The European Junior U20 Chess Championship 2026 has passed its midpoint following five tense rounds at the Hotel Grand in Cetinje, Montenegro!
Organized by the Montenegro Chess Federation under the auspices of the European Chess Union (ECU), the 9-round Swiss tournament brings together 116 of Europe’s top young talents representing 38 national federations. Players are competing not only for a total prize fund of €15,000, but also for direct FIDE titles, norms, and qualification spots for the 2027 FIDE World Junior U20 Championship.
After five played rounds, GM Emin Ohanyan (ARM, 2517) emerged as the sole leader of the Open U20 section with the score of 4.5/5 points, and he is closely followed by a group of five players who trail by half a point: FM Anton Zlatkov (MKD, 2389), FM Mikhei Navumenka (FIDE, 2297), IM Aleks Sahakyan (ARM, 2349), IM Vahe Sukiasyan (ARM, 2392) and IM Artiom Stribuk (FIDE, 2494).
IM Eline Roebers (NED, 2371) is in the sole lead in the Girls U20 Championship with the score of 4.5/5 points, with three players following her with 4/5 points each: WFM Vesna Mihelic (SLO, 2140), Lavinia Valcu (SWE, 2202), and Tetyana Skarbarchuk (UKR, 2240).
Today serves as the official rest day, giving players a well-deserved break to recharge and explore Montenegro’s historic old capital. The games resume tomorrow with Round 6 starting at 15:00 CEST, featuring top-board encounters between the leaders.
All pairings, results, and standings can be found here.
Live games from the Championship can be followed here.
Photos by Novak Abramovic
