Asian Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026 Concludes Successfully, India Claims Double Crown in Women's Rapid and Blitz

The "Asian Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026," organized by the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, funded by Sports and Tourism Bureau's Arts & Sport Development Fund (Sports Portion), and supported by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, has successfully concluded at the TWGHs TungPo Kitty Woo Stadium. Held for the first time in Hong Kong, the tournament attracted nearly 200 players from close to 15 countries and regions.

The "Asian Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026," organized by the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, funded by Sports and Tourism Bureau's Arts & Sport Development Fund (Sports Portion), and supported by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, has successfully concluded at the TWGHs TungPo Kitty Woo Stadium. Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

After three days of intense competition, India's GM Harika Dronavalli clinched the double crown in the Women's Rapid and Blitz categories. The Men's Rapid title was won by GM Aleksey Grebnev from Russia. The Men's Blitz title went to Vietnam's GM Le Tuan Minh. All three champions earned FIDE Circuit points in this tournament, contributing to their year-end rankings as they vie for a top two finish to secure a spot in the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2028.

The Three Champions of the Asian Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026, Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

The top three places in Men's Rapid were claimed by GM Aleksey Grebnev from Russia, India’s IM Goutham Krishna H, and GM Ilia Iljushenok from Russia. In Women's Rapid, the podium was swept by India’s GM Harika Dronavalli, WGM Anna Shukhman from Russia, and Vietnam's IM Pham Le Thao Nguyen.

Top 10 Awardees in Men’s Rapid, Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

Top 10 Awardees in Women’s Rapid, Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

The Men's Blitz top three were Vietnam’s GM Le Tuan Minh, India's IM Goutham Krishna H, and China's IM Jiang Haochen. The Women's Blitz top three were India’s GM Harika Dronavalli, GM Valentina Gunina from Russia, and Uzbekistan's WGM Umida Omonova.

Top 10 Awardees in Men’s Blitz, Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

Top 10 Awardees in Women’s Blitz, Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

Among the Hong Kong players, competing in a field of nearly 130 players in the Men's Rapid and Blitz categories, CM Thanneermalai Kannappan and CM Li Yiheng finished in 17th and 18th place respectively in the Men's Rapid, while FM Samuel Lam Chun Yung finished 14th in the Men's Blitz.

CM Thanneermalai Kannappan – Best Hong Kong Player in Men's Rapid, finishing 17th, Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

FM Samuel Lam Chun Yung – Best Hong Kong Player in Men's Blitz, finishing 14th, Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

Women's Rapid and Blitz Double Champion India’s GM Harika Dronavalli commented: "This is my second time visiting Hong Kong for a chess tournament, following the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 in June. I am truly honoured to have won the double crown in both Rapid and Blitz, and I hope Hong Kong will host more chess events in the future. I have earned FIDE Circuitpoints from this tournament. While I do not want to expect too much at this stage, I will try my best in future tournaments to secure a spot in the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2028."

At the closing and awards ceremony, The AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCOHKRAC) and the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing a long-term strategic partnership. The collaboration aims to introduce internationally recognised dispute resolution mechanisms to the Asian chess community while supporting Hong Kong’s development as a leading Asia-Pacific hub for sports law, arbitration and mediation.

The HKSAR Government has been actively promoting Hong Kong as an “Asia-Pacific International Legal and Dispute Resolution Services Centre.” With the continued growth of the local sports industry, AALCO-HKRAC has recently launched its Sports Dispute Resolution Pilot Scheme, providing the sports sector with a fair, efficient and accessible platform for resolving disputes through mediation and arbitration, while also creating new career pathways for retired athletes.

The signing of the MOU between AALCO-HKRAC and the Asian Chess Federation marks Hong Kong’s first partnership with an international sports federation in the field of dispute resolution. It represents a significant milestone in the development of sports law and international sports arbitration services in Hong Kong.

AALCO-HKRAC and Asian Chess Federation Sign Memorandum of Understanding: From left: Mr. Bharat Singh Chauhan, Deputy President of Asian Chess Federation, Second from left: Mr. Hisham Al-Taher, General Secretary of Asian Chess Federation, Third from left: Mr. Dennis Cai, Deputy Director of AALCO-HKRAC, Fourth from left: Mr. Geoffrey Kao, Honorary President of Hong Kong China Chess Federation, Photo source: Hiong Kong China Chess Federation

Under the MOU, the two organisations will collaborate across several key areas. These include promoting the adoption of AALCO-HKRAC’s model mediation and arbitration clauses in the competition regulations, player agreements and governance documents of ACF member federations across Asia. The parties will also jointly organise professional training programmes, seminars and events for key stakeholders in the chess community, including players, arbiters, coaches and officials. Through curriculum development and in-depth research, the partnership seeks to strengthen legal awareness, governance standards and the rule of law within the Asian sports sector.

Looking ahead, AALCO-HKRAC and the Asian Chess Federation will appoint dedicated representatives to oversee the implementation of the partnership. The two organisations also plan to co-host seminars and public engagement activities during major events such as the Asian Chess Championships, with the aim of promoting greater awareness and adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) across the sports sector.

The "Asian Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026," organised by the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, officially kicked off on July 28 at the TWGHs TungPo Kitty Woo
Stadium. Running from July 27 to 31, the tournament is being held in Hong Kong for the first time and has attracted nearly 200 participants from close to 15 countries and regions, including China, Japan, India, Vietnam, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. With a total prize fund of HKD 250,000, the championship has drawn a strong field of players, 40% of whom hold FIDE titles.

Asian Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026 kicks off. Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

Asian Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026 kicks off. Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

The event has been officially included in the FIDE Circuit, making it one of the few tournaments in Asia to receive this recognition. Athletes competing in this championship will earn FIDE Circuit ranking points, with the top two ranked players at the end of the year securing a spot in the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2028. This inclusion marks the first time a tournament in Hong Kong has been integrated into FIDE's top-tier event system, underscoring the championship's international credibility.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Bharat Singh Chauhan, Deputy President of the Asian Chess Federation, Mr. Hisham Al-Taher, General Secretary of the Asian Chess Federation and Mr. Sahapol Nakvanich, Treasurer of the Asian Chess Federation. The tournament boasts an impressive line-up of athletes, with almost 80 titled players competing for the championship. Among them are top international grandmasters, including GM Wang Hao (World No. 40 and champion of the 15th National Games Men's Individual Open category) and GM Bai Jinshi (a member of the winning team at the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026).

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Hisham Al-Taher, General Secretary of the Asian Chess Federation. Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

Hong Kong is well represented by its own talented athletes, including CM Li Yiheng and FM Daniel Lam King Wai, who represented Hong Kong at the Hangzhou Asian Games, as well as FM Henry Ho In Hei and FM Samuel Lam Chun Yung, who competed in the National Games. FM Henry Ho In Hei was also a member of the team that claimed the title of Best Hong Kong Team at the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026.

Beyond the competition, the organisers have curated a range of side events to bring the joy of chess into the community. In partnership with the charity organisation Branches of Hope, the tournament has hosted chess workshops led by professional coaches, offering a welcoming and supportive learning environment for refugee communities, helping participants build confidence and a sense of belonging through the game. Meanwhile, gaming platform Anichess has joined the event for a sharing session, inviting players to explore the fun and strategy of the chess-based game "King's Gambit."

Mr. Sahapol Nakvanich, Treasurer of the Asian Chess Federation (left one), Mr. Hisham Al-Taher, General Secretary of the Asian Chess Federation (left three) and Mr. Bharat Singh Chauhan, Deputy President of the Asian Chess Federation (left four) officiated the ceremonial opening move. Photo source: Hong Kong China Chess Federation

Besides, Vice-President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, Mr. Kenneth Fok posted on social media that he was delighted to co-host a delegation from the Asian Chess Federation together with the Hong Kong China Chess Federation at Olympic House. The delegation included H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan (President of the Asian Chess Federation), Mr. Hisham Al Taher (General Secretary), and Mr. Geoffrey Kao (Honorary President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation).

Photo source: FB@Kenneth Fok

Photo source: FB@Kenneth Fok

Photo source: FB@Kenneth Fok

Mr. Fok noted that chess is a universal language transcending cultures, and its development across Asia in recent years has been remarkably rapid. In a warm and welcoming atmosphere, we exchanged insightful ideas on promoting chess culture, strengthening youth training, and hosting international tournaments. We look forward to future collaborations that will bring more world-class events to Hong Kong and into our local communities, inspiring more people through mind sports.

Photo source: FB@Kenneth Fok

Photo source: FB@Kenneth Fok

Photo source: FB@Kenneth Fok

Photo source: FB@Kenneth Fok