Yahli Sokolovsky claims maiden Israeli Championship title at 19

2/4/2026 – The 2026 Israel Open Chess Championship, held in Acre from 19 to 27 January, brought together 103 players from across the country for a nine-round Swiss tournament. Nineteen-year-old GM Yahli Sokolovsky (pictured, right) emerged as the clear winner with 7½/9 and a 2694 performance rating, claiming his first national title. IM Yeshaayahu Tzidkiya and GM Evgeny Alekseev (pictured, centre and left) completed the podium after finishing half a point behind the champion. | Photo: Galina Pankratova