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2026 AWC Discussion and Blogposts

AtomicWorldChamp

This forum thread welcomes all discussion surrounding the AWC, and doesn't have to be directly related to the organizing and scheduling itself.

Feel free to post any feedback, share your impressions on a recent match, mention anything you find exciting, talk about your own experience in the tournament, or share and discuss blog articles related to the AWC!

This forum thread welcomes all discussion surrounding the AWC, and doesn't have to be directly related to the organizing and scheduling itself. Feel free to post any feedback, share your impressions on a recent match, mention anything you find exciting, talk about your own experience in the tournament, or share and discuss blog articles related to the AWC!
AtomicWorldChampedited

Out of fairness for all participants, and because those informations are quite precious in general to prepare matches:

  • A new atomic engine, more powerful than the latest fairy stockfish, has been released. You can find a database using that engine evaluations here: https://belzedar.duckdns.org/atomicdb/
    This impacts theory a lot, and inclues many new ideas, both offensive and defensive.

  • A website tracks most atomic players alternate accounts and lists their most played openings: https://atomicpuzzles.org/ - don't get surprised!

  • It is common before a match to look at the database of your opponent, to prepare answers before the match to their openings and defenses.

Good luck.

Out of fairness for all participants, and because those informations are quite precious in general to prepare matches: - A new atomic engine, more powerful than the latest fairy stockfish, has been released. You can find a database using that engine evaluations here: https://belzedar.duckdns.org/atomicdb/ This impacts theory a lot, and inclues many new ideas, both offensive and defensive. - A website tracks most atomic players alternate accounts and lists their most played openings: https://atomicpuzzles.org/ - don't get surprised! - It is common before a match to look at the database of your opponent, to prepare answers before the match to their openings and defenses. Good luck.
HowlinD

Indeed, it has been down for a few days. We don't know when it will get fixed.

Indeed, it has been down for a few days. We don't know when it will get fixed.
whatismymainbro

it is back up, and very slow, not sure if it supposed to be.

it is back up, and very slow, not sure if it supposed to be.
levi_blytheedited

Hey there everyone, some of you already found the first game review blog for the group stage and now the second blog featuring three matches at the same time has also been published! If you have some spare time and want to read about the matches feel free to head over and get an analysis of those games! Here is the link. Thanks for everyone who has read the first blog!

Hey there everyone, some of you already found the [first](https://lichess.org/@/levi_blythe/blog/the-awc-is-here-group-match-game-review-1/SCrTFwRY) game review blog for the group stage and now the [second](https://lichess.org/@/levi_blythe/blog/awc-group-match-game-review-2/IdFcnUU4) blog featuring three matches at the same time has also been published! If you have some spare time and want to read about the matches feel free to head over and get an analysis of those games! Here is the [link](https://lichess.org/@/levi_blythe/blog/awc-group-match-game-review-2/IdFcnUU4). Thanks for everyone who has read the first blog!
HowlinD

@levi_blythe said ^

That was a very nice and high-effort post, thanks for sharing!

@levi_blythe said [^](/forum/redirect/post/el2LSaHc) That was a very nice and high-effort post, thanks for sharing!
whatismymainbro

also just a question, has there ever been a year without someone cheating? it really seems like there is at least 1 person who does every year.

also just a question, has there ever been a year without someone cheating? it really seems like there is at least 1 person who does every year.
AtomicWorldChampedited

The group stage is over: predictions for top 16 are now open on Challonge (https://challonge.com/2026awc/predictions). You have until Saturday, October 31st, 23:59 UTC, to send your top 16 predictions, with 1-month Patron wings for the winner, and a shout-out during the finals stream.

If you are a betting person, you can also bet on each individual matches on atomicpuzzles.org (https://atomicpuzzles.org/betting?view=markets&market=r16).

Then, the tournament will resume, and Round of 16 matches will need to be played before Sunday, November 8th, 23:59 UTC. The schedule has been updated to reflect these changes.

The group stage is over: predictions for top 16 are now open on Challonge (https://challonge.com/2026awc/predictions). You have until Saturday, October 31st, 23:59 UTC, to send your top 16 predictions, with 1-month Patron wings for the winner, and a shout-out during the finals stream. If you are a betting person, you can also bet on each individual matches on atomicpuzzles.org (https://atomicpuzzles.org/betting?view=markets&market=r16). Then, the tournament will resume, and Round of 16 matches will need to be played before Sunday, November 8th, 23:59 UTC. The schedule has been updated to reflect these changes.
MarcotheTiger

MarcoThetiger's Predictions

Good Luck All

## MarcoThetiger's Predictions - @judebaetorrens wins against @theatomicstorm - @sutcunuri wins against @TolyaStarina0991 - @Maracker wins against @RabbieR - @maxwellssilvrhammer wins against @sircachetes - @jakestatefarm wins against @DanDan2016 - @rechesster wins against @RenaudMerle - @Quasabianth wins against @HowlinD - @natso wins against @Crepuscular - - - Good Luck All

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