Nainys and Buyankhishig Win World Under-17 Chess Titles

Lithuania's Zanas Nainys and Mongolia's Batpelden Buyankhishig won the under-17 titles at the FIDE World U7-U17 Championships 2026 in Spain.

The FIDE World U7-U17 Championships 2026 have finished in Roquetas de Mar, Spain. Young players from around the world competed for world titles in age groups from under-7 to under-17.

In the open under-17 section, Lithuania's FM Zanas Nainys is the new world champion. He finished on 8.5 points from 11 games and won his final game with Black against IM Dinh Nho Kiet. Two Spanish players also scored 8.5 points: FM Daniel Tabuenca Mendataurigoitia took silver and CM Iago Fernandez Ramos took bronze on tiebreak.

In the girls' under-17 section, Mongolia's WFM Batpelden Buyankhishig won the title with 9.5 points from 11 games. She won her last game against WFM Alexia-Andreea Iordache. Georgia's WIM Kesaria Mgeladze also scored 9.5 points and took silver, and Kazakhstan's WIM Mariya Kholyavko won bronze with 8.5.

Both sections were 11-round Swiss tournaments with 45 minutes per player plus 30 seconds per move. Both titles were decided on tiebreak, which shows how close the competition was.

World youth championships are a big step for young players. Many of today's top grandmasters played in these events when they were children, and the experience of playing strong opponents from other countries helps players grow quickly.

For every young player who did not win a medal, the lesson is to keep going. Eleven rounds against the best players of your age is hard work, and every game is a chance to learn something new.

Congratulations to Zanas Nainys, Batpelden Buyankhishig and all the medallists.