First Moves in Stellenbosch! African Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 Begins
The African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 has officially started in Stellenbosch, South Africa. This is a historic moment because it is the first time the tournament is being held in Africa.
The event is taking place at the Coetzenburg Center. It is the second qualifying stage of the 2026 championship cycle. The first stage was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in April. A total of 26 school teams from 22 countries are competing for places in the Grand Final, which will be held later this year.
The tournament is part of the Year of Chess in Education and is supported by Freedom Holding Corp. It celebrates not only winning games but also the life lessons that chess teaches.
FIDE President Shares His Vision
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich spoke about how the championship has grown over the last few years. He explained that the event began as an experiment to involve more schools and countries.
Now, FIDE expects that more than 100 countries will eventually participate in the championship. He also highlighted that hosting the event in different countries helps local chess federations grow and promote chess in their communities.
Tournament Format
Each school team has:
- Four main players
- One reserve player
- Both boys and girls on the team
The top seeds are:
- Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School (Uganda)
- Platform School (Nigeria)
- Tunisia’s representatives
Host nation South Africa is represented by three schools. The highest-ranked among them is Welgemoed Primary School. The tournament follows an 8-round Swiss System.
Players have 45 minutes for the game with a 10-second increment after every move. Although many games finished quickly, several battles lasted until the very end as players used all their available thinking time.
Many Players Make Their International Debut
One of the most exciting facts about the event is that 91 players are unrated. For most of them, this is their first international chess tournament.
Despite the pressure, the young players enjoyed every moment and looked excited for the next rounds.
Teamwork Is the Main Theme
ISCF President Timur Turlov spoke about the importance of team events. He explained that great achievements come from strong communities and teamwork. According to him, when an entire school grows together, students get better opportunities to learn, improve, and succeed.
A Different Kind of Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony was unlike a traditional chess event. After the national anthem and the FIDE anthem, the officials did not give formal speeches.
Instead, they read letters written by children who had played in previous championship stages. The letters answered one simple question:
What would you say to fellow players if you were standing on the opening ceremony stage?
The touching messages spoke about:
- Learning from losses
- Making friends across countries
- Dreaming big
- Enjoying the journey of chess
Some memorable messages included:
- Losing is okay if you learn from your games.
- Chess allows people to understand each other without speaking the same language.
- Dream of becoming a world champion.
- Look beyond the chessboard and enjoy the world around you.
The audience loved the heartfelt messages. After a group photo under the “WE LOVE CHESS” banner and a performance by the Stars of Tomorrow dance group, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich officially declared the tournament open.
The ceremony also recognized the important support of the Freedom Group of Companies, whose partnership continues to strengthen chess education around the world.
The ceremonial first moves were played by two young chess enthusiasts:
- Sophia Smith (8 years old) from Beaumont Primary School
- Theeran Varadharajan (4 years old) from Alex Blaikie Montessori School
Round 1 and Round 2
The first two rounds produced exciting chess. Round 1 had no major surprises, although several matches ended in draws. Some teams enjoyed perfect 4-0 victories, giving them an excellent start. Round 2 was more competitive, with several closely fought matches.
At the end of the day, four teams had won both of their matches. As stronger teams begin facing each other, the competition is expected to become even more exciting. Since many players are still unrated, the current standings may not fully reflect every team’s true strength.
Chess Beyond the Board
The championship is much more than a chess tournament. Several educational and community activities were organized alongside the games.
Social Outreach Program
The official delegation visited the historic Paul Roos Gymnasium. Around 50 students from three local schools were waiting with chessboards ready.
The delegation included:
- Arkady Dvorkovich
- Timur Turlov
- Stellenbosch Executive Mayor Jeremy Fasser
- Andre Lewaks
- Presidents of several African chess federations
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich asked the children a simple question:
Who has ever lost a chess game?
Many hands went up, followed by laughter. He explained that chess teaches valuable life lessons. Players learn responsibility, strategy, memory, and how to recover from mistakes.
Every participating school received:
- A certificate
- Chess equipment
Each child also received a special gift. The visit ended with friendly games between officials and students before everyone gathered for a group photo.
The program perfectly reflected the goals of the Year of Chess in Education.
Educational Activities
The educational program also began at Stellenbosch University. Former South African Chess Olympian Dr. Lyndon Bouah delivered a lecture titled: “South Africa at the Chess Olympiads (1958–2022).”
He also launched his latest book: Namaste: India 2022
The book tells the story of South Africa’s performance at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai. His presentation gave visitors a deeper understanding of South African chess history.
Fun After Chess
The excitement continued after the games ended.
Players enjoyed a large entertainment area featuring:
- PS5 gaming consoles
- Air hockey
- Foosball
- Table tennis
- Cornhole
- Giant chess
- Giant Jenga
There was also:
- A badge-making workshop
- An illusion show
- A disco
- A photo session
These activities helped players relax, make new friends, and enjoy the championship experience beyond chess.
More Exciting Games Ahead
The tournament continues at the Coetzenburg Center with Round 3.
The African Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 promises many more exciting battles as teams fight for qualification to the Grand Final in December.
The champions will be crowned on July 10.
Photos: ISCF
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
