Serbian Chess Team Championship 2026: Radnik Surdulica Lead

Radnik Surdulica lead the Serbian Super League 2026 chess team championship after six rounds in Vrnjacka Banja, a point ahead of four teams.

Radnik Surdulica are leading the Serbian Super League 2026, the country's top team chess championship, which is being held in the spa town of Vrnjacka Banja. After six rounds, Radnik have 9 match points, one point ahead of four other teams.

The Super League is a 12-team round-robin played over six boards at a classical time control. It is one of the strongest national team leagues in the Balkans.

In round 6, Radnik Surdulica won a close match against Rudar Kostolac by 3.5 to 2.5. The chasing group on 8 match points includes Naftagas Elemir, PTT Beograd, Pozega and Crvena Zvezda Beograd.

Naftagas Elemir had the biggest win of round 6, beating Hercegovac Gajdobra 4.5 to 1.5. PTT Beograd won 3.5-2.5 against Gornja Jablanica, Pozega beat Jelica PEP by the same score, and Crvena Zvezda Beograd also won 3.5-2.5, against Dec.

The Belgrade derby between Partizan and Radnicki Zmaj ended in a 3-3 draw.

With so many teams close together at the top, the title race is wide open. Five rounds remain, and with matches being won by such narrow margins, any team in the leading group could still finish first.

Many of the matches this year have been decided by a single game. In a six-board match, one win and five draws is enough for a 3.5-2.5 victory. That shows how important it is for every player in a team to stay solid. A team needs players who can win games, but it also needs players who can hold difficult positions and avoid losses.

For young club players, team leagues offer a great way to develop. You may play on a lower board at first, but you learn from watching your stronger teammates and from the pressure of playing for your club.

The championship continues until 14 October.