FIDE delegation participates in UNHCR Global Refugee Forum
From December 15 to 17, 2025, a FIDE delegation consisting of André Voegtlin, Chair of the FIDE Social Commission, and Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, attended the UNHCR Global Refugee Forum (GRF) in Geneva. The GRF is the world’s largest international gathering on refugee issues, convened every four years. It serves as a critical platform for UN Member States and a diverse array of stakeholders—including international organizations, NGOs, civil society, the private sector, and refugee representatives—to discuss and forge concrete solutions for the challenges confronting refugees and their host communities. The Forum was established to bolster the practical implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2018, the GCR seeks to transform the global response to refugee situations through more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing. Its four key objectives are: Easing pressures on host countries; Enhancing refugee self-reliance; Expanding access to third-country solutions (such as resettlement and complementary pathways); and Supporting conditions in countries of origin for safe, dignified, and voluntary returns. The FIDE delegation participated in several side events. One of particular interest was “Gender Equality and Ending Violence Against Refugee Women and Girls,” a multi-stakeholder event featuring a keynote intervention by Khalida Popal of Girl Power. Focus:The event centered on the critical issues of gender equality and the protection of refugee women and girls from gender-based violence (GBV). It highlighted the unique vulnerabilities and strengths of this demographic. Key Outcome:It served as a platform to advance and gather support for a specific pledge on “Gender Equality and Protection Against GBV” under the “Avec Elle” initiative. This pledge represents a concrete commitment by various actors to take actionable steps toward these goals within the refugee response framework. The FIDE delegation found the Forum an invaluable opportunity to engage with the latest developments, challenges, and partnerships in the global refugee response. The focus on gender equality and protection aligns closely with FIDE’s core principles and operational priorities. The delegation will analyze the insights and connections gained to inform FIDE’s ongoing and future strategies in supporting displaced populations, with a particular emphasis on promoting the rights and empowerment of women and girls. The delegation also held productive meetings with the Sport for Refugees Coalition, engaging with representatives, leaders, and colleagues from the sector. These exchanges focused on cooperation opportunities, best practices, and the role of sport as a tool for the inclusion, protection, and empowerment of refugee communities. The Sport for Refugees Coalition was represented at the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review by a wide range of international sports federations, organizations, foundations, and advocates. Participating sports federations and governing bodies included: FIFA Foundation, UEFA, World Athletics, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the International Judo Federation (IJF), the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Special Olympics, LIV Golf, and the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF). They were joined by major foundations and sport-for-development organisations such as Adidas Foundation, Scott Foundation, Olympic Refuge Foundation, the Yusra Mardini Foundation, Girl Power, Play International, Klabu, and Union Sportive des Jeunes Réfugiés (USJR). The forum also featured high-profile refugee advocates and athletes, including Zakia Khudadadi, Paralympic medalist and UNHCR High-Profile Supporter and Masomah Ali Zada, Chef de Mission of the Refugee Olympic Team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and UNHCR High-Profile Supporter. André Voegtlin and Anastasia Sorokina welcomed the extensive cooperation plans discussed with UNHCR colleagues ahead of the World Chess Olympiad 2026 in Uzbekistan.
Battle for the final Candidates spot: Women’s Events 2024-2025 race heats up
The Women’s Events 2024-2025 has entered its decisive phase. Following the triumphs of Vaishali R and Kateryna Lagno in the Women’s Grand Swiss, all seven leading players in the Women’s Events race secured qualification for the Women’s Candidates 2026 through various pathways. The eighth and final spot in the competition – which will determine the challenger for the women’s world title – remains open. Currently leading the race for that last berth is Bibisara Assaubayeva (99.4 points), who sits eighth, just behind the already-qualified players. Given her impressive resume in fast time controls, the two-time World Women’s Blitz Champion appears to have the strongest claim on paper heading to the Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025. Chasing her are Song Yuxin, Anna Muzychuk (both on 80 points), the winner of the 2022–23 Women’s Candidates Lei Tingjie (62 points), and the experienced Harika Dronavalli (58.5). All four remain strong candidates for the final slot, provided they deliver strong results at the upcoming events in Qatar. Further down the standings, young Afruza Khamdamova, former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk (both on 38.5), Mariya Muzychuk (26.40), Nana Dzagnidze (25), Ulviyya Fataliyeva (20), and Irina Krush (20) still have mathematical chances. With significant number of points available at the upcoming Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships, none of them can yet be ruled out. Each of these contenders faces the formidable challenge of outperforming the competition in the season’s final events to claim the last coveted place in the Women’s Candidates 2026. We maintain a dedicated page on our website for the FIDE Women’s Events 2024–2025, featuring the latest information on eligible tournaments, current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Women’s Events 2024-2025
FIDE U9–U17 Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship kicks off in Antalya, Türkiye
The FIDE U9–U17 Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship, organized by FIDE and the Turkish Chess Federation, officially commenced on December 16 at the Aska Lara Hotel in Antalya. A total of 314 participants from 33 countries, including 97 titled players, are competing in the event. Both the rapid and blitz events are 9-round Swiss tournaments, held across five age groups (U9, U11, U13, U15, U17) and separate Open and Girls sections. The rapid segment will be played over three days, followed by the two-day blitz tournaments. The top seeds in the open categories (from U17 to U9, respectively) are: IM Arda Çamlar (TUR), GM Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş (TUR; pictured above), Andrey Kryakvin (FIDE), FM Marc Llari (FRA) and Marc Barcelo Melnyk (ESP). WFM Alexia-Andreea Iordache (ROU), WFM Rosha Akbari (IRI), WCM Kristina Zavivaeva (FIDE; pictured below), WFM Alisa Genrietta Yunker (FIDE), WCM Eliza-Ioana Badescu (ROU) headline the girls categories. The opening ceremony was attended by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, along with the President of the hosting Turkish Chess Federation Fethi Apaydin; TCF Deputy President Bulent Mert Dikec; FIDE Events Commission Honorary Chair ABD Chief Events Inspector Ozgur Solakoglu; TCF Board Member and FIDE Events Commission Member Alper Efe Ataman; Kemal Can Comez, Betul Buyukasik, and other sports sport and federation officials. Arkady Dvorkovich and Fethi Apaydin made the first ceremonial moves, officially launching the competition. Pairing and results: [HERE] Official website: youthrapidblitz2025.tsf.org.tr/ Photo gallery: photos.app.goo.gl/8haNV29TMiGgSNvm8 Written by Özgür Akman Photos: Ozan Koşar
Cape Verde Championship 2025: Mariano Ortega retains title
International Master Mariano Ortega has reaffirmed his dominance in Cape Verdean chess by successfully defending his title as Absolute National Champion. The championship was held from December 7–14 at the Hotel Oásis Atlântico Porto Grande in the city of Mindelo on the island of São Vicente. The 9-round Swiss event brought together 26 players from across the country and the diaspora. Featuring a strong field and a highly competitive atmosphere, the event proved both challenging and exciting. Mariano Ortega dominated the competition, winning all nine games to claim his fifth national title. This achievement cements his status as the leading figure in Cape Verdean chess and serves as an inspiration for a new generation of players. His success celebrates his personal milestone and underscores the growth and rising competitiveness of chess in Cape Verde, as demonstrated by the high-quality games and genuine sportsmanship on display throughout the event. FM Diogo Alho (pictured above, right), who fell to Ortega in Round 4, won all his other games to secure the silver medal. CM José Carlos Vaz completed the podium with a score of 7/9. Final standings (chess-results) The closing ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Sport of Cape Verde, Dr. Carlos Monteiro, who highlighted the progress of chess in the nation and commended the efforts of the national federation. Photos: Federação Cabo-verdiana de Xadrez
GCL Day 3: Four teams share the lead after Triveni and Mumba lose
After three days of play at the Global Chess League, no team remains undefeated. The third day of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League brought big changes. Both previously unbeaten squads, Triveni Continental Kings and upGrad Mumbai Masters, suffered their first losses. Fyers American Gambits edged Triveni 10 to 8 in a tense clash decided on the prodigy board, while Alpine SG Pipers finally broke through with a 9 to 7 victory over upGrad, their first win of the season. Earlier, Ganges Grandmasters opened the day by sweeping past PBG Alaskan Knights 12 to 3, with Viswanathan Anand scoring his first win in Mumbai against World Champion Gukesh. After three rounds, the standings have tightened completely. Four teams now share the lead on six Match Points each: Triveni Continental Kings, upGrad Mumbai Masters, Ganges Grandmasters and Fyers American Gambits. upGrad hold a narrow edge on Game Points (on 33), just ahead of the defending champions Triveni (on 32), with Ganges (on 29) and the Gambits (on 25) close behind. Standings after Day 3 Alpine SG Pipers are now back in contention with three Match Points following their late win over upGrad. PBG Alaskan Knights remain at the bottom of the table, still looking for their first match victory. Match 7: Ganges Grandmasters vs PBG Alaskan Knights (12:3) The third day of Season three opened with two teams moving in opposite directions. Ganges Grandmasters had just found their form with a 13 to 7 win over Alpine SG Pipers on day two, after a very tough start against upGrad Mumba Masters. PBG Alaskan Knights came in still shaken by their 3 to 15 loss to Triveni Continental Kings. They were also still without a match victory after a narrow defeat to Fyers American Gambits on day one. From the outset, it was clear that Ganges had carried their momentum into this round. Across the boards, they were the ones pressing, while the Knights struggled to find their footing. A heavy loss for PBG soon seemed a real possibility. The first result, however, was peaceful: on the prodigy board, Daniel Dardha and Raunak Sadhwani repeated moves and agreed a draw. After their dramatic earlier games in the league, this time neither side took full risk and the match began with one Game Point each. The first breakthrough came from Javokhir Sindarov. Facing Leinier Dominguez, accepted a pawn sacrifice for which Black got more than sufficient compensation. However, a serious mistake on move 25 by Leinier cost him dearly – White managed to neutralize all his threats and liquidated into an endgame with an extra pawn and more active pieces. Dominguez fought on and played on for some time, but there was no real hope. Ganges took the 4 to 1 lead in Game Points. On the Icon board, the spotlight fell on the all-Indian meeting of two World Champions – former and current. Viswanathan Anand had lost both his games so far in Mumbai and needed a result. Playing with White against Gukesh in a Sicilian, Anand seized space and gradually built up initiative, keeping Black under constant pressure. He eventually broke on the queenside and promoted his c-pawn, creating deadly threats to Black’s king. Gukesh had to resign. On the second men’s board, Arjun Erigaisi faced Vincent Keymer. Under pressure for much of the game, Arjun defended accurately and steered the position to a draw. Ganges then struck again on the women’s board. Polina Shuvalova, fresh off her Day 2 win over Hou Yifan, defeated over Kateryna Lagno in a very complex game riddled with mutual mistakes. Polina eventually emerged from complications with an extra piece, and the rest was a smooth sailing. Another three Game Points went to Ganges, stretching the lead to 10 to 1. The last hope for PBG lay on the remaining women’s board. Sara Khadem outplayed Stavroula Tsolakidou and reached a better endgame. Tsolakidou made several mistakes in mutual time trouble, but Khadem did not manage to find the most precise continuations. The advantage slipped away, and the game simplified to a drawn position. Another half point each went on the scoreboard. When the dust settled, the final score was 12 to 3 in Game Points for Ganges Grandmasters. With three wins and no losses in this match, they continued their strong recovery. PBG Alaskan Knights, on the other hand, suffered their second heavy defeat in a row and remain under pressure to turn their season around. Match 8: Triveni Continental Kings vs Fyers American Gambits (8:10) The day’s second match pitted the defending champions against one of the most dangerous challengers. Triveni Continental Kings had started the season with two wins: they beat Alpine SG Pipers by 9-7 on and then crushed PBG Alaskan Knights by 15-3. Fyers American Gambits arrived on three Match Points from two rounds. They had defeated PBG Alaskan Knights on the opening night, then narrowly lost to upGrad Mumba Masters. Both teams fielded their strongest lineups. For Triveni this meant Alireza Firouzja, Wei Yi, Vidit Gujrathi, Zhu Jiner, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Marc’Andria Maurizzi. For the Gambits it was Hikaru Nakamura, Richard Rapport, Vladislav Artemiev, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Teodora Injac and Volodar Murzin. The first decisive result came on one of the men’s boards. Richard Rapport played a fine positional game against Vidit Gujrathi. Step by step, he restricted White’s pieces and built a kind of geometric cage around the white king. Vidit spent a long time searching for a defence but there was no way out. The Gambits took the first win of the match and four Game Points. Triveni struck back spectacularly on a women’s board. In a very sharp Scotch, Alexandra Kosteniuk emerged with two minor pieces against Teodora Injac’s rook and a pawn. The position remained balanced for a long time, but in Injac misplayed walking her king into a mating net. Kosteniuk finished the game by checkmating with a pawn – a rare sight in top level chess. Her win brought three Game Points and leveled
FIDE World Senior Team Championships 2026: Registration now open
FIDE and the Albanian Chess Federation invite all FIDE member federations and eligible teams to participate in the World Senior Team Chess Championships taking place in Durres, Albania, from April 18 (arrival) to April 29 (departure), 2026. The championships are open to all players, regardless of rating or title, who have reached or will reach the required age during the calendar year of the competition. National federations shall register their teams in accordance with the official regulations. The event will feature four: age 50+ and age 65+, Open and Women, with separate events for women with a minimum of 10 teams from at least 2 continents. The registration deadline is February 18, 2026. FIDE Senior Teams Championship official website (coming soon): worldseniorteam2026.fide.com Email: worldseniorteam@fide.com Registration form (DOCX) Invitation letter, regulations, and registration details (PDF)
GCL Season 3, Day 2: Mumba and Triveni in the lead
By the end of day two only two teams still had a perfect record. Triveni Continental Kings crushed PBG Alaskan Knights by 15 to 3 in Game Points. The day started with three teams on full Match Points from day one: Triveni, upGrad and Fyers. Trailing them, Alpine, Ganges and PBG were under pressure to respond. Once again the Royal Opera House in Mumbai saw hard fought games, deep time trouble and tense finishes on every board. upGrad Mumba Masters narrowly beat Fyers American Gambits by 9 to 7. Ganges Grandmasters scored their first victory of the season with a 13 to 7 win over Alpine SG Pipers. Fyers stayed on three Match Points. Alpine and PBG are still seeking their first match win. Standings after Day 2 Match 4: Fyers American Gambits vs upGrad Mumba Masters (7:9) The opening match of the day was a clash between two teams who had both started with wins. The Gambits had edged out PBG Alaskan Knights 8–5 in Game Points on Day 1 thanks to Teodora Injac’s lone victory, while the upGrad Mumbai Masters had been the most impressive team of the opening night, crushing the Ganges Grandmasters 17–4 in Game Points. After the traditional coin toss, the Fyers American Gambits chose to play with the White pieces. The match began quietly, with most positions balanced. The first game to finish was on the second Superstar board, where Wesley So and Vladislav Artemiev followed a well-known line in the Italian Game. With the position equal and both aware of the team stakes, they agreed to a draw. Then came the first big blow for the Gambits. On the first Superstar board, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov outplayed Richard Rapport in a complicated middlegame. Rapport is often the player who brings more surprise and creativity, but this time Mamedyarov took over that role, steering the game into a winning endgame and smoothly converting his advantage. upGrad scored an important three Game Points. Hikaru Nakamura immediately looked at the screens to assess the situation. Seeing Rapport’s loss, he knew he had to play for a win. Doing so with Black against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is one of the hardest tasks in the league, but the match situation left him no choice. More bad news followed for the Gambits. On the prodigy board, World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin was outplayed by Daneshvar Bardiya. In a Ruy Lopez, Murzin went wrong early and had to defend an inferior position for most of the game. Daneshvar kept everything under control and scored the full point. With two victories and a draw, upGrad were close to securing the match. This increased the pressure on Nakamura, who was pressing Vachier-Lagrave in a tense endgame. Under heavy time pressure, Maxime made a fatal error in an otherwise even position. Nakamura immediately jumped on the opportunity, won an exchange, and the rest was an easy ride. A win with Black brought the Gambits back into the match, with the Game Points score now standing at 7–5 for upGrad. The final word came from the women’s boards. Bibisara Assaubayeva obtained a slightly better position against Humpy Koneru but could not make progress; Koneru defended accurately, and the game ended in a draw. On the other women’s board, Harika Dronavalli pressed Teodora Injac for most of the game, but Injac put up stubborn defense and was rewarded with a half-point. When the last handshake was made, the numbers told a very narrow story. The upGrad Mumbai Masters won the match 9–7 in Game Points and collected another three Match Points. After two days, they remain on a perfect score, building on their dominant start against Ganges. The Fyers American Gambits stayed on three Match Points from two matches. Match 5: Alpine SG Pipers vs Ganges Grandmasters (7:13) Both teams came into match five under pressure. On Day 1, the Alpine SG Pipers had lost narrowly to the defending champions, Triveni Continental Kings, 9–7 in Game Points, while the Ganges Grandmasters had suffered the heaviest defeat of the day, losing 17–4 to the upGrad Mumbai Masters. Both sides desperately needed a strong result. The first breakthrough came on the Superstar board. Alpine’s Anish Giri emerged better from an English Opening against Vincent Keymer, then launched a direct attack on the black king, even offering a knight that was too dangerous for Keymer to capture. Giri reached a winning position, but his clock became his biggest problem. With seconds ticking away and Keymer defending resourcefully, the German grandmaster fought back to equality. Given the match situation and his time trouble, Giri accepted a draw by threefold repetition. On the Icon board, Viswanathan Anand faced Fabiano Caruana. Both had lost their Icon games on Day 1 and were looking to respond. In a level position, Anand played a natural-looking move that turned out to be a serious mistake. Caruana seized the chance, took over the initiative, and never let go. Soon, Black’s position was beyond repair, and Anand had to resign, giving Alpine their first win of the match. The mood in the Mumbai Opera House shifted, with many in the crowd stunned to see Anand facing a second straight loss. Ganges retaliated on the prodigy board. Raunak Sadhwani, who had blundered a piece and lost quickly on Day 1, produced a clean performance against Leon Luke Mendonca. Playing with Black, he equalised first, then gradually outplayed his opponent and converted his advantage. It was an important four-point win and a personal redemption for Sadhwani. Almost simultaneously, on the women’s board, Polina Shuvalova was conducting a powerful attack against Hou Yifan. The world’s top-rated woman player and former Women’s World Champion could not fend it off and capitulated, facing imminent checkmate. Ganges added another four Game Points. Alpine struck back through Nino Batsiashvili. Fresh from her win on Day 1 against Alexandra Kosteniuk, she defeated Stavroula Tsolakidou in a Benko Gambit. This kept the Pipers within reach and confirmed Batsiashvili as one of their early-season leaders. With the score
Top 10 women players fighting for the crown in Doha
Women’s chess, like the Open, has its own cycles, storylines and stars. Doha will bring many of them together under one roof. Over the past few years, FIDE has pushed women’s chess up the agenda. The International Chess Federation declared 2022 the Year of the Woman in Chess and backed it with programs for girls, coaches and officials, as well as gender quotas in some official roles. The Commission for Women’s Chess now openly speaks of a “surge in the interest of women in chess” and sets its mission to make the game “beloved and accessible” to women worldwide. Still, there is a prevailing view in the wider chess community that more needs to be done to get women and girls playing chess. Women constitute only around 11 percent of FIDE members, according to a 2024 research paper on gender and chess. Yet the direction is clear: More national federations are fielding women’s teams. Ahead of the 45th Olympiad in Budapest, nine countries prepared female teams for the first time, helped by a dedicated FIDE project. Also for the first time in the Chess Olympiad, players who have small children were given support to bring over their children and a guardian, so they would not have to be separated during the long event. Prize funds are rising as well. The World Rapid and Blitz in Doha has a total purse of one million euros, with three hundred thousand reserved for the women’s events, split between rapid and blitz. The Women’s Grand Prix series has seen its overall prise fund jump from eighty thousand to one hundred twenty thousand euros, and the top prizes per tournament also increased. Some top events, such as Norway Chess, now run women’s super-tournaments with the same prize money as the open. Off the board, more women are visible as content creators and public figures. Rankings of “female chess influencers” already list several dozen active streamers and social media personalities. Players such as Anna Cramling or the Botez sisters show that a chess career today is not just about competition, but also about commentary and full-time streaming in front of global audiences. A 2024 survey of elite women players found that 65 percent believe a woman will one day win the overall world title, many expecting it within the next decade. In this wider shift, the women arriving in Doha for the World Rapid and Blitz form the top edge of the pyramid. The ten highest-rated players in the women’s field combine world title experience, blitz genius, and a mix of established champions and younger stars. These are the leaders of women’s fast chess in Doha. Ju Wenjun – the benchmark Photo: Anna Shtourman Top seed Ju Wenjun, with a rapid rating of 2530 on the entry list, comes to Doha as the player everyone else measures themselves against. In April she defended her Women’s World Championship title for the fifth time, beating Tan Zhongyi 6.5–2.5 in a match played in Shanghai and Chongqing. Earlier, she had already dominated the World Rapid and Blitz in New York. Ju won the 2024 Women’s World Blitz Championship, beating Lei Tingjie in an overtime final, and shared second to seventh place in the Women’s Rapid. She is not just a classical specialist. Ju is a complete all-around champion who handles every time control with calm and precision. In Doha, she is the natural favourite, but also the main target. Tan Zhongyi – fighter in every format Photo: Michal Walusza Tan Zhongyi, second seed on 2507 and a former Women’s World Champion, has been locked in a rivalry with Ju for almost a decade. She earned her second world championship match by winning the 2024 Women’s Candidates Tournament with nine points from 14 games, finishing one and a half points ahead of the field. While she could not stop Ju in the 2025 title match, Tan scored the first win before the champion pulled away. In tournaments, Tan stays near the top in both classical and rapid. At the 2025 Women’s World Cup, she again reached the latter stages but was eliminated in the semifinals by the eventual winner IM Divya Deshmukh. Tan’s approach is practical and determined. She defends tough positions for hours and is equally ready to attack if a chance appears. In rapid and blitz, that ability to hold bad positions and keep the game going can be worth as much as sharp preparation. Aleksandra Goryachkina – Grand Prix leader and rapid star Photo: Michal Walusza Aleksandra Goryachkina is another well-known face in women’s chess. Rated 2505, she is one of the strongest women players, a former world championship challenger and often a participant of Open rather than Women’s competition. Her recent performances have been strong. In 2024, she won the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid women’s event in Kolkata, scoring 7/9, staying undefeated and finishing a point and a half ahead of her nearest rival. In the same season, she took first place at the Shymkent leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, then followed it in February 2025 with victory in Monaco, again winning a three-way tie on tiebreak. Wins in Shymkent and Monaco secured her second-place finish in the overall Grand Prix standings (behind Zhu Jiner) and earn a spot in the next Candidates Tournament. Still, at the 2025 Women’s World Cup, she had a rough time and was eliminated early by Meruert Kamalidenova. In fast chess, Goryachkina is known for her excellent positional understanding and endgame technique. A camera-shy player, Goryachkina prefers to let the moves on the chessboard speak for her. Lei Tingjie – silver in New York, always in contention Photo: Anna Shtourman Lei Tingjie, seeded fourth on 2496, has been near the summit of women’s chess since her run to the 2023 world championship match against Ju Wenjun, which she lost by the narrowest of margins, 5.5 – 6.5. Last December, in New York, she reached the final of the 2024 Women’s World Blitz Championship and only lost to
Checkmate Grants: Unlocking Funding Opportunities – Seminar announced by FIDE Infinite Chess
FIDE Infinite Chess is pleased to announce an online seminar, “Checkmate Grants: Unlocking Funding Opportunities” (Friday, December 20, 2025 | 12:00–15:00 CET). This event is designed for social project leaders, chess educators, NGO representatives, and anyone interested in driving social impact through chess. This three-hour session will equip participants with the knowledge and confidence needed to identify, approach, and secure funding for chess-based social initiatives. Speakers will include experienced project leaders who have successfully obtained European and Spanish national grants, as well as representatives from major companies that support social-impact programmes. Attendees will learn how to: Craft compelling proposals Build meaningful partnerships Understand the criteria funders use when selecting projects Real-life case studies of funded initiatives will provide practical insights and inspiration. Key Takeaways: How to identify potential funders for social chess projects Practical tips for preparing strong grant applications What funders look for in impactful proposals Case studies of successful chess-related social projects Registration: https://forms.gle/ez8MrkEUUVK8ex8NA Join us to discover new opportunities and empower your chess initiatives through sustainable funding. About FIDE Infinite ChessThe FIDE Infinite Chess Program is a global initiative that aims to make chess accessible and inclusive for individuals with neurodiverse conditions such as autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and other developmental challenges. Its philosophy is that chess is more than a game; it’s a universal language of logic, focus, and connection that can be adapted for every learner. Through sensory-friendly environments, adaptive teaching, and compassion-centered mentorship, Infinite Chess nurtures both cognitive and social-emotional skills, helping children build abilities for life beyond the board. With the support of the FIDE Planning and Development Commission (PDC), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the Kindness on Board Foundation, the FIDE Infinite Chess project is now active in 28 countries, serving over 270 children with autism and co-occurring conditions. The project operates in stages from January/February to May and from September to November/December, with a break during the summer. During Stage 7 (January/February–May 2025), chess lessons were held in 25 countries. AcknowledgementsWe wish to extend our profound appreciation to the dedicated team behind the groundbreaking FIDE Infinite Chess project. Their vision, hard work, and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in bringing this ambitious initiative to life. Our special gratitude goes to: Dana Reizniece, Project Supervisor and Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, for her strategic oversight and unwavering support, which provided the essential foundation for the project’s success. Anastasia Sorokina, Project Leader and Chair of the FIDE Women’s Commission (WOM), for her dynamic leadership and passionate commitment, which steered the project from concept to reality. Maria Tamkovich, Project Coordinator, for her meticulous coordination and tireless efforts in managing countless operational details. Finally, our gratitude extends to every member of the FIDE Infinite Chess family. The support, cooperation, and shared belief from this entire community have been invaluable. This achievement is a testament to what we can accomplish together. Infinite Chess official website: infinitechess.fide.com/
FIDE General Assembly decisions regarding Russia and Belarus
FIDE General Assembly mandates the return of all teams and fully restores the rights of youth players in line with IOC recommendations; FIDE Council to finalise protocols for adult teams following IOC consultation. During the FIDE General Assembly held online on 14 December, national delegates voted on two separate resolutions regarding the status of Russian and Belarusian chess players. The first resolution was filed by the Russian Chess Federation, while the second resolution was proposed by the FIDE Council. Both resolutions referenced recent decisions and recommendations by the International Olympic Committee regarding players from Russia and Belarus. The FIDE Council resolution also referenced the recent Olympic Summit decision, based on the IOC EB recommendation, noting that “youth athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions, in both individual and team sports… In addition, the standard protocols of the IF or the International Sports Event Organiser regarding flags, anthems, uniforms and other elements should apply, provided that the national sports organisation concerned is in good standing. The above principles should apply to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, and are recommended for adoption by all IFs and International Sports Event Organisers for their own youth events.” (see: Olympic Summit reaffirms athletes’ fundamental rights to access sport without political interference). In a procedural outcome, reflecting the diversity of views within the chess community, the General Assembly voted to adopt both the resolution proposed by the Chess Federation of Russia (61 votes in favour, 51 against, 14 abstentions and 15 delegates not voting) and the resolution proposed by the FIDE Council (69 votes in favour, 40 against, 15 abstentions and 17 delegates not voting). Following the results, delegates raised questions regarding the procedural interaction between the two adopted texts and their immediate application. Addressing these points, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich acknowledged that both decisions garnered the necessary majority and are valid expressions of the Assembly’s will. Consequently, the FIDE Council will proceed immediately with the points of consensus found in both resolutions, in accordance with IOC recommendations and the most recent guidance from the Olympic Summit on access to sport and political neutrality. The resolutions differ on the technical protocols regarding the use of national symbols (flags and anthems) in adult team competitions. The proposal from the Russian Chess Federation calls for the immediate restoration of national symbols. The proposal from the FIDE Council mandates the use of national symbols in youth and junior events, but currently requires neutral symbols for adult events, subject to further IOC consultation. To respect the legal validity of both votes, the FIDE Council considers the Council resolution to be in force immediately as the baseline for operations. This means that: Teams from Russia and Belarus are admitted to official FIDE tournaments. Full use of national symbols is allowed in youth and junior competitions, in line with IOC recommendations. Restrictions on holding official FIDE events in Belarus are lifted, in line with recent guidance from the Olympic Summit on access to sport and political neutrality. Regarding the specific divergence on symbols in adult events, the Council will execute the mandate included in the Council resolution to consult with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Council will make a final determination on the use of flags and anthems in adult team events following these consultations to ensure alignment with international sports standards and the IOC.