Opening Press Conference of 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss
The opening day of the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss started with a high-profile press conference featuring World Champion Gukesh D, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Adham Ikramov, the Minister of Youth Policy and Sports of Uzbekistan. Speakers highlighted the significance of the tournament for the chess world in general as well as for chess in Uzbekistan and Asia. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich opened by thanking the government and the chess authorities of Uzbekistan for their dedicated support in organising the tournament and helping to increase the prize fund for the event. “The Grand Swiss is the strongest open competition in the two-year World Championship cycle, allowing all top players to fight for the spots in the Candidates tournaments. There are no weak opponents here and everything is usually decided in the last round, which will bring huge excitement for the spectators”. He noted that the Grand Swiss is “a test event for the 2026 Olympiad”, which will be taking place in Samarkand in September 2026. Dvorkovich concluded by thanking the World Champion, Gukesh D, for choosing to participate in the event which will help the promotion of chess. Adham Ikramov, Minister of Youth Policy and Sports of Uzbekistan noted that the country has recently hosted several international sports events and that it enjoys the support of the international sporting organisations thanks to the high quality and standard of the organisation it is providing. “Just two years ago, we held the World Rapid and Blitz here. Last year, in Budapest [during the Chess Olympiad] we met with the FIDE President at the time when Uzbekistan has risen among the top countries in chess. Next year we will organise the Olympiad and we will do it really well”. Alisher Sadullaev, the First Vice-President of Uzbekistan Chess Federation, spoke about the preparations for the 2026 Chess Olympiad which Uzbekistan will host, highlighting Samarkand’s status as a “global chess arena”. “Uzbekistan’s history traces back 3000 years, and this history gives a lot of sense about chess back in the past. One of the great conquerors of the world, Amir Timur, he brought all the chess masters to Samarkand and organised huge championships. It’s very logical to repeat the same tradition. The President of Uzbekistan always empowers chess and brings together the most talented [chess] minds in the world, like here in Samarkand”, Sadullaev said. “The whole Uzbek chess team that will be representing our country in the next Olympiad is in Samarkand and preparing. And this event will play a crucial role in getting them ready for the huge role next year they are about to play [at the Olympiad] and we expect them to win”. Sadullaev pointed out that the Uzbekistan Chess Federation pays attention to both male and female players, noting the example of Afruza Khamdamova, a two-time girls’ World Youth Champion. “This is one of the biggest tournaments I have ever played. Here we will have many of the elite women world players and I want to show them that I can play on equal footing with them,” said Khamdamova. World Champion Gukesh D was asked about the decision to play in Samarkand, in an event where his potential challenger will be chosen. “I’m happy to be back here in Samarkand. I was here in 2023 for the World Rapid and Blitz. It’s nice to be back here. Although there’s no need for me to qualify, I think this is still a great tournament. There are not many super strong open Swiss tournaments. It’s an opportunity for me to play in a different format and prove myself”. Gukesh also spoke about how his preparation for the event differed from other – closed – tournaments, where preselected top players take part. “In Swiss tournaments you need to win more games and take a bit more chances. I’m glad there will be a lot of hungry players and exciting games. Even though I’ve been playing a lot of closed tournaments, I’ll try to adjust my preparation for the open event here”. When asked about whom he sees as the favourites to win the event, Gukesh was diplomatic: “This tournament is so strong that pretty much anybody on a great day can win. I don’t really believe in favourites.” The World Champion also praised Nodirbek Abdusattorov – Uzbekistan’s strongest player who will be participating in the event – as a great champion and competitor. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Michal Walusza Official website: grandswiss2025.fide.com/
Final call: Share your story in the FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge 2025
The FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge 2025 is underway, and filmmakers, educators, and social leaders from across the globe are already sharing how chess transforms lives. With the deadline set for 25 October 2025, there’s still time to add your voice to this unique celebration of chess as a force for change. Submitted Stories Entries so far range from polished productions to heartfelt grassroots films. Some use animation, others capture simple classroom moments, but all shine a light on the power of chess. Each story follows one of the challenge’s three themes: Personal Development Chess builds confidence, sharpens critical thinking, and strengthens problem-solving skills. A powerful example comes from the United States, where the film Building Minds With Chess features GM Pontus Carlsson showing how the game nurtures decision-making and resilience among young learners in New Orleans. Social Transformation Chess brings diverse groups together, fostering inclusion, and supporting education and rehabilitation programs. In South Africa, the documentary Helping Kings and Queens Make the Right Moves explores the game’s impact in a disadvantaged community where young people face crime and gang violence. At its heart is the story of Jedidah, a girl who, after failing second grade, embraced chess as a way to rebuild her confidence and ultimately blossomed as both a student and a player. Opportunities & Livelihoods Chess offers pathways for personal and professional growth, and the entry “Women’s Chess guide” showcases chess as a lifestyle through the lens of women at every level of the game, from casual players to traveling international competitors. Beyond showing a Queen’s Gambit-like story of a female player rising to the top, it also offers a glimpse of female chess communities and clubs, an image still too rarely seen on screen. Categories & submission details The competition is open to entries in two categories: Professional – High-quality, polished productions. Grassroots – Creative and amateur video submissions Key dates: Deadline: October 25, 2025 Awards Winners will receive: A special FIDE trophy, An invitation to the FIDE Olympiad 2026 Opening Ceremony (including two nights’ accommodation for two people), A global spotlight as top films will be showcased at the 2025 Social Chess Conference, across FIDE’s social media, and other social chess events. Award categories: Best Short Film (Professional) Best Grassroots Film (Amateur) FIDE Social Commission Choice Award Who can participate? Everyone is welcome (no restrictions on age or nationality) and filmmakers may submit more than one entry. Submit your film here: fide.com/social2025-storytelling-challenge/#send
Fujairah Global Chess Championship: Pranav V claims title
India’s young Grandmaster Pranav V emerged victorious in the UAE, capturing the coveted title in the Fujairah Global Chess Championship – Superstars Section. In the final round, he defeated Spain’s GM Alan Pichot in a masterful rook endgame, finishing on 7/9 to secure the championship. With this exceptional performance, Pranav gained 28 rating points, reaching a career-best live rating of 2631, alongside 17.6 FIDE Circuit points. He also claimed the top prize of US$ 23,000. Every game on the top boards proved decisive for the final standings. On Board 2, GM Amin Tabatabaei (Iran) was held to a draw by GM Alexander Donchenko (Germany). On Board 3, GM Brandon Jacobson (USA) drew against top seed GM Nihal Sarin (India). On Board 4, GM Abhimanyu Mishra (USA) shared the point with GM Sanan Sjugirov (Hungary). These results paved the way for GM Jose Eduardo Martinez (Mexico) to reach the podium by defeating GM Sam Shankland (USA). Three players—Jacobson, Martinez, and Tabatabaei—all finished on 6 points. On tiebreaks, Brandon Jacobson took second place, Jose Eduardo Martinez third, and Amin Tabatabaei fourth. They earned US$ 13,000, US$ 9,000, and US$ 8,000 respectively. China’s GM Zhu Jiner, the only female competitor in the Superstars Section, impressed once again. She defeated Bulgaria’s GM Ivan Cheparinov in the final round, finishing fifth with 5½ points and earning US$ 7,000. Also placing in the Top 10 (by tiebreaks) were GMs Aditya Mittal (India), Alexander Donchenko (Germany), Sanan Sjugirov (Hungary), Abhimanyu Mishra (USA), and Lu Shanglei (China). Superstars section – complete results Masters section In the Masters Division, USA’s GM Brewington Hardaway triumphed with 7.5 points. GM Ata Umut Akbas (Turkey) finished second on 7/9, followed by GM Artin Ashraf (Iran) in third, GM Karthik Venkataraman (India) in fourth, and GM Reza Mahdavi (Iran) in fifth—each placement determined by tiebreaks. Masters section complete results Open section In the Open category of the Fujairah Global Chess Championship, FM Alimzhan Zhauynbay (Kazakhstan, U12) delivered a sensational performance to clinch first place with 8/9. Armenia’s Davit Baghdasaryan (U16), Turkmenistan’s CM Allayar Shirlilyev, and Iran’s CM Benyamin Babaniya all scored 7.5 points, taking second to fourth place respectively on tiebreaks. China’s Huaqi Liu (U14) also impressed, scoring 7.5 points to finish fifth. Open sections complete results Distinguished guests at the closing ceremony The championship’s closing ceremony was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including: E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, President of the UAE Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Taryam Matar, UAE Chess Federation President GM Dana Reizniece-Ozola, FIDE Deputy Chair and of the European Chess Union Deputy President GM Victor Bologan, FIDE Executive Director Ali Nihat Yazıcı, President of the Turkish Chess Federation Written by Pavel Dvorkovich & Niklesh Jain Photos: Anna Shtourman, Vivek Sohani and Aditya Sur Roy Broadcast: YouTube Fujairah Chess and YouTube ChessBase India Hindi Flickr album: flickr.com/photos/203288106@N04/
FIDE Circuit: Praggnanandhaa pulls away with dominant summer
Praggnanandhaa R extended his lead in the FIDE Circuit race over the summer with impressive performances at the UzChess Cup Masters (1st place, 22.19 points) and the 12th Sinquefield Cup (2nd place, 20.72 points). With only four months remaining, he now holds a lead of nearly 55 points over second-placed Anish Giri—a gap that already looks insurmountable given the young Indian’s excellent form. Barring a highly unlikely chain of unfavorable circumstances, Praggnanandhaa seems poised to secure his spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Anish Giri rose to second place in the standings thanks to a strong performance at the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters, which earned him 20.94 points. The winner of that event, Vincent Keymer, broke into the top 10, while Amin Tabatabaei returned to this group following his good showing in the Fujairah Global 2025 – Superstars. Nodirbek Abdusattorov climbed to third in the race after finishing third at the UzChess Cup Masters, adding 18.56 points to his tally. Matthias Bluebaum also had a productive summer, gaining 17.91 points from his performances at the Sparkassen Chess Trophy 2025 A-Open and the 61st International Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival, moving up to fourth on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, Ding Liren continues to slide down the standings—a predictable trend given that he has played only one Circuit-qualifying event this year. Notably, several Grandmasters in the current top 20—Chithambaram Aravindh, Vincent Keymer, Javokhir Sindarov, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Vladimir Fedoseev—have played only two Circuit tournaments so far. This leaves them significant potential to climb the rankings. With this in mind, the upcoming FIDE Grand Swiss is expected to trigger major shifts within the top 10. However, it is unlikely to threaten Praggnanandhaa’s commanding position at the summit. We maintain a dedicated page on our website for the FIDE Circuit 2025, featuring the latest information on eligible tournaments, current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Circuit 2025
Štěpán Hrbek and Tereza Rodshtein crowned Czech Champions
The thrilling final round decided this year’s chess champions of the Czech Republic. In the women’s category, Tereza Rodshtein clinched the title, defeating Julia Movsesian in the final of the elimination tournament. In the open round-robin event, seventh seed Štěpán Hrbek emerged as a surprise winner, while Jan Vykouk and Tadeáš Kriebel claimed silver and bronze, respectively. The Czech Championship returned to Plzeň after a five-year break. While David Navara dominated the 2020 open tournament, this year he did not take part due to a scheduling conflict. Nevertheless, he attended the final two rounds at the Plzeň Congress Center Parkhotel as a commentator—much to the delight of the spectators. The games certainly lived up to expectations: only 22 out of 45 ended in draws. With two rounds remaining, eight of the ten players were still in contention for gold, underscoring the tournament’s competitiveness. Jáchym Němec and Jan Vykouk traded the lead for much of the tournament, but neither managed to convert their chances in the decisive final round. Vykouk drew his game, while Němec lost—to none other than 19-year-old Štěpán Hrbek, who thereby secured his unexpected national title. His final score of 5.5/9 reflected the remarkable balance of the event. The pre-tournament favorites struggled: Václav Finěk finished fifth, and Štěpán Žilka placed eighth. Final standings Open The women’s championship, held for the third consecutive year in a knockout format, began with a preliminary round followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. Each round featured two classical games, two rapid games, blitz, and, if necessary, an Armageddon decider. Several junior players also participated but were unable to match the experience of their older opponents. Tereza Rodshtein overcame all challengers on her way to the title, defeating Karolína Pilsová, Anna Lhotská, and finally two-time defending champion Julia Movsesian. In the bronze medal match, Kristýna Petrová outplayed Anna Lhotská. Tournament director and Chairman of the Czech Chess Association Martin Petr reflected positively on the event: “I am thrilled with the course of this year’s Czech Championship. I would like to thank all the players for their fighting spirit and fair-play approach. The spectators certainly enjoyed the exciting games and the tournaments—and I did too.” The organizer, Chess Club 64 Plzeň, expressed gratitude to all who supported the 2025 Czech Championship: the City of Plzeň, the Czech Chess Association, Plzeňská teplárenská, Parkhotel Plzeň, Ubytování U Foltýnů, PROdiamant, Calliditas Edutainment, NODAK, and the 64 Foundation. This article is based on a report by the Czech Chess Federation Official website: chess.cz/
FIDE September 2025 rating list: Vincent Keymer debuts in top 10 Open
The September 2025 rating list was shaped primarily by results from the Sinquefield Cup, Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters, 61st International Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival, and the Spanish League Honor Division 2025 – a Swiss team tournament held in Linares. The top 10 Open saw several notable changes in August. Wesley So returned to this elite group after a ten-month absence, thanks to his victory at the Sinquefield Cup, which earned him 11 rating points. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa also shone this competition, adding 6 points and reaching a career-high rating of 2785. Photo: Rafal Oleksiewicz The biggest breakthrough came from Vincent Keymer, whose dominant performance at the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters brought him 21 rating points and secured his first-ever place in the world top 10. In the women’s rankings, Zhu Jiner continued her steady climb. A strong showing in the Isbank of Türkiye Chess Super League netted her 12 points and lifted her to a career-best 2548. Biggest gains in top 100 Open and Women Abrahamyan, Tatev WGM USA 2407 (+64) Batsiashvili, Nino GM GEO 2469 (+28) Alekseenko, Kirill GM AUT 2674 (+22) Keymer, Vincent GM GER 2751 (+21) Yakubboev, Nodirbek GM UZB 2681 (+18) Ouellet, Maili-Jade WGM CAN 2348 (+17) Fataliyeva, Ulviyya IM AZE 2385 (+16) Tsolakidou, Stavroula IM GRE 2445 (+14) Andreikin, Dmitry GM FID 2710 (+15) Wojtaszek, Radoslaw GM POL 2661 (+13) The month’s biggest rating gainer was Tatev Abrahamyan, who scored an impressive 63 points at the Budapest One Week 2025. With this performance, the American WGM crossed the 2400 threshold for the first time and soared to a career-high 37th place in the women’s top 100. Photo: Michal Walusza Other strong performances came in the Spanish League Honor Division 2025, where Nino Batsiashvili, Kirill Alekseenko, Stavroula Tsolakidou, and Ulviyya Fataliyeva all collected valuable points. Meanwhile, Maili-Jade Ouellet significantly boosted her rating after an excellent showing at the Championnat Invitation du Québec 2025. Photo: Dolnośląski Związek Szachowy At the 61st International Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival, Nodirbek Yakubboev won the round-robin event, gaining 16 points, while runner-up Radosław Wojtaszek added 13 to his tally. Finally, Dmitry Andreikin marked a successful return to classical chess after a ten-month break, earning 15 points with a solid performance in the Isbank of Türkiye Chess Super League.
FIDE Grand Swiss 2025: Expect the unexpected in Samarkand
For two weeks in September, the ancient capital of the Silk Road will be home to many of the best chess players in the world. When talent, youth, experience, and ambition collide, uncertainty is the only rule. Since its initiation in 2019, the FIDE Grand Swiss – held every two years – has distinguished itself as the strongest classical chess tournament. Featuring 11 rounds played under the Swiss system it is a battleground where the best face the best and only exceptional performance can secure victory. This is hardly surprising given what is at stake – substantial prizes and coveted qualifying spots for the 2026 Candidates Tournament in the Open and Women’s categories. The total prize fund amounts $855,000, with $625,000 allocated to the Grand Swiss and $230,000 to the Women’s Grand Swiss. The primary qualification goal of the tournament is clear: the top two finishers in both the Open and Women’s events will secure their places in the 2026 Candidates, which will decide the next challenger for the World Championship title. “The Grand Swiss has always stood as a unique tournament and one of the most anticipated events in the FIDE calendar. We are pleased that it will be taking place in Uzbekistan – a great chess nation which is investing in the sport and has a proven track record in organising major chess events,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said. “The rising youth dominating the chess scene in recent years will be tested in Samarkand, facing many of the most seasoned players on the planet. I am very much looking forward to the clash of generations. Overall, I believe that this tournament will have a strong positive impact on the promotion of chess, not just in Uzbekistan or central Asia, but much more broadly,” he added. The unpredictable winners of the Grand Swiss A look at the previous editions of the Grand Swiss – three in the Open and two in the Women’s category – shows that one thing is clear: once the games start, there isn’t much difference between the rating favourites and the underdogs, and nothing is certain until the end. In 2019, underdog Wang Hao emerged as the winner after a lucky victory over David Howell. The Chinese GM edged out the favourite, Fabiano Caruana, thanks to a better tiebreak. In that tournament, the then 23-year-old Kirill Alekseenko stunned the field, finishing in third place. Then in 2021, in Riga, Alireza Firouzja made his big mark on the global scene by overcoming seasoned GMs and winning the tournament outright. In a field dominated by youth, the experienced player Alexei Shirov delivered a great performance, tying for third place and earning a spot in the 2022 FIDE Grand Prix. In 2021, the inaugural Women’s Grand Swiss was held, which was marked by Lei Tingjie’s, securing the title with a round to spare. In the third edition, held at the Isle of Man in 2023, Firouzja faltered and finished in the middle of the scoreboard, but it was the Indian players who stole the show, with Vidit Santosh Gujrathi capturing the Open and Vaishali Rameshbabu triumphing in the Women’s competition. Vidit, despite losing in round one, rallied brilliantly to finish half a point ahead of Hikaru Nakamura. Players to look out for at the 2025 Grand Swiss This year’s Grand Swiss will see 116 players take part in the Open, including the World Champion Gukesh D, and 56 in the Women’s tournament. The Open tournament field is formidable. Eighteen players boast ratings above 2700, placing them in the Super-GM category, alongside 74 GMs rated 2600–2699 – world-class competitors capable of toppling anyone. With top contenders hailing from chess powerhouses such as India, the U.S, France, Germany, China, the competition will be fierce. Photo: Maria Emelianova Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, the current leader of FIDE Circuit, headlines the ranking list in Samarkand. The Indian youngster – who only turned 20 on August 10 – is already a seasoned player having dominated many tough tournaments and represented his country in Olympiads and team events. Praggnanandhaa is enjoying a career-best year as he became the top-ranked player in his native India and fourth in the world, his highest placement so far. Most recently, Praggnanandhaa was the runner-up of the Sinquefield Cup, which secured him a place in the playoff stage of the Grand Chess Tour. The superb strength and performance he has had this year so far has put Praggnanandhaa at the top of the favourites to win the Grand Swiss. Another title hopeful is Gukesh D – the 19-year-old World Champion who has made history several times already, most notably by becoming the first Indian to breach the 2750 ELO barrier, as well as being the youngest-ever winner of the Candidates and later on World Champion. Gukesh has had a bright year so far – finishing as the runner-up at Tata Steel and taking third place in Norway Chess, where he defeated Carlsen and Nakamura. Gukesh’s strength and world crown make him an exceptionally strong favourite in the tournament, but his status also makes him a prime target for many of the players in the Grand Swiss. The 19-year-old is already renowned for his focus and for managing to keep his nerves steady. Whether he does that in Samarkand will be decisive for his performance in the Grand Swiss. Arjun Erigaisi, India’s third big hope at the event, is also in strong form. A former national number one, he’s now ranked among the best players in the world. Then there’s Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, the 2023 Grand Swiss winner chasing for another title. Other top players in the race include the 2021 Grand Swiss winner, 22-year-old Alireza Firouzja, who captured another Bullet Chess Championship title in 2025, had a solid performance at the Superbet Rapid & Blitz and was a runner-up in the Esports World Cup, losing to Magnus Carlsen. Photo: Rafal Oleksiewicz Germany’s Vincent Keymer is another one to watch out for – the winner of the German Championship, Keymer is
FIDE Grand Swiss 2025: Updated dress code offers more flexibility
FIDE is pleased to publish the dress code for the FIDE Grand Swiss and FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss, reflecting a modern and inclusive approach while preserving the elegance of our sport. Key update Appropriate jeans are now permitted as part of the official dress code. This change offers players more comfort and freedom of choice, while ensuring that the overall appearance of the event remains professional and respectful. Dress code guidelines Men: Suit Dark business casual trousers, including classic, non-distressed jeans (blue, black, and grey) Unicoloured shirt (with minor deviations allowed, e.g. checkered or striped) Dress shoes and loafers with closed toes Unicoloured sneakers (soles can be a different colour) Women: Skirt suit, pantsuit, dress suit Dress Dark business casual trousers, including classic, non-distressed jeans (dark blue, black and grey) Shirt/blouse Dress shoes and loafers with closed toes Unicoloured sneakers (soles can be a different colour) FIDE’s perspective FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich highlighted the spirit of the change: “FIDE took the decision to provide more flexibility in the dress code. It is still required to follow the official standards, but elegant, appropriate jeans are also allowed. FIDE, chess players, arbiters, and officials must collectively strive to preserve the integrity of chess while also ensuring that the sport remains appealing to the audience and sponsors.” With this update, FIDE reaffirms its commitment to both tradition and progress — creating an environment where players feel comfortable and confident, while the game continues to shine on the world stage.
Fujairah Global Chess: Pranav V and Sanan Sjugirov share the lead at midpoint
The inaugural Fujairah Global Chess Championship 2025 has passed its midpoint. After five exciting rounds, leaders have emerged in all three groups: Superstars, Masters, and Open. In the Superstars section, India’s GM Pranav V and Hungary’s GM Sanan Sjugirov are joint leaders with 4 points each. Close behind on 3.5 points are Azerbaijan’s GM Aydin Suleymanli, USA’s GMs Brandon Jacobson and Andrew Hong, China’s GM Zhu Jiner, and Iran’s GM Amin Tabatabaei. In Round 5, the top board clash between Brandon Jacobson and Amin Tabatabaei in the Queen’s Gambit Declined Exchange Variation ended in a draw. Jacobson had the upper hand for most of the game, but a mistake on move 34 in the queen endgame allowed Tabatabaei to equalize. After a series of exchanges, the game concluded in a bare-king draw after 57 moves. On Board 2, Pranav V scored an impressive victory with White against Mexico’s GM Jose Eduardo Martinez. Playing the Sicilian Rossolimo, Martinez sacrificed a pawn in the opening to damage Pranav’s pawn structure. However, the Indian maintained balance through his knight’s activity. On move 19, Martinez’s decision to open up the kingside with his f-pawn backfired. Later, in an attempt to complicate matters, he sacrificed an exchange, but Pranav demonstrated accuracy and converted the advantage smoothly, winning in 47 moves. On Board 3, Sanan Sjugirov continued his excellent run by defeating compatriot GM Gleb Dudin. Playing the Vienna Opening with White, Sanan surprised his opponent in the opening and kept a firm grip throughout the game, finally clinching victory after 51 moves. Meanwhile, on Board 4, the tournament’s only female participant, China’s GM Zhu Jiner, impressed once again. Playing Black against Aydin Suleymanli, she obtained a nearly winning position several times but missed her chances in the endgame, allowing the game to be drawn after 64 moves. On Board 5, India’s GM Raunak Sadhwani, with White, was unable to convert a winning rook endgame against USA’s GM Andrew Hong (pictured below). A crucial miscalculation by Raunak allowed Hong to escape, and the game ended in a draw. All games begin daily at 15:00 CET and are broadcast live. The tournament is conducted in full compliance with anti-cheating regulations, with all players thoroughly checked before entering the playing hall. The inaugural edition of the Fujairah Global Chess Championship attracted enormous attention worldwide — uniting over 530 participants from 70 countries. Thanks to the Fujairah Chess & Culture Club and the event sponsors, the tournament has been organized at the highest level. Superstars standings after Round 5 Masters standings after Round 5 Open standings after Round 5 Fans can follow the live broadcast of the 1st Fujairah Global Chess Championship 2025 on the Fujairah Chess and ChessBase India Hindi YouTube channels, and also check full results via Chess-Results. Written by Pavel Dvorkovich & Niklesh Jain Photos: Anna Shtourman, Vivek Sohani and Aditya Sur Roy YouTube Fujairah Chess YouTube ChessBase India Hindi Photos are available on Flickr: flickr.com/photos/203288106@N04/albums
5th Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners: Registration continues
The countdown is on for the 5th edition of the FIDE Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, scheduled for October 14-16, 2025. Held as part of the Chess for Freedom project and the FIDE Year of Social Chess, this unique event brings correctional facilities from every continent together through the game of chess. Teams from the USA, Paraguay, Croatia, Italy, Australia, Czech Republic, Jersey, Portugal, Lithuania, Georgia, Singapore, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Kazakhstan, UAE, Ghana, Bulgaria, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini have already confirmed their participation. With more entries expected, this year’s edition is shaping up to be truly diverse and international. Registration remains open, and correctional institutions worldwide are invited to join this global initiative. Registration Participation is free of charge Each country may enter up to three teams: men’s, women’s, and youth (under 20) Teams may include inmates from one or multiple facilities Registration deadline: September 14, 2025 Event details Platform: Chess.com Time control: 10 minutes + 5 seconds increment Group stage: October 14 Championship round: October 15 Finals: October 16 Correctional institutions can register by completing the official form and confirming their entry via email to Tournament Organizer Mikhail Korenman (mikhail.korenman@ccsheriff.org). Now in its fifth year, the Intercontinental Championship for Prisoners has become a cornerstone of the Chess for Freedom program. The tournament offers incarcerated individuals the chance to represent their institutions on the international stage, develop skills that encourage discipline and critical thinking, and connect with a wider community beyond prison walls. By promoting education, rehabilitation, and inclusion, the event continues to show the constructive role chess can play in preparing individuals for reintegration into society. FIDE looks forward to welcoming even more teams to this year’s event.