Poltorak and Tin Awarded 2026 Gligoric Trophy
The international chess community recognized the two players for their exceptional displays of fair play.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Tennis
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The FIDE Gligoric Trophy Award Commission has named Sebastian Poltorak and Tin Jingyao as the recipients of the 2026 Gligoric Trophy. The annual award recognizes individual chess players for demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship in competition.
Why it matters
The Gligoric Trophy highlights the importance of integrity and ethical conduct within competitive chess. By prioritizing sportsmanship over technical advantages, the winners set a standard for conduct that transcends tournament rankings.
Candidates were evaluated based on sportsmanship achievements recorded between September 2024 and September 2026. The selection process required nominees to show fair play during official tournaments held throughout the two-year eligibility period.
The players
Sebastian Poltorak
He is a professional chess player recognized for prioritizing human welfare over competitive outcomes during a match.
Tin Jingyao
He is an international chess player noted for rejecting a default victory in favor of playing a scheduled game.
FIDE Gligoric Trophy Award Commission
This is the governing body responsible for reviewing nominations and selecting recipients who uphold the highest standards of ethics in chess.
Aleksandar Inđjić
He is a professional chess player who was involved in the sportsmanship incident with Poltorak during the 2025 European Chess Club Cup.
The details
Sebastian Poltorak was honored after agreeing to a draw against Aleksandar Inđjić at the 2025 European Chess Club Cup when his opponent fell ill. Tin Jingyao was selected for allowing a match to proceed at the 2025 Almaty Region Open despite his opponent arriving after the standard default time.
Timeline
September 2024 to September 2026 served as the eligibility window for all trophy candidates.
The sportsmanship incidents occurred during tournaments in 2025.
The FIDE Gligoric Trophy winners were officially announced on October 5, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The Gligoric Trophy serves as a primary institutional mechanism to balance competitive drive with the foundational principles of the sport. This award cycle continues the tradition of the trophy by codifying specific instances of fair play from the 2025 tournament season.
These awards provide a clear benchmark for professional conduct that can influence how tournament officials and players manage scheduling or medical forfeits in future matches. This recognition reinforces that ethical decisions during play carry significant weight in the eyes of international governing bodies.
The takeaway
True competitive success in chess is measured not only by victory but by the integrity maintained under pressure. Fans and players can look to these instances as examples of how to prioritize long-term mutual respect over short-term tournament results.
Further reading
Learn more about high-level competition and sportsmanship in the Tennis section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ChessBase.
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