FIDE World Schools Team Championship: Schools from Turkey and India are in the lead

Two more rounds were played today at the FIDE World Schools Team Championship in Aktau. 

Two teams are in the lead in the U18 section. Four match victories of Istanbul ENKA High School come as no surprise as Turkish players are the rating favourites of the event. So far, IM Isik Can and his peers have conceded only half a point to their opponents. 

The same result from Velammal Vidyalaya Alapakkam, a school in Chennai, India, is even more impressive as they started 11th. The team made a tricky choice of putting their lowest-rated player, Santhosh V L, on the top board, and he has a tough time, but his teammates greatly compensate for that. 

In the U12 category, the Indian squad of Velammal MHS Mogappair is in sole lead with four match wins. Tomorrow they will be put to serious test facing the National Physics & Mathematics School of Kazakhstan, trailing just one point behind.

Apart from creating chess masterpieces, the participants of the Championship continue exploring what Aktau has to offer. Today the players visited a local water park to refill their batteries and lift team spirits! The organizers prepared a diverse program of fun side activities so everyone would return home with lifetime memories. 

Here are the top standings after Round 4:

Under 18

Under 12

About World Schools Team Championship 2023

Schoolkids come to Aktau from all over the world to defend the honour of their school and country. The Championship is organized by FIDE and Kazakhstan Chess Federation, with the support of the akimat of Mangistau region, as well as the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan. Freedom Holding Corp is the General Partner and Sponsor. 

Official website: wstcc2023.fide.com 

Photos: Flickr (can be used only for media reporting about the event, with credit given to Kazakhstan Chess Federation)