FIDE confirmed a new schedule of international events and a policy shift towards continental rotation during its Council meeting on April 2, 2026. The decisions point to a broader aim, to spread major tournaments more widely and expand chess’s global reach.

The latest decisions confirmed events spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa. Following IOC recommendations, the International Chess Federation has established a principle to rotate the Chess Olympiad between continents where practical. Taken together, these choices reflect FIDE’s approach to spreading major events across different regions, providing opportunities for greater audience growth and fan engagement, while at the same time building stronger links with governments and organisations across the world.

At the end of May, the Nigerian capital of Abuja is due to host the World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Championship (August 1–9). Abuja submitted the bid in January 2026, and it was conditionally approved. The World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Championship could provide a significant boost for chess in Africa, where, after years of FIDE work and support for training and social/educational programmes, the appetite for chess is rapidly growing.

Continuing its strong support for events linking chess and education, the Chess Federation of Kazakhstan will host the 2026 World University Team Chess Championship. Following Swiss qualifiers and an online knockout, the historic city of Almaty will host the top 16 teams in the finals, scheduled for August 3-10. Only university students born between 2001 and 2008 can take part. The prize fund starts with €25,000 for first place.

FIDE has also confirmed that the 2027 editions of the prestigious Grand Swiss and Women’s Grand Swiss will return to the Isle of Man. The event will take place from May 10-25, 2027 and has so far secured a prize fund of $900,000. It will see a field of 170 players in both Open and Women’s competitions, in what has become the strongest Swiss tournament in the world. This will be the third time (after 2019 and 2023) that the Isle of Man will host the Grand Swiss tournaments, sponsored by the Scheinberg family, whose support is set to extend to the 2028 Candidates tournament as well.

The 2027 edition of the World Amateur Championships has been awarded to Hong Kong. It will take place between September 30 and October 8, 2027. Moving away from its more traditional locations in Europe, the event is expected to attract a large cohort of amateur players, particularly from East Asia.

One of the most important Council decisions concerns the future hosting of the Chess Olympiads. The FIDE Council adopted the principle that Olympiad hosting should follow continental rotation where this is practical and where organisational standards and financial guarantees are met.

The decision follows IOC recommendations that its members make every possible effort to ensure the balanced development of sport across all continents.

With the 2028 Olympiad set for Abu Dhabi and the bidding open for the 2030 Olympiad, the FIDE Council has decided that the priority right for the 2032 Olympiad will go to Africa and to the Americas for the 2034 Olympiad. Direct negotiations will continue with the African Chess Confederation and officials until October 1, 2027. If no suitable bid is in place by October 1, 2027, FIDE can open a general bidding process, but still with priority to Africa, the continent that has never hosted the Olympiad.

“FIDE is truly a global organisation, in terms of membership, diverse projects, events across the world, and an international team working for the organisation. Chess can only fulfil its international role if we keep bringing the game to every part of the world. We promised more events, more funding, and more global outreach, and we are delivering on that promise. Tournaments, seminars, conferences, and educational projects all have a strategic role in making chess accessible and enjoyable in every part of the world,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said.