Editor’s Note: Upcoming Updates and Highlights from the World Youth Chess Championship 2026
Three Americans Shine at World Youth Chess Championship 2026 in Italy
Montesilvano, Italy – The World Youth Chess Championship 2026 concluded on Friday, June 26, with three American players securing podium finishes across six competitive sections. The tournament, which featured 758 players from 83 federations, showcased the talents of young chess prodigies from around the globe.
Among the highlights, WIM Laurie Qiu clinched a silver medal in the Under-14 Girls section with an impressive score of 8½ out of 11, just half a point shy of the leader. Qiu’s remarkable journey included a strong start, winning her first four games before facing a setback in Round 5 against the eventual gold medalist. However, she rebounded brilliantly, securing her podium finish with a stunning victory in the final round.
WIM Rachael Li also made her mark, tying for second place in the Under-16 Girls section with an identical score of 8½/11. Thanks to her tiebreak performance, she earned the bronze medal. Li’s resilience was evident as she bounced back from a loss in Round 5 to deliver a commanding win in the last round, solidifying her place on the podium.
In the Under-14 Open section, FM Ethan Guo showcased his skills, finishing with a score of 8/11 to secure the bronze medal based on tiebreaks. Guo’s performance was complemented by FM Patrick Liu, who also scored 8/11, gaining 87 rating points and demonstrating exceptional fighting spirit throughout the tournament.
The American delegation, led by Head of Delegation WGM Katerina Nemcova, comprised 39 players and 54 accompanying persons. The tournament’s structure included Open and Women’s sections for Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 age groups, providing a platform for young talents to shine.
In the Under-18 Open section, Canadian IMs Anthony Atanasov and Emanuel Kot tied for first place, with Atanasov earning the gold medal and a direct GM norm on tiebreaks. The top American finisher, IM Erick Zhao, secured a commendable sixth place with a score of 7½/11.
The Under-18 Girls section saw Russian WFM Valeria Kleymenova achieve a WGM norm with a stellar score of 10/11. Only two Americans competed in this section, with WFM Ananya Ananth finishing with a score of 6/11 and Chloe Zamojski gaining 30 FIDE rating points.
As the tournament wrapped up, the excitement continued with the anticipation of the awards ceremony, where players would be recognized for their outstanding performances. FIDE is providing extensive photographic coverage of the event, and accompanying persons are encouraged to share additional photos.
Stay tuned for updates, including photos from the awards ceremony, as we celebrate the achievements of these young chess champions.