Winners crowned at FIDE World Cup Under 8, 10 and 12
The FIDE World Cup for Under 8, 10, and 12 categories in Batumi has come to a close. After nine days of intense battles over the chessboard, champions emerged in all six sections. Open U-8 1st place: Omer Taha Dede (Türkiye)2nd place: Mikhail Ev. Markov (FIDE)3rd place: Adinur Adilbek (Kazakhstan) Girls U-8 1st place: Alisha Bissaliyeva (Kazakhstan)2nd place: Varvara Volkova (FIDE)3rd place: Tharshan Kajishana (Sri Lanka) Open U-10 1st place: Sarbartho Mani (India)2nd place: Mondal Oishik (India)3rd place: Kapil Aarit (India) Girls U-10 1st place: Brijesh Divi (India)2nd place: Zhihan Chen (China)3rd place: Sharvaanica A S (India) Open U-12 1st place: Abdalrahman Sameh Mohamed (Egypt)2nd place: Chenxuan Ling (USA)3rd place: Damir Bulgak (FIDE) Girls U-12 1st place: Pratitee Bordoloi (India)2nd place: Dowda Aadya (India)3rd place: Ider Tselmuun (Mongolia) The closing ceremony, attended by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE Director of Special Tasks and President of the Georgian Chess Federation Akaki Iashvili, and other distinguished guests, was filled with a warm atmosphere of joy, celebration, and heartfelt farewells. It opened with the official FIDE anthem, followed by a performance of the Georgian national anthem by a children’s ensemble. The winners received their well-deserved awards, and all participants were recognized for their dedication, effort, and passion for chess. “It is wonderful that a top chess event, the FIDE World Cup Under 12, returned to Batumi, Georgia. Thanks to the Georgian Chess Federation and its President Akaki Iashvili, this competition was a great success. I would like to thank everyone involved—the officials, media team, technicians, and volunteers who worked on site. And of course, our special thanks go to the parents. This is your success as well. You helped your kids achieve what they did here. Thank you for supporting them and making them happy,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. A special lottery was also held during the ceremony, with all participants automatically entered. FIDE President Dvorkovich personally drew the winner’s name—one lucky participant received a brand-new iPhone 16 Pro Max as a special prize from the organizers. Photos: Georgian Chess Federation Official website: wcc2025.fide.com
FIDE World Amateur Championships 2025: Registration now open
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)
FIDE World Cup Under 8-12: Day 9 recap
Although June 30 was officially a rest day, the organizers took the opportunity to engage the children in a productive chess activity. A special event, the “World Cup in Chess Solving” for participants aged 8–12, was held, where they tackled a series of chess compositions. The event was officiated by International Arbiter in Chess Composition Davit Gurgenidze, who served as the Chief Arbiter of the Championship. Additionally, a blitz tournament—the Nesis Cup 2025 for coaches from official delegations—was organized, along with ten specially invited players (five selected by the organizer and five by the Georgian Chess Federation). This nine-round Swiss system competition concluded with an awards ceremony led by IA Gennady Nesis. On July 1, regular play resumed at 13:00 CET. All games are broadcast live, with strict anti-cheating measures in place. Every player undergoes thorough screening before entering the playing hall. List of players who will face each other in the second round of the battle for prize places: Open 8Dede, Omer Taha and Markov, Mikhail Ev.Adilbek, Adinur and Kalinin, Bogdan Girls 8Bissaliyeva, Alisha and Volkova, VarvaraKajishana, Tharshan and Srinikhila, Yadavili Open 10Oishik, Mondal and Mani, SarbarthoNabiyev, Iman and Aarti, Kapil Girls 10Divi, Brijesh and Chen, ZhihanVolkova, Nadezhda Vlad. and Sharvaanica, A S Open 12Ling, Chenxuan and Sameh Mohamed, AbdalrahmanGuo, Ethan and Bulgak, Damir Girls 12Pratitee, Bordoloi and Aadya ,DowdaTselmuun, Idea and Rusitashvili, Tea Pairings of the 2nd round: chess-results.com/tnr1209238.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/
FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships 2025: Registration deadline extended
The organizing committee of the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships U8, U10, and U12 has announced the extension of the registration deadline to July 13, 2025. The competitions will take place from September 18 (arrival) to October 01, 2025 (departure) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. National Federations can register one official player in each category: under 8, 10, and 12 (Open and Girls). The total of six official players and one head of delegation with a valid FIDE ID from the National Federation are invited by the Organizers. All players must not have reached the age of 8, 10 or 12 in their respective categories before January 1, 2025. Personal rights also are granted to the top 3 players in each category of the last World Cadet Championships (2024), the Continental Cadet Champions of 2024 (1st ranked) and the players placed 1-3 in the 2025 FIDE World Cup for youngsters. National federation may register additional players and accompanying persons and being responsible for all related costs. As part of the event, the World Cadet Chess Solving Championship will be held on September 25, across the same six age and gender categories as the over-the-board competitions. For inquiries, please contact: worldcadet@fide.com The invitation letter with all the details can be found here:calendar.fide.com/event_files/3266/WCCC_2025_Invitation.pdf
Smart Moves Summit 2025: Where chess meets learning
From August 4–5, Alexandria (Washington D.C. area) will host a unique international summit exploring how chess can support cognitive growth, inclusion, and innovation in education. The conference aims to open a dialogue between schools, researchers, EdTech innovators and chess federations on the role chess can play in education and the cognitive development of children. By showcasing research-backed approaches to integrating chess into early and primary education, the conference will challenge conventional thinking about education and development. Organised by the International School Chess Federation in partnership with FIDE, the pioneering international conference brings together leading voices from education ministries, federations, schools, and EdTech – including representatives from more than 20 countries. Speakers include renowned chess educator and journalist Leontxo Garcia, psychologist and chess education expert Jose Francisco Suarez, and John Foley, Director of ChessPlus which creates strategy games for education. “Chess is more than a board game – it’s a powerful educational platform that develops critical thinking, strategical planning and problem-solving skills, which are all essential for the 21st century,” said Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board. “We are looking forward to this conference as it will not only bring many of the top experts in the area together to present their research, but it will also be an opportunity to discuss, debate and exchange views and open spaces for new opportunities for chess in education and vice versa,” Reizniece added. What to expect from the event The two-day summit will feature 15 distinct topics, with keynote speakers and presentations focusing on the role of chess in education. On the first day, the conference will focus on the role of chess in early childhood education integration, as well as on the role of strategic leadership in global chess education, and how leveraging technology can create more inclusive learning environments. The first day will also include events on the connection between chess and maths as well as the links between chess and strategy games. One of the panels is dedicated to creating policies aimed at getting more public partnerships for chess programmes. Day two will expand into broader impact areas, exploring commercial opportunities for chess school programs, from marketing to business development. The conference will conclude with a Masterclass by Grandmaster and renowned economist Kenneth Regan about chess. Registration and information The Smart Moves Summit 2025 is aimed at professionals working in the fields of education, educational development and strategy, as well as chess and EdTech tools. The conference will be held at the Episcopal High School 1200 N Quaker Ln, Alexandria, VA 22302. Full programme details and registration information are available at worldschoolteam2025.fide.com/summit/. About the organisers 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, the ISCF operates as an affiliated body of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of the sport of chess, and it regulates all international chess competitions. FIDE was recognised by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999. Headquartered in Lausanne, FIDE was initially founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens una Sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”). It was one of the very first International Sports Federations, alongside the governing bodies of Football, Cricket, Swimming, and Auto Racing. It is now one of the largest, encompassing 201 countries as affiliate members, in the form of National Chess Federations.
FIDE extends sanction against GM Christopher Yoo worldwide
The FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) Appeal Chamber has rendered its final decision in Case 05/2025(A), extending the disciplinary sanction imposed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF) against GM Christopher Yoo to a worldwide level. Following a request from the USCF, FIDE has determined that the one-year suspension issued by the USCF – effective from November 15, 2024, to November 14, 2025 – shall now apply globally. During this period, GM Yoo is barred from participating in any FIDE-rated events. This follows a disciplinary process arising from an incident at the US Chess Championship, where GM Yoo physically assaulted a member of the broadcast team. The EDC Appeal Chamber concluded that the USCF’s investigation and sanction were conducted fairly and in line with due process. In addition, GM Yoo will be subject to a five-year probation period through November 14, 2030. Any similar misconduct during this time may lead to further disciplinary action. The full decision can be found here: ethics.fide.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Case_05_2025A_decision_final.pdf
FIDE Women’s World Cup: Everything you need to know!
Batumi will host the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 from the 5th to the 29th of July. Chess legends, seasoned professionals and emerging talents will play for the $50.000 first prize, in addition to three qualifying spots for the Candidates. Starting next Saturday, July 5th, the 2022 best “secret” European destination and the second most important city in Georgia, will be the venue of the new edition of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, one of the most important tournaments on the international chess calendar. Georgia has a rich history and strong tradition in women’s chess, producing legendary players and consistently achieving high-level results. Home to chess legends like Nona Gaprindashvili, the first woman to be awarded the title of Grandmaster, and Maia Chiburdanidze, who became the youngest Women’s World Champion at the time, Georgia has a proud tradition of women excelling in the game, with a strong national team and international success. Known among many other things for its beautiful Black Sea coastline, Batumi, host of the 2018 Chess Olympiad, will gather the world’s top female chess players in a battle for glory. As FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky noted, “The Georgian Chess Federation doesn’t just talk about supporting women’s chess – they deliver, time and again. By bringing the FIDE Women’s World Cup to Batumi, they once again demonstrate their deep commitment at the highest level. We are happy to continue this strong cooperation and grateful for their unwavering dedication to our sport.” Located just 3km from the airport, the five-star Grand Bellagio Convention & Casino Hotel will host the competition. The venue is already operating with full force and activity – more than 300 players from nearly 40 countries are currently contesting the FIDE World Cup U-8, U-10, U-12! Structure and prizes: what are they playing for? As if the total prize fund of $691,250 USD, with $50,000 going to the winner, wasn’t enough to whet the players’ appetites, the FIDE World Cup also awards three spots to the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament to be held in the first half of 2026, setting the stage for the next World Championship cycle. The knock-out tournament will be played along seven rounds – all rounds shall be played with two classical game matches, plus a tiebreak when necessary. Unlike previous editions, the tournament will not be held in parallel with the FIDE World Cup 2025, scheduled for November. Who to look out for? A total of 107 of the best players in the world, playing from 46 different federations, are set to participate in the event, including seventeen of the current top twenty! Bearing in mind that it’s a knockout tournament and that the twenty strongest players are all situated in a range of barely 100 rating points (it’s anyone’s game!), here are a few picks to watch out for, including seasoned professionals and young prospects! Lei Tingjie (2552), Zhu Jiner (2547) and Tan Zhongyi (2546) – the Chinese squad of GM’s top the first three spots in the starting list, a force to be reckoned with. Any one of them has the strength and experience to go deep in the event. Tan Zhongyi, who previously finished third in Sochi 2021 and fourth in Baku 2023, is excited about the event on and off the board. “Batumi is a beautiful city, and before diving into the hectic World Cup journey, I plan to thoroughly enjoy the local scenery. I’m really looking forward to visiting Batumi!” she shared. Nurgyul Salimova, the 2023 Baku silver medalist, is another rising star to keep an eye on. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “Baku was a big moment for me. Now, I am focused on Batumi and ready for the challenge!” Humpy Koneru – rated 2543, seed number four, she recently took first in the Pune Grand Prix. The Indian team won the 2024 Budapest Olympic gold – will Koneru, Harika, Vaishali or Divya be able to keep up the good form in Batumi? Aleksandra Goryachkina – currently rated 2533, the fourth-highest rated women of all time, will be looking to defend her Baku 2023 title. Alexandra Kosteniuk – rated 2474, Kosteniuk sports an amazing career full of important triumphs, including the Sochi 2021 Women’s World Cup Anna Muzychuk – rated 2535, the older of the two Muzychuk sisters is on a roll in 2025, winning two Women’s Grand Prix events (Austria and Cyprus) in addition to the recent Norway Chess Women’s tournament. “Looking forward to participating in the World Cup in Batumi! I’ve been many times in Georgia – a very hospitable country with rich chess traditions and tasty cuisine,” she said. Carissa Yip – rated 2431, the 21-year-old U.S. number one player has just taken down the 2025 Cairns Cup, completing a GM norm and winning $65,000 USD! Divya Deshmukh – rated 2463, 19-year-old Divya has already won three Olympic gold medals and recently defeated world number one Hou Yifan in the World Rapid Team Championship! Additionally, all the Georgian top contenders – Dzagnidze, Batsiashvili, Arabidze, Javakhishvili and Khotenashvili – will have a serious chance at a deep run. Playing on home turf, they will definitely be cheered on by all the local fans. The full starting rank can be found here Interesting first round clashes 86 of the 107 players will kick off the tournament on round one, while the top 21 main seeds will enjoy a bye, joining the winners directly in the second round. The rating gap between players in the first round is quite large – few serious upsets are to be expected. However, every event produces a few surprises, in which the underdog overpowers the favourite, but it’s very hard to pinpoint on which boards that might happen. Nonetheless, due to the special format of the tournament, the closest first round pairings occur on the last board. Dare I say that most of the upsets will occur on boards 30 to 43. Check out the Round One pairings here How to follow the event?
Rising like queens: A powerful day for girls in Kakuma Refugee Camp
On Saturday, June 28t, something truly extraordinary happened in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Over 330 girls gathered for a special on-site chess event! It was a special day – featuring motivational talks and friendly chess matches – transforming what is usually a virtual connection into a vibrant, in-person celebration of empowerment through chess. The event was part of the Girls Club – an initiative of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess that offers regular support, training, and empowerment opportunities to girls living in Kakuma Refugee Camp. The Girls Club is part of the broader Chess for Protection project, through which FIDE brings chess to displaced communities. Usually, the Club holds weekly on-line sessions with international coaches WGM Anastasia Karlovich and IM Salome Melia, alongside a local chess tutor. These sessions provide not only chess instruction, but also a much-needed sense of structure, confidence, and global connection. A special day in a unique place Organizing an event in a refugee camp is no simple task. Access, logistics, permissions, communication – each step requires careful planning and strong local partnerships. Yet the impact of showing up in person cannot be overstated. It sends a clear message: We see you. We care. We are ready to do it for you. And the girls responded. Over 330 girls from different schools in the camp took part in Saturday’s celebration – an incredible turnout that deeply moved everyone involved. Inspiration across the board The day’s highlight was a motivational session by Phylis Ngigi, Director of The Gift of Chess, who traveled to Kakuma to deliver her inspiring talk: “Rising Like Queens: Life Lessons Through Chess.” Speaking from personal experience, Phylis used each chess piece as a metaphor for life, weaving powerful lessons into a message of resilience and hope: The Pawn – Small Steps, Big DreamsKeep moving. You can transform your life. The Knight – Be Bold, Think DifferentlyEven when the path is not straight, you can still find your way. The Bishop – Follow Your PurposeStay focused and committed to your journey. The Rook – Build Strength, Stand FirmBe a strong foundation for yourself and others. The Queen – Power and LeadershipYou have the power to lead, protect, and win. Phylis concluded with a message that resonated deeply: “You are part of a global family of thinkers and dreamers.” Generous support and looking ahead Importantly, this growing chess community is now better equipped thanks to generous donations: The Gift of Chess provided 100 chess sets, and DGT contributed 100 digital chess clocks. These will be put to immediate use during the mass tournament taking place the following day, on June 29th, for all refugees that are part of the Chess for Protection program; girls from the Girls Club included. We hope that this is just the beginning. With continued support and opportunities like these, we believe the next Chess Olympiad could feature members of the Refugee Team who took their very first steps here in Kakuma. The Chess for Protection project is made possible thanks to the ongoing collaboration between FIDE and UNHCR, whose shared vision for inclusion and empowerment through chess continues to uplift the incredible people in Kakuma.
FIDE statement on the situation involving GM Kramnik and GM Navara
As the world governing body of chess, FIDE takes the issue of fair play – both OTB and online – very seriously, especially considering the current widespread popularity of online platforms and their impact on the growth and development of the game worldwide. In this regard, the methods publicly proposed by GM Vladimir Kramnik deserve careful review and assessment for practical applicability. FIDE will establish a dedicated task force to evaluate these methods and invites GM Kramnik to present the details of his approach and statistical data for an official FIDE evaluation. At the same time, we are gravely concerned that the way Mr. Kramnik presents his points brings a lot of harm to the chess community. Mr. Kramnik must recognize, that it is not just his opinion or questions – it is a very clear narrative, and coming from the former World Champion it could be ruinous for the careers and a very well-being of certain players. The current discourse has significantly affected such a respected member of the chess community as GM David Navara and has now led to a defamation lawsuit being filed by GM Kramnik against GM Navara. We wish to emphasize once again that throughout his chess career, GM Navara has earned an unquestionable reputation as a paragon of a fair play. The chess community is well aware that David is a person of a great sensitivity and integrity, particularly vulnerable to any implication of unfair play. Without entering into legal or stylistic analyses of the statements made, we believe that – above all – mutual respect and empathy among colleagues must take precedence. We are firmly convinced that the lawsuit against GM Navara should be withdrawn as soon as possible in the interest of the entire chess community. We sincerely hope that GM Kramnik will take this morally justified step, which we believe will be welcomed by the broader chess world. FIDE Management Board
FIDE World Cup Under 8-12: Leaders emerge after Round 6
The FIDE World Cup Under 8–12 in Batumi has passed its midpoint. After six exciting rounds, sole leaders have emerged in all groups except for Open 10 Group B, Open 12 Group B, Girls 10 Group A, and Girls 12 Group A. All games begin daily at 13:00 CET and are broadcast live. The tournament is conducted in full compliance with anti-cheating regulations, with all players thoroughly checked before entering the playing hall. “The FIDE World Cup U8, U10, and U12 is being held in Batumi for the second time. This edition has brought together 300 participants from nearly 40 countries. As organizers, we are doing our best to ensure the tournament is conducted at the highest level, with attention to every detail,” said Akaki Iashvili, Tournament Director and FIDE Director for Special Tasks (pictured above, right). “Right after the conclusion of this World Cup, Batumi will also host another major chess tournament — the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. So, we’re just at the beginning of a long and exciting chess marathon in Georgia,” he added. On the rest day, June 30, two additional events are scheduled: the blitz tournament “Nesis Cup 2025” for official delegation coaches, and the Chess Solving World Cup for boys and girls under 8, 10, and 12. Current leaders after Round 6: Open 08 – Group AJevglevski, Lev (EST) – 5/6 Open 08 – Group BDede, Omer Taha (TUR) – 5/6 Girls 08 – Group AVolkova, Varvara (FIDE) – 6/6 Girls 08 – Group BBissaliyeva, Alisha (KAZ) – 5.5/6 Open 10 – Group AMani, Sarbartho (IND) – 5.5/6 Open 10 – Group BAarit, Kapil (IND) – 5/6Oishik, Mondal (IND) – 5/6 Girls 10 – Group AGao, Ruoya (CHN) – 5/6Chen, Zhihan (CHN) – 5/6 Girls 10 – Group BDivi, Bijesh (IND) – 6/6 Open 12 – Group ASameh Mohamed, Abdalrahman (EGY) – 5.5/6 Open 12 – Group BLing, Chenxuan (USA) – 5.5/6Bulgak, Damir (FID) – 5.5/6 Girls 12 – Group ATselmuun, Ider (MGL) – 5/6Aadya, Gowda (IND) – 5/6Xue, Tianhao (CHN) 5/6 Girls 12 – Group BPratitee, Bordoloi (IND) – 5.5/6 Voices from the tournament Cael Lelethu Stander from South Africa (pictured above), playing in the group B of the Open U10 category, shared his impressions on the event: “I have stated playing chess because my mom taught me how to play. I have found the game really fun. I have started watching videos about tactics and strategy. The most exciting this about this event is that here I have a chance to play against people from all around the world, which I haven’t been able to do yet.” Marta Dograshvili from Georgia (group B, girls U12) also told her story: “I have learnt chess because my sister was playing it, but she is not playing anymore. In this tournament, I am playing with a lot of strong players, but this is not unique to Georgia. Still, this is my first time I am playing blitz and rapid. Chess is very good for my studies, as it helps me very much with math and English.” Round 7 pairings: chess-results.com/tnr1205199.aspx?lan=1&art=2&rd=5&flag=30 Live broadcast: chess.com/events/2025-fide-youth-world-cup-g8a/games Official website: https://wcc2025.fide.com/