Gymnasium No. 50 of Minsk dominated the World Schools Team Championship Europe 2026 in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia, sweeping the event with an undefeated record. The Belarusian squad opened with consecutive 4–0 shutouts and never relinquished the lead across four days of competition.
Damir Bulgak on Board 1 and Katrina Yakovleva on Board 4 anchored the team's dominance. Their flawless performance earned them an automatic berth to December's prestigious Grand Final, the global championship for school teams.
Riga State Gymnasium arrived as the top-seeded team by average rating but could not overtake Minsk's relentless pace. The Belarusian side's combination of tactical precision and composure under pressure proved the difference. When young players maintain that kind of consistency over four rounds, you're watching a team that understands how to close out tournaments.
This victory marks a significant moment for Belarusian scholastic chess. School teams rarely nail perfection in major events. Gymnasium No. 50 did. They'll head to the December Grand Final as one of Europe's strongest representatives and serious contenders for the world title.