On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Mandoulides Schools hosted for the second consecutive year the Thessaloniki – Halkidiki Regional Team School Chess Championship, continuing their collaboration with the Chess Clubs Union of Thessaloniki–Halkidiki (ΕΣΣΘ–Χ).
This year’s Team Championship saw even greater participation compared to last year. In total, 93 teams from Primary, Junior High, and Senior High Schools, up from 86 the previous year, each consisting of at least four players, competed in the 24th Open Team School Chess Championship of Thessaloniki – Halkidiki 2026. The event was exceptionally well organized in every respect, leaving all participants satisfied. The generous sponsorship by MEVGAL is commendable, which provided more than one thousand milk wafers to the athletes and event staff.
The Championship began with the Technical Meeting (a briefing for team leaders on the technical details of the competition), held in the Press Room of the Indoor Gymnasium at the Schools’ Cultural Center. This was followed by the six-round tournament in the main competition hall of the Indoor Gymnasium. The day concluded with the awards ceremony for the winners, while parents had the opportunity to watch from the stands.
The teams of Mandoulides Schools delivered an impressive performance:
· The Senior High School team won 1st place among 12 schools.
· The Junior High School team secured 2nd place among 26 schools.
· Two of the four Primary School teams ranked within the top ten (5th and 9th place) among 55 schools.
Participating Students by Team
Senior High School Team: V. Bekiaris, E. Sikalidou, M.–K. Skodras, O. Chasiotis (Grade 10), E. Sikalidou (Grade 11)
Junior High School Team: I. Deves, F. Nikakis (Grade 7), K. Misios, D. Charalampidis (Grade 8), A. Nikaki (Grade 9)
Primary School Team 1: N.–G. Kleisarchakis, P. Kleisarchaki (Grade 5), N. Eleftheriou, L. Kiritopoulos, K. Stathis, G.–M. Tsitampani (Grade 6)
Primary School Team 2: E. Avraam, I. Komisopoulos, V. Mourans (Grade 3), A. Siamis (Grade 4), S. Komisopoulos (Grade 5), Z. Popova (Grade 6)
Primary School Team 3: F. Matziari, O. Kliaris, S. Popov (Grade 2), V. Popova, G. Termentzis, E. Termentzi (Grade 3)
Primary School Team 4: A. Venetis, A. Batsos, M. Batsou, L.–Z. Papamichail (Grade 2), K. Arapoglou (Grade 3), M. Tzigalidi (Grade 5)
The next goal for our teams is the National Team Student Championship, which this year, just like last year and after nearly 25 years, will once again take place in Thessaloniki, at Pavilion 6 of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), on May 2.
We warmly congratulate our students for their outstanding achievements and wish them the best of luck at the National Team Student Championship!
