The Week in Chess

• Surprise victory for Mukhiddin Madaminov in the 3rd UzChess Cup - 9

  Mukhiddin Madaminov won the 3rd Uzchess Cup in Tashkent, a real surprise as he was the bottom seed and there as a replacement for Javokhir Sindarov. Madaminov won a final blitz tie-break 2-0 against fellow Uzbekistani Shamsiddin Vokhidov who also wasn't one of the favourites.

  Madaminov's victory came after a long game against Hans Moke Niemann where he was pressing for a win but was also in danger of losing at one stage. He didn't have more than a few minutes to prepare for the tie-break.

  19-year-old Madaminov has played most of his recent chess in Asia which according to Vlad Ghita suffers from rating deflation, potentially making him very underrated. Madaminov has also been working as Sindarov's second since the 2025 World Cup no doubt that's...

• 3rd UzChess Cup 2026 - Games and Results

  The 3rd UzChess Cup took place in Tashkent Sun 7th Jun to Mon 15th Jun 2026. The Masters: Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Arjun Erigaisi, Hans Moke Niemann, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Santosh Gujrathi Vidit, Nodirbek Yakubboev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov, Nikolas Theodorou and Mukhiddin Madaminov.

  The lowest rated player, 19 year-old Mukhiddin Madaminov won after winning a tie-break blitz match against 8th seed Shamsiddin Vokhidov. They had both scored 5.5/9 half a point clear of Ian Nepomniachtchi, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Arjun Erigaisi. Mahammad Muradli won the Challengers with a dominant 7.5/9 two points clear of second placed Mittal Aditya. The Futures tournament was won by IM Khumoyun Begmuratov (born 2010). Timur Gareyev edged out Shavkatjon Abdukholikov on tie-break in the open after both scored 7.5/9.

• Blohberger beats Navara 3.5-2.5 in a match - 3-4

  Felix Blohberger defeated David Navara in a match in Vienna Mon 8th Jun to Sat 13th Jun 2026. 22 year-old GM Blohberger has a YouTube Channel where he talks about chess. Blohberger had a personal sponsor for the match and it was held at the headquarters of the Austrian Chess Federation, they also provided the arbiter. Every round was commentated live. It was an interesting match, Navara was better in game one, game two was balanced, game three was the decisive one for the match, Navara was a pawn down in a Bishop vs Knight endgame, he probably should have held but his passive defensive idea wasn't the way to do it. Game four was the most exciting of the match with both sides having winning positions at various stages before a draw in a four queens endgame. Games five and six were a little calmer and both finished in draws.

• Navara vs Blohberger Match 2026 - Games and Results

  David Navara played Felix Blohberger in a six game match in Vienna Mon 8th Jun - Sat 13th Jun 2026. Blohberger won game three and the remaining games were drawn.

• 26th European Women's Championship 2026 - Games and Results

  The 26th European Women's Championship took place Mon 25th May to Friday 5th Jun 2026. Anastasiia Hnatyshyn took clear first place with 9/11 half a point clear of Sabrina Vega Gutierrez, Olga Badelka and Nurgyul Salimova.

• 14th Norway Chess 2026 - Games and Results

  The 14th Norway Chess tournament took place Mon 25th May to Fri 5th Jun 2026. There was the regular tournament and a women's event, this year with the same prize-money. Each event had 6 players and 10 rounds and there was an Armageddon game if there's a draw.

  Open: Magnus Carlsen, Vincent Keymer, Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So, R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh. Women: Ju Wenjun, Zhu Jiner, Humpy Koneru, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Anna Muzychuk and Deshmukh Divya.

  Praggnanandhaa won the event just pipping Wesley So by a point, Praggnanandhaa won his last four games. Magnus Carlsen had his poorest result in my memory, he won three and lost four. Bibisara Assaubayeva had led for much of the women's event and her only defeat in the final round didn't stop her winning. I give both the official final standings and a conventional table.

• GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026 - Games and Results

  The Grand Chess Tour Super Chess Classic Romania took place Thu 14th May to Sat 23rd May 2026. Players: Caruana, Sindarov, Giri, Firouzja, Keymer, Wesley So, Jorden Van Foreest, Praggnanandhaa, MVL and Deac. Vincent Keymer emerged as the clear winner with 6/9 half a point clear of Fabiano Caruana on 5.5, Javokhir Sindarov and Wesley So were half a point further back on 5 points. Alireza Firouzja withdrew after five rounds after badly hurting his ankle, he had tried to carry on for a couple of rounds after round 3.