| Event | FIDE World Cadets Cup 2026 (inaugural edition) |
|---|---|
| Dates | 15–28 June 2026 |
| Location | Batumi, Georgia |
| Field | 662 players from 68 countries across six sections |
| Miro’s section | Open U10 (150 players, 11-round Swiss, 90 min + 30 sec) |
| Miro’s result | 5/11 points, 83rd of 150 |
| Section winner | CM Rizat Ulan (Kazakhstan) |
| Official site | wcc2026.fide.com |
Miro’s First World Cadets Cup Is in the Books
The inaugural FIDE World Cadets Cup 2026 wrapped up in Batumi, Georgia on 28 June, and Miro Ok was part of it — representing Belgium in the Open U10 section as the reigning Belgian U10 Champion. With 662 young players from 68 countries competing across six sections, it was the largest and strongest field Miro has ever faced.
A World-Class Field in the Open U10
The Open U10 section brought together 150 of the world’s best under-10 players for eleven rounds of classical chess at 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment — a serious test of preparation, stamina, and nerves for any player — let alone competitors under ten years old. At the top, Kazakhstan’s CM Rizat Ulan took first place, finishing half a point clear of a chasing pack that included players from the USA and China. Full standings and round-by-round results are available on the official event site, and Miro’s complete rated game history can be found on his FIDE profile.
Miro’s Result
Miro finished on 5 points from his eleven games, placing 83rd in the 150-player field. It was a tougher outing than the 49th place he earned at the 2025 World Cadets Championship — but that is the reality of competing at the very top of world youth chess, where every board holds a national champion or a rising star. Eleven classical games against opposition of this caliber are now eleven games’ worth of study material, and that experience travels home with him into the summer season.
Why This Event Matters
2026 marked the first year of FIDE’s new youth championship cycle: the World Cadets Cup now serves as the qualifying stage, while the FIDE World Cadets Championships — returning to Batumi on 10–17 November 2026 with just eight players per category — decide the world titles. Competing at the Cup put Miro on the same stage where those spots were being fought over, an invaluable benchmark for where his game stands internationally.
The Experience
Beyond the boards, the trip was a milestone in itself: an eleven-day international event, a rest-day chess-solving World Cup, and hundreds of peers from around the globe who love the game as much as he does. Every round against unfamiliar international opposition adds something a local tournament can’t — new openings, new styles, and the composure that only comes from big-stage experience. You can read the original announcement in our pre-tournament post.
What’s Next
Miro’s summer is far from over. He heads to the Netherlands for the Open NK Schaken 2026 (21–29 July in Dieren), then returns home for the Open Brasschaat 2026 (15–23 August). Follow the full schedule on the Tournament Log.