Yahli Sokolovsky claims maiden Israeli Championship title at 19

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