World Cup and World Championship in Checkers to Kick Off in Riga on Sunday
From July 5 to 10, Riga will host the Riga Open 2026 World Cup stage in 100-square checkers, and on July 8, the World Rapid Championship for women and open category will take place. Over 100 participants are expected, including top international grandmasters.
Starting Sunday, July 5, the Riga Open 2026, a stage of the World Cup in 100-square checkers, will be held in Riga until July 10. On July 8, which is a rest day for the Riga Open, the World Rapid Championship in 100-square checkers will be contested separately for women and in an open category. Each event has attracted over 100 participants, with the majority representing Latvia. Notable Latvian players include international grandmasters Guntis Valners and Raimonds Vipulis.
The competition will also feature leading global players such as grandmasters Aleksandrs Švarcmans from Israel, Jurijs Aņikejevs from Ukraine, Jan Groenendijk and Wouter Sipma from the Netherlands, as well as top female grandmasters Viktoria Motričko and Natalia Sadowska, both from Poland.
The Riga Open 2026 is part of the World Cup series in the sport of draughts (100-square checkers). The World Rapid Championship on July 8 will be held separately for women and in an open category. With over 100 participants per event, the tournament promises intense competition. The presence of top international grandmasters from countries like Israel, Ukraine, the Netherlands, and Poland highlights the global appeal of the event. Local fans will have the opportunity to see Latvian grandmasters Guntis Valners and Raimonds Vipulis challenge the world's best. The Latvian Checkers Federation organized the event, showcasing Latvia's role in the international checkers community.
