Jiang Tianyu, a member of the Chinese National Chess Team and a chess player from Liaocheng, cheers for the 2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports! From October 11 to 16, the 2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports will be held in Liaocheng, China.

Known as the “Home of Chess”, Liaocheng received the FISU flag in 2024 and secured the hosting rights for the 2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports.

With over two decades of dedicated development, more than 300 schools across Liaocheng have launched chess courses. The city boasts over 400,000 chess enthusiasts, a number of sports masters and FIDE masters, and a coaching and referee team of nearly 200 members. An integrated training system covering popularization, coaching and competitions has taken shape. Liaocheng regularly hosts competitions at all levels, fostering a vibrant sporting culture. It has staged high-profile events including the China-India Chess Match and the Ring Star International Chess Tournament, and created the World Chess Day Cultural Festival. Advancing both public chess outreach and elite talent cultivation, Liaocheng has grown into a renowned city for mind sports events in China.

Liaocheng opens its arms to welcome friends from all over the world to this grand gathering, to experience the unique charm of the city.