FIDE has opened registration for the 2026 World U7-U17 Rapid and Blitz Championships in Cairo this December. The event runs from December 8 to 15 and covers six age brackets, each split into Open and Girls sections.
Previous champions from the U9-U17 categories earn automatic invitations to compete in their same age group or higher, provided they meet age cutoffs as of January 1, 2026. Member federations can enter unlimited players, making this one of the year's biggest junior rapid and blitz tournaments.
Cairo has become a fixture on the junior circuit. The format mirrors what made recent editions popular. Young players chasing titles know the calendar now. U7 competitors get their own stage alongside the older cohort, a move FIDE pushed to develop chess at the youngest levels.
Federations interested in sending teams should register soon. The championship draws serious junior talent from across the globe, and spots fill quickly in the top categories. For players aiming to build rapid and blitz credentials before moving into classical formats, this tournament matters. Cairo in December offers decent playing conditions and a solid field.