The Cyprus Chess Grand Prix 2026 began in inspiring fashion with a vibrant youth event held at the Carob Mill Complex in Limassol during the All4Kids Expo.
Organised by Freedom24 Chess Academy as part of the CCGP2026, the tournament brought together talented young players under 14 years old for seven exciting rounds of blitz chess. With a time control of 5 minutes per player and no increment, every game demanded focus, courage, and sharp decision-making.
From the very first round, the playing area was filled with intensity and sporting spirit. Visitors of the Expo had the opportunity to witness young players calculating combinations under time pressure, demonstrating discipline, respect, and maturity well beyond their years.
Ivan Belyaev delivered an outstanding performance across all seven rounds, earning the special champion trophy. Medals were awarded in all age categories (U14, U11 and U8 – Boys & Girls), recognising excellence across the full youth spectrum.
| Overall Champion | Ivan Belyaev |
|---|---|
| Under 14 Open – 1st Place | Paris Constantinou |
| Under 14 Open – 2nd Place | Andrei Reznikov |
| Under 14 Open – 3rd Place | Grigorii Ladilov |
| Under 14 Girls – 1st Place | Alisa Yudanova |
| Under 14 Girls – 2nd Place | Liudmila Malysheva |
| Under 11 Open – 1st Place | Ivan Belyaev |
| Under 11 Open – 2nd Place | Kyriakos Skouroupathis |
| Under 11 Open – 3rd Place | Mikhail Zilbert |
| Under 11 Girls – 1st Place | Anna Vasileva |
| Under 11 Girls – 2nd Place | Alexandra Turlova |
| Under 11 Girls – 3rd Place | Eva Hertsman |
| Under 08 Open – 1st Place | Maxim Kolbasov |
| Under 08 Open – 2nd Place | Alexandr Sokolov |
| Under 08 Open – 3rd Place | Arsenii Adamov |
| Under 08 Girls – 1st Place | Kristina Kozerenko |
| Under 08 Girls – 2nd Place | Koralia Tsironi Katsaounou |
Importantly, every participant received a Diploma of Appreciation — reinforcing the philosophy of the Cyprus Chess Grand Prix: development, participation, and love for the game come first.
The event reflected the vision of CCGP2026 — to strengthen youth chess in Cyprus and provide young players with meaningful competitive opportunities in a positive and professional environment.
A sincere thank you to all players for their fighting spirit, to the parents for their continued support, and to everyone who contributed to the successful organisation of this special opening event.
📰 Read the full event coverage here: https://vkcyprus.com/eventsvk/1467412355383-shahmatnyj-turnir-na-all4kids-expo-torzhestvo-intellektualnogo-sporta/
Full standings along with pairings/results can be found here: https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1343007.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7&turdet=YES&SNode=S0
This was more than an opening event.
It was a powerful start to CCGP2026 — and a celebration of the next generation of chess in Cyprus.
