11th Judit Polgar’s Global Chess Festival draws thousands
The 11th Judit Polgar’s Global Chess Festival was held with extraordinary interest this year at the Hungarian National Gallery. The celebration of chess attracted thousands of visitors, who could choose from thirty different programs in line with the festival’s triple motto: play, inspire, experience. Each year, this international event seeks to present the diversity of chess, its cultural values, and its community-building power in a unique format and setting. One of this year’s novelties was the RubikChess competition, where fifty young mixed pairs tested their skills. The unusual combination of the two games sparked great interest, and registrations quickly filled up. Seeing the success of the event, it is not unlikely that RubikChess will become a permanent program of the festival in the future. The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess was proud to support the launch of the RubikChess competition, recognizing its unique emphasis on teamwork, creativity, and gender equality. With each team composed of one girl and one boy, the format reflects the Commission’s mission to create opportunities where talent knows no gender and collaboration strengthens performance. The presence of Commission Chairwoman Anastasia Sorokina, who also presented prizes to young talents at the festival, further underlined FIDE WOM’s commitment to initiatives that inspire the next generation and promote inclusion in chess. The festival also featured a special performance of Queen’s Trap by Chilean artist Juga, an audiovisual project developed in cooperation with the Commission, celebrating the power and creativity of women in chess. Thanks to the online broadcast, hundreds of thousands followed the Community Simul, in which Judit Polgar played simultaneously on six boards against teams joining from different parts of the world — including the interactive digital learning platform Chessable and ChessIsForEveryone, along with a group led by a former world chessboxing champion. Among younger audiences, the technological innovations showcasing the future of chess were especially popular. Highlights included the world’s first AI-powered chess robot capable of moving real pieces, and the magical GoChess board where the pieces move independently. “For me, chess has always been about creation, discovery, and courage. These values are also reflected in my festival. I want to inspire the audience to step outside the usual boundaries and explore how many opportunities the game offers — not only on the board, but in life as well,” said Judit Polgár, founder and organizer of the Global Chess Festival. Throughout the day, the festival audience enjoyed a wide range of special programs. On the Morgan Stanley stage, The Invisible Chess Game was presented, featuring Judit Polgár and her former teammate, Olympic silver medalist grandmaster Peter Ács, playing on a visual installation board designed by Samuel Havadtőy. Another historic highlight was the first-ever live human–robot chess match, in which young Hungarian chess talent Gellért Karácsonyi faced off against the SenseRobot. “This year’s Global Chess Festival once again showed how play can connect people across borders, generations, and cultures. It was truly inspiring to see our Morgan Stanley colleagues demonstrate at the chessboard the same creativity and strategic thinking that defines our everyday work in areas such as technology, risk management, and financial modeling. For us, supporting the festival was not only about celebrating chess, but also about fostering new connections and communities,” said Dániel Mayer, Head of Morgan Stanley’s Budapest office. Competitive chess enthusiasts also found their place at the festival: the Play on the Square chess tournament was included in the program, while the Let’s Chess! workshops, led by International Master Ármin Juhász, provided opportunities to develop strategic thinking and deepen analytical skills. Visitors could also enjoy thrilling matches against renowned masters in the Challenge the Master! event. In addition to the chess experience, museum educators of the Hungarian National Gallery enriched the day with thematic guided tours, allowing visitors to experience the worlds of art and chess together. Since 2015, the Judit Polgar’s Global Chess Festival has been held annually, bringing the values of chess to millions worldwide. Beyond promoting the sport, the event builds bridges between cultures, generations, and communities through the universal language of chess. This year’s festival once again proved that chess is not merely a game, but an experience that inspires, connects, and brings joy to all ages. Results:RUBIK CHESS: Luca Miklós – Jan Marco Albers (Egyházaskozár-Bikali Primary School) (5/4.5 points) Hanna Miklós – Ádám Dunai (Egyházaskozár-Bikali Primary School) (4.5) Tábita Dan – Bálint Mázsár (Egyházaskozár-Bikali Primary School) (4) Detailed results: chess-results.com/tnr1263763.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=5&SNode=S0 Community Simultaneous:Each of the six communities was defeated by Judit Polgár. Chess on the Square Tournament: Máté Pápai (5/5 points) András Ilkó-Tóth (4.5) Róbert Major (4.5) Pavel Capek (4.5) Erik Czikiollai (4) Mihály Puskás (4) Best U16 Girl: with 4/5 points, Sofi Lytvynenko (8 years old).The prize was presented by Anastasia Sorokina, Chairwoman of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM). Best U16 Boy: Máté Pápai (5/5 points) Detailed results: s1.chess-results.com/tnr1263717.aspx?lan=1 Programmes: globalchessfestival.com/index.php/en/
FIDE October 2025 Rating List: Zhu Jiner climbs to #2, Anish Giri returns to top 10 Open
The October 2025 FIDE rating list was primarily shaped by the FIDE Grand Swiss, the Women’s Grand Swiss, and the inaugural Fujairah Global Chess Championships. These competitions triggered notable changes in the top 100 of both the Open and Women’s rankings. Zhu Jiner soared to the world #2 spot following her excellent performance at the Fujairah Global Chess Championships – Superstars, where she earned 21 rating points and reached a career-high. Aleksandra Goryachkina and Divya Deshmukh the only two female players in the FIDE Grand Swiss impressed in this competition. Goryachkina returned to the top five on the women’s list after gaining 13 rating points, while Divya climbed to 11th with a 20-point boost. Anish Giri re-entered the Open top 10 after an 18-month absence, thanks to his well-deserved victory at the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, which earned him 13 rating points. Photo: Michal Walusza / FIDE Vaishali R successfully defended her title at the Women’s Grand Swiss, picking up 21 rating points and reaching a career-high 15th place. Biggest gains in top 100 Open and Women Atwell, Rose FM USA 2353 (+69) Mohammadi, Melika WFM IRI 2342 (+54) Pranav V GM IND 2641 (+45) Mishra, Abhimanyu GM USA 2652 (+41) Song, Yuxin IM CHN 2444 (+35) Goltseva, Ekaterina WGM FIDE 2347 (+34) Nurman, Alua WGM KAZ 2347 (+31) Predke, Alexandr GM SRB 2634 (+25) Fataliyeva, Ulviyya IM AZE 2410 (+25) Krush, Irina GM USA 2388 (+22) This category was dominated by newcomers to the top 100. Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint-Louis Chess Club Sixteen-year-old Rose Atwell (pictured above) made her debut in the Women’s top 100, becoming the biggest rating gainer of September. She won the Labor Day CCC in Charlotte (+54 points) and overperformed at the Chess for Cure SoCal Open in Monrovia, USA (+15), which catapulted her to 85th place. Another youngster, 15-year-old Melika Mohammadi of Iran, excelled at the Fujairah Global Chess Championships – Masters, netting 54 rating points to break into the Women’s top 100. Photo: Michal Walusza / FIDE Pranav V and Abhimanyu Mishra (pictured above) delivered back-to-back strong performances at the Fujairah Global Chess Championships – Superstars (won by Pranav) and the FIDE Grand Swiss, earning 45 and 41 points respectively. Both debuted in the Open top 100, at 84th and 69th. Song Yuxin (pictued below) followed a similar path, gaining 35 points across the Fujairah Masters and the Women’s Grand Swiss. The 19-year-old IM from China entered the Women’s top 30 for the first time. Photo: Michal Walusza / FIDE Alua Nurman also shone at the Fujairah Masters, earning 31 points against tough opposition. Ulviyya Fataliyeva and Irina Krush climbed significantly after strong performances at the Women’s Grand Swiss. Finally, several experienced players—Alexei Shirov, Alexander Donchenko, Alexandr Predke, Ruslan Ponomariov, Robert Hovhannisyan, and David Anton Guijarro—overperformed in Samarkand and re-entered the Open top 100.
World Cadet Chess Championship 2025: Kazakhstan triumphs with three golds and overall team victory
From September 19 to 30, 2025, Almaty became the epicenter of world chess, hosting the World Cadet Chess Championship (U8–U12) at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace. The event brought together 842 young players from 88 countries, including 229 representatives from all 20 regions of Kazakhstan. The competition was held over 11 rounds under the Swiss system with classical time control: 90 minutes per game plus a 30-second increment per move. Kazakhstan’s young stars—8-year-olds Alisha Bisalieva (Girls U8) and Adinur Adilbek (Open U8), along with 12-year-old Danis Kuandykuly (Open U12)—claimed gold medals, while the national team topped the overall standings for the second year in a row. China and the USA shared second and third, each earning one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. China edged out the USA in total points scored by medalists—26½ to 25½. The tournament became a true celebration of chess, with young players showcasing skill, character, and strategic talent. Kazakhstan not only hosted a world-class event but also proved the strength of its chess school. “We managed to host one of the largest chess tournaments at the highest level, bringing together a record number of participants and giving Almaty the atmosphere of a true festival. It is especially symbolic that right here, on home soil, our young chess players achieved historic success. Alisha, Adinur, and Danis became world champions, and Kazakhstan showed the world that we have the strongest chess school and already a new generation of leaders who can become big stars tomorrow,” said Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich attended the closing ceremony and took part in the prize-giving. In his speech, he expressed gratitude to the participants, organizers, and supporters: “Thank you to the players, media team, and organizers for everything you’ve done over these past days! Your professionalism, energy, emotions, and smiles made this event truly special. Thank you for your passion for the game, your determination to win, and your ability to enjoy the moment. I am confident that these days will remain a lifelong memory for all of us. A special word of gratitude goes to the Government of Kazakhstan and the President of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Sports and Tourism, the Chess Federation of Kazakhstan and its President, Timur Turlov, Freedom Holding Corp., and to everyone whose support made this tournament possible—with a record number of participating countries.” 2025 World Cadet Chess Championship winners and top finishers: Girls U8 (94 players) Alisha Bissaliyeva (1704, Kazakhstan) – 9½ points Zhu Jiahe (1630, China) – 9 Bold-Erdene Tselmeg (1661, Mongolia) – 8½ Open U8 (150 players) Adinur Adilbek (1935, Kazakhstan) – 9½ points Fedor Sidelnikov (1720, FIDE) – 8½ Wang Yuxuan (1728, China) – 8½ Girls U10 (115 players) WCM Sharvaanica, A S (1971, India) – 9 points WCM Chinzorig Nandinjiguur (1887, Mongolia) – 9 Kiyanna Parihaar (1728, India) – 8½ Open U10 (185 players) Yuan Shunzhe (1805, China) – 9 points CM Le Phan Hoang Quan (2031, Vietnam) – 9 AFM Mani Sarbartho (2072, India) – 8½ Girls U12 (123 players) Lacey Wang (1883, USA) – 8½ points WFM Laurie Qiu (1994, USA) – 8½ Milana Sokolova (1870, FIDE) – 8½ Open U12 (175 players) CM Danis Kuandykuly (2211, Kazakhstan) – 9 points CM Ali Poyraz Ozdemir (2196, Turkey) – 9 CM Ethan Guo (2330, USA) – 8½ Full standings (chess-results) “Kazakhstan managed to take first place in the team standings at the World Cadet Championship for the second year in a row. Last year in Italy we won two golds. This year in Almaty, we won three out of six. One gold each went to the undisputed global leaders—China, India, and the United States. This success is especially pleasing because it happened at home, in front of a record number of countries, 88 in total. It is a tremendous achievement, and we are very proud of our talents,” said Darmen Sadvakasov, First Vice President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. Photos: KazChess
FIDE Director for Chess Development visits Antigua and Barbuda
The Antigua and Barbuda Chess Federation warmly welcomed Nigel Short to Antigua. Greeting him on arrival were Hannibal Fleming (President), Matthew Bailey (Vice President), and Julian Piper (Media Manager and PR). Shortly after, the delegation joined a social gathering at the Cedar Valley Golf Club with Sir Vivian Richards (National Hero and legendary cricketer) and Leon “Kuma” Rodney (President of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association). Conversing with Sir Vivian Richards During the evening, Sir Vivian Richards reflected on his connection to chess, recalling a visit from Viswanathan Anand during a tour of India and sharing the inspiration he drew from the 1972 Fischer–Spassky match. The following day, Nigel Short hosted a simultaneous exhibition against some of Antigua’s strongest players, including members of the national team representing the country at Chess Olympiads. He also encouraged the country’s female players, as Antigua plans to send its first women’s team to the 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. Short won all eight of his games. The event was attended by His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams and his wife, Sonja Williams, as well as Sir Vivian Richards and Kuma Rodney. Next, Nigel Short and Hannibal Fleming appeared live on ABS Television to discuss the growth and future of chess in Antigua and Barbuda. Meeting with the Prime Minister, Hon. Gaston Browne Afterwards, they met with several government officials: the Honorable Darryl Matthew (Minister of Education, Sports, and Cultural Affairs), the Honorable Paul “Chet” Greene (Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the National Olympic Committee), the Honorable Prime Minister Gaston A. Browne (Minister of Finance, Investments, and Corporate Governance), and the Honorable Charles Max Hernandez (Minister of Tourism). Each minister expressed strong support for the federation’s initiatives and pledged assistance with future events and resources. The visit also included a stop at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, where the delegation met with Principal Professor Justin Robinson. He emphasized the importance of using chess to strengthen campus life through tournaments and instructional programs. To conclude his trip, Nigel Short visited the Island Academy and Cobs Cross Primary School, where he introduced students to the fundamentals of chess and encouraged them to continue learning the game. Text and photos: Antigua and Barbuda Chess Federation
Wang Hao and Hou Yifan Triumph at 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China
Grandmasters Wang Hao and Hou Yifan emerged victorious in the Open and Women’s sections of the chess competition at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China. The Jiangsu team won the team event, while Shandong and Hebei took silver and bronze, respectively. The chess competition at the 15th National Games, the highest-level comprehensive multi-sport event in the country held every four years, took place in Shenzhen from September 23–28. It attracted the strongest local players, including former World Champions Ding Liren, Wei Yi, Yu Yangyi, Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun, Hou Yifan, Lei Tingjie, and Zhu Jiner. The event, played with a 25-minute plus 10-second increment time control, featured Open, Women’s, and Team sections and used a two-stage format: a round-robin preliminary stage followed by semifinals and finals contested by the top four players. The preliminary stage of the Open section produced a minor sensation as seventh-seed Xu Yinglun qualified for the semifinals alongside Wang Hao, Ding Liren, and Xu Xiangyu, edging out higher-rated players Yu Yangyi and Lu Shanglei. Both semifinals—Wang Hao vs. Xu Yinglun and Ding Liren vs. Xu Xiangyu—were tightly contested battles decided by tiebreaks. Wang Hao and Xu Xiangyu prevailed and advanced to the final. In the equally tense final, Wang Hao captured the title by winning the tiebreaker. Ding Liren defeated Xu Yinglun to claim the bronze medal. In the Women’s event, the top-rated players—Hou Yifan, Zhu Jiner, Ju Wenjun, and Lei Tingjie—lived up to expectations and secured spots in the knockout stage. In the semifinals, Lei Tingjie defeated Ju Wenjun, while Hou Yifan prevailed over Zhu Jiner in a very close tiebreak. Hou Yifan dominated the final, whitewashing Lei Tingjie 2-0 to claim the title. In the bronze medal match, Ju Wenjun beat Zhu Jiner in a tiebreak, completing the podium. Photos: CCA
FSI’s new Federal Technical Center open its doors in Spilimbergo, Italy
On September 27, the small town of Spilimbergo in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, situated between Venice and Trieste, hosted the official inauguration of the new Federal Technical Center of the Italian Chess Federation (FSI). The event’s significance was underscored by the attendance of CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio and Italian Government Minister Luca Ciriani. They were joined by local authorities, including Spilimbergo Mayor Enrico Sarcinelli and his council—key supporters of the project—and representatives of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, which provided generous financial backing. The new Center will serve as a dedicated hub for a wide range of activities, including: Technical training camps for the Open, Women’s, and Senior national teams. Sessions for the Federal Chess School and advanced training for promising young talents. Training camps organized by Regional Committees. Conferences and refresher courses for instructors, referees, and sports managers. National and local sporting events. This centralizes functions that were previously outsourced to various hotels on a case-by-case basis. “The purchase of this property is a turning point for our Federation,” said FSI President Luigi Maggi. “It is a true watershed moment in our century-long history that will make us even stronger and more capable of facing future challenges. It is also a wonderful gift for the 105th anniversary of the Federation, which was founded in September 1920. My thanks go to the Municipality of Spilimbergo and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region for their concrete support, as well as to CONI and Sport e Salute for their ongoing guidance and contributions to our progress.” Luca Ciriani, Minister for Parliamentary Relations, expressed his satisfaction: “Hosting the Federal Technical Center of the Italian Chess Federation in our region, in Spilimbergo, is a privilege that fills us with pride. We are proud to host such a historic federation and will do our best to support such a demanding discipline. I thank everyone for their commitment, and I am confident that Spilimbergo will rise to the challenge.”
FIDE Council approves targeted amendment to Rating Regulation
The FIDE Council has approved the amendments to the Rating Regulations, effective as of 1st of October, following the proposal from the Qualification Commission. The amendment is designed to ensure the fairness and integrity of the FIDE rating system and provide a level-playing field for all top-rated players. The change will apply to players rated 2650 and above and will affect approximately 70 top-rated Grandmasters. The amendment addresses the application of the 400-point rule. The rule stated that a difference in rating of more than 400 points shall be counted for rating purposes as it were a difference of 400 points. There are no restrictions of how many times it can be applied during a single tournament. The current wording in FIDE Rating Regulations will change to include the following, given here in bold: “8.3.1 For each game played against a rated player, determine the difference in rating between the player and their opponent, D. A difference in rating of more than 400 points shall be counted for rating purposes as though it were a difference of 400 points, for players rated below 2650. For players rated 2650 and above, the difference between ratings shall be used in all cases.” The accuracy of ratings and competitive fairness are paramount for chess. This amendment ensures that rating adjustments at the highest level accurately reflect a player’s performance against a pool of statistically equal opponents, safeguarding professional standards set by FIDE.
Winners crowned at FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz Championship 2025
For five days, Lima became the world’s chess capital. The Peruvian capital hosted the World Rapid and Blitz Championship, bringing together brightest young chess talents. In an atmosphere of intensity and high expectations, the clock ticked as fast as the plays unfolded, demanding not only creativity from the players but also absolute composure under pressure. Many games were decided in mere minutes, offering spectators a mix of spectacle, drama, and brilliance. The Peruvian audience responded with passion, filling the playing halls and proving that chess, in its most accelerated form, can be lived and celebrated with the energy of a true sporting event. Between draws, crushing victories, and heartbreaking defeats, Lima pulsed with the excitement of a discipline that allows no respite. By the end of five intense days, it was clear that this World Championship not only crowned new champions but also established Peru as a prominent stage on the international chess calendar. Below is the list of winners: Girls – Rapid WGM Xeniya Balabayeva (KAZ) – 7 WIM Afruza Khamdamova (UZB) – 6.5 WFM Varvara Poliakova (FIDE) – 6.5 Final standings Girls – Rapid Open – Rapid IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (UZB) – 7.5 GM Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB) – 7 GM Denis Lazavik (FIDE) – 7 Final standings Open – Rapid Girls – Blitz IM Eline Roebers (NED) – 12/13 WIM Umida Omonova (UZB) – 9.5 WFM Aliaksandra Tarasenka (FIDE) – 9 Eline Roebers delivered a commanding performance, clinching the title with a round to spare. The IM from the Netherlands scored an impressive 12/13, conceding just two draws. Final standings Girls – Blitz Open – Blitz GM Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB) – 12/13 GM Denis Lazavik (FIDE) – 11.5 IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (UZB) –10 The competition turned in an exciting race of GMs Mukhiddin Madaminov and Denis Lazavik. The runner-up of the Open – Rapid, Mamadinov seized the lead in Round 9 and preserved it to the end, finishing a half-point ahead of Lazavik. Final standings Open – Blitz Text and photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar Official website: fidewj2025.com/
FIDE World Junior Rapid Championship 2025: Suyarov and Balabayeva capture titles
The FIDE World Junior Rapid Chess Championships concluded in Lima with remarkable victories that highlighted the strength of the new generation of players. IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (Uzbekistan) and WGM Xeniya Balabayeva (Kazakhstan) are the newly crowned World Junior Rapid Champions, winning the open and girls’ sections, respectively. With two grandmasters and several strong international masters in the field, the open tournament was tightly contested and went down to the wire. Heading into the final ninth round, three Uzbek players—Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov, Mukhiddin Madaminov, and Khumoyun Begmuratov—shared the lead with 6.5/8, closely followed by six players (including top seed GM Denis Lazavik) on 6/8. After Madaminov drew with Maksim Tsaruk and Lazavik defeated Begmuratov, Suyarov got his shot at gold—a chance he did not miss. Playing the white side of a Ruy Lopez, he prevailed over Juan Jose Cano Alcaraz (Colombia), clinching the title with an excellent score of 7.5/9. Four players tied for second place, with Madaminov and Lazavik taking silver and bronze, respectively, thanks to superior Buchholz tiebreaks. Final standings Open The girls’ event was equally strong and exciting. Despite a second-round setback against WFM Varvara Poliakova (FIDE), Xeniya Balabayeva reeled off five straight victories to seize the lead. Peruvian Grandmaster Deysi Cori, one of Latin America’s most celebrated chess players, made a special appearance at the final round of the Women’s World Junior Rapid Chess Championship in Lima, where she made the ceremonial first move. Her participation highlighted the importance of inspiring the next generation and added a symbolic touch to the event’s closing day. Entering the final round on 6.5/8, half a point ahead of three pursuers, Xeniya achieved a winning position against one of her main rivals, WIM Afruza Khamdamova, but misplayed it and had to settle for a draw. That result was enough to secure the title, as her other challengers, Poliakova and Anna Zhurova, split the point after a long battle. Khamdamova and Poliakova earned silver and bronze, respectively, edging out Zhurova on tiebreaks. Final standings Girls Photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar Official website: fidewj2025.com/
FIDE Director for Chess Development visits Dominica to foster chess growth
GM Nigel Short welcomed on arrival by Carlton Morvan, President of the Dominica Chess Federation From 20 to 23 September 2025, Grandmaster Nigel Short, FIDE Director for Chess Development, visited the Caribbean island of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic). The visit carried special significance: his first trip in 2021 had inspired local players to establish the Dominica Chess Federation, which was formally registered and admitted as a FIDE member later that same year. Since then, chess life in the country has developed rapidly. Today, the Federation unites 67 registered members and around 100 active players, while approximately 1,500 island residents have been introduced to the game. Dominica fielded teams at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in the open section and at the 2024 Olympiad in both the open and women’s categories. National players have also participated in the prestigious CARICOM International Chess Tournament in 2024 and 2025, as well as in internationally rated hybrid competitions. The Federation regularly stages national championships and open and women’s tournaments. In 2025, in collaboration with the Confederation of Chess for America, it organised the island’s first chess festival, an event that attracted broad media coverage and became a milestone for the wider community. Particular attention is being given to work with youth and schools. After receiving 400 chess sets from the Confederation of Chess for America in collaboration with the Gift of Chess programme, the Federation began distributing them to educational institutions. Already, eight Dominican schools have their own chess clubs, where students engage in training sessions, masterclasses, and tournaments. Chess life is also sustained online: interisland competitions are held every Sunday on lichess.org, while on Thursdays, players gather for regular meetings on the University of the West Indies campus. Women and girls in Dominica receive additional support through the Queen’s Gambit Challenge—a global initiative of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. This programme provides free training and mentorship designed to strengthen skills and confidence, creating opportunities to represent the country on the international stage. Simultaneous exhibition at the Fort Young Hotel: Nigel Short playing against 20 participants During his September 2025 visit, Nigel Short met again with the Federation’s leadership and the country’s leading players. His schedule included a simultaneous exhibition at the Fort Young Hotel, where seventeen young talents and three invited participants took their places at the boards. The event drew a large audience, who watched with keen interest and were inspired by the Grandmaster’s skill. The visit also included stops at St. Mary’s Academy and Convent High School. At St. Mary’s Academy—the Federation’s most successful Chess in Schools institution and winner of the 2024 School Chess Tournament—GM Short met with Principal Mrs. Sylvia Jno. Baptiste, who highlighted the school’s progress and commitment to chess education. The Grandmaster spoke to students about the global benefits of chess, engaged with them directly, and presented commemorative chess pins to over twenty students in a special ceremony. Nigel Short with Principal Mrs Sylvia Jno. Baptiste and members of the chess club at St. Mary’s Academy At Convent High School, GM Short was welcomed by Principal Ms. Isabella Prentice and club teacher Mr. Nicholas Goldberg. In a lively discussion with more than twenty students, including national women’s champion Ayani Casimir, he shared advice on improving their play, encouraged them to work hard, and answered questions about his career and experiences at the highest level of the game. Nigel Short with students of the Convent High School chess club Beyond the schools, the programme featured meetings with representatives of the tourism sector and potential partners, as well as a press conference and interviews focused on the development of chess in Dominica and across the Caribbean. The Dominica Chess Federation regards this visit as a fresh impetus for the growth and consolidation of the national movement. Support from FIDE, the attention of international experts, and the enthusiasm of the local community are creating a strong foundation for the further advancement of chess on the island and for Dominica’s deeper integration into the global chess family.