Record Participation at 6th Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners
By Brian T. · Wed, 14 Oct 2026
The 6th Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners kicked off with 140 teams from 56 countries, a new participation record, with teams competing in men's, women's, and youth sections.
The 6th Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners began on October 13, with a record 140 teams from 56 countries participating in the three-day event.Organized by FIDE and the Cook County Sheriff's Office, the championship features men's, women's, and youth sections, with teams competing across multiple groups and time zones with a time control of 10 minutes + 5 seconds increment.Competition Heats UpOn the first day, teams were divided into groups according to their time zones, with the top teams advancing to the next stage. In the men's section, teams such as Mongolia 1, Ukraine, and Armenia achieved perfect match scores, winning all their Day 1 matches.The women's and youth sections also saw dominant performances, with teams like India, Ukraine, and Malawi 2 winning all their matches. The Championship Round, which will feature the top two teams from each group, promises more intense competition and exciting games.The event demonstrates the growing interest in chess within correctional facilities, with Malawi being one of the countries with the highest number of registered teams. The championship aims to promote critical thinking, emotional control, teamwork, and skills that support reintegration into society.