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 journeyโthe 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! ๐โ๏ธ
@FIDE_chess@GM_Mogranzini #chess #Italy
๐ FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2026
๐ฅ Video: ChessBase India
๐๏ธ Recorded, Edited & Narrated by FT @nikchess
โ๏ธ Edited by Akshat Singh
#WorldYouthChess #FIDE #ValeriaKleymenova #WorldChampion #Chess #ChessBaseIndia #GirlsChess #WomenInChess #YouthChess #Russia #ChessHighlights
GM Bilel Bellahcene ๐ฉ๐ฟ successfully defended his title to become African Champion for the second consecutive year, while WGM Shahenda Wafa ๐ช๐ฌ claimed her fourth continental crown ๐
The championship, held in Jwaneng, Botswana ๐ง๐ผ, brought together more than 100 of Africaโs strongest players in the Open and Womenโs competitions.
Congratulations to the champions and all participants for an outstanding event. ๐
๐ Read more: https://t.co/IVmStkcKPd
After claiming silver in 2023 and 2024, GM Bilel Bellahcene (๐ฉ๐ฟ 2493) won the 2025 African Championship, and now again, with one round to spare. WIth the title already in the bag, he opted for a quick draw in the last round against Banele Mhango (๐ฟ๐ฆ 2268), in just 18 moves.
Chess in the World!โ๏ธ
Countries with most https://t.co/EufIHvcIFK members per Capita:
๐ฅIceland ๐ฎ๐ธ (38.01%)
๐ฅNorway๐ณ๐ด (29.03%)
๐ฅSeychelles ๐ธ๐จ (24.26%)
4โฃ Sweden ๐ธ๐ช (22.06%)
5โฃ Montenegro ๐ฒ๐ช (19.35%)
Where does your country stack up on the Chess board?
A key result in Round 6 of the African Championships, as GM Bilel Bellahcene (๐ฉ๐ฟ 2493) defeats top seed GM Bassem Amin (๐ช๐ฌ 2628) to become the tournamentโs first sole leader. With three rounds to go, the Algerian grandmaster has taken a major step toward the title. #AICC2026
"We are a family" โค๏ธ
An emotional speech by Dragon Chilling captain Ni Hua, reflecting on teamwork, friendship, and the bonds built through chess
#HongKongย #FIDERapidBlitzTeams
On this day 40 years ago, Diego Maradona scored the "Hand of God" goal against England in the Quarter-Final of 1986 World Cup in Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
๐จ๐ณ Ding Liren on what has changed and his new approach to chess after winning two gold medals at the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships:
"I've changed a little. I have more courage now. Sometimes I play for a win even when my opponent offers a draw, and that's something I'm very happy about because opportunities appear."
"In some tournaments before, I didn't have the same desire or enjoyment. But here I started enjoying the game again. Even in some games I lost, I enjoyed the battle itself."
Double champions in Hong Kong! ๐๐โ
Dragon Chilling are the winners of the Blitz and complete a perfect sweep, winning both competitions at the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026 ๐ฅ
#FIDERapidBlitzTeams#HongKong