Lithuania has a new world chess champion. Žanas Nainys has claimed gold at the World Under-17 Chess Championship in Spain, securing the country’s first world youth title in 31 years. His victory also qualifies him for the prestigious International Master title and earns him his first Grandmaster norm.
Competing against some of the world’s most promising young chess players, Nainys scored 8.5 points from 11 games to win the Under-17 Open category at the 2026 FIDE World Youth Chess Championships in Roquetas de Mar, Spain. The tournament brought together 721 players from 82 countries.
Nainys made an impressive start, winning his first six games and establishing himself as the tournament’s outright leader. The final rounds, however, brought a dramatic contest for the title. Three players finished level on 8.5 points, with the Lithuanian securing gold on tie-break criteria.
The victory marks a historic moment for Lithuanian chess. The country’s previous world youth champion was Viktorija Čmilytė, who won the Girls’ Under-12 title in 1995 and went on to become one of Lithuania’s most accomplished chess players.
For Nainys, the triumph is also a major step forward in his career. Alongside the world title, he has earned the right to become an International Master and secured his first Grandmaster norm, bringing him closer to the highest title in competitive chess.
His success reflects years of dedication and training. Previously coached by experienced Vilnius chess trainer Rišardas Fichmanas, Nainys has spent recent years working with Donatas Vaznonis at Kaunas sports school Gaja.
Lithuania had further reason to celebrate, with fellow FIDE Master Gustas Morkūnas finishing seventh in the same age category.
Thirty-one years after its last world youth chess triumph, Lithuania has another champion – and a rising talent with his sights set even higher.
