KCF Academy: Third Season Highlights

by Kasparov Chess Foundation
10/26/2026 – The Kasparov Chess Foundation Academy has wrapped up its third season, marking another important year of growth for the organization, with expanding educational programs, international events, and outstanding achievements by participants in KCF programs. And the momentum isn't slowing down: registration is now open for the KCF Academy 2027 season, a six-month online training program for ambitious chess players around the world.
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Third Season Highlights and a New Chapter for 2027

This year, KCFA helped organize the Kasparov Chess Festival in Radenci, which brought together 650 chess players from 33 countries. Following the tournament, the Academy held its international chess camp, welcoming 65 young players from around the world for chess training, swimming, and other activities. One of the highlights was a visit to the Kasparov Grand Tour, where participants had the opportunity to meet Garry Kasparov for a special photo and autograph session.

The season also featured the highly successful Garry Kasparov Trainers Conference, attended by 150 participants.

KCF Academy is especially proud of its educational program, which is built on Botvinnik’s four-level system. Just as important are our other formats, such as the Practical Workshops and the Star Lessons, where students have the joy of learning from legendary players like Kasparov, Topalov, Aronian, Svidler, Caruana and others.

In 2026, the Academy launched a special program for national Olympic teams, offered on preferential terms. We work closely with KCF trainers, who coach a selected group of the most talented juniors from around the world. The highlight of KCF training is the annual live camp led by Garry Kasparov during the Zagreb Grand Tour, where he works with this select group of top young talents. For the next generation, we held a special selection camp in Munich with Roman Vidonyak, one of the world’s leading trainers, supported by Chess Club Bayern.

Participants in Kasparov Chess Foundation programs achieved remarkable results this season: Anastasia Hnatyshyn of Ukraine became European Women's Champion, with congratulations to her coaches Volodymyr Grabinsky and Adrian Mikhalchishin. Other outstanding achievements included Ihor Samunenkov, who became European Team Champion with Ukraine in 2025, and Lukas Dotzer, a European Youth medalist. At the 2026 European Youth Rapid Championship, Bozhena Piddubna and Maksym Pankiv, both from Ukraine, became champions, while Maksym Dubnevych and Peter Balint earned medals.

IGM Ihor Samunenkov won the gold medal at the 2026 Samarkand Olympiad, finishing ahead of World Champion Gukesh. Samarkand was also the setting for a historic milestone: at just 11 years old, Bodhana Sivanandan secured her final WGM norm, becoming the youngest Woman Grandmaster in history.

The third season reflects the Academy's growing international community and its commitment to developing the next generation of chess players, coaches, and champions.

Registration Opens for KCF Academy 2027

Building on this success, the Academy now turns to its next season. From January 9 to June 23, 2027, participants will follow a structured program combining level-based training, thematic workshops, and exclusive masterclasses with some of the greatest names in chess.

A major highlight of the new season will be six exclusive masterclasses with Veselin Topalov, former World Champion and former world number one. Known for his dynamic and uncompromising style, Topalov will share insights from his exceptional career, focusing on attacking play, preparation, critical decision-making, and performing under pressure.

The KCF STARS Masterclass Series will also feature a special masterclass with Garry Kasparov, the 13th World Champion and founder of the Kasparov Chess Foundation, alongside lectures by other elite grandmasters and internationally renowned coaches.

KCF Academy conducts a 6 hour training package for different levels in a week. This year it will be as usual 4 levels plus Expert level for National teams and strong club players.

Beyond the online curriculum, all KCF Academy members will also be able to take part in the Kasparov Chess Foundation Friendship Festival 2027. The festival brings together players from around the world for top-level tournaments, training, friendship and unique chess experiences. It gives Academy members a special opportunity to meet in person, compete internationally and become part of the wider KCF community. Members can also look forward to more camps with top trainers, following the very successful one already held.

Preseason Special

Ahead of the main 2027 season, KCF Academy is also offering a Preseason Special program, giving players an early opportunity to train with the Academy before the full curriculum begins.

The program includes:

  • 10 live lectures, each 90 minutes long
  • Every Saturday at 18:00 CET
  • Program dates: October 17 – December 19, 2027
  • Live on Zoom – participate from anywhere
  • All materials are available on the KCF Academy App, which means every participant can watch any lesson, Master Class or Star Lesson at any time.
  • Focus on strategic and practical thinking in chess

The Main Season runs from January 9 to June 23, 2027, offering a complete online chess training experience led by Garry Kasparov and a team of world- class grandmasters. For more information and to join, visit https://www.kcfacademy.org

<< Clutch Chess: Caruana, Nakamura, Sindarov and Pragg meet in Saint Louis
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The vision of the Kasparov Chess Foundation is primarily to use the many benefits of chess to help children worldwide. KCF does this through a variety of different programs, which you can find at KasparovChessFoundation.org
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