Women's Chess
Sixteen-year-old International Master Alice Lee has claimed the Women's American Cup 2026 title for the third consecutive year by defeating Carissa Yip 1.5-0.5 in the Grand Final Reset. The victory earns Lee $40,000 plus a $9,000 bonus from the champions bracket. The tournament, held in St. Louis from March 3 to 12, featured top U.S. women's players in a double-elimination format.
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The FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 begins on March 28 in Cyprus, where eight top female chess players will compete in a double round-robin format to earn a challenge against Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun. The event at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort blends experienced veterans with rising talents. Full pairings have been released, setting the stage for 14 rounds of classical play.
Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna held on to her solo lead in the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship after drawing with Queen Rose Pamplona in the seventh round. The draw came in a tense 39-move Center-Counter game, leaving Frayna with 5.5 points. Ruelle Canino narrowed the gap by winning her match, positioning herself strongly for the World Chess Olympiad qualifier.
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The International Chess Federation has published its February 2026 rating list, showing minimal shifts at the top ranks. Women dominated the biggest gains, with several players making notable debuts in the top 100. Emerging talents from regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands also secured their first international ratings.