From February 12-15, 2026, Grandmaster Nigel Short, FIDE Director for Chess Development, visited Benin for the first time in the country’s history. The visit was part of FIDE’s ongoing efforts to promote chess and assess the situation in countries that do not yet have a national federation, such as Benin. The objective was to learn more about chess promotion efforts in Benin, understand local challenges, and identify obstacles to establishing a national federation – in order to jointly explore potential solutions.
The program included:
- A working session and discussions with chess promoters in Benin
- An appearance on the ACTU MATIN program on Canal 3
- A meeting with the Secretary General of Benin’s Ministry of Sport
- A simultaneous exhibition with 20 Beninese players
- A culinary discovery and sightseeing tour of the city of Ouidah
Working Session with Chess Club Promoters in Benin
During his visit, the FIDE Director for Chess Development held a working session with chess club promoters at the Golden Tulip Le Diplomate Hotel to gain insight into the reality of chess in Benin. Elfried Dossavi-Messy, President of the Grand Roi Chess Club, spoke on behalf of the promoters, presenting Benin’s achievements over the past ten years. These included the chess-in-schools program, organized tournaments, public events, and international meetings where Benin sought connections with prominent figures – including federation presidents and FIDE Executive Director Victor Bologan – to seek advice on promoting chess in Benin.
Nigel was impressed by all that had been achieved despite the absence of a national federation. He appreciated the positive momentum and growing understanding among stakeholders. He shared anecdotes about other federations and proposed solutions inspired by his experiences in other countries. Nigel also noted that Benin was already performing better than many existing federations.
Appearance on ACTU MATIN on Canal 3 Television
During the television appearance on Canal 3’s ACTU MATIN program, alongside Elfried Dossavi-Messy (Grand Roi Chess Club) and Victor Oyetola (La Forteresse Chess Club), Dossavi-Messy highlighted the gap between the strong response to chess initiatives in Benin and the absence of a federation – so that the guest could appreciate the momentum firsthand and consider strategic levers for establishing a federation. Oyetola presented the benefits of chess, including its role in psychosomatic structuring through strategic thinking, anticipation, patience, and memory enhancement.
Nigel Short was highly impressed by the quality of programs and initiatives carried out in Benin, as well as the dynamism and leadership shown by the chess movement’s team. He concluded that all indicators are favorable for Benin to establish a national federation. He emphasized that, despite not having a federation, Benin is already performing better than some countries with formally constituted federations. He noted that 20 million people play chess online daily and that at least 1,000 Beninese participate regularly. He expressed confidence that Benin is ready and that the internal process would move quickly – making Benin the next country to join FIDE. He also expressed hope to replicate Togo’s feat in Benin by winning the simultaneous exhibition.
Meeting at the Ministry of Sport
The meeting at the Ministry featured intense and fruitful discussions with the Ministry team, led by the Secretary General, who had been instructed by the Minister. After customary pleasantries, delegation spokesperson Elfried Dossavi-Messy explained the purpose of the visit, presenting Benin’s achievements in chess and the steps taken toward establishing a federation. The FIDE Director for Chess Development praised recent efforts and made a plea to the authorities to simplify the procedure for establishing a federation.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, the Secretary General congratulated the promoters on their work and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting efforts to create a national chess federation – provided this is done in accordance with Benin’s current rules and regulations.
Nigel Short expressed his satisfaction, stating that, without wishing to interfere with Benin’s domestic law or influence decisions, he would appreciate any simplification of the association formalization process. He took the opportunity to outline the procedure, membership conditions, and key documents required for joining FIDE.
Simultaneous exhibition
To assess the level of Beninese players, a simultaneous exhibition was organized on February 14 in the Cèdre room of the Golden Tulip Le Diplomate Hotel, where Nigel Short took on 20 Beninese chess players. The Grandmaster achieved a sweeping victory, defeating all opponents. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the overall level was acceptable. While some players were stronger than others, he believes that continued training and participation in international competitions will lead to improvement – and that we may see FIDE Masters, International Masters, and even Grandmasters emerge from Benin in the years to come.
FIDE Vice-President Olalekan Adeyemi, who attended the session, expressed satisfaction and admiration for Benin’s progress in recent years. He noted that while FIDE could currently offer only limited support, it would spare no effort to provide more substantial assistance once the federation is established.
On behalf of the promoters, Elfried Dossavi-Messy expressed satisfaction, stating that Benin had passed with flying colors – both in terms of the visit’s outcomes and the resulting assessments. He emphasized the need to redouble efforts to achieve more significant results and, above all, to establish a national chess federation.
Culinary discovery & sightseeing tour
To combine business with pleasure, the FIDE Director for Chess Development was treated to a culinary discovery of local Beninese food and drinks, as well as a sightseeing tour of the historic city of Ouidah.
He visited the sacred forest of Kpassèzounmè, the slave route, the python temple, the Basilica of Ouidah, the arts market, and the Door of No Return. The visit concluded with an exchange of gifts between Nigel Short and Elfried Dossavi-Messy in memory of a pleasant stay in Cotonou.
