FIDE and the Spanish Chess Federation have officially issued an invitation to all national chess federations for the 2026 FIDE World Youth Chess Championships. Covering age divisions from Under-7 through Under-17, the event will take place from October 13 to October 21, 2026, in the coastal resort town of Roquetas de Mar, Spain.
Located along Andalusia’s Costa de Almería, Roquetas de Mar was selected for its Mediterranean climate, hospitality infrastructure, and scenic venue the Evenia Zoraida Beach Resort, which will serve as the playing hall and primary accommodation center.
The championships feature open and girls’ categories across six age brackets (U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17).
National federations are eligible to send 12 official invited players (one per category) alongside one head of delegation/coach, whose full-board accommodation costs are covered. Federations may also register additional players and accompanying persons.
Tournament Format: 11-round Swiss System.
Time Control: 45 minutes for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment per move starting from move 1.
This marks a significant departure from traditional classical youth formats. The introduction of a faster 45-minute base time control is designed to create more dynamic games and reduce physical fatigue for younger participants over an intense 11-round schedule.
Registration Deadline: September 14, 2026.
Registration Method: Submissions must be handled directly by national federations using the official online registration form.
Visas & Logistics: Visa requests, airport transfer details, and hotel bookings must also be finalized by the September 14 cutoff.
Official website: https://worldjunioru17_2026.fide.com
