The first game day of the FIDE World University Team Chess Championship-2026 has ended at Farabi Hub in Almaty. Teams of KazNU and KNUS lead Group D. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Tournament Regulations

According to the regulations, 16 teams from ten countries, divided into four groups during the draw, play each other twice in a round-robin system.

KazNU Victories

After a 3:1 victory in the first round over Oxford students, the KazNU team confirmed its superiority in the second round as well – 3.5:0.5. Victories were won by FIDE Master Yerlan Tleukhanov, as well as Bekarys Tursunali and Sultan Amanzhol. Having scored 2 team points, the tournament hosts topped Group D.

KNUS Results

The University of Sports team is second with 1.5 points, having drawn with Indonesian students in the second round – 2:2. The only victory in the round for the Astana team was brought by International Master Meruert Kamalidenova.

Results of Other Groups

  • 01Ural State Mining University (Russia) – Beijing University (China) 4:0, 4:0
  • 02University of Melbourne (Australia) – Harvard University (USA) 1.5:2.5, 2.5:1.5
  • 01UGGU – 2, 2. Melbourne – 1, 3. Harvard – 1, 4. Beijing – 0
  • 01University of Chile – University of Pretoria (South Africa) 2:2, 3.5:0.5
  • 02Webster University (USA) – Saint Louis University (USA) 0.5:3.5, 0:4
  • 01Saint Louis – 2, 2. Chile – 1.5, 3. Pretoria – 0.5, 4. Webster – 0
  • 01Almaty Management University (Kazakhstan) – National Technical University of Athens (Greece) 0:4, 1.5:2.5
  • 02Cambridge University (UK) – University of Texas (USA) 1.5:2.5, 0.5:3.5
  • 01Athens – 2, 2. Texas – 2, 3. Cambridge – 0, 4. AlmaU – 0
  • 01Kazakh National University of Sports – Gunadarma University (Indonesia) 3:1, 2:2
  • 02Oxford University (UK) – Kazakh National University 1:3, 0.5:3.5
  • 01KazNU – 2, 2. KNUS – 1.5, 3. Gunadarma – 0.5, 4. Oxford – 0

After two rounds, two team points are also in the assets of Russian UGGU, American Saint Louis and Dallas teams, and Greek Athens.

Next Rounds

Tomorrow, games of the 3rd and 4th rounds will take place. Round-robin matches will determine the two best teams from each quartet. Then the playoffs – quarterfinals, semifinals, match for 3rd place, and the final.

Game Rules

Games are played on four boards. Each team must have at least one man and at least one woman. Time control – 45 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, starting from the first move.

Tournament Organizers

The tournament is organized by FIDE together with 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. General partners – Freedom group of companies and the corporate fund "Shapagat".

Prize Fund

The total prize fund is €50 thousand. Champions will receive €25 thousand, vice-champions – €15 thousand, the third team will share €10 thousand.