FIDE World Schools Team Championship: Schools from Turkey and India lead with perfect score

Only two rounds are left at the FIDE World Schools Team Championship in Aktau.

FIDE World Schools Team Championship is entering its final day. 

The tournament’s favourite Istanbul ENKA High School is one step from securing gold medals in the U18 category. The Turkish team won all their matches and, with 12 match points, is three points ahead of the closest pursuers. Considering excellent tiebreaks, one draw in the last two rounds will likely suffice to claim the Championship. 

At the start of the day, two teams were in the lead with perfect scores: Istanbul ENKA High School and Velammal Vidyalaya Alapakkam, Chennai. In Round 5, the Turkish team defeated their rivals in a close match by 2½:1½. In the next round, the Indian team conceded more points by making a draw with Photon Gymnasium from Armenia and is now trailing Istanbul ENKA High School by three points. Four more teams share the second place with the same score of 9 match points: Gymnasium Theodorianum Paderborn (Germany), Theoretical Lyceum „N. Gogol“ (Moldova), Mongeni Complex School (Mongolia), and the abovementioned Photon Gymnasium (Armenia).

The competition for silver and bronze medals is wide open. Six top teams will meet each other in the two final rounds and determine the pedestal in direct encounters. 

In the U12 section, Indian Velammal MHS Mogappair is unstoppable. Number 2 in the starting list, this team won all the matches so far and is leading by 3 points. In Round 7, they will face off with the number 1 seed Lyceum School No. 8 for gifted children from Kazakhstan. The team from the host country must win this match to continue their pursuit of the medals as they share third with five other teams that scored 8 points. The second spot is currently occupied by Lviv Academic Gymnasium from Ukraine. Trailing the leader by 3 points, number 3 in the starting rank, this team has already met with the leaders and a few close rivals. Solid play in the final games will likely lead them to a medal. 

Below are the Top Standings after six rounds.

Under 18:

1. Istanbul ENKA High School (TUR) – 12 match points 
2. Velammal Vidyalaya Alapakkam, Chennai (IND) – 9 
3. Gymnasium Theodorianum Paderborn (GER) – 9
4. Theoretical Lyceum „N. Gogol“ (MDA) – 9 
5. Mongeni Complex School (MGL) – 9
6. Photon Gymnasium (ARM) – 9

Under 12:

1. Velammal MHS Mogappair (IND) – 12 match points
2. Lviv Academic Gymnasium (UKR) – 9
3. National Physics & Mathematics School (KAZ) – 8
4. Lyceum School No. 8 for gifted children (KAZ) – 8 
5. Silver Stream Public School (CAN) – 8
6. IT lyceum No 9 named after O. Zholdasbek (KAZ) – 8
7. School of Astana, number 72 (KAZ) – 8 
8. Saco Oliveros (PER) – 8

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)