The sixth edition of the Queen’s Online Chess Festival, organized by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, successfully concluded after a month of exciting competition from March 1 to March 29, 2026. Held as part of the global Chess Women’s Day Celebration, this year’s festival marked a historic milestone, becoming the largest edition ever, with a remarkable 991 participants from all over the world.
The festival once again demonstrated the power of online chess to connect players across continents, offering competitive opportunities, visibility, and inspiration for women and girls at different stages of their chess journey. We are thankful to Lichess for our new partnership, which made it possible on such a level.
A Unique Format Connecting Continents
The Queen’s Online Chess Festival featured two parallel competitions:
- Queens’ Festival, designed for all female players, including the titled and experienced players
- Princesses’ Section, aimed at youth players
The Queens’ Festival followed a multi-stage format:
- Continental Qualifiers (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe), played in a 9-round Swiss (3+2)
- Semi-Finals (9 rounds, 3+2)
- Finals (7 rounds, 5+5)
The Princesses’ Section included two large qualification groups, attracting 189 participants in Group A and 109 participants in Group B, highlighting the strong global interest among young players.
Continental Champions
The qualification stage saw strong participation across all regions:
- Africa – 117 players
- Europe – 129 players
- Asia – 313 players
- Americas – 134 players
In highly competitive events, the following players emerged as continental winners:
- Africa: Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi (Nigeria)
- Asia: WFM Sachi Jain (India)
- Europe: WCM Khadija Khalilova (Azerbaijan)
- Americas: IM Deysi Cori (Peru)
Their performances secured qualification to the later stages and set the tone for a very strong knockout phase.
Deysi Cori wins the Queens’ Festival for the 3rd time!
The final stage brought together the top performers in a closely contested event. After seven rounds of rapid play, the podium was determined as follows:
🥇 IM Deysi Cori (Peru)
🥈 WCM Khadija Khalilova (Azerbaijan)
🥉 WFM Sachi Jain (India)
IM Deysi Cori delivered an outstanding performance throughout the event, adding another significant achievement to her already impressive career – it is in fact her 3rd time claiming victory in the Queens’ Online Festival. Congratulations!
Princesses’ Festival: Emerging Talents Shine
The Princesses’ Festival once again highlighted the remarkable potential of the next generation, with young players demonstrating impressive skill, determination, and fighting spirit throughout the competition. After a hard-fought final, the top three places were secured by Joana Maria Pinholi Martins de Souza (Brazil), Sarah Qiu (USA), and Modi Janis (India). Their performances stood out in a highly competitive field, reflecting both the growing global depth of girls’ chess and the bright future ahead for women in the game.
A Successful First-Time Partnership with Lichess
A key highlight of the 2026 edition was the first-ever collaboration with Lichess, which proved to be highly successful.
The partnership ensured a smooth, accessible, and professional playing environment for participants worldwide. It also significantly enhanced the festival’s reach, contributing to its record-breaking participation and overall positive experience for players, coaches, and organizers alike.
Meaningful Prizes and Opportunities
Beyond competition, the festival offered valuable incentives and development opportunities:
- 1st place (Queens’ Final):
- Invitation to the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026
- USD 300
- 2nd place: USD 200
- 3rd place: USD 100
At the qualification stage, top performers received:
- Training sessions with a former Women’s World Champion – GM Antoaneta Stefanova
- Diplomas and vouchers to the official FIDE shop
The Princesses’ Festival also provided trophies, vouchers, and training opportunities, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of players.
Supporting the Next Generation: Partnership with DGT
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess was also proud to continue its growing partnership with DGT, whose support was dedicated to the youngest participants in the Princesses’ Festival.
Through this collaboration, DGT provided meaningful prizes aimed at encouraging and inspiring young talents:
- 1st place: DGT Pegasus + Pegasus Travel Bag
- 2nd and 3rd place: DGT 1500 chess clocks
These prizes represent more than just equipment – they serve as motivation for young players as they develop their skills, confidence, and passion for the game.
This partnership builds on previous successful collaborations, including initiatives such as the DGT Seminar and the Pia Cramling Cup held earlier this year in Stockholm. The continued involvement of committed partners like DGT plays an important role in advancing women’s chess, helping to create opportunities, recognition, and a more inclusive future for the next generation.
Inclusion and Impact: Participation of the Girls from the Kakuma Refugee Camp
A particularly meaningful aspect of this year’s festival was the participation of girls from the Kakuma Refugee Camp, who joined the Princesses’ section and competed alongside players from around the world in a celebration of chess, connection, and opportunity.
As part of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess Girls’ Club project, these young players meet weekly online to learn and grow together under the guidance of experienced coaches IM Salome Melia and WGM Anastasiya Karlovych, with invaluable on-the-ground support from their dedicated coach Alaak Daniel Pager.
Their participation in the Queen’s Online Chess Festival marked an important step – bringing together months of learning and preparation, and giving the girls a chance not only to compete, but also to connect and share their passion for chess with peers across the globe.
A Global Celebration of Women’s Chess
As part of the Chess Women’s Day Celebration, the Queen’s Online Chess Festival continues to play an important role in promoting women’s participation in chess. By combining competitive opportunities with inclusivity and global outreach, the event reflects the ongoing mission of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess.
The atmosphere throughout the festival was widely praised, with participants expressing appreciation for the organization, fair play standards, and overall experience.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks are extended to the dedicated team whose efforts ensured the smooth organization and fair conduct of the event:
- Event Director: Ozgur Solakoglu (TUR)
- Tournament Director: Ulkar Umudova (AZE)
- Fair Play Specialist: Andy Howie (SCO)
- Chief Arbiter: Kaussar Bauyrzhan (KAZ)
- Technical Support: Yilmaz Kartal (TUR)
- Deputy Chief Arbiter: Melih Cicek (TUR)
and many more who worked tirelessly to ensure the event runds smoothly.
We would also like to thank the Appeals Committee Members: Agnieszka Milewska (ENG), Gulmira Dauletova (KAZ), Tshepiso Lopang (BOT), Martha Lorena Fierro Baquero (ECU).
Professionalism and commitment of each member of the team were instrumental in delivering a high-quality event enjoyed by participants worldwide.
Looking Ahead
The record-breaking success of the 2026 edition sets a strong foundation for the future. With growing global interest, strengthened partnerships, and an ever-expanding community, the Queen’s Online Chess Festival continues to evolve as a flagship initiative for women’s chess worldwide.
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess extends its sincere gratitude to all players, partners, and supporters who contributed to making this edition a memorable and inspiring celebration of chess.
