FIDE World Cup U-8, U-10, U-12 kicks off in Batumi, Georgia
The FIDE World Cup for boys and girls in the U-8, U-10, and U-12 categories began on June 23 in Batumi, Georgia, with a brief opening ceremony. Notably, this is the second time the city of Batumi is hosting the event. The competition is being held at the 5-star Grand Bellagio hotel, with around 300 players from nearly 40 countries participating. The number of players in each category is determined by FIDE quotas in accordance with tournament regulations. Games begin daily at 13:00 CET, while the final round will start at 10:00 on July 2. All games are being broadcast live. The opening ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests, including FIDE Director of Special Tasks and President of the Georgian Chess Federation Akaki Iashvili, Acting Mayor of Batumi Giorgi Murvanidze, Deputy Minister of Education and Sport of Adjara Irakli Abuladze, Head of the Sports Department Irma Nizharadze, Head of the Appeals Committee Ozgur Solakoglu, and President of the Adjara Chess Federation WGM Salome Melia. Round 2 pairings: chess-results.com/tnr1205196.aspx?lan=1&art=2&rd=2&flag=30 Live broadcast: chess.com/events/2025-fide-youth-world-cup-g8a/games Official website: wcc2025.fide.com/
Icelandic Chess Federation celebrates its centenary anniversary
The Icelandic Chess Federation celebrated its 100th anniversary this weekend. Founded on June 23, 1925, it is one of the oldest chess federations in Europe. The President of Iceland, Ms. Halla Tómasdóttir, attended the official centenary celebrations. FIDE was represented by Secretary General Łukasz Turlej and European Chess Union (ECU) President Zurab Azmaiparashvili, along with ECU Vice-President Gunnar Bjornsson. The event was hosted by Ms. Jóhanna Björg Jóhannsdóttir, President of the Icelandic Chess Federation. The presence of these distinguished guests underscored the significance of this historic milestone for both Icelandic and international chess. The Icelandic Chess Federation, originally established in Blönduós on June 23, 1925, commemorated its centenary with a special chess festival held in the same town. The program featured various events, including the Icelandic Chess Open, which brought together nearly all of the country’s top players alongside several strong international grandmasters—making it one of the most significant chess events in Iceland in recent years. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich sent a congratulatory letter on the occasion, which can be viewed below: Letter to the Icelandic Chess Federation on Its Centenary Anniversary (PDF)
FIDE World Championship Match wins Singapore’s 2024 Sports Event of the Year
The FIDE World Chess Championship Match 2024, between Gukesh D and Ding Liren held in Singapore, was one of the most exciting events of the year for chess fans around the world. After 13 rollercoaster games, we crowned the youngest undisputed World Champion in history. Although the match took place seven months ago, the excitement and impact continue to resonate. To that extent, we are proud to announce that the match has been awarded Best Sports Event of the Year (Exhibition/Competition) at the 2025 Singapore Sports Awards! Reflecting on the win, Kevin Goh, CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation, shared: “We won the Sports Event of the Year! This is easily one of the proudest moments of my career. Grateful to the sponsors, Google, Resorts World Sentosa, FIDE – International Chess Federation, all our partners, the awesome local organising committee, volunteers, journalists, and photographers for putting up a spectacular show.” Organised by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore, the Singapore Sports Awards are the country’s highest recognition for sporting excellence. This year’s edition celebrated standout performances and events from 2024, with FIDE’s flagship event named the best in its category. The award acknowledges not only the exceptional level of play, but also the world-class organisation, media production, and community engagement that made the match a truly global spectacle. Supported by Google and hosted at Resorts World Sentosa, the event helped position Singapore as a hub for premier international sporting events. Adding to the celebration, Singaporean photographer Chin An Tan was awarded Sports Photo of the Year for a powerful image taken during the match (above). The photograph captures the intensity of the match with both players mirroring each other with their heads in their hands, flags in view, as they navigate the mental tension of the game. FIDE extends its heartfelt thanks to the Singapore Chess Federation, local organisers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and fans who made this event such a resounding success. This recognition is a powerful testament to the growing stature of chess on the world stage. Congratulations to everyone involved!