Mazen Fandi Places Fourth at World Blitz Chess
The Syrian chess player finished fourth overall and was named Best Arab Player at the under-20 championship in the UAE.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Soccer
Syrian chess player Mazen Fandi scored 9.5 points out of 13 rounds at the World Blitz Chess Championship for players under 20 in Al Ain, UAE. Under the tournament's tie-break system, Fandi finished fourth overall despite being level on points with the second- and third-place finishers.
Why it matters
The result adds to Fandi's international record as he prepares for the Asian Nations Cup in Abu Dhabi. The tournament drew roughly 150 players from 40 countries, giving the finish a broad competitive context.
Fandi scored 9.5 points from 13 rounds against a field of about 150 players from 40 countries, and his FIDE rating rose by approximately 44 points. The extraction does not detail the scores of the top-three finishers or the specific tie-break method used to rank him fourth.
The players
Mazen Fandi
Mazen Fandi is a player on the Syrian national chess team who competes in international youth and open chess events.
The details
Fandi finished level on points with the players who took second and third place, and the tournament's tie-break system placed him fourth overall. He was also named Best Arab Player in the competition. Earlier, he won silver in the classical event at the Asian Youth Chess Championships in Ahmedabad, India.
Timeline
Asian Nations Cup for men and women runs in Abu Dhabi from November 9 to 18, 2026.
Ministry of Sports published its statement on its Facebook page on November 7, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Fandi's rating gain under FIDE's international rating system marks progress within the global chess calendar. The result sets up his next major test at the Asian Nations Cup in Abu Dhabi.
Fandi's fourth-place finish under the tie-break system left him just outside the medals despite equal points with the top three. Readers following his results can track his next event at the Asian Nations Cup in Abu Dhabi.
The takeaway
A close finish on points can still be decided by the tie-break rules, a useful detail for following results in large international tournaments. Fandi's rating gain and award as Best Arab Player show progress that will be tested again in Abu Dhabi.
What happens next
Fandi is scheduled to compete in the Asian Nations Cup for men and women in Abu Dhabi from November 9 to 18, 2026.
Further reading
For more sports coverage across competitions, see the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by S A N A.
