FIDE President approves arbiters for 2026 World Junior Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships

International Chess Federation (FIDE) President Timur Turlov has approved the list of arbiters for the World Youth and Girls Under-20 Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, with International Arbiter Dr Sultan Ali Al Taher appointed to head the officiating team. The fourth edition of the championship will take place in Al Ain from November 1 to 7, featuring 150 players from 40 countries.

The championship is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council. It is organised by Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club in cooperation with FIDE and the UAE Chess Federation.

The officiating team comprises 20 male and female arbiters representing 12 countries, including eight UAE nationals, highlighting the strong presence of local expertise at the international event.

The UAE officials are Dr Sultan Ali Al Taher, Mouza Al Ameri, Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Nawaf Ali Al Mansoori, Abdullah Ali, Manal Hussain Al Hammadi, Mansour Al Tamimi and Ali Abdulaziz Al Fahim.

They will be joined by Mohamed Abdullah of Somalia, Vasanth P.H. of India, Alejandro Gonzalez Valencia of Colombia, Wael Hassan and Ibrahim Hefni of Egypt, Khurshid Vatanov of Tajikistan, Sundus Mohsen Al Nassiri of Iraq, Haroon Al Rashid of Bangladesh, Wafa Al Ghasra of Bahrain, Ahmed Al Hammali of Yemen and Shah Ruh Turaev of Turkmenistan. Turkey's Ozgur Solakzlu will serve as FIDE's technical delegate for the championship.

Dr Sultan Al Taher said the priority was to provide the best possible technical conditions for participants and ensure that all competitions were conducted in accordance with FIDE regulations. He noted that rapid and blitz chess demand exceptional concentration, quick decision-making and continuous coordination among members of the officiating team.

"The participation of eight UAE national arbiters in this event is particularly significant. It provides an opportunity to put their experience to work at a world championship on home soil while working alongside leading officials from different countries. We look forward to delivering officiating standards that match the level of competition, contribute to the success of the championship and demonstrate the capabilities of UAE national talent in managing major international events," he said.

The championship will feature four world titles across the Open and Girls categories in both rapid and blitz chess. The total prize fund has tripled compared with the previous edition, with special awards also allocated to the top Arab players, in recognition of Al Ain's designation as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2026.