28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026

Open & Girls under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 15th to 25th July 2026 ★ Shenzhen, China

Invitation

The Chinese Chess Association, under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), has the honour of inviting all Asian National Chess Federations to participate in the 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships, to be held in Shenzhen, China, from 15th July 2026 (arrival) to 25th July 2026 (departure).

1. General Rules & Regulations

The Championships shall be governed by the General Regulations for FIDE Competitions and the FIDE Laws of Chess.

2. Participation

2.1 Categories

There shall be 6 categories:

Under-08
Under-10
Under-12
Under-14
Under-16
Under-18

Separate events for Open and Girls.

2.2 Eligibility

Age Group	Birthdate Requirement
Under 8	Born on or after 1st January 2018
Under 10	Born on or after 1st January 2016
Under 12	Born on or after 1st January 2014
Under 14	Born on or after 1st January 2012
Under 16	Born on or after 1st January 2010
Under 18	Born on or after 1st January 2008

2.3 Federation Entries

Each federation may register:

1 official player per category (Open & Girls)
Maximum 12 official players
1 Head of Delegation (free accommodation & meals)

2.4 Previous Champions

Champions from the previous edition may participate as official players (if eligible).

2.5 Additional Players

Unlimited additional players allowed (self-funded).

2.6 Merging Categories

Groups with fewer than:

10 players
5 federations may be merged.

2.7 Registration

Only via national federations
FIDE ID required
No individual registration

3. Financial Regulations

3.1 Entry Fees

Official players: USD 75
Additional players: USD 150
Late fee: USD 50 (after 15 June 2026)
Deadline: 1 July 2026

3.2 Late Registration

Accepted only at organizer’s discretion.

3.3 Registration Fee

All participants: USD 110

3.4 Hotel Payment

Deadline: 1 July 2026
50% prepayment required
Payments via federations only

3.5 Final Payment

Remaining balance on arrival.

3.6 Travel

All travel costs are self-funded.

4. Playing Venue & Official Hotels

4.1 Venue

5-star hotel
Mandatory stay for foreign participants

4.2 Free Accommodation

12 official players + 1 Head of Delegation
Dates: 15 July (after 14:00) – 25 July (before 12:00)
Double / Triple rooms

4.3 Additional Participants

Paid full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

4.4 Hotel Rates

Room Type	Price (per night)	Total (10 days)
Single	120 USD	$1,200
Deluxe Double	100 USD	$2,000
Double	90 USD	$1,800
Triple	80 USD	$2,400 (limited to 30 rooms)

5. Format of Play

5.1 System

Standard & Blitz: 9 rounds Swiss
Rapid: 7 rounds Swiss

5.2 Time Control

Standard: 90 min + 30 sec/move
Rapid: 15 min + 5 sec/move
Blitz: 3 min + 2 sec/move

5.3 Default Time

Standard/Rapid: 15 minutes
Blitz: 3 minutes

6. Schedule

Day	Date	Time	Activity
Wed	15 Jul	After 14:00	Arrival
		20:00	Technical Meeting
Thu	16 Jul	09:00	Opening Ceremony
		09:30–12:30	Rapid Rounds 1–3
		14:00–18:00	Rapid Rounds 4–7
		20:00	Awards Ceremony
Fri	17 Jul	09:00	Round 1
Sat	18 Jul	09:00	Round 2
		15:00	Round 3
Sun	19 Jul	09:00	Round 4
		15:00	Round 5
Mon	20 Jul	—	FREE DAY
Tue	21 Jul	09:00	Round 6
Wed	22 Jul	09:00	Round 7
Thu	23 Jul	09:00	Round 8
Fri	24 Jul	09:00	Round 9
		15:00	Blitz Rds 1–9
		20:00	Closing Ceremony
Sat	25 Jul	Before 12:00	Departure

NOTE: China GMT+8

7. Tie-break System

Direct Encounter
Buchholz Cut 1
Buchholz
Sonneborn-Berger
Greater number of wins

8. Awards

Top 3: Trophies, medals, certificates
Best federations: ranked by medals
Team awards: based on top 3 players
Participation certificates for all

Direct Titles

Category	IM/WIM	FM/WFM	CM/WCM
U18	Gold title / 1st norm	Silver & Bronze	—
U16	Gold norm	1st title	Silver & Bronze
U14 & U12	Gold title	—	Silver & Bronze
U10 & U08	—	—	Top 3

Minimum Ratings:

IM/WIM: 2200 / 2000
FM/WFM: 2100 / 1900
CM/WCM: 2000 / 1800

9. Appeals Committee

1 Chairman + 2 members + 2 reserves
Protest within 30 minutes
Fee: USD 200 (refundable)
Decision is final

10. Chief Arbiter and his assistants

Appointed by Asian Chess Federation
May issue additional regulations

11. Visa Applications

Deadline: 15 June 2026
Invitations after prepayment
No responsibility for late entries

12. Transfer Information

Airport transfers provided (Shenzhen & Guangzhou)
Send flight details before 15 June 2026

Contact

Registration: https://aycc2026.chesstournament.org/

General & Visa: 📧 shenzhenchess@126.com 📱 WhatsApp / WeChat: +86-13249832237

Asian Chess Federation: 📧 asianchessfederation@yahoo.com 📱 WhatsApp: +971 50 664 9280

AYCC 2026