We’re excited to announce that the ChessKid Youth Championships are back for 2026! Following the same format as previous years, the event will bring together a stellar field of young talents in the Under-13 and Under-16 categories. Watch as the future kings and queens of chess battle in a high-speed competition for a share of the $15,000 prize fund.
The championships kick off with the Under-13 division on February 21 and 22, followed by the Under-16 section on March 7 and 8. Both sections feature a group round-robin followed by a four-player knockout, all with the thrill of the fast-paced 3+1 blitz time control.
The ChessKid Youth Championships remain one of the most anticipated online events for prodigies worldwide. The event offers fans a chance to see rising stars in action and gives the young talents a chance to battle on the world stage.
This year, the Under-16 field is the strongest it’s ever been. Fans can look forward to seeing GM Andy Woodward playing in the Under-16 group this year. Woodward won the Tata Steel Chess Challengers and now returns to defend his ChessKid Youth Championship title after a stunning performance in 2025. As the 2025 Chess.com Puzzle Champion, Woodward will be sharp and ready to face his youthful opponents to keep his crown.
Also joining the fray is the Turkish star GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. The 14-year-old chess genius had a tremendous 2025, even winning the Chess.com Award for Rising Star of the Year. Another former ChessKid Youth Champion, Erdogmus has also broken numerous records, including the youngest to break the 2500 and 2600 rating barriers. Praised by none other than GM Magnus Carlsen as the strongest 14-year-old the world has ever seen, Erdogmus is one of the favorites to win it all.
Coming into this year’s Under-16 field is the “Messi of chess,” IM Faustino Oro. The Argentinian wunderkind has turned heads with remarkable achievements for his age. After breaking the record for the youngest player to cross the 2500 rating barrier in 2025, Fausti has also secured his first grandmaster norm and is now working to become the youngest grandmaster in history.Â
Another prodigy joining the Under-16 field is IM Lu Miaoyi. The young star has shown strong performances in 2025. Reaching her peak rating of 2452 last year, the young Chinese master also ranked as the top girl in the world throughout most of 2025.Â
Other talents in the Under-16 field include GM Sina Movahed, IMs Henry Edward Tudor, Ryo Chen, Tani Adewumi, Aaron Mendes, Patryk Cieslak, and FMs Sergey Sklokin and Megan Paragua.
In the Under-13 group, WIM Bodhana Sivanandan joins as one of the most accomplished young players in the lineup. In 2023, she became the youngest player ever to win the England Women’s Chess Championship. One year later, Bodhana made history once again by becoming the youngest athlete ever to represent England at an international sporting competition.
FMs Ashwath Kaushik, Reyaansh Chakrabarty, Supratit Banerjee, Marc Llari, Linxi Zhu, Ethan Guo, Aarav Sarbalia, Ali Poyraz Uzdemir, CMs Luca Protopopescu, Marc Barcelo, and Hardy Gu round out the Under-13 field.
Fans will be able to follow the action live, with expert commentary by FM Mike Klein. Join the broadcast on Twitch and YouTube and enjoy the talent of the next generation of chess legends!
Who do you think will win the ChessKid Youth Championships this year? Let us know in the comments below!