Humpy Koneru withdraws from FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026; Anna Muzychuk steps in
Humpy Koneru (India) has officially withdrawn from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, scheduled to take place in Cyprus from March 28 to April 16. In accordance with Article 2.2. of the Tournament Regulations, her place has been offered to the next highest finisher in the Women’s Events Series 2024–25 not securing qualification. As a result, Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine) will join the tournament as her replacement. According to Article 4.5.3. of Tournament Regulations, “the pairings shall remain the same except that the replacement player shall take the place of the withdrawn player.” The Chief Arbiter will shortly adjust the pairings accordingly. Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/ Tickets are available here: https://tickets.fide.com/
Sergey Pinchuk (1943-2026)
It is with deep sadness that the International Chess Federation has learned of the passing of Sergey Pinchuk, a respected FIDE Senior Coach who made immense contributions to developing chess talent in Uzbekistan. He was 83. Born in 1943 in Tashkent, Pinchuk honed his chess skills through self-directed study and extensive reading of chess literature. Soon he became a Master of Sports in Chess represented the Uzbekistan national team in various competitions and secured numerous titles in the national championship. In 1970, Sergey Pinchuk transitioned to professional coaching upon receiving an invitation from the Republican Youth School of Sports Mastery (RYSSM). As head coach, he led the Uzbekistan national youth teams for twenty years. In 1984, the national team of Uzbekistan became the champion of the All-Union Spartakiad of Schoolchildren in Tashkent. Under his guidance, Uzbekistan’s national team earned silver medals at the 1992 Chess Olympiad in Manila. Throughout his long coaching career, Pinchuk worked closely and productively with grandmasters Grigory Serper and Rustam Kasimdzhanov. In recognition of his students’ distinguished performances in both individual and team competitions, Pinchuk received the following honors: Honored Coach of Uzbekistan (awarded in 1979) Honored Worker of Public Education of Uzbekistan (awarded in 1985) In 1992, S.T. Pinchuk was awarded the Certificate of Merit of the Republic of Uzbekistan for his long-term and fruitful work and participation in public and political life. Pinchuk’s successful professional activities were twice recognized with certificates from the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, in 2009 and 2011. FIDE expresses its deepest condolences to Sergey Pinchuk’s family, friends, and loved ones.
Dana Reizniece: Treat chess as part of an education policy, not an extracurricular activity
At the Chess in Education Summit in San José, Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, spoke about how campaigners should approach policy makers to get chess included in educational programmes. Drawing on her own experience in politics and government (she served as the finance minister of Latvia from 2014 to 2016), Reizniece said advocates need to speak to policymakers in the language of public policy they are tasked with delivering. “When you approach politicians, you need to talk about what they want to listen to. You need to tap into their problems and provide solutions for that. For example, if you want more children to play chess and bring more medals for the country, you should talk to the minister of sports, not education. If you want to improve chess education, then the minister of education is the right address”. Reizniece pointed out the challenges governments face in fighting inequality and the role chess can play as a low-cost, scalable method that can support the quality of education and bridge the social divide. Governments, Reizniece said, understand in principle that education is a strong long-term investment (claiming that investment in education gives a return of more than 10% – on bigger wages of educated people, bigger taxes and lower expense on social welfare). But in practice decision-makers face hard trade-offs, rising inequality, uneven access, pressure on public budgets, and the challenge of reaching marginalised communities, especially across urban and rural divides. Quality, she argued, remains the key question where chess can provide an answer. Reizniece argued that chess can help address several priorities at once, as both an affordable and flexible enough tool to fit different school contexts while supporting multiple goals. A line from her presentation captured that approach: chess is “not a silver bullet,” but it is a “cost-efficient, scalable” tool that aligns with several public education priorities. “When it comes to schools, chess should not be regarded as just a game,” Reziniece said. Citing examples from previous work with children who have disabilities or are in refugee camps, she argued that chess can support foundational learning by strengthening attention, concentration, working memory, executive function, logical reasoning, and problem-solving. Reizniece also reflected on the fact that education systems are already under strain and that adding more layers – such as the inclusion of chess – would be costly or inefficient. Chess, her presentation said, should be understood as “teacher support, not replacement or overloading” – not as another demand on schools, but as a structured tool teachers can use across subjects and classroom settings when proper training is in place. The keynote also widened the argument beyond academic performance alone. Reizniece said chess can contribute to emotional control, resilience, respect for rules, and learning how to deal with both success and failure, which was demonstrated through programmes such as chess for people in prisons and correctional facilities. That gives it a place, in her view, in the growing policy focus on student well-being, citizenship, and social-emotional learning. “Chess must be framed not as a game, not as extracurricular activity, but as a pedagogical tool,” Reizniece concluded, noting it addresses the problems education ministries are already trying to solve: quality, equity, engagement, teacher support, future skills, and cost. What two psychologists found out by using chess in working with disadvantage children Fernando Moreno and José Francisco “Pep” Suárez – psychologists from Spain – have dedicated their professional lives to persuading educational institutions and governments that chess is not just a competitive game but a tool and a metaphor for inclusion and teaching children real life skills. Fernando Moreno is a psychologist who moved from Madrid to Washington in 1980s and spent most of his time working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Since then, he has been using chess as a tool to help children and their families channel grievances and fears, but also to identify emotions, regulate impulses, reflect on choices, connecting game situations to real-life behaviour. Moreno starts from an important distinction: playing chess to compete and using chess as a tool for social-emotional learning. His focus is on the latter. Moreno argues that discussing positions, mistakes, sacrifices, conflicts, and consequences on the board gives teachers a way to talk with students about anger, frustration, self-control, empathy, decision-making, and resilience. He linked his approach to established SEL language (specific vocabulary and communication strategies used to teach Social and Emotional Learning) where practical life lessons are taught through decision-making in chess positions. Different chess concepts are used as metaphors for life lessons: piece sacrifice for a positional advantage is used as an example of giving up short-term pleasure for long-term gain; following the rules of the game (e.g. how to properly castle) is tied to attention, listening and discipline. Reflecting on his decades-long experience, Moreno notes that “chess serves as a universal language that goes beyond nationality, ethnic identity, race, and gender, offering a way to connect across cultural gaps”. “Chess has taught me that, despite our diverse backgrounds, socio-economic conditions, and languages, our thinking processes can synchronize in comparable ways when we strive for a common objective. Chess serves as a universal language that goes beyond nationality, ethnic identity, race, and gender, offering a way to connect across cultural gaps.” “The Magic of Predictability” FIDE Senior Trainer and psychologist José Francisco “Pep” Suárez, from Menorca, told the Chess in Education Summit in San José that schools should stop seeing chess only as a competitive game and start using it as a practical tool for inclusion. Like Moreno, Suárez drew a sharp distinction between competitive chess and what he called educational chess which is “a tool to create people with critical thinking, capable of having autonomy, and above all, the power to understand the complex world we live in.” He placed special emphasis on therapeutic chess, which he presented as a way of using the game to support attention, self-control, reflection, and social development. Suárez rejected the idea that chess is a universal fix for
How Costa Rica plans to bring chess into the classroom
At the Chess and Education Summit in San Jose – taking place on 20 and 21 March – Costa Rican officials, educators and chess leaders set out a practical question: how can chess move from being respected as a game to being used as a classroom tool across the public school system? The two-day event, held at the historic Costa Rica Tennis Club, forms part of FIDE’s Year of Chess in Education 2026 and brings together national authorities and regional partners around a pilot programme that is due to begin in ten Costa Rican schools as early as April 2026. Educational councilors from all 27 regions of Costa Rica attended to understand how chess can help in their local schools. The summit is not framed as an agora to exchange ideas and plans. It is being presented as a policy meeting and a working session on implementation. Organisers say the focus is on practical models for integrating chess into school systems, with emphasis on inclusion, student well-being and ease of use for teachers. The official programme reflects that structure. Day one was built around official remarks, the formalisation of the Costa Rica pilot plan, and keynote talks on policy, curriculum, teacher training, inclusion, executive functions and emotional well-being. Day two will focus on workshops and practical training. From public interest to public policy Costa Rica is not starting from scratch. In 2022, the country enacted Law No. 10187, which declared the promotion of chess teaching in the Costa Rican educational system to be in the public interest. The law recognises chess both as a sport and as a pedagogical tool aimed at the integral development of students. That legal basis has since been followed by institutional work between the Ministry of Public Education, Ministry of Sports and the Costa Rican Chess Federation. That is the background to the summit’s main institutional objective: to get chess into the classrooms and make it a part of a healthy lifestyle of every Costa Rican. The project will start with a classroom-based pilot project in ten public schools, developed jointly by FIDE, the Confederation of Chess for the Americas, the Costa Rican Chess Federation and the Ministry of Public Education. This initiative will be a test case for how chess can be inserted into schools in a way that is structured, measurable and manageable for teachers. A small chess country with a big ambition Costa Rica is a relatively small chess country. According to local federation figures, it has about 1,200 active players, though many more people know the game and view it positively. That gap matters to the organisers. While not widely player, chess enjoys a high reputation in Costa Rica, especially among parents who see it as good for children. Luis Eduardo Quirós Rojas, president of the Costa Rican Chess Federation, said the purpose of the summit was to help decision-makers understand what chess can do inside the education system. In his remarks, Rojas stressed that the federation was not approaching the issue mainly as a matter of competition or elite performance. “We are promoting a sport as an educational tool. For us, that is very important,” he said. Quirós Rojas described the summit as a way to give officials and educators practical tools and perspective that they can later apply in the classroom. As he noted, the point is not to convince people that chess is valuable in the abstract, but to help local authorities understand how it can be used and what conditions are needed for it to work. That helps explain why the summit has drawn education officials rather than only chess administrators. The organisers want people involved in curriculum decisions and regional implementation to hear the case directly, assess what is realistic, and then help open space for the programme inside schools. The political aim is simple enough: if chess is to function as an educational tool, it must be understood and backed by the people who shape policy and school practice. “The power in our hands” The scale of the Costa Rican education system is one reason the pilot matters. Ministry of Public Education material refers to more than one million primary and secondary students nationwide, and recent ministry reporting points to a public system that reaches thousands of education centres across the country. For supporters of the initiative, that means even a small pilot can carry policy significance if it shows that the model is workable. Nancy Aguirre Araya is a PE teacher from San Jose. She is currently educational councillor for the Ministry of Education and her role is to propose and advise the teachers on integrating new tools and approaches in schools. “The key thing I hope all of the councillors will take from this meeting is the power we have in our hands to do great work in our communities using chess”, Araya says. When it comes to challenges, Araya notes the lack of chess knowledge among teachers to effectively use the game. But this was taken into account by the specially designed programme. Not about producing champions That distinction came through clearly in the remarks of Mauricio Arias, who presented the Costa Rican plan as a broad educational effort rather than a search for future champions. As he explained, the goal is to give children an opportunity and to build a wider base of talent, not to create a small professional elite. “It is difficult to find out whether something works if you do not test it,” Arias said, explaining why Costa Rica is beginning with a pilot before considering any wider rollout. He also made clear that the programme is meant to proceed carefully. According to his remarks, Costa Rica wants to start with a technical alliance, train 25 professionals, measure results and make sure that teachers feel comfortable using the method before moving beyond the initial phase. “It is one more step toward the country we want to build: children who are capable, educated, and prepared for life,” he
Latin America at the forefront of chess in education policy
The Summit on Chess and Education, held in Costa Rica on 20 and 21 March, brought together experts from across Latin America to discuss how chess can support learning. In an article for the summit, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich wrote about Latin America’s growing role in shaping chess education policy worldwide. Since I became President of FIDE in 2018, one of the key goals has been to develop chess as a tool for engagement, inclusion and education. This idea has found support not only in the chess world but also among teachers, psychologists, clinicians, scientists, social workers, humanitarian organisations, governments and many others. As part of this work, FIDE named 2025 the Year of Social Chess. Building on the efforts led by FIDE Deputy Chair Dana Reizniece, we declared 2026 the Year of Chess in Education. For us, social chess and chess in education are not slogans. Together with international organisations and state institutions, we have held events, seminars, conferences and competitions across the world, promoting the concept and inviting all interested parties to provide ideas, questions and solutions. In each place, we showed how chess can become part of daily life, regardless of background or circumstance. We already know that full integration is possible. In Armenia, chess has been a mandatory subject in primary schools since 2011. The program has been successful, which is also reflected in the number of highly rated players from the country. Latin America is at the heart of this project. Several essays on the region, published by the FIDE Chess in Education Commission in 2023, describe a strong wish to use chess as an educational innovation. They also point to gaps in coverage and limited institutional backing. Long term programmes begin when school leaders and classroom teachers see chess as part of learning, not as a hobby on the side. Political engagement in the region is growing. In 2024, federations in Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica invited Jerry Nash, chair of the FIDE Education Commission, to visit schools and meet ministers to discuss large scale plans. His visit helped local teams prepare proposals for national or regional programmes and raised awareness of chess as an educational tool, not only as a sport. Later visits across the Americas by Victor Bologan, focused on chess in education and youth development, continued this work of linking chess projects with finance, sport and education authorities. In August 2025, at the Smart Moves Summit in Washington D.C., the Costa Rican Minister of Sport and Recreation, Donald Rojas Fernandez, presented results from pilot projects in schools. The data showed that classroom chess can support better academic performance and stronger social skills. It is therefore natural that the second global conference on chess in education is now taking place in Costa Rica, a country that is setting standards for how chess can serve society. The Summit on Chess and Education in Costa Rica will launch a national pilot that brings classroom, based chess to ten public schools. The programme is built around inclusion, student wellbeing and simple implementation for teachers. This project will be continuously observed and – pending successful evaluation – the plan is to extend it nationwide. Thus, the successful project can turn into a national strategy, written into education plans and budgets, so that a child in a rural public school has the same chance to learn through chess as a child in a capital city. These projects are possible thanks to the hard work and support of people in FIDE and the community, such as Pepe Carillo and Mauricio Arias whose involvement has brought the projects to life. For Latin America and the Caribbean, the Year of Chess in Education provides a clear moment and a common goal. My team at FIDE and I are fully committed to supporting and promoting this goal and we are looking forward to the conclusion and recommendation from the Summit on Chess and Education. Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President Photos: Costa Rica Chess Federation
FIDE World Cadets Cup U8-U12: Registration deadline approaching
Starting in 2026, FIDE introduced a new and exciting championship cycle for the Under 8, Under 10, and Under 12 age categories, with the aim of strengthening the global pathway for young players and increasing the clarity and prestige of FIDE youth competitions. Under this new structure, the FIDE World Cadets Cup U8-U12 serves as a unique and qualifying event of the cycle, while the FIDE World Cadets Championships U8, U10, and U12, held later in the year, represent the final stage where world titles are decided. This distinction is central to the updated cycle and ensures greater clarity for federations, players, and parents. As part of this update, the event previously known as the World Cadet Championship U8-U12 has been renamed the FIDE World Cadets Cup U8-U12. While the competitive format and playing conditions remain unchanged, the new name reflects the event’s role as a global, merit-based competition that brings together the strongest young players from around the world and acts as a gateway to the World Cadets Championships later in the year. The inaugural edition of the FIDE World Cadets Cup will take place from June 15-28, 2026 in Batumi, Georgia, and will follow the same proven system used in recent editions of the World Cadet Championships, with separate tournaments for boys and girls in the U8, U10, and U12 categories. Who can play? Each national federation is entitled to nominate one invited player per age category and gender, for a total of up to six players, along with one head of delegation holding a valid FIDE ID. In addition to these federation nominations, invited players also include those who finished in first to third place at the previous World Cadets Championships and World Cadets Cup, as well as the champions of the most recent Continental Cadet Championships. National federations may also register additional players and accompanying persons, subject to confirmation by the Organizing Committee, with all related costs covered by the federation, while FIDE-affiliated organizations may register players too and FIDE-endorsed chess academies may do so through their respective national federations. Venue Batumi provides an ideal setting for this global youth event. The city has a strong track record of hosting major international competitions, including the 2018 Chess Olympiad and recent top-level FIDE events, and benefits from Georgia’s deep-rooted chess culture and extensive organisational experience. The proven ability of Georgian Chess Federation and local organisers to deliver world-class events makes Batumi a trusted and familiar destination for federations and players alike. FIDE member federations are kindly reminded that the registration deadline for the FIDE World Cup U8-U12 is April 15, 2026. Official website: https://wcc2026.fide.com/ Invitation letter and regulations (PDF)
Road to the crown: 2026 Candidates Tournament begins in Cyprus
World-class players, expert predictions, and a festival of chess await as the battle for a shot at the world title unfolds at Cap St Georges Resort With just one week to go before the start of the 2026 Candidates Tournament, excitement for the event is building at full speed. The sixteen players (eight men and eight women) who will compete for the right to challenge the world champion will soon travel with their respective teams to the island of Cyprus. As in previous editions, the organizing team has planned various parallel activities to ensure a complete experience for all fans eager to attend their first Candidates as spectators. The venue Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort is an award-winning luxury destination on the unspoiled coastline of Peyia, Paphos, Cyprus, offering an inspiring setting where elegance, tranquillity, and excellence come together. Surrounded by landscaped gardens with centuries-old olive trees, the resort reflects the island’s character through refined architecture and well-designed spaces, with a strong focus on privacy, comfort, and attentive service. Guests enjoy exceptional facilities, including Olive Tree Beach and Kafizis Beach, a beachfront framed by the resort’s natural surroundings, outdoor and heated indoor swimming pools, a spa and wellness centre, fully equipped fitness facilities, and a diverse collection of ten restaurants and bars offering refined international and local cuisine The side events The Pafos Municipality & Pafos Chess Club are hosting the 4th International Open Tournament, from April 13-19 (overlapping the Candidates’ final week). The event will be a 9-round classical Swiss with a €5,000 prize fund – ideal for international norm and title seekers! The event has already attracted 10 GM’s and many other titled players. Check out the line-up here. The tournament fan-zone, hosted by Angelika Valkova, will feature master-classes, simultaneous displays, lectures and Q&A during the event, with legendary players such as Vishy Anand, Nigel Short, Boris Gelfand, Victor Bologan and Alexandra Kosteniuk. In addition, each game day two or three players will join the fans after their games for interviews and photo opportunities. The line-up and schedule is evolving continuously and can be found here. Standard ticket holders can watch the games live from the viewing area inside the playing hall and have access to the fan zone. VIP ticket holders enjoy an enhanced experience, including access to the VIP lounge, live viewing from VIP seats inside the playing hall, preferential seating in the fan zone, all-day catering service, and a unique opportunity to play a chess game with a Grandmaster. Tickets are available here https://tickets.fide.com/ with special limited-time offers and multi-day discounts available. Expert forecasts Over the past few days, many experts have shared their opinions about the tournament, indicating who has the greatest chances of winning and who could be the surprise player of the event. As a five-time World Champion, Vishy Anand has taken part in this event multiple times, giving him some of the most valuable insight to draw upon. “The Candidates is one of the great competitions in chess. People are very-highly motivated, and they have a chance to play for the world title, which is obviously the big prize.” “We have four people who are new and four who have played the Candidates before, with a few unexpected names. Bluebaum is a bit of a surprise; while with Wei Yi and Esipenko you sort of think that they could be in there. Also, Fabiano and Hikaru are getting on in age: it doesn’t show but in a long event you never know. Obviously, they remain very strong and very competitive, but I think youngsters almost always have more energy.” Breaking down the tournament on the Perpetual Chess Podcast, Jan Gustafsson (one of the onsite commentators) outlined the most likely approach. “I think that the good-old game after game strategy does apply. It’s good to score points at any moment but the players will start taking more risks when they are at plus one and there’s not that much tournament to go. You can’t really pace yourself in the Candidates, but sometimes when a player gets to plus three they freeze a little bit or stop taking risks and wait for the moment to score against a lower-rated opponent.” Gustafsson’s co-host is once again none other than Peter Svidler, an eight-time national champion and three-time Candidates contender. Although he acknowledged that all the players have a reasonable chance, one stands above the rest. “For me this has always been the most exciting tournament of the year, and definitely one of my highlights of the year. I don’t think there is a clear favourite but if I had to pick a player with a gun to my head I would go with Fabiano Caruana. He is so consistent and has a fantastic record playing in the Candidates However, it’s a very interesting field this year – Praggnanandhaa also has a decent shot.” Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal – FIDE press Officer (Barcelona, Spain) Photos: Michal Walusza
Shift your perspective: FIDE Infinite Chess hosts “An Atypical Day” for autism awareness
In celebration of International Autism Awareness Day, the FIDE Infinite Chess project invites you to an online event that goes beyond the board to explore the real lives of families living with autism. This April 4, is a step into a world of unique perspectives, challenges, and triumphs. The FIDE Infinite Chess project is proud to present “An Atypical Day,” a special awareness talk dedicated to fostering understanding and sparking meaningful change within the chess community and beyond. Date: April 4Time: 12:00 CESTLocation: Online (Link available upon registration)Registration link: https://forms.gle/dA7TRwSRyCLzksoM6 While chess is often hailed as a universal language, the Infinite Chess project recognizes that the journey to the board is different for everyone. This event will pull back the curtain on that journey, placing the spotlight not just on the game, but on the incredible families who navigate the world of autism every single day. The core of “An Atypical Day” is a powerful dialogue. We will hear firsthand accounts from the people who live this reality daily: parents and coaches. They will share their intimate experiences, painting a vivid picture of life beyond the diagnosis. We will explore the central theme of the event: the journey of families living with autism. What does a typical (or atypical) day actually look like for them? What are the unspoken challenges they face from morning until night? How do they cope, adapt, and find joy in the midst of a world not always designed for them? Most importantly, we will delve into a story of hope and integration. We will ask the crucial question: How have their lives changed since joining the Infinite Chess community? Has the structured, logical, yet creative world of chess provided a new outlet, a safe space, or a bridge to connection? We aim to uncover the transformative power of inclusion, one move at a time. Following these personal stories, the floor will open for a vital Q&A session. This is a unique opportunity for participants to ask questions or share their own concerns in a safe and supportive environment. To guide this discussion and provide professional insight, we are honored to welcome a distinguished specialist: Gulzhanar Akhaeva – Defectologist, Master of Special Pedagogy, Sensory Therapist, and Head of the Psychological and Pedagogical Correction Office No. 5 under the Akimat of Astana. Gulzhanar will offer expert perspectives on the topics raised by the families, helping to bridge the gap between personal experience and professional understanding. Join us “An Atypical Day” is more than just a talk; it is an invitation to shift your perspective. Whether you are a chess enthusiast, an educator, a parent, or simply someone who wants to understand the world a little better, your presence matters. Let’s come together to listen, learn, and champion a world where every mind can thrive. How to participate: The event will take place online on April 4 at 12:00 CEST. Registration details: https://forms.gle/dA7TRwSRyCLzksoM6 About FIDE Infinite Chess: The FIDE Infinite Chess project is dedicated to making chess accessible and beneficial for individuals with autism and other special needs, fostering inclusion and cognitive development through the royal game. The project currently thrives in 28 countries, supporting more than 270 children with autism and co-occurring conditions, and welcomes new interested families from around the world. Contact us: infinitechess@fide.com
Erling Haaland invests in Norway Chess to launch the new Total Chess World Championship Tour
Football superstar Erling Haaland is investing in Norway Chess and its new tour format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour. Haaland has ambitious plans to contribute to make chess a broader and more spectator-friendly sport. Norway Chess has been a driving force for innovation in chess for years and is now taking another major step with the launch of the Total Chess World Championship Tour. The initiative is now gaining a new strategic investor: global football superstar Erling Haaland. Together with Norwegian business leader Morten Borge, Haaland has established the company Chess Mates, which will be a significant owner of Norway Chess. “Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything”, says Erling Haaland. “Chess is ultimately about strategy and long-term thinking”, says Morten Borge. “Those are qualities that also define both elite sport and the ability to make sound investments over time. In many ways, chess sits right at the intersection of the worlds Erling and I come from. I’ve even promised to give Erling a bit of chess training!” With millions of fans around the world, Haaland is already a global sports icon and a natural partner to help grow new audiences and bring fresh energy to the game. “I’m investing in Norway Chess because I believe the new Total Chess World Championship Tour can turn chess into an even bigger sport for spectators around the world. The team behind Norway Chess has already done an impressive job growing the event, and joining the project was too exciting to pass up,” says Haaland. The new championship, featuring the world’s best players, is expected to become one of the most significant developments in modern chess. The Total Chess World Championship Tour will consist of four tournaments each year, hosted by four different cities, and will crown a combined world champion across three disciplines — Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz chess. This new World Championship has been approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for a minimum of 16 years. “Chess – like football – has always been a global language of strategy and creativity. Seeing a world-class athlete like Erling Haaland join the Total World Chess Championship Tour is a powerful signal of the global attention and cultural relevance that chess enjoys today. As FIDE President, it has always been my ambition to build chess into a sustainable and attractive global sport. Working closely with my team and with forward-thinking partners such as Norway Chess, our goal is to develop the Total World Chess Championship Tour into the most compelling intellectual sporting event in the world,” says FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. A pilot tournament is planned for autumn 2026, followed by a full championship season in 2027. Each season will consist of four events, and a minimum annual prize pool of USD 2.7 million. Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, welcomes the investment and involvement of Haaland as a long-term strategic partner. “We expect the new championship to become one of the most prestigious events in the global chess calendar. The fact that Erling is joining us as an investor says a great deal about the commercial potential of this tour. Erling has an enormous global following and is truly world-class when it comes to creating magical sporting moments. I am absolutely certain he will bring tremendous value to Total Chess, help generate increased interest in the fascinating world of chess, and attract new audiences. He has already contributed with several great ideas. With Erling on board, we are now entering the final phase of finding host cities for the first tour,” says Madland. About Norway Chess and Total Chess World Championship Tour: A groundbreaking FIDE-approved format, developed and owned by Norway Chess. The Total Chess World Championship Tour brings together the best players across three disciplines — Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz — to crown the FIDE World Combined Champion, the most complete and versatile chess player in the world. Fast Classic is an innovation of classical chess with a shorter time limit, down to 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment, and will receive classical rating. The Tour will feature a minimum $2.7 million annual prize pool, including at least $750,000 for each of the first three events and $450,000 for the Finals (with four players), plus performance bonuses. The Total Chess World Championship Tour, hosted by four different cities, will officially launch in Q1 of 2027. For more information, go to: https://www.totalchess.com/ Contacts: For Norway Chess and Total Chess:Kjell Madland: +47 911 67 695, kjell@norwaychess.com For Chess Mates and Morten Borge:Peter Markovski: +47 920 41 055, pm@stormcom.no
Regulations published for the 2026 FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Hong Kong
With the publication of the official regulations, preparations are now fully underway for the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026, which will take place in Hong Kong from 16 to 22 June. Following successful editions in Düsseldorf, Astana, and London, the championship returns with the concept that has made it popular among players and fans: mixed teams combining elite professionals with recreational players competing side by side in rapid and blitz formats. Team composition Every match is played on six boards and must meet the following requirements: This structure allows teams to combine world-class grandmasters with club players, creating a format where amateurs can share the same stage as some of the strongest players in the world. Tournament schedule The competition will begin with the World Team Rapid Chess Championship, followed by the World Team Blitz Chess Championship later in the week. Full details of the playing schedule and prize fund are available in the official regulations. Registration Team registration for the championship will open next week. Clubs, companies, federations, and independent teams from around the world will be eligible to enter. Further information on the registration process will be published closer to the opening date. Top players expected The event has consistently attracted many of the world’s strongest players. According to WR Chess, Magnus Carlsen is expected to return to the championship this year as part of their team, adding further star power to the competition. In previous editions, the tournament has featured numerous top players competing alongside amateurs and rising talents, producing a dynamic atmosphere rarely seen in traditional elite events. Regulations (PDF) Official website: https://worldrapidblitzteams2026.fide.com/ Amateur teams to compete alongside the elite Alongside the main championship, Hong Kong will also host the inaugural FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup, running from 16 to 22 June 2026. The event is designed specifically for amateur players and will allow club teams, friends, and local groups to take part in the same international chess festival. Open to teams of six players who have never achieved a FIDE rating of 2000 or higher, the tournament will be played with a rapid time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment. The competition will feature a two-stage format, culminating in final matches to determine the champion. By staging the Amateur Rapid Cup alongside the elite team championship, players will experience the atmosphere of a major international event while competing for their own title. With the regulations now published and teams beginning to form their lineups, attention turns to Hong Kong, where several days of fast-paced team chess will bring together players from across the world. Register here: https://worldteamamateurrapid2026.hkchessevent.com/registration/ Regulations (PDF) Official event website: http://worldteamamateurrapid2026.hkchessevent.com Contact: hkchessevent@gmail.com