Desert Penguins at Junior World Chess Championships 2026

Desert Penguins Chess Club is celebrating a remarkable achievement as two of our players, Mobai Lu and Eva Ding, have earned the right to represent England on the international stage following outstanding performances at the English Youth Championships.

Mobai Lu was crowned English Under-10 Girls Champion, securing the national title after an excellent tournament performance. 

Her victory earned her a place at the FIDE World Cup Girls Under-10, which will take place in Batumi, Georgia, from 16–27 June 2026.

Meanwhile, Eva Ding produced an equally impressive performance in the Under-16 Girls Championship, finishing as National Runner-Up after a closely contested playoff. 

Eva has qualified to represent England at the FIDE World Youth Championship Girls Under-16, which will be held in Montesilvano, Italy, from 15–26 June 2026.

For a club of our size, this is an exceptional achievement. 

Many chess clubs across the UK can go years without producing a national champion. 

This year, Desert Penguins is proud to celebrate both an English Champion and an English Championship Runner-Up, with both players going on to represent not only our club but also England at the highest level of junior chess.

The success of Mobai and Eva is a testament to their hard work, dedication and love for the game. 

Their achievements are also a source of inspiration for the many younger players who train alongside them each week at Desert Penguins.

Everyone at Desert Penguins wishes Mobai and Eva the very best of luck as they prepare to compete against some of the strongest young players from around the world. 

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to following their progress on the world stage.

  Go Go Penguins! 🐧♟️