FIDE World Amateur Championship – International Chess Federation

FIDE Amateur World Championships 2026: Bids received and under review

editor_d — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:58:07 +0000

The FIDE Events Commission has received multiple bids for the 2026 World Amateur Championships. By the deadline of January 26, 2026, four bids were submitted for the 2026 World Amateur Championships and one bid for the 2026 World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Championships.

Bids for the World Amateur Championships (new format):

UAE, Fujairah: proposed dates October 15–22, 2026
Spain, Sitges: proposed dates October 29 – November 5, 2026
China, Shenzhen: proposed dates October 15–25, 2026
Nigeria, Abuja: proposed dates September 1–8, 2026

Bid for the World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Championships (new tournament):

Nigeria, Abuja: proposed dates May 31–June 8, 2026

The evaluation process is now underway. FIDE will announce the selected hosts in due course.

Call for Bids: FIDE Amateur World Championships 2026

editor_d — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:04:18 +0000

FIDE Events Commission is pleased to announce “Call for Bids for FIDE Amateur World Championships 2026” and invite FIDE member Federations to participate.

The deadline for submissions is January 26, 2026, 15:00 CET.

Two competitions included in this call:

World Amateur Chess Championships (in a new format)
World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships (a new event)

Interested bidders can find detailed information about the bidding procedure – including the Bidding Form, Bid Form Annex, and applicable Bid and Deposit Fees – [HERE].

Winners crowned at FIDE World Amateur Championship 2025

editor_d — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 13:36:58 +0000

The FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship 2025 concluded yesterday in Vrnjačka Banja, the Serbian capital of tourism. The event attracted 284 players from 51 national federations, culminating in the crowning of winners across all six sections.

The best female chess players in the U1700 event are Mouza Nasser Alshamsi, (UAE) scoring 7/9 followed by Ayala Kuanyshbay (Kazakhstan) and Disha U A from India.

The open section U1700 saw the triumph of Medet Dyahaparov (Kyrgyzstan) who claimed gold with an excellent score of 8/9. Pathak Anshu Kr (India) and Dulguunjargal Dashdavaa (Mongolia) tied for second place on 7.5/9, with the former clinching silver on tiebreaks.

The top female finishers in the U2000 tournament are Khuslenzaya Baldanjantsan from Mongolia (8/9), Wang Minging of Germany (7/9), and Karina Daniela Ferreira Kanzler from Brazil (5.5/9).

In the open section U2000, the first place was won by Dejan Jakovljević from Serbia with 8/9. Vo Hoang Quan from Vietnam (7.5/9) took silver, while Arlan Abuzyarov from Kazakhstan completed the podium with 7/9.

Tsogtsaikhan Saikhanchimeg from Mongolia (5.5 points), Anna Ivaschenko (4.5 points) and Nadezhda Antonova from Tajikistan (4 points) became the best female chess players in the U2300 competition.

The most tightly contested tournament was the U2300 Open section, which ended in a three-way tie for first. Ivan Kudrin (FIDE), Sergei Krivenko, and Sergei Pogorelskikh (both Serbia) all scored 7/9, with Kudrin claiming gold, Krivenko silver, and Pogorelskikh bronze based on tiebreak scores.

The closing ceremony featured a performance by a local chorus and the presentation of trophies and diplomas. It was attended by Saša Jevtić, Tournament Director; Ozgur Solakoglu, a representative of the International Chess Federation (FIDE); Andrija Jorgić, President of the Chess Federation of Serbia; and Boban Đurović, President of the Vrnjačka Banja municipality, who officially declared the competition closed.

In his address, Solakoglu thanked the organizers for the exceptional level of organization and announced that Vrnjačka Banja will host two more FIDE championships in 2026.

“Over these nine days, we witnessed extraordinary glory in honor of chess. From the first move to the last round, players from around the world showed not only skill and determination, but also the true spirit of amateur competition — where passion and respect for the game shines above all else. Congratulations to our winners. Thank you to every participant. You have made this championship lively, competitive and memorable. Whether you won or learned something new, you contributed something truly special. To our hosts — the Chess Federation of Serbia, the city and people of Vrnjačka Banja, arbiters, volunteers and staff — you created an atmosphere in which chess could flourish and friendships could be established,” said Solakoglu.

Andrija Jorgić, President of the Chess Federation of Serbia, expressed his pride in hosting the event. “Do not forget that chess is a knight’s game,” he said, “and that the one sitting across from you is not an enemy, but an opponent at the chessboard.”

Photos: Savo Tufegszic

Official website: worldamateur2025.fide.com

FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship 2025 kicks off in the Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia

editor_d — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 20:20:18 +0000

The FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship was officially opened in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia. The event, held across three rating categories – U1700, U2000, and U2300 (both Open and Women’s sections) – has brought together around 300 players from over 50 countries. All competitions are nine-round Swiss tournaments with a classical time control.

The opening ceremony took place in the hall of the Zepter Hotel and began with the national anthem of the Republic of Serbia, performed by the city choir Abrašević. The audience was then welcomed by Jasmina Trifunović, representing the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja; Özgür Solakoğlu, representative of FIDE; and Andrija Jorgić, President of the Chess Federation of Serbia.

“We are proud that Vrnjačka Banja has become one of the centers of chess events by organizing the European Individual Championship, the European Club Cup, the European Club Cup for Women, and the FIDE World School Chess Championship. Chess has become part of our cultural identity. In our Central Park, in a symbolic space we call the Chess Corner, stands a statue of the chess queen, unveiled in honor of this ancient game and of Vrnjačka Banja as the queen of continental tourism,” said Jasmina Trifunović in her welcoming speech.

She emphasized that by hosting the World Amateur Championship, Vrnjačka Banja continues its tradition of chess and strengthens its reputation as a prestigious destination for top chess events.

Next, FIDE delegate Özgür Solakoğlu addressed the participants, noting that this championship celebrates the spirit of amateur chess – a reminder that the love of the game belongs to everyone, not only to grandmasters and professionals.

“Here, each move, each game, and each handshake reflect the very essence of what chess represents: respect, creativity, and the pursuit of excellence. This championship celebrates the heart of our sport – the passion and dedication of amateur players from all over the world. You come here not only to compete, but to share your love of chess, to make new friends, and to experience the joy and challenge that only this game can bring,” said Solakoğlu.

In his address, Andrija Jorgić, President of the Chess Federation of Serbia, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Sports – the Federation’s most important partner in building a stronger and more recognized chess scene in Serbia – as well as to the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja for its generous support.

“I would like to thank the International Chess Federation and its President, Arkady Dvorkovich, for their trust in us to organize this event. I believe we will justify that trust and that Serbia will host many similar competitions in the future. Although I have been leading the Chess Federation of Serbia for less than a year, I am proud of all the tournaments and successes we have achieved,” said Jorgić, who also commended the Serbian national team for winning bronze at the recent European Chess Championship in Georgia.

Following the ceremony, Jorgić and Trifunović made the first symbolic move, marking the start of the first round.

Photos: Savo Tufegszic

Official website: worldamateur2025.fide.com

FIDE World Amateur Championships 2025: Registration now open

editor_d — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:48:23 +0000

All FIDE Member Federations and eligible players are invited to participate in the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships 2025 for men and women with a FIDE rating under 2300. The competition will take place in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia, from November 4 to 14, 2025.

The Championships are open to players registered by their national federations. FIDE Member Federations have the right to send the unlimited number of players.

There will be separate Championships for Open and Women in the FIDE rating categories of Under 2300, Under 2000, and Under 1700. Separate Women’s Championships will be held if there are at least ten registered players from at least two continents in each category.

The Championships are nine-round Swiss tournaments with a time control of 90 minutes for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment for each move played, starting from the first move.

The registration deadline for all players, accompanying persons, and delegation members is October 10, 2025. Participants who need to apply for a Serbian visa should request the invitation letter by September 5, 2025.

Official website (coming soon): worldamateur2025.fide.com

Email: worldamateur@fide.com

Invitation letter, schedule and regulations (PDF)

World Amateur Championship 2024: Registration is open

KN — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 22:14:12 +0000

All FIDE Member Federations and eligible players with FIDE rating under 2300 are invited to participate in the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship 2024.

The competition will take place in Rhodes, Greece, from October 26 to November 5, 2024.

The event is open to players registered by their national federations. FIDE member federations have the right to send as many players as they wish.

The Championship will be held in FIDE rating categories U 2300, U 2000 and U 1700. There will be separate Women’s Championship(s) if there are at least ten players from at least two continents in each category.

All competitions will be 9-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control (90 min +30 sec).

The registration deadline for all players, accompanying persons and delegation members is September 9, 2024.

FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships 2024 official website will be launched soon: worldamateur2024.fide.com

E-mail: worldamateur@fide.com

Invitation letter and regulations (PDF)

Photo: hhotels.gr/

FIDE World Amateur Championship 2023: Registration deadline extended

KN — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:53:32 +0000

The Organizing Committee of the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship announces that the registration deadline has been extended to September 28, 2023. The competition will take place in Muscat, Oman, from November 1-11, 2023.

There will be separate Championships three FIDE rating categories:

Under 2300
Under 2000
Under 1700

There shall be separate Women’s Championship(s) if there are at least ten players from at least two continents in each category.

The Championships are open for players registered by their national federation. FIDE member federations have the right to send as many players as they wish.

Official website: worldamateur2023.fide.com

E-mail: worldamateur2023@fide.com

Winners crowned at 2022 FIDE World Amateur Championship

editor_d — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 18:56:59 +0000

The 2022 FIDE World Amateur Championship is in the books. The event took place in Malta from October 20-30 and was held in four sections: U2300, U2000, U1700 and Women U1700. Women playing in the open sections U2300 and U2000 were eligible to win prizes from both categories. All the competitions were 9-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control.

In the Open U2300 section, it all came down to the final round. Abilmansur Abdilkhair from Kazakhstan (pictured below) scored a very important victory over Colombian Juan David Becerra and claimed gold with 7.5/9. Abilmansur improved his result compared to the 2021 FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships, where he finished second in the same section.

Naranbold Sodbilegt (number 46 on the starting list) (pictured below) was the sole leader in the Open U2000 from start to finish – the 13-year-old Mongolian took gold with a perfect 9 out of 9.

Two players tied for first place in U1700, with Soninbayar Tuguldur of Mongolia (pictured below) claiming gold thanks to better Buchholz over Aleksandr Martynov (FIDE), who had to settle for silver. The 13-year-old winner was number 50 on the starting list.

Meri Grigoryan (England), Julia Gorozhankina (Latvia) and Nino Kordzadze (Austria) scored 3.5 points out of 9 and became the top-rated women in the Open U2300 section. They took gold, silver, and bronze in the Women U2300, respectively.

Margarita Baliuniene of Lithuania finished ninth out of 75 players in the Open U2000 section and secured gold in the Women U2000.

In the Women U1700, Margadgua Erdenebayar from Mongolia (pictured below) won the title with a round to spare, scoring 8.5 points out of 9. Margadgua said she started playing chess by chance while in the hospital. But now she is determined to tie her life with chess: “This year, I want to become a FIDE master, and in the future, my goal is to become a grandmaster.”

Final standings:

Open U2300

1. Abilmansur Abdilkhair (Kazakhstan)
2. Zhuban Bigabylov (Kazakhstan)
3. Juan David Becerra (Colombia)

Open U2000

1. Naranbold Sodbilegt (Mongolia)
2. Matias Hurtado Bahamonde (Chile)
3. Aasef Alashtar (France)

Open U1700

1. Soninbayar Tuguldur (Mongolia)
2. Aleksandr Martynov (FIDE)
3. Farhaan M (India)

Women U2300

1. Meri Grigoryan (England)
2. Julia Gorozhankina (Latvia)
3. Nino Kordzadze (Austria)

Women U2000

1. Margarita Baliuniene (Lithuania)
2. Helen Montiel Caceres (Paraguay)
3. Anna Andrzejewska (Poland)

Women U1700

1. Margadgua Erdenebayar (Mongolia)
2. Arailym Alipbek (Kazakhstan)
3. Guruprasad Amulya (India)

Some participants of the 2022 FIDE World Amateur Championships went to Malta hoping to win trophies, but the majority came to the tournament simply because they love the game and enjoy playing chess.

Sara Brenska from Poland (pictured below) shared her story: “I started to play chess two years ago after watching ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ on Netflix. That’s how it all started. I am an intern at an international company in Poland, and I deal with taxes and accounting. I want to be better at chess, but honestly, I play it just for fun. I don’t have specific chess ambitions; I just want to play better.”

Lithuanian Jonas Vaskevicius (pictured below, left) briefly explained why he is in Malta: “I am a lawyer, and two years ago, I started to work less; I had some free time. I thought that people should have some hobbies and for me, it is interesting to play chess. It is a good activity; I like spending my time playing chess. Participating in this Championship is nice, and I think everyone would like to do it, but the main goal is to enjoy the game”.

According to tournament director Nikolaos Kalesis, this year, a record number of foreign players came to Malta to participate in the Championships. In total, the event brought together 197 players from 51 federations, including 27 title-holders.

The FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships were held in the 4-star Conference Hotel “Paradise Bay Resort”, 30 km north of Malta International Airport, on the northern seaside of Malta Island from October 20-30. This year the prize fund was increased to €15,000 – from €10,000 last year.

Photos: Andreas Kontokanis
flickr.com/photos/karpidis/albums/72177720303080598

Official website: malta2022.net/

Complete results:
chess-results.com/tnr669871.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9&fed=FRA&flag=30