Under 7
Under 7
Born on or after 1 Jan 2019
Event information
Commonwealth Schools Chess Championship 2026
The Malaysian Chess Federation on behalf of the Commonwealth Chess Association and FIDE cordially invite chess federations from the Commonwealth countries to participate in the championship, to be held from 4 to 12 October 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Key facts
- Dates
- 4 to 12 October 2026
- City
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Venue
- Cititel Mid Valley
- Rounds
- 9, Swiss system
- Time control
- 90 min + 30 s increment
- Categories
- U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U19
- Sections
- Open and Girls
- Organisers
- Malaysian Chess Federation and Kuala Lumpur Chess Association, for the CCA and FIDE
Categories and eligibility
Each country may field one boy and one girl as official players in each of the U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 events. Additional players are welcome.
Under 9
Under 9
Born on or after 1 Jan 2017
Under 11
Under 11
Born on or after 1 Jan 2015
Under 13
Under 13
Born on or after 1 Jan 2013
Under 15
Under 15
Born on or after 1 Jan 2011
Under 17
Under 17
Born on or after 1 Jan 2009
Under 19
Under 19
Born on or after 1 Jan 2007
| Category | Born on or after |
|---|---|
| Under 7 | 1 January 2019 |
| Under 9 | 1 January 2017 |
| Under 11 | 1 January 2015 |
| Under 13 | 1 January 2013 |
| Under 15 | 1 January 2011 |
| Under 17 | 1 January 2009 |
| Under 19 | 1 January 2007 |
Format
9-round Swiss, 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move from move 1. Pairings by Swiss Manager.
Tie-breaks, in order
- Direct encounter
- Greater number of wins (forfeits counted)
- Buchholz Cut 1
- Buchholz Cut 2
- Greater number of wins with Black
Fees
- Official players
- USD 75
- Additional players (foreign)
- USD 150
- Additional players (Malaysian, staying at the official hotel)
- USD 120
- Additional players (Malaysian, own accommodation)
- USD 200
- Registration fee, all foreign participants (includes airport transfer)
- USD 110
Entry deadline 4 September 2026. Late entries until 18 September with a USD 50 penalty.
Prizes
- Champion: gold medal, trophy and e-certificate
- Runner-up: silver medal and e-certificate
- Third: bronze medal and e-certificate
- Team prizes on the combined score of each country's top three players
Venue and Kuala Lumpur
[APPROVED VENUE IMAGE: Cititel Mid Valley]
Championship venue
Cititel Mid Valley
Cititel Hotel, Mid Valley CityKuala Lumpur, Malaysia- Official hotel
- All rounds and the official accommodation are at Cititel Mid Valley.
- Airport transfer
- Included in the USD 110 registration fee for foreign participants.
- Room rates
- Single room: USD 100 per night. Double sharing: USD 85 per night per person.
- Accessibility and halls
- [VENUE ACCESSIBILITY AND PLAYING HALL DETAILS]
Chess meets
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur hosted the Commonwealth Chess Championship in November 2025: 373 players from 16 federations, with the Petronas Twin Towers steps from the hall. In October 2026 the city welcomes the Commonwealth’s schoolchildren.
Airport
[APPROVED AIRPORT INFORMATION: KLIA arrival guidance]
Local transport
[APPROVED LOCAL TRANSPORT INFORMATION]
Weather
[APPROVED WEATHER GUIDANCE FOR OCTOBER]
For delegations
[APPROVED DELEGATION INFORMATION: visas, accreditation, meals]
Organising bodies
Commonwealth Chess AssociationChampionship owner
FIDEInternational Chess Federation (opens in a new tab)
Malaysian Chess FederationHost organiser (opens in a new tab)
Kuala Lumpur Chess AssociationCo-organiser
Questions
When and where is the championship?
From 4 to 12 October 2026 at Cititel Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Delegations arrive on Sunday 4 October; Round 1 starts on Monday 5 October at 3:00 pm MYT.
Who can play?
Each country may field one boy and one girl as official players in each of the U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 events. Additional players are welcome. Players qualify by age: for example, Under 11 players must be born on or after 1 January 2015.
How do we enter?
Entries are made through your national chess federation. The entry deadline was 4 September 2026, with late entries (USD 50 penalty) accepted until 18 September 2026.
What is the format?
9-round Swiss, 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move from move 1. Pairings by Swiss Manager.
Are airport transfers provided?
Yes. Airport transfers are included in the USD 110 registration fee for all foreign participants.
Who do we contact?
Najib Abdul Wahab, Tournament Director, Malaysian Chess Federation: mcfsecretariat@malaysiachess.org, +60 16 338 2542.