Arkady Dvorkovich’s interview for ChessBase India
The FIDE President discussed the Total Chess World Championship Tour, changes to the 400-point Rating rule, the success of the Year of Social Chess, and the state of FIDE. In an online interview with Sagar Shah of ChessBase India, one of the leading chess media outlets, Arkady Dvorkovich highlighted the importance and the role of the new Total Chess World Championship Tour which was recently announced by FIDE. “FIDE has for a long time been thinking about a new format where we can combine different time controls and adjust to the reality of the faster, digital world, but also reflect the existing high interest in classical and blitz chess. We were happy that Norway Chess came up with the initiative to do something like that. It was the right time, the right moment and the right partners. From the very beginning, we had a clear understanding that we can do it only together,” Dvorkovich said. “We do believe this [project] will bring many new spectators and excitement to the players. Most of the top players believe that it is a very interesting format”. Dvorkovich emphasized FIDE’s position that the classical world championship title “is the most important one… but we believe it is the right time to increase the importance of other formats as well”. The new partnership with Norway Chess is a long-term commitment, based on an eight-year contract with an option to renew for an extended period. “I do believe that – based on the concept that we have – it will be at least equally important as Rapid and Blitz, but potentially much bigger,” Dvorkovich added. On the subject of how the rising number of global chess events in a year has an impact on the annual chess calendar, Dvorkovich said that “in an ideal world, we should have agreements with all top events and – like in tennis – put them in a universal tour where every top event will count, but that’s not easy”. The FIDE President expressed a commitment to working with all partners to achieve a future ‘universal tour,’ similar to tennis, where every top event counts, and where a consensus on time control, aligned with the exciting World Cup format, can be reached. Chess in India “India is the motherland of chess, and everyone respects that. We always have at least one major event every year in India,” said Dvorkovich. When asked about the forthcoming World Cup in Goa – one of the longest events planned for this year, lasting nearly four weeks – the President of FIDE expressed his confidence in the All India Chess Federation and the local organisers, saying that progress [on organising this event] is made every day, adding that FIDE has “trust that everything will be fine”. Another major event towards the end of the year is the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, which FIDE has a stake in. The event will take place in Mumbai in December. The media-friendly concept of the event has put a new spotlight on chess globally, and Dvorkovich expressed his support for the project, noting that it has become commercially sustainable. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy “I think it’s good that two big events are in India [this year]. Doha is also not far away, so it’s convenient [for those players participating in the World Rapid and Blitz at the end of the year]”. A more competitive approach to wild cards In recent years, FIDE has refined its approach to the use of ‘wild cards‘ – special invites that ensure the participation of both talented up-and-coming players and chess legends in top world events. “We always give chances to very young players because we can see their potential. This way, we are showing we are aware of the fast growth of these players. Also, we have it as a rule that we give wild cards to veterans”. The FIDE President noted that the approach to issuing the special invites has evolved. “We started using a competitive approach for wild cards, telling players that they can play against each other” to determine who will qualify. No “farming of rating” to be allowed Speaking about the recent targeted amendments to the FIDE Rating Regulations, Dvorkovich said that the organisation does “not allow farming of rating” by top players playing against significantly lower-rated opponents. Acknowledging that such a matchup is possible in an open event or an Olympiad, Dvorkovich noted that “many games like that” clearly suggest “it’s artificial”. “I think we found a good solution,” said Dvorkovich, noting that the goal of the change was never to prevent any player from qualifying for the Candidates. On the subject of FIDE rating in general, including in relation to the question of ratings of inactive players, Dvorkovich acknowledged that it is an “extremely difficult” complex system, with opinion polls and discussions showing a deep split in the chess community about any changes. “When we ask players, normally there is no consensus at all. But most players are not happy about keeping inactive ratings in the system. People do want ratings to reflect the real strength of players,” Dvorkovich said. From the Year of Social Chess to the Year of Chess in Education The interview also touched on the social initiatives, which have become one of the key tools in FIDE’s approach to engage the broader, non-professional, chess audience. “We showed the whole world that chess is a combination of a professional and a social mission to improve society”. Noting that the Year of Social Chess helped “many governments in the world see the social value of chess,” leading to them starting to provide more support for the game not just on a competitive basis but as a tool for social engagement and levelling. “Here we are not talking about medals but [about] society. From this perspective, the year was successful. It doesn’t mean we will finish those projects on the 31st of December – we will continue them. For next year, there is already an
FIDE and ISCF declare 2026 as the Year of Chess in Education
Following the Year of Social Chess, 2026 will be dedicated to chess in education, underscoring FIDE’s focus on integrating chess into the global school curricula worldwide. On 20 October, at NGS School in Astana, FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to jointly promote scholastic chess globally. The initiative builds upon the successful 2025 Year of Social Chess and aligns with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich’s proposal – made at the recent Smart Moves Summit in Washington, D.C. –to make education one of key focus areas for 2026. Under the agreement – which will guide future cooperation – ISCF will work closely with FIDE to organise a series of international school team tournaments under the name “World Schools Team Championship League 2026” (WSTCL), which will serve as a flagship event of the “Chess in Education 2026” programme. The tournaments will unfold in two stages: Continental Championships for Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Grand Final featuring the winners of respective Continental Championships. The parties expressed their intent to draft an action plan for additional events alongside each WSTCL 2026 tournament, aiming to expand scholastic chess and promote chess as an educational tool. The memorandum was signed by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Timur Turlov, President of the International School Chess Federation. “Education is the foundation for a good and successful life, and chess is a proven and powerful tool to underpin that goal,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. “Investment in chess education, youth and school events has been one of the goals of my team since taking the helm of FIDE. I am delighted that after a successful Year of Social Chess, we are continuing with the Year of Chess in Education, launching new projects and initiatives and getting more schools and educational facilities involved in chess.” The memorandum will serve as a foundation for implementing initiatives aimed at developing school chess and popularising intellectual sports in school education. “Inclusion and equal opportunities have always been close to my heart. With the backing of our Freedom Shapagat Foundation, we have consistently supported social initiatives that help children and promote a more compassionate and humane society. That is why hosting these initiatives within the framework of the FIDE Olympiad for People with Disabilities feels especially meaningful,” said Timur Turlov. “It is only natural that in this year — declared by FIDE as the Year of Social Chess — together with the International School Chess Federation, we take the next step and announce 2026 as the Year of Chess in Education. From early childhood, it is through learning that we build a society grounded in respect, empathy, and support for every child,” he added. The “Chess in Education 2026” initiative marks a major milestone in FIDE’s global efforts to promote chess as a valuable component of learning, supporting both cognitive and social development among students worldwide. About ISCF: The International School Chess Federation (ISCF) is dedicated to the global promotion and integration of chess within the educational system globally. Launched in September 2024 as a FIDE-affiliated organization, the ISCF operates as a main institutional platform for advancing chess in schools — developing educational programs, supporting national federations, and fostering cognitive and social growth among students through the game of chess.