FIDE Open Aid Project 2026: Selected events announced
FIDE is pleased to announce the open tournaments selected to receive financial support under the 2026 edition of the Open Aid Project. The selected events were chosen on the basis of their classical time control, competitive strength, historical track record, geographical location, and the structure of their prize fund distribution, with particular attention paid to provisions for women, veterans, and players from developing countries. The project, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, was originally created to help tournaments navigate a period of severe financial uncertainty while supporting chess professionals whose livelihoods depended on regular competition. Since then, it has become a recurring part of FIDE’s support for the global open circuit. The 2026 edition of the programme, run by FIDE with the support of Freedom Holding Corp, provides targeted assistance to selected open tournaments taking place between June and December 2026. Organisers from around the world submitted applications, with the chosen events meeting the programme’s criteria aimed at promoting accessible, inclusive, and sustainable tournament organisation. The following tournaments have been selected to receive support through the 2026 FIDE Open Aid Project: IMPORTANT UPDATE: Three tournaments have been added to the list: Argentina – Masters Ciudad de Buenos Aires (13-21 June) Croatia – Split Open (6-14 August) Estonia – Paul Keres Memorial (27 July – 2 August) This list is not final, as some applications are under additional review. “Open tournaments are integral to the growth of chess across the world,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. “The Open Aid Project began during the pandemic, when this kind of financial support was urgently needed to help events survive and to support chess professionals through a very difficult period. We are pleased that it has become a regular initiative. By supporting tournaments across different countries and regions, we help strengthen opportunities for players, organisers, and local chess communities while contributing to the long-term development of our sport.” Through the Open Aid Project, FIDE continues its commitment to supporting tournament organisers and reinforcing the global calendar of open competitions, ensuring that high-quality playing opportunities remain available to chess communities around the world.
FWUTCC 2026: Eight teams secure places in over-the-board final
FWUTCC 2026: Eight teams secure places in over-the-board final The field for the final stage of the 2026 FIDE World University Team Chess Championship (FWUTCC) is beginning to take shape, with eight teams securing qualification through the tournament’s online stages. Organized by FIDE, the championship is open to university students born between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2008, who are officially enrolled at the institution they represent. The championship features three stages. During the first stage, the Online Swiss Qualifiers held on May 2 and May 9 on the Lichess.org gaming platform, the top 32 university teams were determined. These teams continued their campaign in the second stage, the Online Knockout, which took place on May 16 and May 17, also on Lichess.org. As in the first stage, the teams competed in a four-versus-four format under a rapid time control of 10+3, allocating 10 minutes per game with a 3-second increment for every move starting from the first. The first round brought together the top teams from the Americas and Africa regions alongside those from Europe and Asia. The 16 winning teams returned the following day for another round of play-off matches to determine the eight teams advancing to the over-the-board final. The eight teams that qualified for the over-the-board final through the online stages are: The final stage of FWUTCC 2026 will take place in Almaty from August 4-9. The event will feature 16 teams: the eight online qualifiers together with eight wild card entries selected by FIDE and the organizers. The final will begin with a group stage, where the 16 teams will be divided into four balanced groups and compete in a double round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout phase, consisting of quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place playoff, and the final. All games of the final stage will be contested under a fast classical time control of 45+30. The winning team will become the FIDE World University Team Champion and receive a prize of €25,000. The team finishing second will be awarded €15,000, while the third-place team will receive €10,000. The remaining 8 wildcard teams will be announced in due course. For any questions, contact worlduniversity@fide.com. Full details and registered teams: worlduniversities2026.fide.com