Praggnanandhaa R wins UzChess Cup 2025 Masters
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa emerged as the winner of the UzChess Cup 2025, edging out Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov in a thrilling tiebreaker. The Indian GM took home the $20,000 first prize and extended his lead in the FIDE Circuit 2025 standings. The second edition of the UzChess Cup took place at the “Panaram’s” Hotel in Tashkent. The total prize fund amounted to $121,500, with $80,000 allocated to the “Masters” group, $25,000 to the “Challengers,” $11,500 to the “Futures,” and $5,000 to the “Open” group. The Masters tournament was fiercely contested, with all players showing exceptional fighting spirit—none of them finished the event undefeated. Praggnanandhaa and Abdusattorov started strong, tying for the lead after Round 4 with 3/4. However, in the next round, the Indian GM lost to Parham Maghsoodloo, while the Uzbek star defeated Chithambaram Aravindh and pulled ahead. Praggnanandhaa then suffered another loss in the following round, seemingly falling out of title contention. Despite a loss to his compatriot Nodirbek Yakubboev in Round 6, Abdusattorov entered the final ninth round as the sole leader on 5.5/8, half a point ahead of Sindarov and a full point ahead of Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi. In the decisive final-round game—and arguably the game of the tournament—Praggnanandhaa rose to the occasion and outplayed the leader with the black pieces in a Sicilian Defense to catch up. Meanwhile, Sindarov drew with Maghsoodloo, and Erigaisi, despite holding a significant advantage at some point, only managed a draw against Aravindh. As a result, Praggnanandhaa, Abdusattorov, and Sindarov all finished with 5.5/9. To determine the champion, a tiebreaker in the form of a double round-robin with fast time control was played. In a dramatic twist, all three players finished with 2/4—forcing another tie. A second tiebreaker, this time a single round-robin, followed. Praggnanandhaa scored 1.5 points to clinch the title. Sindarov, who defeated Abdusattorov but lost to the eventual winner, finished second. Final standings — UzChess Cup Masters 1 Praggnanandhaa, R 2767 IND 5½ 2 Sindarov, Javokhir 2767 UZB 5½ 3 Abdusattorov, Nodirbek 2710 UZB 5½ 4 Erigaisi, Arjun 2782 IND 5 5 Maghsoodloo, Parham 2691 IRI 4½ 6 Rapport, Richard 2714 HUN 4½ 7 Yakubboev, Nodirbek 2659 UZB 4½ 8 Vokhidov, Shamsiddin 2644 UZB 4 9 Nepomniachtchi, Ian 2757 FID 3½ 10 Aravindh, Chithambaram 2749 IND 2½ In the other sections, GM Nikolas Theodorou (pictured above, right) of Greece won the Challengers event, GM Saparmyrat Atabayev of Turkmenistan came out on top in the Futures tournament, while local player Bekhruz Umarov triumphed in the Open competition. Final standings: Challengers, Futures, Open Photos: UzChess and ChessBase India
Celebrating International Chess Day 2025: Every Move Counts
Each year on July 20, the global chess community unites to celebrate International Chess Day, commemorating the founding of FIDE in 1924. Last year marked a historic milestone – FIDE’s centennial anniversary, which celebrated a century of chess while laying the foundation for the next hundred years. Among the key legacies of that celebration is FIDE’s renewed commitment to long-term goals: from global expansion and accessibility to deepening chess’s social impact. This year, FIDE launched the Year of Social Chess, an initiative dedicated to using the game as a tool for inclusion, education, empowerment, and mental well-being. The theme for International Chess Day 2025, “Every Move Counts”, reminds us that, on the board and in life, every decision shapes our journey. In 2024, to commemorate the centenary, the global chess community set a Guinness World Record for the most chess games played in 24 hours: over 7.28 million games played across more than 350 events worldwide. In 2025, we aim to carry this momentum forward with global celebrations, inclusive events, and creative storytelling that highlights the power of chess to bring people together. Creative Chess FIDE invites chess lovers everywhere to join us in promoting the game in the most imaginative way possible. It’s time to play Creative Chess. Set up a game in the most unusual or symbolic place you can think of: a mountaintop, underwater, at your local landmark, or any wild and creative place that you can imagine. Host your game or tournament anytime between July 10 and 20, and share your photos or videos using #InternationalChessDay or send them to socialmedia@fide.com. Your content could be seen across the globe and featured on FIDE’s social media channels and during our YouTube broadcast on July 20. Let’s show the world how vibrant, fun, and limitless chess can be. Global Online Celebration in Partnership with Lichess.org Join us for the largest-ever Social Chess Day tournament, co-hosted by FIDE and Lichess.org. This 24-hour online blitz tournament will have a time control of 5+3 and begins at 00:00 CEST (Zurich time) on July 20, running until 00:00 CEST on July 21. Players of all levels are invited to participate – no matter the time zone, and can join at any time, playing as many games as they want! All participants will be entered into random prize draws, with rewards including: 5 winners will receive a voucher to attend the Opening Ceremony and the first round of the World Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (including two nights of hotel accommodation). At least 10 winners will receive a gift voucher for FIDE merchandise valued at €100, redeemable at the official online shop: shop.fide.com At least 20 winners will receive a copy of the exclusive chess photography book “Chess Players.” At least 40 winners will receive access to a group or individual online masterclass with a top Grandmaster (date and GM to be announced). 20 winners will be invited to take part in a top-GM online simul on Lichess (details to be confirmed) You can join the event via the following link: lichess.org/tournament/fscday25 Global Over-the-Board Events We warmly encourage federations to organise an inclusive, over-the-board chess event on July 20th. This could involve diverse communities, such as seniors, refugees, youth from underserved areas, or individuals with disabilities — showcasing how chess transcends barriers and builds connection. Such events showcase how chess transcends barriers and connects people across backgrounds. Please share your stories and photos on social media by tagging FIDE and FIDE Social Commission and by using the hashtags: #FIDESocialChess, #FIDESocialChessAward, #SocialChess, #SocialChessDay “Teach Someone to Play Chess” Initiative One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to celebrate International Chess Day is by teaching someone to play. Whether it’s a friend, a sibling, a neighbor, or a colleague — pass on the gift of chess. Your act could spark a lifelong journey. Let’s Make Every Move Count Whether you teach one person to play, host a community tournament, or share your chess story with the world – your participation matters. Together, let’s celebrate the transformative power of chess on International Chess Day 2025.
FIDE World Cup U-8, U-10, U-12 kicks off in Batumi, Georgia
The FIDE World Cup for boys and girls in the U-8, U-10, and U-12 categories began on June 23 in Batumi, Georgia, with a brief opening ceremony. Notably, this is the second time the city of Batumi is hosting the event. The competition is being held at the 5-star Grand Bellagio hotel, with around 300 players from nearly 40 countries participating. The number of players in each category is determined by FIDE quotas in accordance with tournament regulations. Games begin daily at 13:00 CET, while the final round will start at 10:00 on July 2. All games are being broadcast live. The opening ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests, including FIDE Director of Special Tasks and President of the Georgian Chess Federation Akaki Iashvili, Acting Mayor of Batumi Giorgi Murvanidze, Deputy Minister of Education and Sport of Adjara Irakli Abuladze, Head of the Sports Department Irma Nizharadze, Head of the Appeals Committee Ozgur Solakoglu, and President of the Adjara Chess Federation WGM Salome Melia. Round 2 pairings: chess-results.com/tnr1205196.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/
Icelandic Chess Federation celebrates its centenary anniversary
The Icelandic Chess Federation celebrated its 100th anniversary this weekend. Founded on June 23, 1925, it is one of the oldest chess federations in Europe. The President of Iceland, Ms. Halla Tómasdóttir, attended the official centenary celebrations. FIDE was represented by Secretary General Łukasz Turlej and European Chess Union (ECU) President Zurab Azmaiparashvili, along with ECU Vice-President Gunnar Bjornsson. The event was hosted by Ms. Jóhanna Björg Jóhannsdóttir, President of the Icelandic Chess Federation. The presence of these distinguished guests underscored the significance of this historic milestone for both Icelandic and international chess. The Icelandic Chess Federation, originally established in Blönduós on June 23, 1925, commemorated its centenary with a special chess festival held in the same town. The program featured various events, including the Icelandic Chess Open, which brought together nearly all of the country’s top players alongside several strong international grandmasters—making it one of the most significant chess events in Iceland in recent years. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich sent a congratulatory letter on the occasion, which can be viewed below: Letter to the Icelandic Chess Federation on Its Centenary Anniversary (PDF)
FIDE World Championship Match wins Singapore’s 2024 Sports Event of the Year
The FIDE World Chess Championship Match 2024, between Gukesh D and Ding Liren held in Singapore, was one of the most exciting events of the year for chess fans around the world. After 13 rollercoaster games, we crowned the youngest undisputed World Champion in history. Although the match took place seven months ago, the excitement and impact continue to resonate. To that extent, we are proud to announce that the match has been awarded Best Sports Event of the Year (Exhibition/Competition) at the 2025 Singapore Sports Awards! Reflecting on the win, Kevin Goh, CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation, shared: “We won the Sports Event of the Year! This is easily one of the proudest moments of my career. Grateful to the sponsors, Google, Resorts World Sentosa, FIDE – International Chess Federation, all our partners, the awesome local organising committee, volunteers, journalists, and photographers for putting up a spectacular show.” Organised by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore, the Singapore Sports Awards are the country’s highest recognition for sporting excellence. This year’s edition celebrated standout performances and events from 2024, with FIDE’s flagship event named the best in its category. The award acknowledges not only the exceptional level of play, but also the world-class organisation, media production, and community engagement that made the match a truly global spectacle. Supported by Google and hosted at Resorts World Sentosa, the event helped position Singapore as a hub for premier international sporting events. Adding to the celebration, Singaporean photographer Chin An Eng was awarded Sports Photo of the Year for a powerful image taken during the match (above). The photograph captures the intensity of the match with both players mirroring each other with their heads in their hands, flags in view, as they navigate the mental tension of the game. FIDE extends its heartfelt thanks to the Singapore Chess Federation, local organisers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and fans who made this event such a resounding success. This recognition is a powerful testament to the growing stature of chess on the world stage. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Georgian Championship for People with Disabilities: Malania and Gogonadze clinch titles
Amirani Malania and Anano Gogonadze emerged as the winners of the 2025 Georgian Championship for People with Disabilities. The fourth edition of the event—a seven-round Swiss-system tournament—was held at the Ibis Styles Batumi Hotel in Batumi, from June 14–19. Organized by the Georgian and Adjara Chess Federations, the championship was financially supported by the Adjara Sports Department and attracted 14 participants. Male and female players competed in the same pool but were ranked separately. WGM Salome Melia, a member of the FIDE Commission for People with Disabilities, served as the tournament director. Open category winners: 1. Amirani Malania 2. Leri Talikadze3. Badri Tsetskhladze Women’s category winners: 1. Anano Gogonadze2. Tekla Gakhokidze 3. Anna Mgeladze
Carissa Yip wins 2025 Cairns Cup
IM Carissa Yip emerged as the winner of the 2025 Cairns Cup, completing a GM norm and taking home $65,000 for her first-place finish. The fifth edition of the elite women’s super-tournament took place in Saint Louis, at the World Chess Hall of Fame, from June 8–21. The Cairns Cup shares its format with other prestigious events like the illustrious Sinquefield Cup: a ten-player round-robin played with classical time control. This year’s edition featured a $250,000 prize fund—the largest in the event’s history. As expected, it was a tightly contested competition that came down to the wire. GM Humpy Koneru, IM Harika Dronavalli, and IM Alice Lee started strong and shared the lead through Round 6, when Alice Lee lost to IM Bibisara Assaubayeva and Humpy Koneru defeated Harika to pull ahead. However, Koneru’s sole lead was short-lived. In the next round, Carissa Yip—who had started the tournament with a loss—scored a crucial win over Koneru to catch up. Meanwhile, Alice Lee outplayed Alina Kashlinskaya to join the leading duo. In Round 8, Lee drew with Dronavalli, Koneru was defeated by Nino Batsiashvili, and Yip beat Assaubayeva to surge ahead. Heading into the final round as the sole leader with 5.5/8, Yip achieved a winning position against her closest competitor, Lee, but the game eventually ended in a draw, securing Yip the title. Lee finished second with 5.5/9, while Dronavalli completed the podium with 5/9 after Koneru lost her final-round game against Mariya Muzychuk. Photos: Saint Louis Chess Club / Crystal Fuller and Lennart Ootes
World Refugee Day: Chess as a tool for empowerment
For the past four years, a project in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya helps children and the displaced in finding hope and a path in life through chess The 2025 World Refugee Day, initiated by the United Nations in 2001 to recognise the resilience and struggle of refugees in finding sanctuary and a better life, occurs at a time when conflicts across the globe are intensifying, bringing more threats and disasters to people everywhere. The International Chess Federation (FIDE), as well as the global chess community, have always sought to highlight the role chess can play in bringing people together, regardless of backgrounds or differences. This is clearly illustrated by the simple yet powerful motto of FIDE – Gens una Sumus – We are one family. As we mark World Refugee Day, FIDE would like to highlight its ongoing commitment to supporting displaced communities, most notably visible through the Chess for Protection programme in the Kakuma Refugee Camp, in Kenya. The initiative, running since 2021 in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), has become a gathering space for well over 2,000 participants across 37 schools, and uses chess as a vehicle for education, social interaction and personal development, offering hope and perspective to the participants. It is FIDE’s staunch belief that, for those who have endured conflict and persecution, chess offers much more than simple recreation. “When I play chess, I feel happy because I get to interact with more people. Chess is a game where you exchange ideas and learn more though that exchange… Chess also helps in teaching people about inclusion and gender equality,” noted Akuol Mach, a resident of the Kakuma Refugee Camp and one of the participants in the project. “When people are forced to leave everything behind, even a small sense of structure, focus, or hope can make a real difference, and chess gives exactly that,” said Anastasia Sorokina, the project leader and the Chairwoman of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. “I’ve seen how it helps girls grow stronger, think ahead, and believe in themselves again.” FIDE’s leadership views this as a long-term investment in human potential, with aspirations that extend to the highest levels of the sport. “We hope to see a Refugee Team at the World Chess Olympiad one day,” noted Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board. “But what matters most is the progress these girls make every day—learning to think independently, make decisions, and gain confidence both on the board and beyond. This is at the heart of FIDE’s mission: using chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and social inclusion.” The success of the project relies not only on the partnership between FIDE and the UNHCR, but also other partners such as Chess Kenya and its president Benard Wanjala, which have provided unwavering support for the project. Also, corporate and not-for-profit partners have made vital contributions, which includes the donation of 100 chess sets from the Gift of Chess organisation, its Founder and Director Russ Makofsky and its Global Head Susan Namangale, as well as 100 chess clocks from DGT and its CEO Hans Pees. “We’re not just teaching a game; we’re helping to build resilience, confidence, and a sense of community,” Anastasia Sorokina added. “And chess always brings one quiet but powerful message: you are not alone. That matters deeply in circumstances like these.” To this end, FIDE is planning at least two new activities in Kakuma in the near future: Motivational talks and friendly matches (June 28): Phylis Ngigi, Director of Gift of Chess, will visit the camp to deliver a motivational talk to the members of the Girls’ Club, followed by friendly matches with the local players. Mass chess tournament (June 29): A large-scale tournament will be organised for the wider community in Kakuma, with the goal of promoting community spirit through chess. Chess Kenya is kindly providing organisational support for this project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3qTYmg_oFM Photos: Stev Bonhage
FIDE World Championships 2027 – Call for bids
FIDE Events Commission has announced “Call for Bids FIDE World Championships” and invites FIDE member Federations to participate. The bidding deadline is September 15, 2025, 15:00 CET. There are 9 competitions in the list: 2027 World Cup U8, U10, U12 & 2027 World Chess Championships U8, U10, U12 2027 World Youth U14, U16, U18 Championships 2027 World Youth U16 Olympiad 2027 World Youth Rapid & Blitz Championships 2027 World Senior Individual Championships 50+ and 65+ 2027 World Senior Team Championships 2027 World Amateur Championships 2027 World Junior U20 Championships 2027 World Rapid and Blitz U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17 Dear bidders, all details about the new format, useful links and procedure including the Bid Form and Bid Form Annex, Bid and Deposit Fees and Regulations you can find HERE
WR Chess clinch their second FIDE World Team Blitz Championship title
In the final stage of the knockouts at the FIDE World Blitz Team Championship, WR Chess defeated KazChess in both matches with 4:2, securing their second Blitz crown since the competition began in 2023. The FIDE World Blitz Championship concluded today in London after a day of tense final-stage matches. Out of 53 teams playing on the first day, only 16 advanced to the knockout stage that included the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and the final. In each knockout pairing, teams played at least two matches, alternating colours. If the score was level after two matches, additional games were played until a winner emerged. At the end of the day, rating favourites Team WR Chess came out on top, outplaying the squad of KazChess in a tight final duel. WR won both matches (4:2 each), with Alireza Firouzja, Hikaru Nakamura and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave scoring crucial wins in the final match to secure the crown for WR Chess. This is the second consecutive Blitz title for WR Chess, following their in 2024 in Kazakhstan. In his first reaction to the victory, WR Chess Team owner and one of the initiators of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Teams, Wadim Rosenstein, said he was very pleased with the victory, adding that the event was a great success “not just for the winners but for chess in general”. Asked how it feels to win first place, Rosenstein – who also played on the non-professional board for WR – briefly responded: “Like always, when you win – it feels great”. In addition to receiving a trophy shaped like a fusion of Big Ben and a chess piece, the winning team was awarded a €75,000 prize. Third place went to the Hexamind Chess Club, who defeated the squad of Uzbekistan in both matches with 3.5:2.5. Meanwhile, the winners of this year’s rapid tournament, MGD1, defeated Freedom in the duel for fifth place. In his address at the closing ceremony, former World Champion and Deputy President of International Chess Federation (FIDE) Viswanathan Anand reflected on the excitement and the intensity of the tournament. He congratulated all 53 teams for participating, particularly the winners. Anand also expressed deep gratitude to Isai Scheinberg for supporting this event. He closed by emphasizing FIDE’s ongoing commitment to growing the game. “A core part of our strategy has always been to forge a strong partnership between chess and the broader community – from the world of sports, business, or culture. Tournaments such as the World Rapid and Blitz Teams, alongside events such as the World Corporate Championship, are a shining example of this vision in action and FIDE will continue to work hard on having more of them”, Anand said. Here is a closer look at how the knockouts unfolded, until the finals: Round of 16 In this stage all of the first-placed teams from the pools won their matches. While WR Chess Team, Freedom and MGD1 Team won both matches, Uzbekistan had one victory and one draw (with Barys.kz). Ashdod moved to the quarter-finals after defeating Theme International Trading in the playoffs with 5:1. KazChess also reached the quarter-finals after the playoffs, defeating Rookies with 5.5:0.5. Quarter-finals The quarter-final stage brought the first big surprises, with some of the favourites being eliminated from the tournament. In the first match, Germany and Friends set up the stage for a huge upset by defeating WR Chess 4:2. All WR’s top boards – Nepomniachtchi, Nakamura and Firouzja lost their games. However, WR appealed the match on the grounds that they were not informed of the exact time when the round was starting, making them late two minutes. While it would have made sense for them to immediately make an appeal before playing the match, WR complained afterwards. As WR Chess Team captain Jan Gustafsson explained in the live broadcast, the teams were given different information about the start of the round compared to when it started. In the end, it was decided that the match will be replayed. Germany and Friends reluctantly accepted. This time, WR Chess won 4.5:1.5 and the return match finishing with a 4:2 victory for WR Chess, sending them to the semi-finals. All other first-matches ended in draws. In the return matches – Hexamind eliminated the Rapid winners MGD1 with 4:2. The duel was decided by Hexamind’s Anish Giri who defeated Pentala Harikrishna in a tense endgame. KazChess outclassed Freedom by winning the second match 3.5:2.5. The team from Kazakhstan defeated all the top three boards of Freedom, to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Uzbekistan won over the team of Ashdod 5:1, securing a place in the semis. The semi-finals WR Chess faced the team of Hexamind. In the first match, WR completely dominated, scoring a crushing victory 5.5:0.5. On Hexamind’s side only Leinier Dominguez drew, splitting a point with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. In the other semi-final encounter, Uzbekistan and KazChess played a tightly contested match, with Grischuk defeating Abdusattorov on the top board, in a tense endgame where both were in a time scramble. In the return-match, Hexamind pushed hard against WR to get a playoff. Aronian beat Nepomniachtchi on board one, but boards two and three drew. The match was decided on the lower boards, where WR won two games: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave beat Leinier Dominguez, and Wadim Rosenstein defeated David Muradyan. Despite Divya Desmukh prevailing over Hou Yifan on the women’s board, the final result was 3:3, which meant Hexamind were knocked out. In the second return-duel, KazChess defeated Uzbekistan 4:2, thanks to crucial wins on the bottom boards. The match for the fifth place Two of the best performing teams that were eliminated in the semi-finals faced off in a match for fifth place. In the end, MGD1 emerged victorious, after defeating Freedom in both matches with 3.5:2.5. The teams of Ashdod and Germany and Friends tied for 7-8th place. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Rafal Oleksiewicz Official website: worldrapidblitzteams2025.fide.com/ About the event: The third edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships