Almaty to Host First FIDE World University Team Chess Championship

On August 4–9, 2026, Almaty will become the center of world university chess. Kazakhstan's largest city will host the finals of the FIDE World University Team Chess Championship, the first FIDE world team championship among universities. The opening ceremony will take place on August 4.

16 university teams are participating. Among them are universities with centuries-old academic history and long-standing chess traditions, such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. The chess clubs of these universities have existed for more than a century and a half. Their teams represent not only leading educational institutions, but an entire era in the history of university chess.

Hosting the tournament will continue Kazakhstan's large-scale cooperation with FIDE. In November 2025, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. The parties discussed the further development of cooperation, holding major international competitions in Kazakhstan, and implementing joint chess projects. The President of Kazakhstan emphasized that chess is not only a sport, but also an important part of intellectual culture, upbringing, and education. Special attention in the country is paid to the development of chess infrastructure and the promotion of the game among children and youth.

“Hosting the first FIDE championship of this kind means a high honor and responsibility. Therefore, the choice of Kazakhstan speaks to the trust our country enjoys in the world today. It is also important that university chess creates a foundation for cooperation far beyond sports. Sitting at the board here are those who, in just ten years, will head companies and state institutions. Connections born during student years often turn out to be the strongest. And this, perhaps, is the main result that will remain outside the standings. Almaty is the ideal choice for such a story. It is the largest student center of the country, and the city knows how to speak to young people in their language. We want the participants to see not only strong organization of the tournament, but also hospitable Kazakhstan. Years later, someone among them will decide where to launch a project or open a business. It will be great if at that moment they remember our country with warmth,” emphasized Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.

Representatives of universities from North and South America, Europe, and Asia will meet at a single venue. The organizers are also working to expand the geography of participants so that university teams from all continents are represented in the finals.

“This championship will unite universities with outstanding academic and chess histories. Representatives of higher education institutions whose chess clubs have existed for more than 150 years will come to Almaty. In total, 79 teams from 49 countries competed in the qualifying stages. Such scale confirms the high international status of the tournament and strengthens Kazakhstan’s position as a country capable of hosting world-class intellectual competitions,” noted Darmen Sadvakasov, First Vice-President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.

The participation of American universities known for strong student chess programs is of particular interest. Saint Louis University, Webster University, and the University of Texas at Dallas have repeatedly won major intercollegiate competitions in the USA. Kazakhstan will be represented at the home championship by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the Kazakh National University of Sports.

“Kazakhstan creates every opportunity for young people to receive a quality education, develop their talents, and achieve high results. Chess fosters strategic thinking, discipline, responsibility, and strong decision-making skills. For our university students, this home World Championship is a unique opportunity to gain competitive experience at the highest level and prove that Kazakhstani youth can compete on equal terms with representatives of the world's leading universities,” said Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.

The final stage will bring together 16 teams: eight of them won spots through online qualification, and eight more received special invitations from FIDE and the organizers.

In the first stage, the participants will be divided into four groups. The two strongest teams from each group will advance to the playoffs, where they will continue the fight in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and decisive medal matches.

Each match will be played on four boards. According to the regulations, the playing lineup of each team must include at least one man and one woman. The total prize fund of the championship will be 50,000 euros.

In addition to the world team championship among universities, another bright international event will take place in Almaty on August 4–5: the national team of Kazakhstan will play against the World Team (Under 18).

Seven chess players will perform in each match: six main players and one reserve. Women's and men's teams will be represented in age categories under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 years old.

In total, 24 young chess players will take part, playing on 12 boards. For Kazakhstani athletes, this will be a unique opportunity to test their strength against the strongest peers from around the world, and for spectators, to see future stars of world chess in action.

The championship will be not only a fight for the world title, but also a meeting place for young intellectual leaders representing leading educational centers from different countries. Holding it will strengthen the positions of Almaty and Kazakhstan on the map of world chess and give new momentum to the development of university sports in the country.

The organizers of the competition are the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, and the Akimat of Almaty City. The general partner of the event is the Freedom Holding Corp. group of companies. Official partners: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty Tourism Bureau and Visit Almaty, Herbalife, online platform Lichess.org, beverage brand "Zigi-Zagi", and smart watch brand Qutty Band. Information partners of the competition: Channel One Eurasia, Qazsport, Khabar Agency, 24.kz, Jibek Joly, Silk Way, 7tv, Astana TV Channel, MIR TV, Sport+, Kursiv, Kazinform, Tengrinews, TengriSport, Vesti.kz, Amanat Media Group, NewTimes, Bes.media, Aikyn.kz, Liter.kz, DK News, Ult.kz, Sportinform.kz, Azattyq Ruhy, Turkystan.kz, Zhuldyz FM, Radio NS, Orda.fm, Toppress, Today Info, Chessno Govorya, ChessBase.