FIDE rating review 2025: The year’s biggest gains and breakthroughs
From 1971 to 1980, FIDE issued just one rating list per year. This gradually increased to the current standard of monthly updates—a change driven by obvious practical needs. Yet frequent rating lists can sometimes obscure the broader picture of yearly progress. In this piece, we highlight players who achieved significant rating gains over the past year. Biggest rating gains in the top 100 Open in 2025 All these players had an excellent 2025, but Vincent Keymer and Anish Giri stand out. Keymer started the year on the wrong foot, losing 12 points at both the Tata Steel Masters and in the Bundesliga. He then regained momentum with strong performances at the German Championship (+10), the Chennai Grandmasters (+21), the European Team Championship (+9), and the European Club Cup (+9). These results propelled him to fourth place on the January 2026 rating list—his highest ever. Anish Giri, meanwhile, strung together a series of strong results: he won the 8th Sharjah Masters (+10) and the FIDE Grand Swiss (+13), and overperformed at the European Club Cup (+7). Unsurprisingly, the Dutchman returned to the top 10 after a 15-month absence and finished the year ranked sixth. Matthias Bluebaum shone in the European Team Championship (+18), becoming the first-ever player to win double crown in this competition, and the FIDE Grand Swiss (+23). The winner of the FIDE Circuit 2025 Praggnanandhaa R took the Tata Steel Masters and Stepan Avagyan Memorial and tied for first place in the Sinquefield Cup. The other players listed above steadily increased their ratings through consistent performances throughout the year. Several players began 2025 outside the top 100 Open but earned their way into this elite group through strong results. In absolute terms, their rating gains appear even more impressive – but we must remember the “low base effect”: the lower a player’s starting rating, the easier it is to achieve large point gains. 48. Martinez Alcantara, Jose – 2667 (+61)49. Donchenko, Alexander – 2665 (+33)57. Erdogmus, Yagiz Kaan – 2658 (+59)71. Theodorou, Nikolas – 2648 (+37)76. Gurel, Ediz – 2645 – (+21)78. Safarli, Eltaj – 2644 (+35)80. Lu Shanglei – 2643 (+27)82. Pranav V – 2641 (+26)83. Ivic Velimir – 2638 (+18)91. L’Ami Erwin – 2633 (+20)96. Mishra, Abhimanyu – 2629 (+29)98. Pranesh M – 2628 (+42) Among these newcomers, two stand out. José Martínez Alcántara launched his surge in May, gaining 61 points over seven months to break into the top 50. Yağız Kaan Erdogmuş followed a different path: the Turkish prodigy accumulated rating points steadily throughout the year, reaching a career-high 57th place on the January 2026 list. Most overperformers on this list are very young, so their progress seems natural. One exception is Eltaj Safarli, who remarkably returned to the top 100 after a six-year hiatus. His strong showings in tournaments in Indonesia and Germany, plus the European Club Cup, earned him 35 rating points Now, let’s turn to the women’s list. Biggest rating gains in top 100 Women in 2025 Several female players had outstanding years in 2025. Zhu Jiner, winner of the 2024–2025 Women’s Grand Prix, gained an impressive 65 points, soaring to second place. Given the strength of her opposition throughout the year, this achievement is nothing short of remarkable. Carissa Yip shone in two summer tournaments – the Spring Classic and the Cairns Cup – adding 58 points to debut in the top 20. Song Yuxin (+73) and Anna Shukhman (+66) made the largest gains among players who began the year inside the top 100. Both entered 2025 as leading juniors and finished it in the top 30 Women. As on the Open list, several women started 2025 outside the top 100 but fought their way onto it: 56. Abrahamian, Tatev – 2389 (+79)70. Balabayeva, Xeniya – 2371 (+121)71. Mkrtchyan, Mariam – 2368 (+43)78. Nurman, Alua – 2363 (+27)80. Rakhmangulova, Anastasiya – 2358 (+35)82. Bodnaruk, Anastasia – 2357 (+23)83. Savitha Shri B – 2356 (+25)85. Tang, Zoey – 2356 (+58)96. Mungunzul, Bat-Erdene – 2347 (+79) Tatev Abrahamian triumphantly returned to the top 100 after a five-year absence, fueled by excellent results – particularly at the Budapest One Week in August (+62). Xeniya Balabayeva broke into the top 100 after her strong showing at the Grenke Open (+39), then backed it up with standout performances at the Asian Women’s Championship (+41) and the Oskemen Open Masters (+39), climbing to 70th place with a staggering 121(!) rating points gained over the year. Bat-Erdene Mungunzul delivered impressive performances in the girls section of FIDE World Junior Championship (+34 points), Asian Women’s Chamionship (+43) and emerged as the winner of the Mongolian Women’s Championship (+23) to make her debut in the top 100 Women. Maintaining momentum after a breakout year is notoriously difficult, as players then face a much stronger opposition. Whether the overperformers of 2025 can sustain their success remains to be seen. Photos: Michal Walusza and Lennart Ootes
FIDE Chess in Education Commission (EDU) courses & events January–March 2026
Dear Chess Friends, FIDE’s Chess in Education Commission continues to accelerate its provision of training for Lecturers and Teachers of Educational Chess, offering a series of high-level online and in-person opportunities in winter 2026. The Preparation of Lecturers (PoL) course leads to the FIDE titles of Lead School Instructor (LSI) and Senior Lead Instructor (SLI). It is intended primarily for those who will train teachers, helping to expand the global community of educators capable of teaching chess in an educational way. The Preparation of Teachers (PoT) course leads to the FIDE title of School Instructor (SI). This 3-day (15-hour) training equips participants with pedagogical methods, digital tools, and practical strategies for teaching chess as an educational tool. The schedule of the FIDE EDU upcoming courses and events is below: To join, please register via the following links: First Russian PoT online course – Jan 16-18Register: https://cloud.fide.com/s/NdsRj6BrJRLQjJkSecond Arabic PoT online course – Jan 16-18Register: https://cloud.fide.com/s/RPWQXpYoC5FxypP33rd PoT online course – Jan 23-25Register: https://cloud.fide.com/s/5yGF43ymNACkrkc7th French POT online course – Mar 6-8Register: https://cloud.fide.com/s/jcwxzpM4y6orHY7Our dedicated Chess in Education website has further details: edu.fide.com/
Olympic Beach Initiative launched in Argentina
The Argentine Olympic Committee’s “Olympic Beach” was officially inaugurated in Argentina—an initiative designed to bring sports and Olympic values to the country’s coastlines as a prelude to the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games. The formal opening took place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Horizonte Beach Club in Mar del Plata. The event was attended by the President of the COA, Mario Moccia; the Governor of Santa Fe Province, Maximiliano Pullaro; Olympic athletes; and local authorities, including Javier Curilen, Vice President of the Argentine Chess Federation (FADA). Under the leadership of Mario Petrucci, Executive Director of FADA, member of the COA, and representative on FIDE’s Chess in Multinational Sports Games Committee, the Argentine Chess Federation has integrated chess into the Olympic Beach activies. The program runs from January 7 to February 1 across eight key locations: Mar del Plata, Chapadmalal, Miramar, Pinamar, Cariló, Villa Gesell, Rosario, and Concepción del Uruguay. It features beach sports competitions and exhibitions, free clinics, activities for children and youth, environmental cleanups, and more. During the opening event in Mar del Plata, the Mar del Plata Chess Federation organized a Blitz tournament at “Varese” Beach, along with open boards for casual play, simultaneous exhibitions, and inclusive activities for all ages. Summer chess in Argentina is moving at an Olympic pace!
FIDE updates rating regulations to include faster time controls for major events
The FIDE Council has approved a resolution allowing specific shortened time controls to count toward standard ratings and title norms in 2026. This decision follows a pilot phase that took place in late 2025, including the Women’s World Team Championship tournament in Linares. Based on feedback from participants, organisers, partners, and consultations with top-tier Grandmasters, FIDE has decided to adjust the regulations to reflect the evolving needs of the chess community. The new standard Effective immediately for the 2026 calendar, tournaments with a time control of 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment (45+30) or longer (60+30), may now be rated as standard chess. This change will not automatically apply to all events. It will strictly apply to major or traditional tournaments, approved by the FIDE Qualification Commission (QC). Modernising the circuit The adjustment aims to reduce logistical barriers for organisers and players. By allowing a 45+30 control, high-level Open tournaments can be concluded in five to six days rather than the traditional nine or ten. This format reduces financial strains on players and organisers, accommodation costs and time commitments, making professional chess more accessible to a wider pool of players and sponsors. “We are adapting the pace of modern sport, while preserving the quality and essence of the game,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. “This format allows for more dynamic chess events without compromising the quality of play and the depth of the games,” he added. Protecting title integrity To ensure the value of FIDE titles remains consistent, strict safeguards are put in place: Vetting process: The Qualification Commission (QC) will evaluate requests submitted to qualification@fide.com by tournament organisers on a case-by-case basis, assessing the strength of the field, the history of the event, and support from National or Continental federations. Norm limitations: While players as well as arbiters and organisers will be able to earn norms in these events, a maximum of one such norm may count toward any single title (such as Grandmaster or International Master). Schedule limits: To prevent fatigue and maintain quality of play, approved tournaments may run no more than two rounds per day. The FIDE Council notes that this is a continuation of the pilot project. The QC will monitor the implementation and volume of requests throughout 2026, with the option to adjust criteria based on real-world results. The full text of the FIDE Council Resolution is available [HERE].
Call for Bids: FIDE Amateur World Championships 2026
FIDE Events Commission is pleased to announce “Call for Bids for FIDE Amateur World Championships 2026” and invite FIDE member Federations to participate. The deadline for submissions is January 26, 2026, 15:00 CET. Two competitions included in this call: World Amateur Chess Championships (in a new format) World Amateur Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships (a new event) Interested bidders can find detailed information about the bidding procedure – including the Bidding Form, Bid Form Annex, and applicable Bid and Deposit Fees – [HERE].
European Women’s Rapid & Blitz Championship 2025: Batsiashvili and Roebers capture titles
Nino Batsiashvili and Eline Roebers emerged as champions of the European Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships, respectively, both securing decisive victories in the final round. The 2025 European Women’s Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships took place from January 8–12, 2026, in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The total prize fund for the two events was €46,500, with €15,200 allocated to the Blitz Championship and €31,300 to the Rapid Championship. The 2025 edition set a new participation record, with 154 players from 32 federations registered for the Rapid event and 145 players for the Blitz competition. The first event on the schedule was the European Women’s Blitz Chess Championship 2025, a 13-round Swiss-system tournament played on January 9 under a time control of 3 minutes per game plus a 2-second increment. The blitz event was fiercely contested and came down to the wire. IM Bella Khotenashvili of Georgia seized the lead after Round 7 and entered the final round with 10/12, a full point ahead of IMs Oliwia Kiolbasa (POL), Yuliia Osmak (UKR), and Eline Roebers (NED). Top seed Roebers rose to the occasion, defeating the leader in their direct encounter to clinch the title. Four players tied for third place with 9.5/12, and Oliwia Kiolbasa claimed the bronze medal on tiebreaks (superior Buchholz score). Complete final standings – Blitz The European Women’s Rapid Chess Championship 2025, an 11-round Swiss-system tournament with a 15+10 time control, was held from January 10–11 at the same venue – Hotel Novotel – and followed a similarly dramatic script. GM Alexandra Kosteniuk of Switzerland surged into sole lead after Round 7 and held that position through the penultimate round. In the final round, she faced GM Nino Batsiashvili (GEO), who trailed by a full point. Needing a win, Batsiashvili delivered brilliantly, securing the gold medal with a final score of 9/11. Kosteniuk finished second with the same score but had to settle for silver after losing their head-to-head encounter. Six players tied for third place with 8 points each, and IM Sofio Gvetadze earned the bronze medal based on a superior Buchholz tiebreak. Complete final standings – Rapid The сlosing ceremony of the event took place on Sunday night in the playing venue with the attendance of the ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili, ECU Vice President and President of the Monaco Chess Federation Jean-Michel Rapaire, ECU Vice President Malcolm Pein, ECU Vice President Gunnar Bjornsson, ECU Vice President Alojzije Jankovic, ECU CEO Erald Dervishi, ECU Commercial Chief Advisor Moshe Slav, event’s supporter Evren Ucok, and other distinguished guests. The ECU President addressed the players, congratulated the winners, and officially declared the event closed, and with the other distinguished attendees joined the awarding ceremony for the medalists of the European Women’s Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2025, and winners of the special awards – the best veteran 50+ players, the best Monaco players, the best players in different rating categories, the best PACA players, and the best Alpes Maritimes player. Photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar
FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship Play-In set for this week
On January 7, FIDE and Freestyle Chess officially announced the inaugural FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship, scheduled to take place in Weissenhaus, Germany, from February 13–15. To complete the lineup for the event, Chess.com will host a Play-In qualifier to determine the remaining player who will compete at the event. The Play-In qualifier will be held on January 14–15, starting at 10:00 AM ET / 16:00 CET, and offers a ticket to the $300,000 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship. The event is open to all verified titled players who have not already qualified for the Championship. All participants in the Swiss stage will be required to use Proctor. The Play-In will follow a familiar qualification format, beginning with a nine-round Swiss tournament played at a 10+2 time control. The top four players will advance to the knockout stage. The knockout will be a single-elimination competition, with each match consisting of two games played at a 15+3 time control. In the event of a tie, players will contest two 5+2 games, followed, if necessary, by a bidding Armageddon with a base time of five minutes, in which the bid winner receives the black pieces. The winner of the Play-In will secure the final spot in the first FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship, joining the seven players who have already qualified through the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour or were selected as wildcards by Freestyle Chess: GM Magnus Carlsen GM Levon Aronian GM Fabiano Caruana GM Vincent Keymer GM Arjun Erigaisi GM Javokhir Sindarov GM Hans Niemann The Play-In features a $5,000 prize fund, with $1,000 awarded to first place, $700 to the runner-up, $550 each to the third- and fourth-place finishers.
FIDE statement regarding CAS filing
FIDE has received a copy of the complaint filed by five federations (Ukraine, England, Norway, Estonia, and Germany) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The appeal concerns the recent decisions of the FIDE General Assembly in relation to restrictions on Russia and Belarus. FIDE will review the complaint and submit a timely official response to CAS. We remain confident in our legal position and the integrity of the General Assembly’s procedures.
FIDE Global Conference on Chess in Society and Education: Final call for registration
The Social and Educational Chess Conference, marking the launch of the FIDE Year of Chess in Education 2026, is fast approaching. Organized by FIDE, in partnership with KIIT and the All India Chess Federation the conference will take place from January 14 to 16, 2026 in Bhubaneswar, India. It aims to bring together experts from the fields of education, academic research, social development, public policy, and chess to critically examine and advance the use of chess as a structured instrument for learning and social impact on a global scale. “Chess has a unique ability to bring together education, social programmes, and public institutions. When it is organised well and supported by strong partners, it can reach people globally and create real opportunities for learning and participation. This conference is about sharing what works, learning from each other, and building stronger cooperation so that chess can play a meaningful role in education and social projects around the world,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President. The event will be held at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), one of India’s leading educational institutions, and will focus on two core pillars of FIDE’s global strategy: Social Chess and Chess in Education. “Education must go beyond textbooks and classrooms to nurture character, values, and the ability to think independently. Chess is a powerful tool in this journey, as it cultivates discipline, critical thinking, patience, and ethical decision-making. We are honoured that KIIT and KISS will host this global conference and partner with FIDE and the All India Chess Federation in advancing chess as an instrument for social transformation and inclusive education worldwide,” said Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT, KISS & KIMS. Over the course of the conference, participants will examine how chess can support inclusion, education, rehabilitation, and personal development across different communities and age groups. The programme combines strategic discussions, academic research, practical case studies, and on-the-ground experiences. The list of speakers includes: Achyuta Samanta, a globally respected educationist, social reformer, and sports visionary, and the founder of KIIT, KISS & KIMS Rodrigo Barbeito, a sociologist and international project manager at Club Magic Extremadura Mukesh Ranjan Das, Executive Director (HR), Indian Oil Corp (IOC) Professor Sabine Vollstädt-Klein, who leads the Neuroimaging of Addictive Behaviour group in the Central Institute of Mental Health at Heidelberg University. Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian National Chess Master and founder of a nonprofit Chess in Slums Africa. Cristóbal Blanco Acevedo, a neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, and International Chess Master. His work uniquely bridges elite chess and brain science using the game as a model to study advanced cognition Jerry Nash, Chair of FIDE Chess in Education Commission, a National consultant for educational chess in the US. André Vögtlin, FIDE Social Chess Commission Chair Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess The first day of the conference, titled “Every Move Matters: Social Chess in Action”, will focus on social impact initiatives. Sessions will highlight the outcomes of FIDE’s Social Chess Year 2025 and present priorities for 2026. Speakers and project leaders from around the world will share experiences from initiatives working with refugees, prison populations, children in underserved communities, elderly participants, and individuals facing addiction and social exclusion. The programme will also address institutional models, partnerships, CSR engagement, volunteer management, and sustainable project development. As part of the Every Move Matters theme, the first day of the conference will conclude with the presentation of the FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge. Short films submitted through the global initiative will be screened, showcasing real stories of how chess supports education, inclusion, and social change across communities worldwide. The evening programme will culminate in the announcement of the winning films, followed by a networking reception hosted by KIIT and the All India Chess Federation. The second day, “Every Lesson Counts: The Present and Future of Chess in Education”, will focus on chess in formal and non-formal education systems. Discussions will include current research on the cognitive and academic impact of chess, national and regional implementation models, teacher training, curriculum integration, and policy development. Digital tools and platforms supporting chess in education will also be showcased, alongside case studies from established programmes around the world. Beyond the main conference sessions, the programme includes exhibitions of social chess projects, educational workshops, networking activities, and presentations from digital and educational partners. Interactive formats such as audience Q&A, project showcases, and short film screenings will encourage dialogue and exchange between participants. The final days of the programme will be dedicated to site visits at KIIT and KISS facilities, local social chess initiatives, school activities, and Chess in Education teacher training courses, reinforcing the conference’s emphasis on practical application and long-term capacity building. The Social and Educational Chess Conference reflects FIDE’s ongoing commitment to developing chess as a tool for education, inclusion, and social development, while strengthening collaboration between institutions, educators, researchers, and federations worldwide. The conference will be streamed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel. Registration details, speakers, and the program are available at soc.fide.com/global-chess-conference.
Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives 2026: Application deadline approaching
We would like to kindly remind you that the application process for the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) Project 2026 is currently open. FACI is an international project implemented by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation with the support of Freedom Holding Corp., in partnership with FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation (ACF). The FACI Project aims to support the sustainable development of chess by strengthening national chess federations, developing chess education, and promoting international cooperation. In 2025, the FACI Project supported seven national chess federations: Oman, Cambodia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and Pakistan. Participating countries achieved strong results, including prize-winning places at international tournaments. Selected countries also received grants to take part in the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships in Almaty, providing young players the opportunity to compete at the highest level. A key focus of the FACI Project is the organization of training camps for national teams, conducted with the participation of Kazakhstan’s leading coaches. National chess federations interested in participating in FACI 2026 are invited to submit their applications via the official website: faci.kazchess.kz. Deadline: January 12, 2026, 12:00 PM Astana time (UTC+5). All applications will be processed in accordance with the FACI Project Regulations. The results of the selection process will be announced in early February 2026. Federations that participated in 2025 are invited to submit a new application to be considered for support in 2026. Decisions will be made by the FACI Working Group and the President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. Please carefully review the FACI Project Regulations posted on the official website. For more detailed information about the FACI Project, you can watch our video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMYLo4rCK24