World University Team Chess Championship 2026 – Final Call to Register
The World University Team Chess Championship 2026 is set to take place in Almaty, Kazakhstan this August. Top university teams from around the world will compete for the prestigious title of world champion.
This global event is organized by FIDE, along with the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and the Almaty city administration. It is also supported by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Sports and Tourism.
Tournament Format
The championship will be played in three exciting stages:
- Online Swiss Qualifiers – Open entry stage
- Online Knockout Stage – Top teams battle for qualification
- Over-the-Board Finals – Played in Almaty from August 3–10, 2026
A total of 16 teams will reach the finals:
- 8 teams qualify through the knockout stage
- 8 teams receive wild card entries
Registration Deadlines
There are two Online Swiss Qualifiers. Make sure to register on time:
- April 27, 2026 (11:59 PM UTC) – Qualifier 1
- May 4, 2026 (11:59 PM UTC) – Qualifier 2
Unique Team Format
This event promotes inclusivity and teamwork:
- Each match is played on 4 boards
- Every team must include:
- At least one male player
- At least one female player
Eligibility Criteria
University teams can participate if:
- Players are born between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2008
- Players are currently enrolled in at least one university course
Prize Fund
The championship offers an attractive prize pool:
- 🥇 1st Place – €25,000
- 🥈 2nd Place – €15,000
- 🥉 3rd Place – €10,000
Entry Details
- Entry fee: €100 per team
- Each national federation can nominate one university team for free entry
Participating Universities
Several top universities have already registered, including:
- Universidad de El Salvador
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- University of Auckland
- Riga Technical University
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
- The Egyptian Chinese University
- Universiti Malaya
- University of Dhaka
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Webster University
- Samarkand State Pedagogical Institute
- École Polytechnique de Ouagadougou
Final Reminder
This is your last chance to register for one of the biggest university chess events in the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to compete on a global stage and represent your university.
For more details, visit the official website or contact the organizers directly.
Photos: FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
