International Chess Federation

Chess boards from the 46th FIDE Olympiad to find new homes across the world

editor_d — Thu, 21 May 2026 08:17:43 +0000

The boards from the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand will be distributed to national federations after the event, leaving a piece of the world’s biggest chess festival with the global community long after the final round is played.

Every two years, the Chess Olympiad brings together thousands of players from across the globe, competing on the same boards, in the same halls, under the same pressure that defines the sport at its highest level. When the 46th Chess Olympiad concludes in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the boards played on throughout the event will not disappear into storage. Instead, they will continue their journey in federations and tournaments around the world.

Around 900 DGT boards that will be distributed are not replicas or souvenirs produced for the occasion. They are the very same electronic boards on which the world’s strongest national teams will have competed across eleven rounds of the Open and Women’s sections of the Olympiad. For the federations that receive them, they will remain practical tournament equipment while also carrying the history of the games played on them.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich welcomed the initiative: “The Chess Olympiad brings together the entire chess world, and these boards will carry that spirit into federations across every continent. These boards symbolize the very spirit of Gens Una Sumus but, no less importantly, will provide an important practical solution for many federations.”

Federations wishing to receive electronic boards from the 46th Chess Olympiad are invited to submit a request by email to gsc@fide.com, indicating the number of boards they would like to receive.

2nd World Youth Chess Solving Championship: Registration now open

editor_d — Tue, 19 May 2026 13:28:10 +0000

FIDE and the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC), together with the Italian Chess Federation and UniChess, are pleased to announce the 2nd World Youth Chess Solving Championship 2026. The event will be held in Montesilvano, Italy, on June 16, 2026, starting at 10:00 local time.

The competition will take place between the 1st and 2nd rounds of the World Youth Chess Championship (WYCC) 2026, sharing the same age categories as the over-the-board tournaments: under 14, under 16 and under 18.

There will be separate rankings for Open and Girls. Girls may choose to compete in the Open category by notifying the organizers before the tournament.

Solving format

Each category will solve a different set of 8 problems, including:

3 problems in 2 moves
2 problems in 3 moves
1 problem in 4 moves
2 endgames

Time allowed: 90 minutes

Official information:

Date: June 16, 2026
Location: Montesilvano, Italy (venue same as WYCC-2026)
Regulations (PDF)
Registration form: https://form.jotform.com/FCCC/WYSC-2026
Participation fee: €25 per person

Additional info: Marjan KOVAČEVIĆ WFC President, +381621792972

E-mail: president@wfcc.ch

Official website: https://www.chessworldyouth.com/world-youth-chess-solving-championships/

Chess superstars headline a packed World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships in Hong Kong

editor_d — Tue, 19 May 2026 07:07:23 +0000

By Milan Dinic

With less than a month to go to the biggest World Rapid and Blitz team event, the lineups have been revealed. Altogether, 43 teams and more than 300 players are confirmed for the fourth edition of the WTRB.

The leading teams from previous editions, WR Chess, Hexamind, and Team MGD1, all return with stellar lineups. But Hong Kong will also feature notable newcomers, including the all-Chinese Dragon Chilling squad led by Ding Liren.

WR will be the most eye-catching team in Hong Kong and the top favourites for the first spot, having won the inaugural Rapid Championship in 2023 and the Blitz events in 2024 and 2025. Their biggest asset is Magnus Carlsen – currently the only 2800-rated player in the world. Featuring Fabiano Caruana, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Wesley So, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Hou Yifan, and Alexandra Kosteniuk, the lineup resembles a list of top-rated players in the world.

WR’s biggest rivals by rating are Hexamind, with elite players such as Levon Aronian, Anish Giri, Alireza Firouzja, Vidit Gujrathi, Kateryna Lagno, and – the 2024 World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin. In 2025, they took silver in the Rapid and bronze in the Blitz in London.

Another big contender will be India’s Team MGD1, who has been one of the most consistent sides in the World Rapid and Blitz Teams. In 2023 they took the bronze in Rapid, took silver in the Blitz in 2024 and then won the 2025 World Rapid Team title in London, with 21 match points from 12 rounds. Bringing the core of India’s new generation, the team features some of the most notable young names in chess today – Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, Pranav V, Leon Luke Mendonca, as well as Harika Dronavalli.

Another notable Indian-rooted squad in Hong Kong is Chessgurukul. Their lineup includes super-strong young Indian GMs such as Praggnanandhaa R, Aravindh Chithambaram, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Pranesh M. Built around players closely linked to the Chess Gurukul school and to RB Ramesh’s wider influence on Indian chess, this team can spring a surprise in any match and should be closely watched.

Dragon Chilling has one of the most attractive national-style lineups, led by Ding Liren, Wei Yi, Yu Yangyi, Ju Wenjun, and Lei Tingjie. The biggest news is the return of former World Champion Ding Liren, who has largely retreated from the chess world after his loss to Gukesh in the 2024 match for the world crown. The World Rapid and Blitz Teams in Hong Kong will be the first time since 2024 that Ding plays in a major international event with super-elite players.

Another team from Asia – with a strong track record in the WRBT – is Kazchess, standing out with the heavyweights such as Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Alexander Grischuk, Richard Rapport, Wang Hao (the winner of the inaugural Grand Swiss, in 2019), Bibisara Assaubayeva, and Kazybek Nogerbek.

Uzbekistan has a very serious squad built around Nodirbek Abdusattorov, World Championship Challenger Javokhir Sindarov, as well as their top players Nodirbek Yakubboev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov, and one of the top players from the early 2000s and former FIDE World Champion, Rustam Kasimdzhanov.

Chess United are especially notable because of Viswanathan Anand, Humpy Koneru, Jorden van Foreest, and – the recently confirmed second youngest GM in chess history – Faustino Oro.

Endgame.AI should not be overlooked either, with Hans Niemann, Leinier Dominguez, Amin Tabatabaei, Alexey Sarana, Denis Lazavik, and Zhu Jiner.

The fast chess quality is also very high. Most of the top players of FIDE’s May 2026 Blitz ranking appear in this approved list, with Carlsen, Firouzja, Arjun, Artemiev, Vachier-Lagrave, Aronian, Anand, and Caruana all present.

WR Chess is the glamour team of the 2026 WRB Teams event, but several rival squads have enough star power to challenge them. The fact that teams have to include not only pros but also recreational players whose performance can vary makes it hard to predict anything but a big show in Hong Kong.

The full list of teams and lineups is available on the event website: Registered teams

About the Hong Kong WTRBC edition

The 2026 edition will take place in Hong Kong during the event week of 16 to 22 June. The competition days are scheduled for 17 to 21 June at Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Rapid will be played as a Swiss event over 12 rounds from 17 to 19 June, with a time control of 15 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. Blitz follows on 20 and 21 June, beginning with pools before a 16 team knockout. The blitz time control is 3 minutes plus 2 seconds.

The total prize fund is €500,000. Rapid receives €310,000, while blitz receives €190,000. The rapid champions will earn €110,000, and the blitz champions €75,000.

The other major addition is the inaugural FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup, which will run alongside the main championship. That gives the 2026 edition a broader festival shape and reinforces the event’s central idea of bringing elite and amateur chess closer together.

About the Word Team Rapid & Blitz Championships

The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships began in 2023 in Düsseldorf. The first edition featured rapid chess only. Blitz was added in 2024, turning it into the current two-title event. Three editions have been completed so far, in Düsseldorf, Astana, and London. Hong Kong 2026 will be the fourth.

Clubs, companies, federations, and independent groups to enter the competition. Every match is played over six boards. Each team must include at least one female player and at least one recreational player, defined as someone who has never reached a FIDE rating of 2000 in standard, rapid, or blitz.

The rapid title was won by WR Chess in 2023, Al-Ain ACMG UAE in 2024, and Team MGD1 in 2025. Blitz was added to the programme in 2024. WR Chess won that title in both 2024 and 2025.

Giovanni Longo International Chess Museum opens in Marostica, Italy

editor_d — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:31:44 +0000

The Giovanni Longo International Chess Museum – City of Marostica officially opened its doors on May 16 in Marostica, in the province of Vicenza, Veneto. The museum is located in the 14th-century Lower Castle, overlooking the city’s famous Chess Square, internationally renowned for the “Living Chess Game” staged every two years in autumn. It is the first museum of its kind in Italy and one of the very few dedicated chess museums in Europe.

The museum was established thanks to a donation by Giovanni Longo, a distinguished collector who wished to make the objects he gathered over the years accessible to the public. The exhibition features around 150 items, including 90 chess sets and boards, displayed in a modern exhibition space designed to be fully accessible to visually impaired and hearing-impaired visitors, with a free app serving as an audio guide.

The collection is extended across four rooms dedicated to four continents – Europe, America, Asia, and Africa – and includes both antique and contemporary works of exceptional beauty and value. Among the highlights are giant chess sets created by the Milanese artist Enrico Baj, a chess set designed by Max Ernst, and many other remarkable masterpieces.

Speakers at the inauguration included the Mayor of Marostica, Matteo Mozzo; Mara Bizzotto, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy; Marco Zecchinato, Regional Councillor for Interregional Cooperation; and Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation (FSI). The guest of honor was Zurab Azmaiparashvili, President of the European Chess Union, who congratulated both the city and the Italian chess community on this extraordinary achievement.

“The works come from all over the world,” explained donor Giovanni Longo, “and trace a journey through the centuries, from the 18th century to the present day, beginning with Chinese and Indian craftsmanship and arriving at contemporary interpretations of the game of chess. The exhibition includes chessboards and sets of every size, from miniature artifacts to monumental works measuring three by three meters, as well as sculptures, unique pieces, chess clocks, symbolic objects, and various curiosities.”

“In this period of rapid growth for Italian chess,” added Maggi, “with the Federation reaching record numbers of members and affiliated clubs, we warmly welcome the opening of this Museum. It connects the present of this wonderful sport with its glorious past and gives Italy an exhibition space that highlights the inseparable bond between chess, art, and culture.”

Winners crowned at inaugural Turkic Nations Team Chess Championship

editor_d — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:55:43 +0000

Astana stood at the crossroads of the Turkic world from May 14 to 17, 2026, capturing its significance across several domains. On the eve of the event, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid a state visit to the capital of Kazakhstan at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Concurrently, on May 15, Turkistan hosted an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States dedicated to Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.

Against this backdrop, the Kazakh National University of Sports in Astana hosted two major chess events: the inaugural Turkic Open and Women’s Team Chess Championships 2026 and the Turkic Youth U16 Chess Olympiad 2026.

Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, highlighted the significance of this coincidence: “Kazakhstan is the first in the region to host this new tournament for the Turkic world. It is highly symbolic that the event coincides with the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Astana. Under our President’s policy, Kazakhstan is consistently strengthening its position within the Turkic space, and chess is becoming a prominent tool of this diplomacy. It is no longer just a sport, but a vital element of friendship between our nations.”

Serik Zharasbayev, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, extended a warm welcome to the audience at the opening ceremony: “On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, I would like to thank all the participants and heads of delegations for joining us. I also want to personally thank Timur Turlov for his immense contribution as President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. We are already seeing the fruits of this labor. Today, we have world-class players achieving great success on the international stage—talents like Kazybek Nogerbek and Bibisara Assaubayeva, who made history as our country’s first three-time World Rapid Champion. This is a monumental achievement. I wish everyone continued success. Onward to new heights and great victories!”

In each of the three categories (Open, Women, and Youth U16), seven national teams competed in a round-robin system. The participating nations were Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, with the latter fielding two teams in each tournament as the host nation. Each team line-up consisted of four main players, one reserve, and a captain. The competitions used the new classical 45+30 format, allocating 45 minutes per game with a 30-second increment for every move. The guaranteed prize fund amounted to 27 million tenge (approximately 54,000 US dollars). The event was organized by FIDE, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess), the Kazakh National University of Sports, and the Akimat of Astana. Freedom Holding Corp. served as the General Partner of the championship.

The Open Championship

The open tournament brought together 13 Grandmasters and 18 International Masters. The battle for the title lasted until the last moments of the final round.

The national team of Kyrgyzstan delivered the biggest upset of the final round by defeating the higher-rated Uzbek team with a score of 3-1, remaining undefeated on every single board. This result largely shaped the final standings: both Kazakhstan-2 and Kazakhstan-1 won their respective final matches to ascend to the top of the standings, followed by Azerbaijan.

Final Standings (Turkic Open Team Chess Championships 2026):

Kazakhstan-2: 9 match points, 13½ board points (Prize: 5 million tenge, approximately $10,000)
Kazakhstan-1: 8 match points, 13 board points (Prize: 3.5 million tenge, approximately $7,000)
Azerbaijan: 7 match points, 14½ board points (Prize: 2 million tenge, approximately $4,000)
Uzbekistan: 7 match points, 12½ board points
Turkey: 5 match points, 12 board points
Kyrgyzstan: 5 match points, 9½ board points
Turkmenistan: 1 match point, 9 board points

Best Individual Board Results:

Board 1: 1. IM Zhandos Agmanov (Kazakhstan-2, 4½ points); 2. GM Ahmad Ahmadzada (Azerbaijan, 4 points); 3. GM Saparmyrat Atabayev (Turkmenistan, 3½ points).

Board 2: 1. GM Denis Makhnev (Kazakhstan-1, 4 points); 2. GM Ramazan Zhalmakhanov (Kazakhstan-2, 3½ points); 3. GM Misratdin Iskandarov (Azerbaijan, 3½ points).

Board 3: 1. IM Aldiyar Ansat (Kazakhstan-1, 4 points); 2. IM Arda Camlar (Turkey, 3 points); 3. IM Satbek Akhmedinov (Kazakhstan-2, 3 points).

Board 4: 1. IM Tologontegin Semetey (Kyrgyzstan, 3½ points); 2. IM Saidakbar Saydaliev (Uzbekistan, 3½ points); 3. IM Shiroglan Talibov (Azerbaijan, 2½ points).

Board 5: 1. IM Murad Ibrahimli (Azerbaijan, 3½ points); 2. IM Umut Ata Akbas (Turkey, 3½ points).

The Women’s Championship

The Women’s tournament featured six International Masters, five Woman Grandmasters, and five Woman International Masters. The national team of Azerbaijan entered as the clear favorite, fielding the exact same powerhouse line-up that secured the silver medal at the 2025 World Team Chess Championship with IM Ulviyya Fataliyeva (2450, ranked world No. 25 in the FIDE standings) and IM Gunay Mammadzada (2374) on first and second boards, respectively. Uzbekistan’s formidable roster included WGM Afruza Khamdamova (2423, ranked world No. 34 in the FIDE standings) and WGM Umida Omonova (2357).

The women’s competition was equally exciting, with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan pitted against each other in the final round. Azerbaijan, having a two-point advantage, secured a draw against Uzbekistan to successfully defend their first-place position. Meanwhile, the Kazakhstan-1 team delivered a dominant 3½–½ victory over Turkmenistan to leapfrog Uzbekistan and claim the silver spot on the podium.

Final Standings (Turkic Women’s Team Chess Championship 2026):

Azerbaijan: 10 match points, 18½ board points (Prize: 5 million tenge, approximately $10,000)
Kazakhstan-1: 9 match points, 16½ board points (Prize: 3.5 million tenge, approximately $7,000)
Uzbekistan: 8 match points, 15½ board points (Prize: 2 million tenge, approximately $4,000)
Kazakhstan-2: 6 match points, 13 board points
Turkmenistan: 6 match points, 11 board points
Kyrgyzstan: 2 match points, 4½ board points
Turkey: 1 match point, 5 board points

Best individual board results:

Board 1: 1. WGM Afruza Khamdamova (Uzbekistan, 4½ points); 2. WGM Liya Kurmangaliyeva (Kazakhstan-2, 4 points); 3. WFM Lala Shokhradova (Turkmenistan, 3½ points).

Board 2: 1. IM Meruert Kamalidenova (Kazakhstan-1, 5½ points); 2. WGM Umida Omonova (Uzbekistan, 3½ points); 3. WIM Assel Serikbay (Kazakhstan-2, 3 points).

Board 3: 1. WGM Govhar Beydullayeva (Azerbaijan, 4½ points); 2. WFM Jahan Rejepova (Turkmenistan, 3 points); 3. WIM Guldona Karimova (Uzbekistan, 2½ points).

Board 4: 1. IM Khanim Balajayeva (Azerbaijan, 4½ points); 2. WCM Madinabonu Khalilova (Uzbekistan, 4 points); 3. WFM Aiaru Altynbek (Kazakhstan-2, 3 points).

Board 5: 1. IM Gulnar Mammadova (Azerbaijan, 4 points); 2. WIM Zarina Nurgaliyeva (Kazakhstan-1, 3 points); 3. WFM Alanna Berikkyzy (Kazakhstan-2, 2½ points).

The Youth U16 Olympiad

In the youth tournament, the national team of Azerbaijan, consisting of IM Khagan Ahmad (2472), FM Shamsi Garakhanov (2316), Pasham Alizade (2252), and WFM Lala Huseynova (2149), secured first place ahead of schedule. The remaining spots on the podium went to the host country’s selections: the Kazakhstan-1 team whitewashed Turkey 4-0 in their final encounter, while Kazakhstan-2 locked in their top-three finish by overcoming Kyrgyzstan with a 3-1 victory.

Final Standings (Turkic Youth U16 Chess Olympiad 2026):

Azerbaijan: 10 match points, 16 board points (Prize: 2.5 million tenge, approximately $5,000)
Kazakhstan-1: 9 match points, 18 board points (Prize: 2 million tenge, approximately $4,000)
Kazakhstan-2: 7 match points, 13 board points (Prize: 1.5 million tenge, approximately $3,000)
Turkey: 7 match points, 11 board points
Uzbekistan: 6 match points, 13 board points
Kyrgyzstan: 3 match points, 8 board points
Turkmenistan: 0 match points, 5 board points

Best individual board results:

Board 1: 1. IM Khagan Ahmad (Azerbaijan, 6 points); 2. IM Sauat Nurgaliyev (Kazakhstan-1, 5 points); 3. FM Nazar Talgatov (Kazakhstan-2, 3½ points).

Board 2: 1. GM Edgar Mamedov (Kazakhstan-1, 5 points); 2. FM Aldiyar Zhauynbay (Kazakhstan-2, 4 points); 3. CM Sadullo Azizov (Uzbekistan, 4 points).

Board 3: 1. Pasham Alizade (Azerbaijan, 4½ points); 2. CM Ruslan Momunaliev (Kyrgyzstan, 4 points); 3. FM Javokhir Bozorov (Uzbekistan, 4 points).

Board 4: 1. WFM Mariya Kholyavko (Kazakhstan-1, 5 points); 2. WFM Nilufarkhon Imomkuzieva (Uzbekistan, 4½ points); 3. Dilber Hupbyyeva (Turkmenistan, 3½ points).

The inaugural Turkic Nations Team Chess Championship highlighted the exceptional competitive standard of all six participating delegations. Competitors from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan showcased a fierce and uncompromising spirit across all categories; the majority of the final outcomes were decided only in the closing moments of the tournament. The championship has successfully established a new tradition of regular competitions between the chess federations of the Turkic states.

Photos: lk-studio

Bharat Singh Chauhan Re-elected as Chairman of Commonwealth Chess Association

editor_d — Mon, 18 May 2026 07:29:45 +0000

Wasakaduwa, Sri Lanka, May 18, 2026 – Continuing his remarkable contribution towards the growth and development of chess over the last five decades, Mr. Bharat Singh Chauhan of India has been re-elected unanimously and unopposed as Chairman of the Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) for the term 2026–2030.

The elections were held during the Annual General Body Meeting of the Commonwealth Chess Association at Citrus Hotel, Wasakaduwa, Sri Lanka, on Sunday.

Mr. Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidsh Sanusi of Malaysia was elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman, Mr. G. Luxman Wijesuriya of Sri Lanka as General Secretary, and Mr. Vicky Magu of South Africa as Treasurer. Mr. Hurrynarain Bhowany of Mauritius, Mr. Allan Herbert of Barbados, Mr. Benard Wanjala of Kenya, Mr. Craig Hall of New Zealand and Mr. Crition Tornaritis of Cyprus were also elected unopposed as Executive Members of the Association.

The election process was conducted under the supervision of Hon’ble Santiago Pushpa Kumara Ekaratne, Retired Judge of the High Court, who served as the Returning Officer for the elections.

During the meeting, the Association also resolved to introduce the Commonwealth School Chess Championship, with the inaugural edition scheduled to be held in Malaysia in October 2026.

Mr. Chauhan’s re-election reflects the confidence and trust placed in his visionary leadership and longstanding dedication towards strengthening and promoting chess across the Commonwealth nations. Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya’s re-election as General Secretary is a testament to his exceptional administrative skills and valuable contribution to the smooth functioning and continued progress of the Commonwealth Chess Association.

Commonwealth Chess Championship 2026 opens in Sri Lanka

editor_d — Sun, 17 May 2026 13:42:09 +0000

Commonwealth Chess Championship 2026 opens in Sri Lanka

More than 500 players, representing 14 countries, participate in the competition, taking place from May 17-25, 2026. The opening ceremony was attended by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich as well as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) is hosting the nine-day event on behalf of the Commonwealth Chess Association and FIDE. The tournament includes several categories. In addition to the Open Section, there are age group events for women and youth players, ranging from Under 8 to Under 18, in the classical format. There will also be Rapid and Blitz events held on the first three days.

Luxman Wijesuriya, President of CFSL, said that it was a great honour for Sri Lanka to host the event for the third time in the last ten years: “Obviously it is a top-level event, and hosting it positions Sri Lanka as an excellent location for important chess events.”

“It indicates the level of confidence that FIDE and the Commonwealth Chess Association have in CFSL… It must also be mentioned that hosting the event obviously makes for greater participation of the most talented Sri Lankans, enabling them to cross swords with the best players in their respective categories,” he added.

“The Commonwealth Chess Association has been a valuable part of the international chess family since 1980, bringing together countries from across the globe, with very different chess traditions and levels of development. The hosts – Sri Lanka – have a proud and growing chess community, and here we see a strong commitment to the development of chess,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said.

Dvorkovich noted that this is a “remarkable moment” for chess in Asia with world-class players, major events, and strong federations growing new talent.

“This connects strongly with FIDE’s wider work in promoting chess, and we will continue to work closely with national federations, public institutions, and private partners to bring more opportunities to players across Asia and across the world.”

Sunil Kumara Gamage, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, welcomed all the players to his country, describing the tournament as a “remarkable celebration of intellect, discipline, and sportsmanship.”

“I wish to extend our welcome to Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE, whose leadership resonates strongly across the world. I also take this opportunity to respectfully acknowledge Mr. Bharat Singh Chauhan, a towering figure in the global chess community whose 50-year dedication to the game has inspired players across the world,” Kumara Gamage added.

Bharat Singh and Luxman Wijesuriya: 50 years of chess life

The Commonwealth Chess Championship was also an occasion to celebrate the dedication and work of two important figures in the chess world, Bharat Singh Chauhan from India and Luxman Wijesuriya from Sri Lanka.

Bharat Singh Chauhan is a prominent Indian chess administrator, organiser, and International Arbiter who helped shape chess administration in India and beyond. He was instrumental in building the chess infrastructure in Asia through tournament organisation, international federation work, and the development and execution of plans to expand chess through schools, youth events, and stronger national systems.

He served as Secretary of the All India Chess Federation and became one of the key figures behind India’s growing role in international chess. He was the Tournament Director of the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai in 2022. Bharat Singh Chauhan is the Chairman of the FIDE Advisory Board, Deputy President of the Asian Chess Federation, and Chairman of the Commonwealth Chess Association.

Luxman Wijesuriya is one of the central figures in Sri Lankan chess administration. He serves as the General Secretary of the Commonwealth Chess Association and Vice President of the Asian Chess Federation. Wijesuriya is the brother of two prominent Sri Lankan chess players: Suneetha Wijesuriya, Sri Lanka’s 1992 Chess Olympiad individual gold medallist, and Vineetha Wijesuriya, an eleven-time Sri Lankan women’s champion.

Through his work, Wijesuriya has helped shape the structure of organised chess in Sri Lanka for many years, strengthening the domestic tournament system, spreading knowledge of ratings and titles, and bringing official Asian events to the country on a regular basis.

“Both Bharat Singh and Luxman Wijesuriya have played pivotal roles in the promotion of chess in Asia, laying the foundations for the continent’s current success,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said.

“The chess community around the world is grateful for their exceptional work and unwavering support over the last five decades. We owe a lot to these great people, and I am honoured to have had the privilege of learning from them and working with both of them directly,” Dvorkovich added.

About the Commonwealth Chess Association:

The Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) was founded in 1980 and unites the commonwealth chess federations while keeping strict neutrality in the internal affairs of the national chess federations. The CCA is concerned with supporting chess activity among the nations of the Commonwealth.

Last year’s Commonwealth Chess Championship was held in Malaysia and was won by English Grandmaster Daniel Howard Fernandez.

Official website: https://commonwealthchess.com/

David Navara and Joanna Worek crowned Czech Republic Champions

editor_d — Sat, 16 May 2026 21:35:38 +0000

GM David Navara and WGM Joanna Worek emerged victorious at the 2026 Czech National Championship. David claimed his 14th (!) title – a remarkable achievement – edging out rising star Václav Finěk, while Joanna captured her second national crown.

The 2026 Czech Championship, held in open and women’s sections, took place at the Bowling Brno area from May 7–16, 2026, and attracted most of the country’s top players. The open event was a 10-player round-robin, while the women’s competition followed an elimination system, comprising a preliminary round followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.

The open event evolved into a gripping duel between the two top seeds: Navara and Czech chess’s brightest young talent, Václav Finěk. Navara seized an early lead, but Finěk caught up with him after Round 5. The direct clash in Round 7 ended in a draw leaving them tied for the top position.

Both finished strongly, winning their last two games and totaling 7.5/9 points, but the superior Sonneborn–Berger tiebreaker awarded the title to Navara. Both the champion and the runner-up completed the competition unbeaten.

The bronze medal went to the experienced grandmaster Štěpán Žilka, who secured a draw against Richard Stalmach in the last round. The entire tournament was marked by uncompromising battles, with only 16 games out of 45 ending in a draw.

Final standings – Open

The women’s competition was arguably even more dramatic, with all medals matches decided in Armageddon tiebreak games. In the end, Joanna Worek won the gold medal, defeating WGM Kristýna Petrova. In the match for third place, WGM Tereza Rodshtein claimed bronze after overcoming WGM Olga Sikorová.

Final standings – Women

The PR manager of the Czech Chess Association and tournament director, Josef Bednařík, gave his thoughts on the Czech Championship during the closing ceremony: “I am thrilled with the course of this year’s Czech Championship. I would like to thank all the players for their fighting spirit and fair-play approach. The spectators certainly enjoyed the exciting games and the course of the tournaments, and I did too.”

The 2026 Czech Championship was supported by the statutory city of Brno, the South Moravian Region, the Bowling Brno area, and the Hotel Velká Klajdovka. Special thanks go to the Mayor of the statutory city of Brno, JUDr. Markéta Vaňková, and the 1st Deputy Governor of the South Moravian Region, Jiří Crh, who served as personal patrons of the tournament.

Photos: Czech Chess Federation (Facebook)

Official website: https://www.chess.cz/

Registration opens for African Continental Stage of FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026

editor_d — Sat, 16 May 2026 08:24:31 +0000

FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), with the support of its general partner Freedom Holding Corp. invite all FIDE member federations from Africa to participate in the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 (WSTC 2026).

The event will be held in the Cape Town area, South Africa, from July 6 (arrival) to July 11 (departure), 2026.

The African Continental Stage will become the second continental qualifier of the new World Schools Team Championship cycle held within the framework of the Year of Chess in Education 2026 initiative. The best teams will qualify directly for the WSTC 2026 Grand Final, where the continental champions will compete for the title of FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Champion 2026.

Team composition and eligibility

Each team shall consist of:

four main players;
one reserve player;
one non-playing captain

Each team must include at least one boy and at least one girl, except in specific cases provided for in the Regulations for single-gender educational institutions.

Players eligible to participate must be born between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018.

National federations are responsible for confirming that all players are officially enrolled in the educational institution they represent during the 2025–2026 academic year.

The tournament will be played over eight rounds using the Swiss system.

Participation conditions and organizer support

Within the framework of the Championship, selected teams will receive organizer support, including:

full-board accommodation;
airport and local transfers;
economy-class flight tickets for designated supported delegations

Detailed participation conditions are outlined in the official Invitation Letter and General Regulations.

Educational and cultural programme

In addition to the tournament itself, participants and guests will take part in a special educational and cultural programme organized in line with the Year of Chess in Education 2026 initiative. The programme will include:

masterclasses and lectures by leading chess players and educators;
interactive workshops;
side activities promoting educational exchange and intercultural dialogue

The Championship aims not only to identify the strongest school team on the continent but also to promote chess as a powerful educational and social development tool.

Registration

The registration deadline is June 18, 2026.

National federations are kindly encouraged to complete the registration process at the earliest opportunity, as the number of places in the tournament is limited, and organizer support conditions outlined in the Regulations are available only for the first 20 teams fully registered in compliance with the official requirements.

Teams may register only through their respective FIDE member federations using the official online registration form.

Registration form:
https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/registration-stage-africa

Full Invitation Letter, General Regulations and registration details are available at:
https://www.fide.com/wp-content/uploads/WSTC-2026-Invitation-Letter-African-Stage-1.pdf

Contact e-mail: worldschoolteam@fide.com

Official website: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/

FIDE EDU announces cooperation with Opening Master x Chesspertise

editor_d — Fri, 15 May 2026 11:05:16 +0000

The FIDE Education Commission is pleased to announce a new cooperation initiative with Opening Master and its advanced chess education platform Chesspertise.

This collaboration represents an important step toward strengthening structured chess education and improving access to modern training tools for chess players, coaches, federations, schools, and newcomers to the game.

FIDE EDU continuously seeks innovative educational solutions that support the development of teachers and students at every level from beginners discovering the beauty of chess to experienced tournament competitors seeking professional preparation.

Chesspertise is a next-generation chess training platform built around the renowned Opening Master database, offering access to:

More than 10.4 million over-the-board (OTB) human chess games
More than 2.2 million correspondence chess games
Structured opening preparation
Tactical training modules
Advanced search and filtering tools
Training and coaching environments
Game analysis functions
Performance-oriented study systems
Data-driven chess improvement tools
Integrated educational workflows for instructors and students

The platform aims to address one of the greatest challenges in modern chess education – fragmentation of training resources by integrating learning, preparation, analysis, and coaching into one unified environment.

Chesspertise is currently available on:

Apple Store (iPad and Desktop/macOS versions)
Google Play Store (Android Tablet version)
Microsoft Windows Store (Windows version)

The FIDE Education Commission particularly welcomes the initiative by Opening Master x Chesspertise to support Licensed FIDE School Instructors worldwide.

As part of this cooperation, Opening Master x Chesspertise has generously offered more than 1,000 complimentary lifetime licenses to FIDE EDU title holders, enabling educators to access the platform and integrate it into their teaching activities. All future certified chess instructors will also receive free access to use the platform.

We believe that modern chess education must combine tradition, pedagogy, technology, and structured data analysis and must be affordable to wide public. Tools such as Chesspertise can help federations, schools, academies, and private coaches create measurable and scalable educational programs for the next generation of chess players.

The FIDE Chess in Education Commission looks forward to future collaboration opportunities with Opening Master x Chesspertise, including educational webinars, instructor support initiatives, and potential federation-level partnerships.

We also encourage individual national chess federations to independently evaluate potential cooperation opportunities with Opening Master x Chesspertise on the national level, particularly in the areas of teacher training, coach education, youth development, and digital chess learning infrastructure.

Chess continues to evolve globally, and educational innovation remains one of the key pillars of its future growth.