First Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz: Javokhir Sindarov claims double crown
Javokhir Sindarov achieved a remarkable double victory at the inaugural Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz, winning both the Rapid and Blitz Final events. The First Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz took place at the Marriott City Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, from July 3–5, 2026. The event brought together elite play, the vibrant creator community, and the chess community at large. The festival featured a $50,000 total guaranteed prize fund and awarded FIDE Circuit and US Chess Grand Prix points. The NMRB was open to all players – professionals and amateurs – regardless of rating. Capacity was limited to 300 players for the inaugural edition. The programme included Rapid and Blitz Championships, Creator Invitational, and Blitz Final featuring the top ten performers from the Masters Blitz. During the opening ceremony of the blitz event, FIDE’s Daniel Naroditsky Best Creator Award was announced before Elena Schuman, Daniel’s mother, made the ceremonial first move. The award recognises the extraordinary contribution Naroditsky made as a player, educator, commentator, and content creator. Through his streams and videos, he combined elite chess knowledge with an exceptional ability to make people feel welcome in the game. The Rapid Masters event, a seven-round Swiss tournament, turned into an exciting duel between Javokhir Sindarov and Aravindh Chithambaram, who both finished on 6/7 to share first place. Sindarov went on to win the blitz tiebreaker 2–0 to claim the title. In the Challengers section, Andrew Fletcher emerged victorious with 6.5 points. The World Championship Challenger continued his excellent form in the Blitz Finals, winning clear first place with an impressive score of 7.5/9. Wesley So finished second with 7/9, while NM Ethan Sheehan caused a minor sensation, clinching third place with 6/9 in a highly competitive field. IM John Bartholomew (pictured below) dominated the first Naroditsky Memorial Creator Invitational, winning the title with a perfect score of 9/9. Runner-up IM Levy Rozman scored 7/9. Naroditsky Memorial final standings – Rapid Masters Naroditsky Memorial final standings – Blitz Final Naroditsky Memorial final standings – Creator Invitational Photos: Charlotte Chess Center Official Naroditsky Memorial website: https://www.cltccf.org/naroditskymemorial
Alireza Firouzja triumphs in historic Armageddon finish to win Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2026
In one of the most dramatic finishes in Grand Chess Tour (GCT) history and the first ever to be decided by an Armageddon tiebreak, GM Alireza Firouzja of France captured the Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2026 title, the third stop of the 2026 GCT, after surviving a stunning final-day comeback by wildcard GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov from Uzbekistan. “When the world’s best players meet, chess wins,” said Augusta Dragic, President of the Super Foundation. “Congratulations to Alireza Firouzja on an outstanding victory, and thank you to every participant for making Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia an exceptional showcase of elite chess. We look forward to the next stop on the Grand Chess Tour in Saint Louis.” Marking the thrilling midway point of the Grand Chess Tour, the 2026 Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia brought ten of the world’s elite grandmasters to Zagreb from June 29 to July 6. The second of three rapid and blitz spectacles on the 2026 tour, the event boasted a stellar 10-player lineup that consisted of six full-tour competitors and four powerhouse wildcards. Headlining the field was reigning World Champion and wildcard Gukesh Dommaraju, alongside full-tour standouts Vincent Keymer, Alireza Firouzja, Anish Giri, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Jorden van Foreest, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Joining them were elite wildcards Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Bogdan-Daniel Deac, and multiple-time Croatian champion Ivan Saric. Firouzja looked destined for victory after building a commanding three-point lead heading into the final day, but he lost several games while Abdusattorov produced a remarkable comeback to force a tiebreaker. After two rapid games without a winner, Firouzja prevailed in the decisive Armageddon blitz game to clinch the title and earn $47,500. Abdusattorov finished in second place and received $42,500. “The Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia was an exciting event and the perfect way to conclude the European legs of the 2026 Grand Chess Tour,” said Michael Khodarkovsky, Executive Director of the GCT. “Now we are looking forward to the second half of the tour in St. Louis, Missouri. Saint Louis rapid and blitz and the Sinquefield Cup will determine the top four players who will ultimately compete in the Final for the 2026 GCT title.“ “Today was probably the worst Blitz day of my career. I scored just three out of nine, which was a horrible performance, but these things happen. The important thing is that I managed to win the tiebreak, said Firouzja. “Going into the penultimate round, I knew I had to beat Gukesh just to force the playoff, and fortunately I found the chances when I needed them. I’ve definitely had smoother tournament victories, but I’ll gladly take this one.” Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2026 final standings: With three events complete, the race for the 2026 GCT Finals is beginning to take shape. Despite not competing in Croatia, GM Fabiano Caruana retains the overall Tour lead, while GM Vincent Keymer moved into second. Firouzja’s victory vaults him into third in the standings, with Wesley So rounding out the current top four as the Tour heads to the United States for its second half. The 2026 GCT Finals will conclude in Saint Louis, Missouri – the Chess Capital of America –where the Saint Louis Chess Club will host the final two regular-season events before the season culminates with the Grand Chess Tour Finals. Text and photos: Grand Chess Tour Official website: https://grandchesstour.org/
FIDE names Best Creator Award in honour of Daniel Naroditsky
FIDE is honoured to announce that the Best Creator category at the inaugural FIDE Excellence Awards will be named The Daniel Naroditsky Best Creator Award. The dedication comes as the chess world continues to honour the memory of Daniel Naroditsky, known to friends and fans as Danya, who passed away in October 2025 – a loss still felt deeply across the chess community. The dedication recognises the extraordinary contribution Naroditsky made as a player, educator, commentator, and content creator. Through his streams and videos, he combined elite chess knowledge with an exceptional ability to make people feel welcome in the game. Shortly after his death, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich announced that the federation would establish a special prize in his memory. The naming of the Best Creator category fulfills that commitment within the new FIDE Excellence Awards, launched in June 2026 to honour outstanding achievements, individuals, events, federations, teams, and initiatives across the global chess community. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said: “Danya represented the very best of what a chess player and creator can be. He possessed the strength and understanding of an elite player, but his greatest gift was his ability to share that knowledge clearly and with genuine warmth. He educated, entertained, and inspired people across the world and helped countless players feel closer to chess. “The FIDE Excellence Awards are intended not only to celebrate achievement but also to recognise the people who create success stories throughout our chess world. Naming the Best Creator Award after Daniel is a fitting and lasting tribute to someone whose work set an exceptional standard for the entire chess community.” The announcement comes as the inaugural Naroditsky Memorial Rapid & Blitz is running in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Charlotte Marriott City Center. The three-day festival held from July 3 to 5 has brought together elite competitors, leading chess creators and the wider community that Danya inspired, with a programme of rapid and blitz championships, a Creator Invitational, and a final featuring the leading performers from the Masters Blitz. The field includes Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Javokhir Sindarov, Vasyl Ivanchuk and many other leading grandmasters, while the Creator Invitational features prominent figures including Levy Rozman, Alexandra Botez, Eric Rosen, Sagar Shah, John Bartholomew and Danny Rensch. The tournament reflects the unique place Danya occupied in chess: a world-class competitor, a gifted teacher and one of the game’s most respected and beloved creative voices. The Daniel Naroditsky Best Creator Award will ensure that his example continues to inspire future generations of creators who bring chess to new audiences and strengthen the global chess community. The FIDE Excellence Awards were established in 2026 to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions both on and off the board during the 2024-2026 Olympiad cycle. The first nomination stage concluded at the end of June, with hundreds of nominations received by FIDE. The programme now moves to the shortlisting stage, with official shortlists to be announced on July 15, 2026. The inaugural ceremony will take place in Samarkand this September, during the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad. The programme features 11 categories, including five discretionary awards, with Best Creator now carrying Naroditsky’s name. Official Naroditsky Memorial website: https://www.cltccf.org/naroditskymemorial FIDE Excellence Awards website: https://excellence.fide.com/
FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission issues a decision in case involving GM Vladimir Kramnik
The FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission (EDC) has issued its decision in disciplinary proceedings involving former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik. The EDC is an independent judicial body within FIDE responsible for considering alleged violations of the FIDE Ethics Code and Disciplinary Code. It operates independently from the FIDE President, Management Board, and other elected bodies and reaches its decisions in accordance with the FIDE Statutes and its Procedural Rules. The proceedings arose from complaints submitted by the FIDE Management Board and the FIDE Fair Play Commission concerning a sustained series of public statements and social media posts made by GM Kramnik about GM David Navara and the late GM Daniel Naroditsky as well as other players. Following a comprehensive review of the evidence and submissions from all parties, the EDC found GM Kramnik responsible for multiple violations of the FIDE Ethics Code and Disciplinary Code. The Chamber found that his conduct breached provisions relating to the right to dignity and respectful treatment, safeguarding the dignity of individuals, bullying and cyberbullying, psychological abuse, responsibility as a role model, failure to cooperate with the Fair Play Commission’s investigation, and false or unjustified public accusations. At the same time, the Commission dismissed several other charges, including alleged violations relating to integrity, honesty, responsibility and accountability, as well as causing reputational harm to FIDE, concluding that these had not been established to the required standard. In its decision, the EDC emphasized that combating cheating remains one of FIDE’s highest priorities. At the same time, it underlined that allegations of cheating must be handled through FIDE’s established confidential procedures and supported by appropriate evidence. The Commission concluded that publicly associating identifiable players with cheating suspicions without sufficient institutional verification exposed those players to unjustified reputational and psychological harm and was incompatible with the standards expected of members of the FIDE family. The Chamber also noted that the proceedings were not intended to determine the scientific validity of GM Kramnik’s anti-cheating methodology itself. While acknowledging the value of continued research and innovation in fair play, it concluded that the available evidence did not permit a definitive assessment of the methodology because it had not been fully disclosed and the investigation was therefore based on incomplete information. The disciplinary findings instead concerned the manner in which allegations were communicated publicly and their impact on other members of the chess community. Having considered both aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the EDC imposed a two-year worldwide ban from participating in FIDE chess competitions or acting in official chess functions. The final 12 months of the ban have been suspended for a probationary period of three years, meaning the active suspension is one year provided no further breaches occur during probation. In addition, the Chamber imposed 12 months of unpaid service for the benefit of the chess community as a supplementary sanction. The decision may be appealed to the FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission Appeal Chamber within 21 days in accordance with the EDC Procedural Rules. The full decision of the FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission is available [HERE].
Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian triumph at 2026 Philippine Championship
IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia and untitled Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian are the newly crowned Philippine chess champions. The 2026 edition of the national championship, held in the Open (the Battle of Grandmasters) and Women’s (Women Selection) sections, took place from June 25 to July 2 at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence in Quezon City. The women’s event served as a qualifier for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, with two slots in the national team at stake. The Open event, a 14-player round-robin with classical time control, featured a close race between second seed Garcia and ninth seed GM Darwin Laylo. Heading into Round 10, Garcia, on 7/9, was just half a point ahead of his main rival. However, Laylo suffered a defeat at the hands of IM Michael Concio, allowing Garcia to pull away. In the remaining rounds, Laylo narrowed the gap but still finished half a point behind Garcia, who clinched the title with an excellent score of 9.5/13. The champion became the only undefeated player in the event. Concio completed the podium with 8.5/13. Final standings – Battle of Grandmasters The Women Selection, an eight-player double round-robin, was an even more tightly contested tournament, with Sebastian and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza entering the final round tied for the top position on 8/13. Sebastian pulled off a crucial victory over WFM Allanney Jia Doroy to claim the title, as Mendoza could only manage a draw against WFM Cherry Ann Mejia. Doroy and WFM Bernadette Galas finished on 7.5/14, with Doroy taking bronze thanks to a superior tiebreak (a greater number of victories). Final standings – Women Selection The closing ceremony was attended FST/GM Jayson Gonzales, GM Eugene Torre, and NM Jose Rafael “Jojo” Legaspi, who delivered short speeches and presented the awards to the champions and top finishers. Photos: National Chess Federation of Philippines (NCFP) Facebook
Tris Ann Richards appointed Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess
FIDE is pleased to announce the appointment of Tris Ann Richards as the new Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. She succeeds Anastasia Sorokina, who has stepped down from the position after several years of dedicated service. Tris Ann Richards is well known within the international chess community and brings extensive experience to her new role. Having previously served as a Councillor of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, she has played an active part in shaping the Commission’s work and leading some of the major projects. Beyond her contributions to FIDE, Richards serves as President of the Saint Lucia Chess Federation, making her one of the few women currently leading a national chess federation. She is also a Woman Candidate Master (WCM), a FIDE Arbiter, and a certified chess instructor, reflecting her broad involvement in the game as both a player and an official. In 2022, Richards received the FIDE Women’s Award in the Game Changer category for the Americas, recognizing her outstanding efforts in promoting and developing chess in the region. Richards appreciates her appointment: “I am deeply honored to be entrusted with this responsibility. This appointment is a testament to the outstanding leadership and mentorship of Dana Reizniece and Anastasia Sorokina, whose guidance has prepared me to continue the important work we have begun together. I am sincerely grateful for trust and support, and I look forward to working to achieve our shared goals and vision for women in chess across the world.” Commenting on the appointment, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said: “I would like to thank Anastasia Sorokina for her dedication and the valuable work she has done for women’s chess over the years. At the same time, I am delighted to welcome Tris Ann Richards as the new Chair of the Commission. Her experience, passion, and long-standing commitment to chess development make her an excellent choice to lead this important area of FIDE’s work. I wish her every success in her new role.” FIDE congratulates Tris Ann Richards on her appointment and looks forward to working with her to further strengthen and promote women’s chess around the world. FIDE extends its sincere gratitude to Anastasia Sorokina for her hard work, commitment, and leadership of the Commission. During her tenure, she made a significant contribution to the development of women’s chess, increasing opportunities for girls and women across the global chess community.
FIDE July 2026 rating list published
The FIDE July 2026 rating list was primarily shaped by Norway Chess, the Asian Individual Chess Championship, the European Women’s Chess Championship, the UzChess Cup, and the French Team Finals. The Open top 10 saw just one notable shift, as Wesley So moved up two positions following his runner-up finish at Norway Chess 2026. The event’s winner, Praggnanandhaa R, earned 15 rating points and now sits just outside the top 10. Photo: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess The Women’s top 10 witnessed more significant developments. Bibisara Assaubayeva, the winner of Norway Chess Women, gained 11 rating points to reach a career-high fifth position on the women’s list. Meanwhile, Alexandra Kosteniuk returned to the Women’s top 10 after a two-and-a-half-year absence, following her strong performance in the French Team Finals. Biggest rating gains in top 100 Open and Women Hnatyshyn, Anastasiia WGM UKR 2465 (+214) Toncheva, Nadya WGM BUL 2347 (+27) Rakshitta Ravi WGM IND 2348 (+27) Nurgaliyeva, Zarina WIM KAZ 2339 (+27) Muradli, Mahammad GM AZE 2655 (+25) Pranesh M GM IND 2666 (+22) Savitha Shri B IM IND 2368 (+20) Vokhidov, Shamsiddin GM UZB 2655 (+18) Kulon, Klaudia IM POL 2395 (+18) Aamuktha Guntaka WFM IND 2351 (+17) The Ukrainian sensation Anastasiia Hnatyshyn, who recently turned 16, was the biggest rating gainer in June. Seeded only 76th, she claimed the title at the European Women’s Championship in Batumi, Georgia, earning an impressive 214 rating points. This fantastic achievement catapulted her to 18th place on the women’s list. Remarkably, she made her top 100 debut at such a high position and now also tops the Girls U20 list. Photo: European Chess Union Klaudia Kulon and Nadya Toncheva also delivered outstanding performances in Batumi, picking up valuable rating points. Rakshitta Ravi, Zarina Nurgaliyeva, Savitha Shri B, and Aamuktha Guntaka overperformed at the Asian Women’s Championship, climbing the women’s rankings. Notably, Nurgaliyeva and Guntaka made their first appearances in the top 100. Photo: Michal Walusza Shamsiddin Vokhidov lost a tiebreak for the title at the UzChess Cup Masters but collected 18 rating points. Meanwhile, Mahammad Muradli dominated the Challengers event, earning 25 points and making his debut in the Open top 100. Pranesh M shone in the French Team Finals Top 16, gaining 22 points and entering the Open top 50 for the first time in his career. The recently concluded FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships in Hong Kong, which brought together most of the top players, and Grand Prix PlusCity – also featuring rapid and blitz tournaments – as well as several events across Europe, had a significant impact on the July 2026 Rapid and Blitz rating lists. Although Magnus Carlsen dropped some rating points in Hong Kong, he remains at the top of the Rapid Open list. Alireza Firouzja rose to second position following his impressive performance in the World Team Rapid, which earned him 16 points. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi (+4) and Levon Aronian (+5) each moved up one spot, and R. Praggnanandhaa (+27) broke into the top 20 after a strong showing in Hong Kong. The Rapid Women list saw minimal changes in the top 10 with the most notable shift being Bibisara Assaubayeva’s climb of three positions. However, the lower echelons were much more dynamic, with several players making huge jumps. These include Aleksandra Maltsevskaya (+40), Teodora Injac (+65), Deimante Daulyte-Cornette (+37), Alua Nurman (+55), Anna Agrest (+36), and Yan Tianqi (+55). Nodirbek Abdusattorov became a standout performer in the top 10 of the blitz list Open. The Uzbek star hauled 35 points in the blitz event in Hong Kong, soaring to the second position, right behind Magnus Carlsen. Similarly to the Rapid Open, the newcomers to the Blitz Open top 100 showed the greatest progress: Arian Tari (+35), Jaime Santos Latasa (+38), Sergey Movsesian (+31), Amin Tabatabaei (+22), Vojtech Plat (+23), and Viktor Erdos (+21). The top 10 of the Blitz Women list witnessed two major shifts. A 21-point rating gain earned by Aleksandra Goryachkina in the World Team Blitz propelled her to second place, while Song Yuxin added an impressive 32 points to her tally in the same event to debut in this prestigious group. Just as in the Rapid Women list, several players recorded significant rating gains following their solid performances in June blitz events: Aleksandra Maltsevskaya (+80), Umida Omonova (+35), Bat-Erdene Mungunzul (+26), Ekaterina Goltseva (+39), Olga Badelka (+24), Iren Lyutsinger (+30), and Inna Gaponenko (+26). Visit: https://ratings.fide.com/
FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships in Nigeria: Registration deadline extended
The Organising Committee of the FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships has announced that the registration deadline for the 2026 edition has been extended to July 12, 2026. The event will be held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, from August 1 (arrival) to August 8 (departure), 2026. The Championships are open to players who hold a FIDE rating under 2300 and are registered by their national federations. Federations have the right to enter an unlimited number of players. The Championships will be conducted using the Swiss System, with the number of rounds determined based on the final registration numbers. The time controls: Rapid: 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment from move one Blitz: 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment from move one Email: worldamateur_rb@fide.com Official website: worldamateur_rb2026.fide.com
Beyond the board: Cultural, educational and social activities set for FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026
The African Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 (WSTC 2026) runs in Stellenbosch from July 6 to 11, with nearly 30 school teams from across the continent arriving to compete. As part of the global WSTC cycle, teams will play across multiple rounds throughout the week, with the top performers going on to qualify for the WSTC Grand Final later this year. In line with the Year of Chess in Education 2026, the championship features a full educational programme running alongside the competition: masterclasses, workshops, and cultural exchange activities designed to make the week matter long after the final round. The programme opens on July 7 at the Lectorium of Stellenbosch University, where Dr. Lyndon Bouah, former South African Chess Olympian, national team captain, and author of 14 books on chess history, presents South Africa at the Chess Olympiads (1958–2022) and launches his newest book, Namaste: India 2022, on South Africa’s run at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai. Participants will have the opportunity to explore South African chess history, hear behind-the-scenes stories from the Olympiads, and engage with one of Africa’s leading chess historians and sports administrators. On July 8 at 18:00, the Lectorium of Stellenbosch University will also host a simultaneous exhibition with a structural twist. International Master Henry Robert Steel will face multiple opponents in the traditional format, with one exception: one board will be contested collectively by the audience. Spectators vote on each move, deliberating openly before the majority decision is played – a format that transforms passive observers into active participants and turns a classic chess tradition into a shared intellectual exercise open to all. July 9 brings two back-to-back sessions at the Lectorium. From 16:30 to 18:00, Dr. Denise Bouah, a Women International Master, three-time South African National Women’s Chess Champion, and sport psychologist, leads “Raising Champions: From Talent to Title,” unpacking the mental side of high performance: focus under pressure, emotional regulation, and the kind of confidence that holds up outside the tournament hall, too. The day closes with “Breaking Barriers: Challenging Stereotypes Through Chess,” an interactive workshop run with Teach the Nation, where players examine how the setbacks and victories of the board shape character and how chess can challenge assumptions and build stronger relationships between players, parents, and coaches. Beyond the official educational programme, the week is packed with activities built to introduce players to South African culture, from local dance and music to hands-on craft sessions. A dedicated lounge zone gives kids a space to unwind between rounds, and a handful of other surprises round out the schedule. Put it all together, and the championship starts to feel less like a tournament and more like a full-blown chess festival for kids. “This isn’t a week where kids just show up, play, and leave,” said the ISCF team. “The masterclasses and the cultural programme are there so they walk away with something. A skill, a perspective, a connection to a place they’d never been before.” The FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 continues through the week in Stellenbosch, with the competitive programme running alongside the full schedule of masterclasses and side events. The championship is supported by Freedom Holding Corp., the international financial and investment group, whose partnership has been instrumental in bringing the full scope of the programme to life. About ISCFThe International School Chess Federation (ISCF) is dedicated to promoting chess in schools worldwide, using the game as a tool for education, personal development, and youth empowerment. ISCF organizes international school chess championships and educational programmes across multiple continents in partnership with national federations and educational institutions. Official website: https://ischoolchess.com/
International Chess Day 2026: Celebrate, create and make a difference
On July 20, the global chess community will come together to celebrate International Chess Day 2026, a day dedicated to the game that connects people across countries, cultures and generations. This year, FIDE invites players, federations, clubs, schools, organisers and chess fans everywhere to take part. There are many ways to get involved: you could stage a game in an unusual location, run an inclusive community event, or join the live-streamed global conversation about chess and social change. No event is too large or too small. Every game played, every person welcomed, and every story shared helps demonstrate chess’s unique ability to unite, inspire and create positive change. Take chess beyond the board with Creative Chess FIDE once again invites the global chess community to celebrate International Chess Day by taking part in Creative Chess, a challenge to promote the game in the most imaginative way possible. The idea is simple: set up a chess game in the most unusual, meaningful or symbolic place you can think of. It could be on a mountaintop, underwater, beside a famous local landmark or anywhere else that captures the imagination. Last year’s challenge produced a wonderful outpouring of creativity from around the world. Submissions included a rooftop game beneath the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, chessboards on the slopes of volcanoes in Costa Rica, a submerged set in the world’s deepest pool in Dubai and games played across the streets, trains and temples of Mumbai. Players, families, schools and even a few pets joined the celebration, all united by one game. To participate, organize your creative chess game or moment in the days leading up to and around International Chess Day. Share your photos or videos on social media using #InternationalChessDay and tag FIDE. The most original and inspiring submissions may be featured across FIDE’s official social media channels. The board may have 64 squares, but the world of chess is boundless. Where will you take the game? Celebrate participation and inclusion with FIDE WOM The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM) invites federations, clubs, schools, academies and organizers worldwide to mark International Chess Day by creating opportunities that encourage equal participation throughout the chess community. Activities can take many forms: a tournament, simultaneous exhibition, workshop, lecture, introductory lesson, school programme or informal community gathering. Organizers are encouraged to design welcoming events that bring people together, introduce new participants to chess and highlight the contributions of women and girls to the game. Every initiative counts. A small club activity can be just as meaningful as a large international event when it creates a supportive space in which more people feel encouraged to play, learn, organize and lead. How to participate Organize an event around International Chess Day and share photos, videos and highlights on social media. Tag the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess and use #InternationalChessDayWOM so that activities from across the world can be brought together as part of the global celebration. After the event, organizers are invited to submit a short report accompanied by two or three photographs to project coordinator Anna Kantane at anna.kantane@gmail.com. Together, these events will showcase the remarkable work taking place within chess communities worldwide while inspiring greater participation and creating new opportunities through the game. Join the global discussion: Chess as a Force for Social Change As part of the International Chess Day celebrations, the FIDE Social Commission will host a special interactive panel discussion exploring how chess can serve as a practical tool for rehabilitation, protection, inclusion and development. Titled “Chess as Social Value: From the Chessboard to Society,” the 60-minute live discussion will bring together policymakers, researchers, programme leaders and practitioners who are using chess to create tangible change in communities around the world. Rather than focusing on chess solely as a sport, the conversation will examine what the game makes possible: in prisons, refugee communities, schools, social programmes, government institutions and research environments. Through concrete examples drawn from the speakers’ direct experience, the panel will demonstrate how chess can build confidence, encourage positive behavior, support education and create opportunities for people in vulnerable or underserved communities. The discussion will feature nine speakers representing a wide range of international projects and professional backgrounds: Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board and former Minister of Finance and Minister of Economics of Latvia Mikhail Korenman, leader of the Chess for Freedom project, United States Lasma Kokorevica, representative of the Latvian prison administration Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess and leader of the FIDE Chess for Protection project, Australia Susan Namangale, Global Director of The Gift of Chess, Malawi Russell Makofsky, founder of The Gift of Chess Antonio Porter, Director of Programs at the Cook County Department of Corrections Prabitha Urwyler, Swiss Chess Federation board member responsible for Social Chess Hans Alther, prison chess educator and practitioner Structured around a series of guiding questions, the session will invite the speakers to share practical lessons, measurable outcomes and personal experiences from their work. Audience members will also have an opportunity to submit questions and take part in the discussion. Date: Monday, July 20, 2026 Time: 15:00 CEST Duration: One hour Format: Online panel discussion and live global broadcast Whether you organize an event, stage a game somewhere unexpected, join the online discussion or simply play with someone new, be part of International Chess Day 2026. On July 20, let us show the world not only where chess can be played, but also where chess can lead.