AUM Awards Full Academic Scholarships to Chess Players

The American University of Mongolia (AUM) has awarded four-year academic scholarships to the coach and players of its “Гэгээн Арвай” Chess Club, who represented Mongolia at the 46th World Chess Olympiad. Each scholarship covers 100 percent of tuition and is valued at MNT 60 million.

AUM also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mongolian Chess Federation to work together on a chess league for university students.

Mongolia’s success at the Olympiad

Held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in September 2026, the 46th World Chess Olympiad brought together national teams from around the world. Mongolia’s men’s team finished 26th among 206 teams and won a silver medal in Category B.

The women’s team scored 17 match points and tied with the teams that placed third through seventh. Based on the tie-break results, Mongolia finished seventh—its best result in the history of the Women’s Chess Olympiad.

“Гэгээн Арвай” players on Mongolia’s national teams

Players from AUM’s “Гэгээн Арвай” Chess Club, led by Grandmaster B. Gundavaa, represented Mongolia at the Olympiad and contributed to the teams’ results:

• IM G. Amartuvshin — International Master; third board, men’s team

• WGM B. Mungunzул — Woman Grandmaster; first board, women’s team

• WCM Kh. Bayasgalan — Woman Candidate Master; third board, women’s team

• IM, WGM B. Munguntuul — International Master and Woman Grandmaster; fourth board, women’s team

At its third council meeting of 2026, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) officially confirmed B. Mungunzул’s Woman Grandmaster title. She is the eighth Mongolian woman to earn the title.

Academic scholarships for chess players

In recognition of their international achievements, AUM awarded the “Гэгээн Арвай” coach and players scholarships covering 100 percent of tuition for four years, valued at MNT 60 million per recipient. The scholarships are intended to help the players pursue higher education while continuing their training and competing internationally.

AUM President Robert Ritz said:

“Professional chess players regularly travel for international competitions and training, which can make it difficult to keep up with a university schedule. As a result, some young athletes have to postpone higher education to continue their sporting careers. AUM is addressing this challenge by providing four-year tuition scholarships to the players of Grandmaster B. Gundavaa’s ‘Гэгээн Арвай’ Chess Club. This gives them the opportunity to continue competing while earning a university degree. We will continue working with Grandmaster B. Gundavaa to support professional chess players through academic scholarships, organize competitions, and expand our collaboration.”

AUM also awarded a tuition scholarship to Grandmaster B. Gundavaa, one of Mongolia’s leading chess players and coaches, in recognition of his work advancing both chess and education.

Partnership to launch a university chess league

During the event, Mongolian Chess Federation Secretary General J. Amgalan and AUM representatives signed a memorandum of understanding. Under the agreement, the partners will work toward establishing a chess league for university students, promoting chess among young people, identifying emerging talent, and helping players develop their skills.

Cymbol Diamonds also presented commemorative gifts to the players in recognition of their dedication and international achievements.

AUM will continue supporting talented chess players as they pursue both sporting success and higher education, while working to develop chess among university students.