of the 48 finalists.

Continental Qualification

Another 24 places come from continental nominations.

Each of FIDE’s four continental structures receives one place in every category. The corresponding continental president’s office submits the nomination.

Host Federation Places

The Georgian Chess Federation receives one place in each of the six categories.

Therefore, Georgia can nominate six players through the host-federation allocation.

Participation Conditions

All 48 finalists compete as personal-right players.

Furthermore, FIDE regulations provide every finalist with free full-board accommodation during the championship period from November 10 to 17.

Individual applications are not part of the championship entry process. Instead, qualified players, national federations, continental organizations, and the organizing federation complete the applicable official procedures.

For championship-related questions, federations should contact:

Email: wcc@fide.com

👥 Organizer

FIDE and the Georgian Chess Federation jointly organize the World Cadets’ Championships in Batumi.

FIDE manages the international championship framework, qualification structure, sporting regulations, and world-title status. Meanwhile, the Georgian Chess Federation serves as the host federation.

✈️ How to Get There

Batumi lies on Georgia’s Black Sea coast and has its own international airport.

Batumi International Airport is the closest airport to the host city. Therefore, it is normally the most convenient arrival point for delegations with suitable flight connections.

Kutaisi International Airport provides another practical international gateway to western Georgia. Meanwhile, Tbilisi International Airport offers a larger range of international connections. Travelers arriving in Tbilisi can continue to Batumi by road, domestic transport, or rail.

The organizer has not yet published finals-specific airport-transfer arrangements for November. Therefore, qualified players and delegations should follow the official travel instructions issued directly by FIDE and the Georgian Chess Federation.

ℹ️ Other Information

Six World Championship Titles

The tournament determines six individual world champions.

The winner of the match between the two group winners becomes world champion. The losing finalist finishes second.

Meanwhile, the winner of the match between the two group runners-up finishes third.

A New FIDE Championship Cycle

FIDE introduced a redesigned U8-U12 world championship structure in 2026.

Under this system, the large FIDE World Cadets Cup acts as the global qualifying competition. The smaller FIDE World Cadets’ Championships then serve as the elite finals.

Therefore, the two tournaments perform different roles.

The June World Cup allows a broad international field to compete. In contrast, the November Championships include only 48 finalists.

This format creates a direct qualification pathway from the World Cup and continental chess structures to the final world-title competition.

Anti-Cheating & Playing-Hall Rules

FIDE Anti-Cheating Regulations and guidelines apply throughout the championship.

Players may not bring prohibited electronic or radio-frequency devices into the playing hall. The regulations specifically prohibit mobile phones, electronic devices, radio-frequency sources, wristwatches of every type, and personal pens.

However, the Chief Arbiter may authorize a medical exception when appropriate.

Age Verification

FIDE may require players or captains to present passports upon arrival or at another point during the championship.

This procedure allows officials to verify compliance with the U8, U10, and U12 age requirements.

Appeals

A player who wants to challenge a Chief Arbiter decision must submit a written protest to the Appeals Committee Chair.

The player must submit the protest within one hour after the relevant game finishes.

In addition, every appeal requires a €200 deposit.

If the Appeals Committee grants the appeal, FIDE returns the deposit immediately. If the committee rejects the appeal, FIDE retains the deposit.

The Appeals Committee’s decision is final.

Delegation Responsibility

Every national federation remains responsible for the conduct of its delegation.

Moreover, federations are responsible for property damage caused by members of their delegations. All delegations must follow the championship’s security regulations.

🔗 Official Resources