Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship Under-16
by Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA)
Commonwealth Medalist title
The Under-16 section of the Commonwealth Youth Chess Championships, a nine round classical event for players from Commonwealth countries with separate Open and Girls sections.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
₹1,60,910
Duration
10 days
Format
Individual
Time needed
About ten days abroad, with nine classical rounds plus rapid and blitz on the opening days
Eligibility
- Age range
- 15 to 16 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Prerequisites
- Within the Under-16 age category as defined in the edition regulations
- A player from a Commonwealth country
- Entry submitted through the national chess federation
- For Indian players, a top 50 finish in the final ranking list of a national age group championship
Open to chess players from Commonwealth countries in the Under-16 age category, playing separate Open and Girls sections. Entries come through the national federation, which for India is the All India Chess Federation, and Indian players are drawn from those who finished in the top 50 of the final ranking list of the national age group championships. Reigning national champions are entered as official players.
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Rewards and recognition
Prizes
Medals, trophy and cash prizes
Cash prizes and medals are awarded inside the Under-16 section, on the same scale in the Open and the Girls sections. Medals are awarded again in the rapid and blitz events.
Certificate
Commonwealth Medalist recognition
Medal winners carry the title Commonwealth Medalist. The championship is held under the auspices of the Commonwealth Chess Association and FIDE.
Recognized by
Recognition
Commonwealth level recognition
Skills your child builds
How to apply
- 1Confirm the player falls in the Under-16 category for the edition
- 2For India, confirm a top 50 finish in the final ranking list of a national age group championship, or a national title
- 3Submit the mandatory Google form AICF publishes for interested players and accompanying persons
- 4Pay the rupee package online through the AICF payment portal
- 5Arrange the visa, flights and insurance, which the federation does not cover
Fees & financial support
Fee details
AICF quotes Indian players a single rupee package covering the registration fee, the entry fee, accommodation and bank charges. An additional player pays Rs 1,60,910 in a single room or Rs 1,15,410 sharing a double, and an accompanying person Rs 1,47,260 or Rs 1,01,760 on the same basis. A Grandmaster or Woman Grandmaster above the rating threshold pays Rs 10,760 for registration and bank charges only. Official entrants, one Open and one girl per country per category, have their boarding and lodging provided free at the official hotel by the organiser. Visas, flights and insurance are arranged and paid for by the family.
About this opportunity
The Commonwealth Youth Chess Championships run alongside the Commonwealth Chess Championship, and the Under-16 section is one of the age categories inside them. It has its own entries, its own nine rounds and its own medals, played separately for Open and Girls.
The youth championships keep their own schedule. Youth rounds are played in the morning at 09.30 while the open championship plays at 16.00, and the rapid and blitz events on the first three days run in the evening for youth players and in the morning for open players.
Every Commonwealth country may field one Open and one girl in the section as official entrants, and their boarding and lodging is provided free at the official hotel. Any further players enter as additional players and pay their own way. Indian entries are routed by the All India Chess Federation, which draws them from players who finished in the top 50 of the final ranking list of the national age group championships; the reigning national champions are entered as official players.
Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded in the section, and the winners are called Commonwealth Medalists. The gold medallist also receives a trophy, and medals are awarded again in the rapid and blitz events. Cash prizes in the section are 250 US dollars for first place, 150 for second and 100 for third.
The 2026 championship was played at Kalutara, Sri Lanka from 16 to 26 May 2026, organised by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, and drew more than 500 players from 14 Commonwealth countries.
Rounds & format
Nine classical rounds, played at 09.30 each day for youth players, with the final round earlier at 08.30 and the prize distribution that evening. Rapid and blitz championships are held on the first three days of the meet, in the evening session for youth players.
How entries are judged
Games are won, drawn or lost under the FIDE Laws of Chess. Final standings rank players by points scored, with FIDE tie-breaks applied per the latest FIDE rules.
Selection process
Placings inside the Under-16 section are decided on points scored across the nine rounds, with FIDE tie-breaks applied. Gold, silver and bronze medals and cash prizes of 250, 150 and 100 US dollars go to the top three, separately in the Open and the Girls sections.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Under-16 section of the Commonwealth Youth Chess Championships?
An age category in the youth championships, played as its own nine round classical event with separate Open and Girls sections. Youth rounds are played at 09.30 while the open championship plays at 16.00.
How does an Indian player enter?
Through the All India Chess Federation. AICF draws entries from players who finished in the top 50 of the final ranking list of the national age group championships, and enters the reigning national champions as official players. A family cannot enter directly.
What is the difference between an official entrant and an additional player?
Each Commonwealth country fields one Open and one girl per age category as official entrants, whose boarding and lodging the organiser provides free at the official hotel. Any number of additional players may enter alongside them, paying a higher entry fee and their own boarding.
What do the top three in the section win?
Cash prizes of 250, 150 and 100 US dollars, along with gold, silver and bronze medals. Medal winners carry the title Commonwealth Medalist and the gold medallist also receives a trophy.
Are there events beyond the classical championship?
Yes. Rapid and blitz championships are held on the first three days of the meet, in the evening session for youth players, and medals are awarded in the same age categories.
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