Niklesh Jain ♚♕♖♗♘♙

Chess Lover, International Chess Player, FIDE Trainer, Content Editor @Punjabkesari, Head @chessbasehindi, Commentator, Husband to a Superwoman @Angychess5

[Niklesh Jain ♚♕♖♗♘♙ @nikchess]

Four Years back I proposed 💍mi amor @Angychess5 in @BatumiChess2018 Olympiad and now we are here in Chennai #ChessOlympiad22 with our son Shreshth Angel ! Gens una sumus @FIDE_chess @aicfchess 🇮🇳🇨🇴 @ChessbaseIndia !

[Judit Polgar @GMJuditPolgar]

WHAT A DAY‼
It was a great pleasure to meet Arnold @Schwarzenegger , the one and only Terminator!🤗💪 His passion for chess amazed me as much as his cheerful, charismatic, and kind personality. I showed him some of my favorite chess compositions, which he was amazed by! He is playing chess to keep his brain sharp and young!👨‍👦
Hasta la vista, Arnold! 😉🖐
#ChessConnectsUs #chess #passion #justplaychess

[Niklesh Jain ♚♕♖♗♘♙ @nikchess]

छह नए विश्व विजेताओं के साथ हुआ विश्व यूथ का समापन, भारत की प्रतीति नें जीता रजत पदक

विश्व यूथ शतरंज चैंपियनशिप 2026 का शानदार समापन छह नए विश्व यूथ चैंपियनों के साथ हुआ। अंडर 18 ओपन में कनाडा के आईएम एंथनी अतानासोव, अंडर 18 बालिका में फ़ीडे की डब्ल्यूएफएम वैलेरिया क्लेमेनोवा, अंडर 16 ओपन में अज़रब��जान के आईएम खगान अहमद, अंडर 16 बालिका में फ़ीडे की डब्ल्यूएफएम वेरानिका अब्रामकीना, अंडर 14 ओपन में पोलैंड के एफएम एंटोनी राडज़िम्स्की और अंडर 14 बालिका में अज़रबैजान की ज़हरा अल्लाहवेर्दी ने विश्व खि��ाब अपने नाम किए।

भारत के लिए सबसे बड़ी उपलब्धि अंडर 18 बालिका वर्ग में रही, जहाँ डब्ल्यूएफएम प्रतीति बरदोलोई ने पूरे टूर्नामेंट में अपराजित रहते हुए रजत पदक जीतकर भारत को इस विश्व यूथ चैंपियनशिप का एकमात्र पदक दिलाया।

पूरी रिपोर्ट नीचे पढ़ें। 📸 रिपोर्ट एवं फोटोग्राफ : फ़ीडे ट्रेनर निकलेश जैन

https://t.co/rXZal4jAVX

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

The FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 concluded with six new World Champions emerging across the age categories.

IM Anthony Atanasov of Canada (Open Under-18), WFM Valeria Kleymenova of FIDE (Girls Under-18), IM Khagan Ahmad of Azerbaijan (Open Under-16), WFM Veranika Abramkina of FIDE (Girls Under-16), FM Antoni Radzimski of Poland (Open Under-14), and Zahra Allahverdi of Azerbaijan (Girls Under-14) captured the coveted world titles.

From an Indian perspective, the biggest highlight came in the Girls Under-18 section, where WFM Pratitee Bordoloi produced an unbeaten performance to win the silver medal, India's lone medal at this year's World Youth Championship. Read Full Report ....
Photos by FT @nikchess
https://t.co/CklTRTvhYR

@FIDE_chess @GM_Mogranzini #Chess #Italy

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

Valeria Kleymenova delivered one of the most dominant performances of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2026, scoring an incredible 9.5 points out of 10 to become the Under-18 Girls World Champion.

Representing the FIDE flag, the young Russian star showcased exceptional consistency, fighting spirit, and mature decision-making throughout the tournament. Round after round, she proved why she is one of the brightest rising talents in women's chess.

This video captures the most emotional moments of her journey—the tense final minutes of the decisive game, the instant her opponent resigned, the realization that she had become World Champion, and the heartfelt embrace with her mother that followed. It is a beautiful reminder that behind every title are years of sacrifice, hard work, and unwavering belief.

Congratulations to Valeria Kleymenova, the new FIDE World Under-18 Girls Champion! 🏆♟️
@FIDE_chess @GM_Mogranzini #chess #Italy
📍 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2026
🎥 Video: ChessBase India
🎙️ Recorded, Edited & Narrated by FT @nikchess
✂️ Edited by Akshat Singh
#WorldYouthChess #FIDE #ValeriaKleymenova #WorldChampion #Chess #ChessBaseIndia #GirlsChess #WomenInChess #YouthChess #Russia #ChessHighlights

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

Round 10 of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 is now underway, with the race for the world titles entering its decisive phase.

Today's round was officially inaugurated by Marco Marsilio, President of the Abruzzo Region, who played the ceremonial first move on Board 1 of the Open Under-16 section, where Italy's FM Alexandro Beliman faced tournament leader IM Khagan Ahmad of Azerbaijan in a crucial top-board encounter.

With only one round remaining after today, every result carries enormous significance. In some categories, the World Champion could even be crowned today if the leaders extend their advantage, while in others the title race remains wide open and is expected to go down to the final round.
@FIDE_chess @GM_Mogranzini
📸 Moments from the start of Round 10.

♟️ FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026
📍 Pala Dean Martin Congress Center, Montesilvano, Italy
📸 @nikchess / @ChessbaseHindi

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

Round 9 of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 is now underway, and with only two rounds remaining after today, every result could prove decisive in the battle for the world titles.

The round was inaugurated by Marat Yessenov, Vice-President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, who played the ceremonial first move on Board 1 of the Open Under-14 section.

Appropriately, the featured game was an all-Kazakhstan showdown between FM Danis Kuandykuly and defending World Under-14 Champion IM Mark Smirnov. With both players among the leading contenders, the encounter promises to have a major impact on the standings.

The final sprint towards the World Youth crowns has truly begun.

📸 Moments from the start of Round 9.

♟️ FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026
📍 Pala Dean Martin Congress Center, Montesilvano, Italy
📸 @nikchess / ChessBase India

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

Round 8 of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 was officially inaugurated by Luciano Buonfiglio, President of CONI (the Italian National Olympic Committee).

Joining him at the ceremony were FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Tournament Director GM Roberto Mogranzini, marking another important day in the championship as the race for the world titles entered its decisive stage.

The ceremonial first move was played on Board 1 of the Girls Under-18 section, where tournament leader WFM Valeria Kleymenova of FIDE faced WFM Sofiia Moskalets of Ukraine in a crucial encounter with major implications for the final standings.

With only a few rounds remaining, every game now carries enormous importance as players battle for medals and world championship titles.
@FIDE_chess @Coninews @GM_Mogranzini

Moments from the inauguration of Round 8.

♟️ FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026
📍 Pala Dean Martin Congress Center, Montesilvano, Italy
📸 Niklesh Jain / ChessBase India

[Niklesh Jain ♚♕♖♗♘♙ @nikchess]

No Need ..

[International Chess Federation @FIDE_chess]

📈♟ Big news for YOU! FIDE and World Chess have agreed to work toward the First Rating Experiment – a first-of-its-kind program that would let players earn their first official over-the-board FIDE blitz and rapid rating through online play.

How it works:

▪️ Build a real body of online rated play – a minimum number of games in rated online tournaments, not just casual games
▪️ Results go through fair-play checks
▪️ Once passed, a rating is issued using a carefully designed coefficient
▪️ Rating ceiling is currently proposed at 1,800. Above that – earned over the board, as always!

💬 "This is how FIDE grows the game responsibly," said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich (@advorkovich) . "Transparent, controlled, and built with the community. We've agreed on a framework that puts the integrity of the rating system first – and opens it to players who have never had a way in."

🔥 Today, around 500,000 players hold an official FIDE OTB rating. This program is designed to open that to millions more!

Read more: https://t.co/1xkw8jVKCh

#FIDE #Chess

[Srinath Narayanan @srinathchess]

Very skeptical about the efficacy of fairplay checks.

Online play and over the board ratings shouldn't be mixed.

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

FIDE President Arkadi Dvorkovich on Carlsen, Gukesh, Anand & the FIFA World Cup | Rapid Fire @FIDE_chess #arkadydvorkovich #chess #RapidFireChallenge @GM_Mogranzini #Italy Interview by @nikchess

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

Round 7 of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 was officially inaugurated by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who made the ceremonial first move on Board 1 of the Girls Under-18 section, where India's WFM Pratitee Bordoloi faced tournament leader WFM Valeria Kleymenova of FIDE in a crucial battle at the top of the standings.

Joining him was Tshepiso Lopang, President of the African Chess Confederation, who played the ceremonial first move on Board 1 of the Open Under-18 section, featuring the clash between co-leaders FM Louis Vallee of France and FM Vache Hovakimyan of Armenia.

With the tournament entering its decisive second half after the rest day, Round 7 promises to play a key role in shaping the race for the world titles.
@FIDE_chess #Chess #Italy @GM_Mogranzini @AfricanChessCon
📸 Moments from the inauguration of Round 7.

♟️ FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026
📍 Montesilvano, Italy
📸 @nikchess / ChessBase India

[Niklesh Jain ♚♕♖♗♘♙ @nikchess]

RT @ChessbaseIndia: The Final Game -The longest fight of the day...#Chess #ChessBaseIndia #chessgame #italy #chessplayer is this correct. @…

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

Round 6 of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 is now underway, and by the end of today's games the tournament will have crossed the halfway mark.

With five rounds already completed and six still to go, every game is becoming increasingly important as players battle for position in the race for the world titles. Today's results will determine who heads into the upcoming rest day with momentum, confidence, and perhaps even the lead.

The rest day offers a valuable opportunity to recover, prepare, and recharge before the decisive second half of the championship begins.

Here are some moments from the start of Round 6.

📸 @nikchess / ChessBase India
@FIDE_chess @GM_Mogranzini #chess #italy
♟️ FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026
📍 Pala Dean Martin Congress Center, Montesilvano, Italy

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

After 4 Rounds at the World Youth Chess Championship 2026, India's IM Goutham Krishna H and WFM Pratitee Bordoloi are leading in their respective groups with a perfect 4/4. In the U-16 Open section, IM Goutham Krishna H defeated FM Nikita Nechitaylo in the 4th round. This win helped Goutham to gain the sole lead in his group. WFM Pratitee defeated Klara Szczotka of Poland to gain the joint lead. Shaunak Badole is on 3.5/4 in the U-14 Open section

https://t.co/5tJRiAWHUp

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

Round 5 of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 has begun, and the competition is becoming increasingly intense as the race for the world titles gathers momentum.
The ceremonial first move was made by FIDE Delegate Ozgur Solakoglu on Board 1 of the Open Under-16 section, where India's IM Goutham Krishna H took on Fedor Melnikov of FIDE in one of the most important games of the round.
Here are some moments from the start of today's action.
📸 @nikchess / ChessBase India
@FIDE_chess @GM_Mogranzini #chess #Italy
♟️ FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026
📍 Pala Dean Martin Congress Center, Montesilvano, Italy

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

♟️ Just 2 moves away from checkmate... and the game ended in a draw! 😱 #Chess #WorldYouthChess #FIDE #ChessBaseIndia #Endgame #50MoveRule #ChessLife #ChessCommunity @FIDE_chess @GM_Mogranzini 🎥 Recorded & Edited by @nikchess

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

Round 3 of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 got underway today at the Pala Dean Martin Congress Center in Montesilvano, Italy.

The ceremonial first move was made by Tournament Director GM Roberto Mogranzini on Board 1 of the Open Under-18 section, featuring an exciting clash between IM Anthony Atanasov and FM Sivert Schanche Torfoss, both coming into the round with a perfect score of 2/2.

With the leaders beginning to emerge in every category, Round 3 promises several key battles in the race for the world titles.

Here are some moments from today's action.
@FIDE_chess @GM_Mogranzini #chess #Italy
📸 @nikchess / @ChessbaseIndia
♟️ FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

Round 2 of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026 got underway today at the Pala Dean Martin Congress Center in Montesilvano, Italy.
The ceremonial first move was made by Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation, on Board 1 of the Girls Under-18 section, featuring top seed WIM Zarina Nurgaliyeva against Alexandra Grebeniuc.

Here are some moments from the start of Round 2.
@FIDE_chess @GM_Mogranzini
📸 Niklesh Jain / ChessBase India
♟️ FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2026

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

The FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2026 officially got underway today in Montesilvano, Italy, as Round 1 commenced in a festive atmosphere.

The opening ceremony was graced by Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation, municipal representatives Ottavio De Martinis and Adriano Tocco, Tournament Director GM Roberto Mogranzini, and FIDE Delegate Ozgur Solakoglu.

With 774 players from 84 countries competing across the Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 Open and Girls categories, the world's finest young chess talents have begun their quest for glory.

Here are some moments from the opening ceremony and the start of Round 1.
@FIDE_chess @GM_Mogranzini #chess #Youth #Italy

📸 @nikchess / ChessBase India

[ChessBase India @ChessbaseIndia]

The FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2026 is all set to begin today in Montesilvano, Italy, bringing together 774 young talents from 84 countries. The championship will feature competitions in the Open and Girls Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 categories.

Take a look at some amazing views of the playing hall, venue, and event preparations as the world's best young chess players get ready for battle.
@FIDE_chess #Unichess #italy
📸 Photos by FIDE Trainer Niklesh Jain / ChessBase India