The World Youth under-16 Chess Olympiad 2016 was held in Slovakia from July 21st to July 30th and attracted 261 players from 40 countries.

Iran faced Slovakia 2, Austria, Canada, Hungary, Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Serbia and Romania. Parham Maghsoodloo, Alireza Firouzja, FM Aryan Gholami, Arash Tahbaz, WFM Anahita Zahedifar and team captain Khosro Harandi finished first winning gold for Iran for the second consecutive year. Silver went to Russia and bronze to Armenia.

The Iranian team achieved very good performances in recent years at this event: 2016 (1st), 2015 (1st), 2014 (3rd), 2013 (8th), 2012 (2nd) and 2011 (3rd). As of August 2016, Iran has five top 100 junior players (FIDE).

Iranian team results after each round

Round 1 – Iran 4 : 0 Slovakia 2

Round 2 – Austria 2 : 2 Iran

Round 3 – Iran 4 : 0 Canada

Round 4 – Hungary 1 : 3 Iran

Round 5 – Iran 3 : 1 Armenia

Round 6 – Russia 1 : 3 Iran

Round 7 – Belarus 1 : 3 Iran

Round 8 – Iran 3 ½ : ½ Serbia

Round 9 – Iran 2 ½ : 1 ½ Romania

Sources: World Youth Chess Olympiad (WYCO) 2016 (Gallery), WYCO 2016 (Results by country), WYCO 2016 (Best players by board), FIDE (Top 100 junior players – Aug. 2016)