A Historic Moment in Chess: Olga Mikhailina Shines at the 2026 Candidates Tournament
Surge of Chess Enthusiasm in Cyprus: Young Star Olga Mikhailina Shines at Candidates Tournament
By Andrey Avsitidiysky
Cap St Georges, Cyprus – The Candidates Tournament, held from March 28 to April 16, 2026, at the picturesque Cap St Georges Hotel, has ignited a remarkable interest in chess across Cyprus. Over the course of 20 days, the tournament’s fan zone buzzed with excitement as dozens of children and teenagers engaged with chess legends, attended enlightening lectures, and participated in masterclasses.
One of the standout moments came when world chess icon Boris Gelfand showcased his skills in a simultaneous exhibition, challenging 20 players at once. Among them was 17-year-old Olga Mikhailina, a student of International Master Artem Sadovskii, who made headlines by defeating Gelfand—a participant in the 2012 World Championship match.
Sadovskii, who also led the Freedom24 Chess Academy and recently won the 2026 Cyprus Chess Open, praised Mikhailina’s performance. “Gelfand held the advantage for most of the game,” he noted, explaining that the grandmaster had underestimated Mikhailina’s counterplay on the queenside. Gelfand’s ambitious sacrifice of two pieces for a mating attack ultimately backfired due to a miscalculation, allowing Mikhailina to mount a solid defense and secure her victory.
“The key moment came on move 24,” Sadovskii elaborated. “Gelfand had a choice between two moves, but after capturing the knight, the position became very complicated. Olga’s resilience paid off, leaving her with a passed pawn that clinched her win.”
Following the exhibition, Gelfand took time to congratulate the participants and sign autographs. He commended Mikhailina for her impressive performance, which earned her special recognition from FIDE. “This is the greatest victory of my life,” Mikhailina reflected. “I’m grateful to my parents and my coach. All the hard work has paid off—this moment will stay with me forever.”
On April 12, 2026, Mikhailina was appointed ambassador for the International School Chess Federation (ISCF). In a brief interview with Bibisara Assaubayeva, who finished second in the Candidates Tournament, Mikhailina shared valuable advice for young players: “Enjoy the game and don’t get discouraged after defeats.”
Since the beginning of 2026, Mikhailina has seen a remarkable rise in her rating, increasing by 366 points. With an anticipated FIDE rating of 2102, she is set to be awarded the title of Woman FIDE Master (WFM) in the upcoming May 1 update. Looking ahead, Mikhailina plans to pursue university studies while continuing to compete in tournaments and aim for new heights in the chess world.
The Candidates Tournament, boasting a prize fund of €1 million, was made possible through the generous support of Freedom Holding Corp. and the Sheinberg family. The competition concluded with 20-year-old Javokhir Sindarov from Uzbekistan and 24-year-old Rameshbabu Vaishali from India emerging as the winners, but it was Mikhailina’s inspiring journey that captured the hearts of many and left a lasting legacy in Cypriot chess.