Costa Rica Takes Center Stage for School Chess in the Americas
San José, Costa Rica — August 11, 2026 Chess doesn’t usually make morning sports radio. This week it did. Ahead of the American Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship (WSTC), three of the people behind the event sat down with Teletica Deporte Radio’s “Tren Deportivo” — and a 15-minute slot turned into a 36-minute conversation. That tells you something about how much there is to say. The tournament From August 11 to 16, the DoubleTree Hilton Cariari becomes home to the best school chess on the continent: 29 school teams from across the Americas, competing for a place in a global grand final against the other continents. The tournament is organized by FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), together with the Costa Rican Chess Federation and the Chess Confederation for the Americas (CCA), with the backing of the Costa Rican Institute of Sport and Recreation (ICODER). It runs under the banner of the 2026 Year of Chess in Education, an initiative supported by Freedom Holding Corp. Andrei Vodianov, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the ISCF, explained where the federation came from. It was founded barely two years ago on an idea from its president, Timur Turlov, a father of six who wanted to promote school chess worldwide the way it’s done in Kazakhstan. FIDE’s General Assembly approved it in 2024. Last year the ISCF ran its first WSTC in Washington, D.C. – a single global championship. This year the format changed. Instead of bringing the whole world to one place, the championship splits into four continental stages, opening the door to far more countries. Africa’s stage was held in Cape Town last month. Costa Rica is the American stage. Each host nation gets three teams. Costa Rica’s spots go to Colegio Humboldt, San Francisco de Asís (from Guápiles) and Colegio Británico — the top three from a national stage that drew more than thirty schools, played for the first time in a new team format: four players per school, with at least one boy and at least one girl on every team. Accreditation opens August 11. The opening ceremony and Round 1 follow on Wednesday, August 12, with rounds running through August 15 — Mother’s Day in Costa Rica — and the closing ceremony that Saturday. Continental champions advance to a grand final in December, staged alongside the FIDE World Blitz and Rapid Championship, where players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura compete. The conference The competition is only half of it. On August 12, the ISCF hosts the Smart Moves Americas Summit — a conference of panels with world-class experts on chess as an educational tool, including a roundtable, “Playing the Long Game,” and a session pointedly titled “One Board, Millions of Classrooms.” It’s the kind of event that normally costs at least $100 to attend. Here it’s free and open to anyone who wants to come. “They’re covering everything,” said Mauricio Arias Santana, who chairs the Education Commission of the Chess Confederation for the Americas. “So the impact reaches everyone.” Registration links are on the Costa Rican Chess Federation’s social channels – the link. Why it matters Behind the boards and the panels is a bigger idea and that’s really what the three guests came to talk about. For Luis Quirós Rojas, president of the Costa Rican Chess Federation, the headline is simple: chess is the fastest-growing sport in the country’s schools, according to official statistics. But the pitch to educators isn’t about adding to their plate. “We’re not telling teachers, ‘I want you to do more’ — they already do a great deal,” Quirós said. “We’re telling them: here’s a tool to make your job easier.” He pushed back on the old playground wisdom that chess makes kids smart. “Is a child fast because he runs? No — he’s fast because he built the ability by running,” he said. “In the same way, we want every child who goes to school in Costa Rica to build abilities by playing. And the Ministry of Education is telling us: yes, come in, there’s room.” Arias, an international master before he turned to promoting the game, spoke about it in personal terms. “I have a good life. For me and my family, none of it would have been possible without chess,” he said. “I don’t know what hole I’d be in — but we certainly wouldn’t be having this conversation.” He also captured why so many countries are watching Costa Rica right now. “A few years ago we had to go to countries and convince them this was worth doing,” he said. “Today they’re not asking whether it works. They’re asking how to implement it — what’s the method.” Costa Rica, he added, is “putting itself at the head of the continent” on chess in education: curricula are being written, and a pilot is about to launch in several schools. For Vodianov, the reason to keep going is more personal. At the Asian stage, a team of four girls from a very rural region of India played the first time any of them had ever left their city. “Situations like that give us the drive to keep going,” he said. (The story is on the ISCF’s Instagram.) Arias left the radio audience with the line that summed it up best. “Everything we’re talking about here is an investment in talent,” he said. “And to be clear — not chess talent. Talent as a country.” The World Schools Team Championship — American Continental Stage runs August 11–16, 2026, at the DoubleTree Hilton Cariari, Costa Rica. Organized by FIDE and the International School Chess Federation with the Costa Rican Chess Federation and the Chess Confederation for the Americas, endorsed by ICODER, under the 2026 Year of Chess in Education supported by Freedom Holding Corp.
Registration opens for European Continental Stage of FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026
FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), with the support of its general partner Freedom Holding Corp., invite all FIDE member federations from Europe to participate in the European Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 (WSTC 2026). Organized by ISCF and FIDE jointly with the Armenian Chess Federation and the European Chess Union, the event will be held in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia, from September 28 (arrival) to October 3 (departure), 2026. The European Continental Stage will become one of the continental qualifiers of the new World Schools Team Championship cycle held within the framework of the Year of Chess in Education 2026 initiative. The best teams will qualify directly for the WSTC 2026 Grand Final, where the continental champions will compete for the title of FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Champion 2026. Team composition and eligibility Each team shall consist of: four main players; one reserve player; one non-playing captain. Each team must include at least one boy and at least one girl, except in specific cases provided for in the Regulations for single-gender educational institutions. Players eligible to participate must be born between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018. National federations are responsible for confirming that all players are officially enrolled in the educational institution they represent during the 2025–2026 academic year. The tournament will be played over eight rounds using the Swiss system. Participation conditions and organizer support Within the framework of the Championship, selected teams will receive organizer support, including: full-board accommodation; airport and local transfers; 4 economy-class flight tickets for designated eligible delegations. Detailed participation conditions are outlined in the official Invitation Letter and General Regulations. Educational and cultural programme In addition to the tournament itself, participants and guests will take part in a special educational and cultural programme organized in line with the Year of Chess in Education 2026 initiative. The programme will include: masterclasses and lectures by leading chess players and educators; interactive workshops; side activities promoting educational exchange and intercultural dialogue. The Championship aims not only to identify the strongest school team on the continent but also to promote chess as a powerful educational and social development tool. Registration The registration deadline is August 28. National federations are kindly encouraged to complete the registration process at the earliest opportunity, as the number of places in the tournament is limited. Organizer support conditions outlined in the Regulations are available only for the first 20 teams fully registered in compliance with the official requirements. Teams may register only through their respective FIDE member federations using the official online registration form. Registration form: http://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/registration-stage-europe/ Contact e-mail: worldschoolteam@fide.com Official website: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/ Invitation Letter: http://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/files/WSTC_2026_Invitation_Letter_European_Stage.pdf
Costa Rica to Host the American Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026
San José, Costa Rica — For the first time, Central America takes its place on the world chess map. From 11 to 16 August 2026, San José will welcome the best young minds of a continent as Costa Rica hosts the American Continental Stage of the FIDE-ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 (WSTC). Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari, the championship gathers top school teams from across the Americas: from Mexico to Peru, from Jamayca to Barbados – each competing for a place in the Grand Final against the champions of the other continental stages. It is a historic milestone. Never before has this stage of the World Schools Team Championship been held in Costa Rica or Central America, and its arrival turns San José into a meeting point for youth, education and sport at the highest level. Organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the International Schools Chess Federation (ISCF), together with the Costa Rican Chess Federation and the Confederation of Chess for the Americas (CCA), the event takes place within the framework of the Year of Chess in Education 2026, a joint FIDE-ISCF initiative, supported by Freedom Holding Corp., that brings chess into classrooms and national education systems around the world. Chess That Lasts Beyond the Final Move The FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 – American Continental Stage brings together the strongest school teams from across the Americas. But the championship is also a meeting point for educators, policymakers, federations and families who share a common belief: chess has an important role to play in shaping how children learn. Held during the Year of Chess in Education 2026, the event reflects a growing global movement. Around the world, countries are integrating chess into education to strengthen critical thinking, decision-making, resilience and creativity. The championship creates an opportunity not only to compete, but to exchange experience, strengthen partnerships and help successful ideas reach more schools and more children. Smart Moves Americas: Governments That Think Ahead A central part of the championship week is Smart Moves Americas: Governments That Think Ahead, the ministerial conference organised by the International School Chess Federation and the Confederation of Chess for the Americas. Held on 12 August at the Cariari Country Club as a flagship event of the Year of Chess in Education 2026, officially declared by FIDE and ISCF, the conference will bring together ministers, education authorities, curriculum leaders, teacher-training specialists, government representatives and international partners to exchange proven practices, strengthen regional partnerships and support the sustainable expansion of Chess in Education across the Americas. The conference focuses on practical experience rather than theory. Participants will explore national case studies, teacher development, curriculum integration and approaches that have already demonstrated results in different education systems. Delegations are expected from across the region, including representatives from Costa Rica, Barbados, El Salvador, Panama, United States, the Dominican Republic and other countries of the Americas, creating an unprecedented regional platform for policy dialogue and professional exchange. The conference program includes: Registration & Networking Coffee Opening Ceremony From Vision to National Action – a ministerial panel exploring national leadership, policy development and successful government initiatives. Memorandum Signing Ceremony – reinforcing regional cooperation and long-term collaboration in Chess in Education. Launch of the Beacons League School Certification Program – a joint initiative introducing the first certification framework for Costa Rican schools implementing Chess in Education. Chess School Awards – recognising schools demonstrating outstanding leadership and innovation in Chess in Education. Networking Lunch Playing the Long Game: Building Sustainable Chess in Education – exploring the foundations of long-term success in Chess in Education, from policy and partnerships to funding, teacher capacity, localisation and evidence, with perspectives from countries at different stages of implementation. Networking Coffee One Board. Millions of Classrooms. – bringing together education experts and curriculum specialists to explore teaching methodologies, interdisciplinary learning, classroom practices and innovative ways to embed chess across the curriculum. Smart Moves Americas is designed to connect those who shape education policy with those who shape classroom practice. By bringing together decision-makers and education practitioners in the same room, the conference creates a shared space where successful experiences can be exchanged, adapted and transformed into long-term regional cooperation. Learning Beyond Competition Throughout the championship, participants will have access to a comprehensive educational program designed for students, teachers, parents, coaches and federation officials. The week includes: Smart Moves: Girls Who Lead, developed in partnership with the Confederation of Chess for America, promoting the participation and empowerment of girls and women in chess through a girls’ masterclass and blitz tournament. Chess in Subject, demonstrating practical ways to integrate chess into classroom teaching across different subjects. ISCF Master Class Series – Raising Champions: From Talent to Title, exploring long-term player development and the role of families, coaches and schools. Simul with a Twist, an interactive simultaneous exhibition where spectators become part of the game through collective decision-making. Kahoot Chess Quiz, bringing together learning and competition in an engaging format. Sustainability and community initiatives, including environmental activities and collaborative sessions developed with international partners. Every activity has been designed with the same objective: helping participants leave with new knowledge, new ideas and new connections that continue long after the championship has ended. A stage for the continent The championship will be attended by senior officials and distinguished guests from across the Americas, including José Antonio Carrillo Pujol, President of FIDE Americas (CCA); Hon. Chad J. Blackman, M.P., Minister of Educational Transformation of Barbados; Dalila Beatriz Beltrán de Menjívar, National Director of School Coexistence at MINEDUCYT, El Salvador; and Andrea Marshall-Harris, International Director of the Barbados Chess Federation — alongside educators and speakers such as Robert McLellan (National Scholastic Chess Foundation, USA) and WFM Amelia Hernández (USA/Venezuela). For Costa Rica, the tournament is more than a sporting occasion. It is an opportunity to showcase the country’s commitment to youth, education and international cooperation — and to welcome the continent to a week where every young player, whatever the result, leaves with something that lasts.
Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School (Uganda) Takes Gold at African Continental Stage of World Schools Team Championship
Add Your Heading Text Here There was a different feeling inside the Coetzenburg Center on Friday morning. The music still played as the players filed in, and the smiles were still everywhere, but beneath it was the awareness that they were doing this for the final time. Two last rounds remained in Stellenbosch, with the African continental title and three places at the Grand Final in December still to be decided. The day would bring to a close a week that had offered far more than tournament results: new friendships between players from across the continent, evenings filled with masterclasses and workshops, and, for many, a first opportunity to represent their school internationally. By the end of the day, the top seeds had delivered. Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School of Uganda were crowned African continental champions after completing the tournament without losing a match. Kenya’s Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School took silver, while the host nation also had reason to celebrate as Welgemoed Primary School secured bronze. All three teams qualified for the Grand Final in December. Rounds 7 and 8 Uganda’s Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School and Kenya’s Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School began the final day level on 10 match points, with five teams two points behind. Round 7 kept the two leaders together. Uganda defeated Madagascar’s Lycée Privé Hibiscus 4-0, recording their second clean sweep of the event, while Kenya beat Namibia’s Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool 3-1. Both teams moved to 12 match points with one round remaining. Having already faced each other earlier in the tournament, they could not be paired again under the Swiss system. The title would therefore be decided in separate matches and, should both teams achieve the same result, on tiebreaks. Behind them, the contest for the third and final Grand Final place narrowed to two South African schools. Welgemoed Primary School defeated Angola’s Instituto Industrial 3½-½, while Holy Cross Primary won its all-South African match against Virginia Preparatory School 3-1. The results moved both teams to 10 match points, two ahead of a six-team group on eight. Shortly before the final round, the Kenyan players gathered around their boards for a last talk from their coach. With arms around one another’s shoulders, they listened closely before heading into Round 8 with renewed energy. Uganda left no room for doubt. Paired against Holy Cross Primary, the top seeds won 3½-½ to finish on 14 match points from a possible 16. Their final record stood at six match wins, two draws and a tournament-best 24½ game points. “I’m so humbled for this fantastic performance. I believe in my boys because we are the top seed, the best in the country, the best in the region. These are kids from an academy in the ghetto, disadvantaged kids, vulnerable to all the problems that come with that. I trained them so that they can get the opportunities that come with chess. Chess is improving them, they are moving around the world, and I’m so proud that wonderful brains from such areas can serve our country and the entire world,” said Patrick Mukasa, coach of Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School and founder of the Kamwokya Teens Chess Club and Academy, where the players train. For Kenya, the final round brought considerably more tension. They appeared to have control of their match against Zimbabwe’s Budiriro 4 Primary School, but the momentum shifted and the encounter ended 2-2. The dropped match point proved to be the difference between gold and silver. There was little disappointment visible afterwards, however. The Kenyan players left the stage smiling, their mood as light as it had been during the morning huddle. For three members of the team, the connection extends beyond the chessboard. Davidson, Trevor and Patricia Waweru are siblings, and after the match they spoke about learning the game together, improving alongside one another and enjoying the chance to compete as a family. That shared experience had taken them all the way to Stellenbosch and a silver medal. The contest for the third Grand Final place produced another close finish. Welgemoed led Namibia 2-1 with one game still in progress. The final board featured a complicated position, with qualification depending on the result. Welgemoed eventually lost the game, leaving the match tied 2-2 and prompting anxious calculations at the team’s table. The draw was enough. Welgemoed finished on 11 match points, one ahead of Holy Cross, to claim bronze and become South Africa’s representative at the Grand Final. Before the closing ceremony, the final afternoon still belonged to the players starting with a chess quiz in the Lectorium at 16:00. The activity rooms hosted a drumming masterclass, national and group games, and one final session in the entertainment zone, while a cooking masterclass completed the programme. Some players will return home with medals and qualification places. All of them leave Stellenbosch having represented their schools on an international stage and shared the week with young players from across Africa. A farewell to Stellenbosch The championship ended as it had begun: with players, coaches, parents and officials gathered together. At 20:30, they returned to the venue for the official closing ceremony, which opened with gratitude to those who made the week possible. Chief among them was the Freedom Group of companies, the main sponsor of the African Continental Stage and General Partner of the International School Chess Federation, whose backing, alongside that of ISCF President and Freedom Holding Corp CEO Timur Turlov, has carried the championship from an idea to four continental stages reaching young players around the world. Thanks also went to the African Chess Confederation, Chess South Africa, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport of the Western Cape Government, Stellenbosch University and ChessBase, a valued partner who prepared special gifts for every participant. A highlights video looked back on the four days in Stellenbosch before the national anthem of South Africa, performed by Onele Mngameli, and the FIDE anthem. Representatives of the participating federations then presented the individual board
“The Best Event I Have Ever Been To”: Day 3 in Stellenbosch
Add Your Heading Text Here Day three of the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 brought rounds five and six to the Coetzenburg Center, pushing the tournament into its decisive phase. With only two rounds remaining after today’s play, every match carried greater weight. The leading teams were looking to protect their positions, while those close behind still had an opportunity to enter the race for the title and qualification places. The championship’s wide-ranging programme reflects the support behind it. Freedom Holding Corp., the main sponsor of the African Continental Stage and General Partner of the International School Chess Federation, has helped create a week that combines serious competition with education, personal development, and opportunities for young players to connect beyond the board. Rounds 5 and 6 Round five narrowed the race at the top, with Kenya and Uganda both securing important victories. Kenya’s Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School produced the strongest result among the leading teams, defeating Madagascar’s Lycée Privé Hibiscus 3½-½. Uganda’s Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School also kept pace with a 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe’s Budiriro 4 Primary School. With Kenya and Uganda both moving to nine match points, the afternoon round was set to play a major role in separating the leaders. In round 6, Angola’s Instituto Industrial held Uganda to a 2-2 draw, and the shock of the day came on board one, where unrated Melquesideque Paulo defeated Ronald Wabwire, the highest-rated player in the field. Manuel Carlos added a second Angolan win against 1727-rated Trevor Tumukunde before Daniel Odokonyero and WCM Juliet Asaba rescued the match point for the top seeds. Kenya fared no better: Welgemoed’s AFM Wolf van der Merwe beat Davidson Waweru on board one, and though Trevor Waweru and Irwin Ndegwa kept up their form in the middle, Adiaan Vlok levelled the match at 2-2 on board four. Heading into the final day, Uganda and Kenya share the lead on 10 match points, with five teams closely behind them: Madagascar, Angola, Welgemoed, Holy Cross, and Namibia all on eight. With two rounds to play, nothing is settled. Player spotlight: Ronald Wabwire At just 12 years old, Uganda’s Ronald Wabwire is already regarded as one of his country’s brightest young chess talents. Rated 2174 and competing on board one for Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School, he entered the championship as its highest-rated player. Wabwire’s achievements include winning the Under-12 title at the 2026 African Youth Chess Championship with eight points. At the age of nine, he also recorded a perfect 7/7 score to win the 2023 Jumuiya Africa Mashariki Chess Championship. Despite the expectations surrounding him, Wabwire’s strongest impression of the week was not about ratings or results. Asked about his experience in Stellenbosch, he summed it up in one sentence: “This is the best event I have ever been to.” Team spotlight: Zimbabwe At the other end of the starting ranks sits one of the tournament’s best stories. Sengwa Primary School from rural Gokwe, in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province, arrived in Stellenbosch as the 29th and final seed, and as the only all-girls team in the field: Grade Seven pupils Vimbai Bhamu, Makanaka Chirefu, and Rebecca Siposo, and Grade Five learner Dorcas Gwariro. For several of them, the flight to Cape Town was their first time on an aeroplane, or in an airport at all. “I used to see other children leaving and returning with medals, and I told myself that I should also give it a try,” Siposo told Zimbabwe’s Herald before departure. Their journey carries weight back home. Days before the team left, Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, whose support along with the ISCF helped secure the team’s place here, was appointed patron of the Zimbabwe Chess Federation juniors. “We promised the First Lady that we will show other nations that a girl can do it. It starts in Zimbabwe and spreads to others,” federation president Todd Mapingire said. The girls have taken that promise seriously: unfazed by the seeding, they have already collected match wins this week, including a 3-1 victory over Malawi’s Bwaila Secondary School in Round 5. Chirefu, who only started playing in 2024, put the bigger picture best: “Chess has helped me improve my mathematics because it has strengthened my problem-solving skills. When I come back, I want to teach other children.” Side Events: Raising Champions While the tournament continued at the boards, the educational programme returned to the Lectorium of Stellenbosch University. Dr. Denise Bouah presented a session titled “Raising Champions,” continuing the championship’s focus on the development of young players beyond their results. The programme has created space throughout the week for conversations about guidance, growth, and the role that parents, coaches, and communities play in helping children thrive. Breaking barriers through chess The final workshop of the day, “Breaking Barriers: Challenging Stereotypes Through Chess,” was held in collaboration with Teach The Nation and brought players, parents, coaches, captains, and supporters together in the playing hall. Through interactive activities and discussion, participants explored how experiences from the chessboard can support personal development beyond the game. The session looked at challenging stereotypes, building confidence and resilience, and strengthening communication between young players and the parents and coaches supporting them. Participants also reflected on the importance of teamwork and encouragement, as well as the character developed through both victories and defeats. The workshop encouraged those in attendance to view chess not only as a competition, but as a way to build stronger relationships, meaningful connections, and skills that extend into everyday life. Away from the formal programme, the activity spaces once again filled with players looking to relax after two demanding rounds. National and activity games took place in Activity Room 2, while Activity Room 1 hosted a handcraft masterclass. After six rounds of competition, these shared spaces have become an important part of the championship experience. They give players the chance to meet opponents from other countries, spend time with teammates, and enjoy the event without the
Baby Shark, Big Upsets, and a Three-Way Lead in Stellenbosch.
Baby Shark, Big Upsets, and a Three-Way Lead in Stellenbosch. Day two of the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 brought rounds three and four to the Coetzenburg Center in Stellenbosch, and a day that reshaped the top of the standings. The two remaining teams with perfect scores, Uganda and Kenya, met in the fourth round and drew. By the end of the day, three teams shared the lead, although the mood inside the playing hall remained anything but heavy. Energetic music greeted the players as they streamed into the venue, setting the tone for the day. Then, just before round three, Chief Arbiter Gunther van den Bergh made an unusual announcement: he asked everyone to rise for an anthem. The students stood, exchanging confused looks, before the opening notes of Baby Shark rang out across the hall. Laughter erupted, and the arbiters joined the children in performing the familiar dance moves. Speaking as the round got underway, Van den Bergh, whose idea it was, explained that he knew how tense the opening minutes of a game could feel and wanted to help the players relax and settle in. He was onto something – when several young players were interviewed before the round and asked how they felt ahead of their games, the most common answer was “nervous”. Watching those same faces laughing and dancing only minutes before the clocks started was a sight to see. Rounds 3 and 4 Round three brought the first meeting between teams with perfect scores, and top-seeded Uganda made a statement. Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School swept Namibia’s Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool 4-0, while fourth-seeded Kenya, represented by Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School, defeated Ghana’s Delhi Public School 3½-½. The results left Uganda and Kenya as the only two teams with a perfect six match points, setting up a round-four showdown at the top of the table. The encounter lived up to expectations. Kenya and Uganda traded blows across all four boards before finishing level at 2-2. Uganda’s highest-rated players delivered on the outside boards, with Ronald Wabwire (2174) winning on board one and WCM Juliet Asaba (1985) prevailing on board four. Kenya’s middle order, however, struck back with two major upsets. Trevor Waweru (1478) defeated Trevor Tumukunde (1727) in the battle of the Trevors, while Irwin Ndegwa (1474) took down Daniel Odokonyero (1944). The draw opened the door at the top of the standings, and Madagascar’s Lycée Privé Hibiscus stepped straight through it, defeating Angola’s Instituto Industrial 3-1 to join Uganda and Kenya in the lead on seven match points. STANDINGS A simul with a twist The side programme delivered one of its most anticipated events in the evening: a simultaneous exhibition by International Master Henry Robert Steel at the Lectorium of Stellenbosch University. The format came with an unusual twist. While Steel faced his opponents in the traditional one-against-many setup, one board was played collectively by the audience. Spectators voted on each move, with the majority decision then played on the board. Before the simul, the Lectorium hosted a masterclass by a man whose story many of the players already knew, even if they did not know his name. Robert Katende, founder of the SOM Chess Academy in the Ugandan slum of Katwe, is the coach whose mentorship of Phiona Mutesi inspired the film Queen of Katwe. His talk, “Chess as a Tool for Life Development”, drew directly on that journey. Katende spoke about chess as a way of teaching children to plan, recover from setbacks, and believe that their circumstances do not determine their future. It was a message that could hardly have found a more fitting audience than the young players at this championship, several of whom come from the very programmes his work helped inspire. Away from the Lectorium, the entertainment zone maintained its now-familiar buzz. PS5 consoles, air hockey, foosball, table tennis, cornhole, giant chess, and giant Jenga ran from late afternoon, alongside badge-making and the national and activity games in Activity Room 2. For many of the players, the hours after the rounds have quickly become as much a part of the championship experience as the games themselves. Rounds 5 and 6 take place tomorrow, 9 July, where the competition and pressure will only get tougher as the end reaches nearer. The event is supported by Freedom Holding Corp., the main sponsor of the African Continental Stage and General Partner of the International School Chess Federation. Its continued commitment helps make both the competition and the wider educational and cultural programme possible. Written by Charlize van Zyl
First Moves in Stellenbosch: African Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 Begins
First Moves in Stellenbosch: African Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 Begins The tournament opened at 10:00 with a ceremony that “set protocol aside”. Following introductory remarks, the South African national anthem and the FIDE anthem, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, ISCF President Timur Turlov, African Chess Confederation President Tshepiso Lopang, and Chess South Africa President Andre Lewaks took the stage, but not to deliver speeches. Instead, each official read letters written by young players at the previous stages in Almaty and Washington, answering one question: “What would you say to your fellow players if you were standing on the opening ceremony stage?” Their words about mistakes and victories, friendship without borders, dreams, and a big and open world captured the spirit of the championship better than any formal speech could. The heartfelt messages captivated the audience. Here are some of the most memorable answers: “If you lose, it is okay to feel sad for a little while. But not for too long. Then it is better to look through the game and pretend that learning something was your plan all along.” “Don’t be afraid if you and your opponent don’t speak the same language. In chess, you can understand each other without words — after the first move!” “May each of you have a big chess dream. For example, to become a world champion. Make smart moves! In the game and … in life too!” “I hope that at this championship you look not only at the board, but also around you. Because the world is truly big, and it is wonderful to see it while playing.” Following a group photo under the event’s motto, WE LOVE CHESS, and a dance performance by the Stars of Tomorrow group, President Arkady Dvorkovich officially declared the African Continental Stage open. The ceremony also recognised the essential support of the Freedom Group of companies, whose partnership made the event possible and continues to strengthen chess education and development programmes worldwide. The ceremony set the tone for the day of chess ahead, with smiles and good spirits all around. The players then made their way to the boards for the first round, which began at 11:30. First moves were made by young chess stars – Sophia Smith (8 years old) representing Beaumont Primary School, and Theeran Varadharajan (4 years old) from Alex Blaikie Montessori School. Rounds 1 and 2 The first round produced no major upsets, although several matches ended in draws. There were also a few 4-0 clean sweeps, always an ideal way to begin a team event. Round two followed a similar pattern, although more matches were closely contested. Four teams ended the day with victories in both rounds, and the competition is expected to intensify tomorrow as more evenly matched teams face one another. It should also be noted that the early standings may not yet provide a true indication of strength, given the large number of unrated players who could easily be underestimated. Standings after round 2 The appeal of the World Schools Team Championship lies not only in the games and the stakes of winning. ISCF has also planned a wide range of side events and programmes to engage both the young players and the local community. Today’s schedule included social outreach, a book talk, and numerous fun and entertaining activities. Chess reaches beyond the tournament hall In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the championship’s social outreach programme.The official delegation, including Arkady Dvorkovich, Timur Turlov, Stellenbosch Executive Mayor Jeremy Fasser, Andre Lewaks, and presidents of national chess federations from across Africa, made the short trip to the historic Paul Roos Gymnasium, where 50 learners from three local schools were waiting at the chessboards. The delegates took to the stage to address the children. Although the setting was formal, the remarks were directed warmly towards the young audience. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich began by asking, “Who in the audience has lost a chess game?” The question was met with raised hands and laughter. He went on to speak about the connection between chess, life, and learning from defeat: “Chess helped me to acquire skills that are good for day-to-day life. Memory, strategy, thinking about the opponent, but most importantly, that it’s just you and the board. No one can help you; you are responsible for each move and everything that will happen from that move. That is what life is about: we make our moves and we are responsible for them.” Questions were then opened to the audience and ranged from which aspect of chess the officials loved most to who their favourite player was. Each school received a certificate and chess equipment to support its chess programme, while every child went home with a gift. Once the formalities had ended, the VIP guests and federation presidents stood across the boards from the young players for a friendly chess session before everyone gathered outside for a group photo. The visit reflected the central aim of the Year of Chess in Education: bringing the game, and everything it teaches, to more children across the continent. The educational programme also opened today at the Lectorium of Stellenbosch University, where Dr. Lyndon Bouah, a former South African Chess Olympian, national team captain, and author of 14 books on chess history, presented “South Africa at the Chess Olympiads (1958–2022)” and launched his newest book, Namaste: India 2022, on South Africa’s run at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai. Dr. Lyndon Bouah has been a pillar of South African chess for many years, and his talk offered valuable insight into the host nation’s chess history and culture. The fun did not stop when the clocks did. After the round, players poured into the entertainment zone, where PS5 consoles, air hockey, foosball, table tennis, cornhole, giant chess, and giant Jenga kept the competitive spirit alive in a far more relaxed setting. Those looking for a souvenir joined the badge-making workshop, an illusion show added a touch of magic to the evening, and
BEYOND THE BOARD: CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES SET FOR FIDE ISCF WORLD SCHOOLS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 2026
Stellenbosch, South Africa — July 2026 The African Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 (WSTC 2026) runs in Stellenbosch from July 6 to 11, with nearly 30 school teams from across the continent arriving to compete. As part of the global WSTC cycle, teams will compete across multiple rounds throughout the week, with the top performers going on to qualify for the WSTC Grand Final later this year. In line with the Year of Chess in Education 2026, the championship features a full educational programme running alongside the competition: masterclasses, workshops, and cultural exchange activities designed to make the week matter long after the final round. The programme opens on July 7 at the Lectorium of Stellenbosch University, where Dr. Lyndon Bouah, former South African Chess Olympian, national team captain, and author of 14 books on chess history, presents South Africa at the Chess Olympiads (1958–2022) and launches his newest book, Namaste: India 2022, on South Africa’s run at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai. Participants will have the opportunity to explore South African chess history, hear behind-the-scenes stories from the Olympiads, and engage with one of Africa’s leading chess historians and sports administrators. On July 8 at 18:00, the Lectorium of Stellenbosch University will also hosts a simultaneous exhibition with a structural twist. International Master Henry Robert Steel will face multiple opponents in the traditional format, with one exception: one board will be contested collectively by the audience. Spectators vote on each move, deliberating openly before the majority decision is played – a format that transforms passive observers into active participants and turns a classic chess tradition into a shared intellectual exercise open to all. July 9 brings two back-to-back sessions at the Lectorium. From 16:30 to 18:00, Dr. Denise Bouah, a Women International Master, three-time South African National Women’s Chess Champion, and sport psychologist, leads “Raising Champions: From Talent to Title,” unpacking the mental side of high performance: focus under pressure, emotional regulation, and the kind of confidence that holds up outside the tournament hall too. The day closes with “Breaking Barriers: Challenging Stereotypes Through Chess,” an interactive workshop run with Teach the Nation, where players examine how the setbacks and victories of the board shape character, and how chess can challenge assumptions and build stronger relationships between players, parents, and coaches. Beyond the official educational programme, the week is packed with activities built to introduce players to South African culture, from local dance and music to hands-on craft sessions. A dedicated lounge zone gives kids a space to unwind between rounds, and a handful of other surprises round out the schedule. Put it all together, and the championship starts to feel less like a tournament and more like a full-blown chess festival for kids. “This isn’t a week where kids just show up, play, and leave,” said the ISCF team. “The masterclasses and the cultural programme are there so they walk away with something. A skill, a perspective, a connection to a place they’d never been before.” The FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 continues through the week in Stellenbosch, with the competitive programme running alongside the full schedule of masterclasses and side events. The championship is supported by Freedom Holding Corp., the international financial and investment group, whose partnership has been instrumental in bringing the full scope of the programme to life. About ISCFThe International School Chess Federation (ISCF) is dedicated to promoting chess in schools worldwide, using the game as a tool for education, personal development, and youth empowerment. ISCF organizes international school chess championships and educational programmes across multiple continents in partnership with national federations and educational institutions. About FIDEThe International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of world chess, overseeing international competitions, rankings, and the development of chess as a sport and educational tool across the globe.
Health and Safety Statement
The Organizing Committee of the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 places the highest priority on the health and safety of all participants, guests and officials. The Organizing Committee is closely monitoring the epidemiological situation in the region and remains in close contact with the competent authorities of the Republic of South Africa and the Western Cape. The Committee is guided by, and will strictly follow, the official guidance and recommendations of the responsible health authorities at every stage of the preparation and conduct of the Championship. Medical support will be provided at the competition venue. The Organizing Committee will agree upon and document an appropriate health protocol in advance and will promptly coordinate with the relevant services should the need arise. The Organizing Committee will keep participants and the public duly informed as official guidance becomes available.
Registration opens for the American Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026
FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), with the support of its general partner Freedom Holding Corp., invite all FIDE member federations from the Americas to participate in the American Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 (WSTC 2026). The event will be held in San José, Costa Rica, from 11 August (arrival) to 16 August (departure), 2026, and is organized by ISCF and FIDE jointly with the Federación Costarricense de Ajedrez and the Confederation of Chess for America. The American Continental Stage will become one of the continental qualifiers of the new World Schools Team Championship cycle held within the framework of the Year of Chess in Education 2026 initiative. The best teams will qualify directly for the WSTC 2026 Grand Final, where the continental champions will compete for the title of FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Champion 2026. Team composition and eligibility Each team shall consist of: four main players; one reserve player; one non-playing captain. Each team must include at least one boy and at least one girl, except in specific cases provided for in the Regulations for single-gender educational institutions. Players eligible to participate must be born between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2018. National federations are responsible for confirming that all players are officially enrolled in the educational institution they represent during the 2025–2026 academic year. The tournament will be played over eight rounds using the Swiss system. Participation conditions and organizer support Within the framework of the Championship, selected teams will receive organizer support, including: full-board accommodation; airport and local transfers; economy-class flight tickets for designated supported delegations. Detailed participation conditions are outlined in the official Invitation Letter and General Regulations. Educational and cultural programme In addition to the tournament itself, participants and guests will take part in a special educational and cultural programme organized in line with the Year of Chess in Education 2026 initiative. The programme will include: masterclasses and lectures by leading chess players and educators; interactive workshops; side activities promoting educational exchange and intercultural dialogue. The Championship aims not only to identify the strongest school team on the continent but also to promote chess as a powerful educational and social development tool. Registration The registration deadline is July 16. National federations are kindly encouraged to complete the registration process at the earliest opportunity, as the number of places in the tournament is limited, and organizer support conditions outlined in the Regulations are available only for the first 20 teams fully registered in compliance with the official requirements. Teams may register only through their respective FIDE member federations using the official online registration form. Registration form: http://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/registration-stage-america/ Contact e-mail: worldschoolteam@fide.com Official website: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/ Invitation Letter: http://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/files/WSTC_2026_Invitation_Letter_American_Stage.pdf