FIDE Candidates 2026: Eight contenders, one dream
Chess elite face off in a high-stakes quest to become the next challenger The pieces are in position in Paphos, Cyprus, where the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will soon determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship. Over fourteen gruelling rounds, eight of the world’s strongest grandmasters will battle for the right to challenge the reigning world champion, Gukesh D. The field combines seasoned Candidates veterans with fearless new challengers. Some qualified through spectacular tournament victories, others through consistency across the elite circuit, but all arrive in Cyprus with one goal: winning the most demanding tournament in professional chess. The Candidates Tournament is widely regarded as the toughest event – fourteen rounds, no easy games, and every half-point can change the destiny of the tournament. To add to the excitement, this year’s lineup promises a fascinating clash of styles and generations: experienced contenders such as Caruana, Giri, and Nakamura; rising stars like Praggnanandhaa, Sindarov, and Esipenko alongside elite technicians such as Bluebaum and Wei Yi. With elite GM commentators Jan Gustafsson and Peter Svidler calling the action, one thing is certain: in Cyprus, every move will matter. Let’s take a closer look at the contenders, sorted by their current March 2026 FIDE Ratings. Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2810) A five-time U.S. Champion and one of the most recognizable figures in modern chess, Nakamura qualified to the Candidates through the rating spot, with the highest average classical rating over the course of the qualification period. Although entirely compliant with regulations, his performance didn’t come without some public controversy, as he secured the minimum number of games against lower rated opponents. Currently ranked number two in the world, his recent fame has been more due to his online presence, but Nakamura has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his career, spanning elite classical tournaments, world championships cycles, and countless rapid and blitz titles. His achievements include gold medal at the 2016 Chess Olympiad, winning Tata Steel in 2011 and Norway Chess in 2023, along with multiple Grand Chess Tour events. He is widely considered one of the strongest rapid and blitz players in history, winning the 2022 World Rapid and achieving several podium finishes in the World Blitz. Online he is one of the most followed chess streamers globally and a popular ambassador for the game on internet platforms like Twitch and YouTube. With multiple appearances in the Candidates few players handle pressure better than Nakamura. If Hikaru finds early momentum, he could become a serious contender for first place. Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2795) Qualified by winning the 2024 FIDE Circuit, a season-long competition rewarding elite tournament performances, Fabiano will make his fifth appearance at the Candidates. Currently holding the world’s number three rating position, Caruana has been a staple in the fight for the world title for over a decade and is renowned for his deep opening preparation and extraordinary calculation. The American grandmaster won the Candidates tournament in Berlin (2018), challenging Magnus Carlsen in London for the World Championship, eventually losing in one of the most evenly fought championship matches in history. Other tournament successes include the Grenke International in 2015, Norway Chess 2018 and Tata Steel in 2020. His most significant tournament win was in 2014 at the Sinquefield Cup where he scored 8.5 out of 10 against world class competition, with an extraordinary 7/7 start! He is also a five-time USA champion, gold medallist at the 2016 Olympiad and holder of several Grand Chess Tour titles. As part of his preparation for the event, Fabiano has just finished two events in Saint Louis, including a promising 7/9 score in the Saint Louis Masters. Caruana is widely regarded as one of the strongest players of the 21st century and one of the most formidable challengers to the world championship crown. Many analysts consider Caruana the natural favourite and, if experience counts for anything in the Candidates, he has plenty of it! Wei Yi (China, 2754) Ranked number seven in the world, China’s top player qualified as the 2025 Goa World Cup finalist. This will be his first Candidates appearance. For many years, Wei Yi was widely regarded as the greatest chess prodigy since Magnus Carlsen. The Chinese grandmaster burst onto the world stage as a teenager with extraordinary tactical brilliance and fearless attacking play. Wei still holds the record for being the youngest ever player to cross 2700, when he was 15 years old! The Chinese grandmaster has produced some of the most spectacular games of the modern era. One of the fan favorites, and possibly one of the best king-hunts in history, is his 2015 victory over GM Lazaro Bruzon. See the game [HERE] Winner of multiple elite and invitational tournaments in China and internationally, Wei Yi has also played a key role in China’s gold-winning team at the Chess Olympiad (2014) and the World Team Chess Championship (2015). Wei Yi combines deep calculation, tactical creativity, and fearless attacking instincts. When the position becomes sharp, he is capable of producing brilliant sacrifices and spectacular combinations. If the tournament turns sharp and tactical, Wei Yi could be one of the most dangerous players in the field. Anish Giri (Netherlands, 2753) Qualifying by winning the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Cyprus Giri will take part in the Candidates for the third time in his career. One of the most consistent elite players of the last decade, he has been a fixture among the world’s top grandmasters since his teenage years and a regular participant in the World Championship cycle, famously drawing all fourteen games of his 2016 Candidates Tournament games. Contrary, in the 2020-21 Candidates, he fought for first place until the final rounds. With many international tournament victories to his name, Giri has been the cornerstone of the Dutch national team for many years, winning a bronze medal at the Chess Olympiad 2014, alongside a number of strong individual performances on board one at other Olympiad and European team competitions. Currently number eight in the world, Giri is famous for
FIDE Chess for Freedom program leader visits Georgia
During his recent trip to Georgia, Mikhail Korenman, the FIDE project leader for Chess for Freedom program, visited to Head office of Special Penitentiary Service, Ministry of Justice of Georgia. He discussed the project development in Georgia with Inga Sarjveladze, Director of Resocialization rehabilitation department and Nana Koridze, Deputy Director of Resocialization Rehabilitation Department, and Vasil Liparteliani, Chess for Freedom project coordinator for Georgia. The Chess for Freedom program is part of the large scale social and rehabilitation activities at the women’s prison directed by Nestan Verulashvili. The special guests of the event at the women’s prison were Minister of Justice of Georgia Paata Salia, Member of Parliament of Georgia Nino Tsilosani, and the First Lady of Georgia Tamar Bagrationi. The director of the men’s prison #16, Zaza Jamatashvili, presented all resocialization and rehabilitation programs. Mikhail Korenman also met the members of the Georgian male chess team. The first online tournament bringing together men, women, and youth teams playing in one mixed group was organized on March 5 on the chess.com platform and directed by the IA Nebojsa Baralic. Eight teams from Georgia, England, and Latvia participated in this first-of-its-kind event, combining all three Chess for Freedom program categories – Men, Women, and Youth – in a single pool. The Georgia Men’s team claimed the title, winning all four matches (total 8 points). England Men, England Youth, and Latvian teams tied for second place with 5 match points each. A strong finish by the Georgia Women team (top Female team) and England Youth team (top Youth team) validated the initial concept that all three participant groups can compete in this mixed format. The event also featured an additional session where all teams competed in a draughts tournament organized by the US NDF and directed by the IA Andriy Shetbatyuk. The Latvian team won all three rounds with came out on top with a perfect score, Georgian Women and Youth teams shared second place with four points. In the combined results of the event, the Latvian male team from Jelgava prison, led by the coach IM Sergejs Klimakovs, secured the overall first place with a total score of 11 points. The Georgia men’s team finished second (total 10 points), while the Georgia women’s team completed the podium with 7 points.
FIDE EDU Classroom Contest announced
As 2026 is celebrated as the Year of Chess in Education, the FIDE Chess in Education Commission is pleased to highlight schools worldwide that use chess classrooms as hubs for personal growth and social development. We are proud to announce the 2026 FIDE EDU Classroom Contest! Send us pictures of your chess classroom in action for a chance to win some great prizes: 1st prize – Social media post by FIDE promoting your school program, free entry on a FIDE School Award application, and one free entry for the Preparation of Teacher’s course, and one free annual subscription to LogiqBoard. 2nd prize – Social media post by FIDE promoting your school program, free entry on a FIDE School Award application, 50% discount on a Preparation of Teacher’s course, and a 50% discount on an annual LogiqBoard subscription. 3rd prize – Social media post by FIDE promoting your school program, 50% discount on a FIDE School Award application, 25% discount on a Preparation of Teachers course, and a 25% discount on an annual LogiqBoard subscription. Entries will be judged on classroom engagement, creativity of classroom activities, the use of chess as an educational tool, and the ability of chess to bring people together. If a picture is worth a thousand words, we seek classrooms that speak for themselves in showing the power of chess to transform lives. The size of the school or chess club does not matter! Whether you are large institution or grassroots initiative, a school chess club is a place where students come together, play, socialize, learn, and build skills and relationships that will last a lifetime. Show us your classroom so we can show it to the world! Send photos to abel@riseforthekids.org. Each school may submit up to three photos of their chess classroom; photo must be under 500kB. Please include the name of your school, city, country, and the name of the chess teacher, coach, or school coordinator. We are eager to see the differences between chess classrooms around the world but also discover the common thread that makes us alike. The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2026. Winners will be announced May 8, 2026.
FIDE Candidates 2026 Fan Zone: Meet the players in Paphos
Fans attending the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will have a new way to experience the event up close. Throughout the tournament, an open-air Fan Zone at the venue will bring the world of elite chess closer to spectators, offering daily activities, special guests, and rare opportunities to meet some of the biggest names in the game. Hosted by Angelika Valkova, the Fan Zone will run alongside the tournament schedule and feature a lively programme of lectures, masterclasses, simul exhibitions, and discussions with leading players and personalities from the chess world. The highlight of the Fan Zone will be the daily appearances by the Candidates players themselves. On most days, two or more of the tournament participants will visit the Fan Zone to take part in audience Q&A sessions, sign autographs, and take photos with fans. For spectators following the drama of the Candidates, it offers a unique chance to hear directly from the players competing for the right to challenge for the World Championship. Alongside the Candidates players, the programme will welcome several distinguished guests from across the chess world. Confirmed appearances include five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, FIDE Director for Chess Development Nigel Short, and legendary grandmasters such as Boris Gelfand and Victor Bologan. Educational sessions will also feature speakers including Deputy Chair of FIDE Management Board Dana Reizniece and Dr. Yevgeny Levanzov. Across the tournament, fans can look forward to a rich variety of activities: children’s masterclasses, simultaneous exhibitions, autograph sessions, and talks exploring topics such as “How to think like a Grandmaster,” as well as the connections between chess, mathematics, and technology. The Fan Zone programme begins on March 29 with a special appearance by Viswanathan Anand and continues throughout the fourteen rounds of the Candidates Tournament, with activities scheduled on most days starting at 16:00. More guests and events will be announced as the tournament approaches, making the Fan Zone a daily meeting point for players, fans, and the wider chess community. Tickets for the FIDE Candidates Tournament and Fan Zone access are available through the official ticketing platform: https://tickets.fide.com Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early and follow FIDE channels for further announcements and programme updates as additional guests are confirmed. Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/
FIDE Director for Chess Development makes historic visit to Benin
From February 12-15, 2026, Grandmaster Nigel Short, FIDE Director for Chess Development, visited Benin for the first time in the country’s history. The visit was part of FIDE’s ongoing efforts to promote chess and assess the situation in countries that do not yet have a national federation, such as Benin. The objective was to learn more about chess promotion efforts in Benin, understand local challenges, and identify obstacles to establishing a national federation – in order to jointly explore potential solutions. The program included: A working session and discussions with chess promoters in Benin An appearance on the ACTU MATIN program on Canal 3 A meeting with the Secretary General of Benin’s Ministry of Sport A simultaneous exhibition with 20 Beninese players A culinary discovery and sightseeing tour of the city of Ouidah Working Session with Chess Club Promoters in Benin During his visit, the FIDE Director for Chess Development held a working session with chess club promoters at the Golden Tulip Le Diplomate Hotel to gain insight into the reality of chess in Benin. Elfried Dossavi-Messy, President of the Grand Roi Chess Club, spoke on behalf of the promoters, presenting Benin’s achievements over the past ten years. These included the chess-in-schools program, organized tournaments, public events, and international meetings where Benin sought connections with prominent figures – including federation presidents and FIDE Executive Director Victor Bologan – to seek advice on promoting chess in Benin. Nigel was impressed by all that had been achieved despite the absence of a national federation. He appreciated the positive momentum and growing understanding among stakeholders. He shared anecdotes about other federations and proposed solutions inspired by his experiences in other countries. Nigel also noted that Benin was already performing better than many existing federations. Appearance on ACTU MATIN on Canal 3 Television During the television appearance on Canal 3’s ACTU MATIN program, alongside Elfried Dossavi-Messy (Grand Roi Chess Club) and Victor Oyetola (La Forteresse Chess Club), Dossavi-Messy highlighted the gap between the strong response to chess initiatives in Benin and the absence of a federation – so that the guest could appreciate the momentum firsthand and consider strategic levers for establishing a federation. Oyetola presented the benefits of chess, including its role in psychosomatic structuring through strategic thinking, anticipation, patience, and memory enhancement. Nigel Short was highly impressed by the quality of programs and initiatives carried out in Benin, as well as the dynamism and leadership shown by the chess movement’s team. He concluded that all indicators are favorable for Benin to establish a national federation. He emphasized that, despite not having a federation, Benin is already performing better than some countries with formally constituted federations. He noted that 20 million people play chess online daily and that at least 1,000 Beninese participate regularly. He expressed confidence that Benin is ready and that the internal process would move quickly – making Benin the next country to join FIDE. He also expressed hope to replicate Togo’s feat in Benin by winning the simultaneous exhibition. Meeting at the Ministry of Sport The meeting at the Ministry featured intense and fruitful discussions with the Ministry team, led by the Secretary General, who had been instructed by the Minister. After customary pleasantries, delegation spokesperson Elfried Dossavi-Messy explained the purpose of the visit, presenting Benin’s achievements in chess and the steps taken toward establishing a federation. The FIDE Director for Chess Development praised recent efforts and made a plea to the authorities to simplify the procedure for establishing a federation. Speaking on behalf of the Minister, the Secretary General congratulated the promoters on their work and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting efforts to create a national chess federation – provided this is done in accordance with Benin’s current rules and regulations. Nigel Short expressed his satisfaction, stating that, without wishing to interfere with Benin’s domestic law or influence decisions, he would appreciate any simplification of the association formalization process. He took the opportunity to outline the procedure, membership conditions, and key documents required for joining FIDE. Simultaneous exhibition To assess the level of Beninese players, a simultaneous exhibition was organized on February 14 in the Cèdre room of the Golden Tulip Le Diplomate Hotel, where Nigel Short took on 20 Beninese chess players. The Grandmaster achieved a sweeping victory, defeating all opponents. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the overall level was acceptable. While some players were stronger than others, he believes that continued training and participation in international competitions will lead to improvement – and that we may see FIDE Masters, International Masters, and even Grandmasters emerge from Benin in the years to come. FIDE Vice-President Olalekan Adeyemi, who attended the session, expressed satisfaction and admiration for Benin’s progress in recent years. He noted that while FIDE could currently offer only limited support, it would spare no effort to provide more substantial assistance once the federation is established. On behalf of the promoters, Elfried Dossavi-Messy expressed satisfaction, stating that Benin had passed with flying colors – both in terms of the visit’s outcomes and the resulting assessments. He emphasized the need to redouble efforts to achieve more significant results and, above all, to establish a national chess federation. Culinary discovery & sightseeing tour To combine business with pleasure, the FIDE Director for Chess Development was treated to a culinary discovery of local Beninese food and drinks, as well as a sightseeing tour of the historic city of Ouidah. He visited the sacred forest of Kpassèzounmè, the slave route, the python temple, the Basilica of Ouidah, the arts market, and the Door of No Return. The visit concluded with an exchange of gifts between Nigel Short and Elfried Dossavi-Messy in memory of a pleasant stay in Cotonou.
FIDE Circuit 2026-2027: Nodirbek Abdusattorov pulls away
Nodirbek Abdusattorov extended his lead in FIDE Circuit 2026-27 following his triumph in the Prague International Chess Festival Masters netting him 23.14 circuit points. The GM from Uzbekistan claimed his second major title of 2026 and now holds nearly 20-point advantage over second-placed Jorden Van Foreest who also gained points in both Wejk-an-Zee and Prague. Parham Maghsoodloo and Chithambaram Aravindh had strong runs in Prague making the podium and entering the top ten in the circuit race. Ian Nepomiachtchi got on the scoreboard by winning the Aeroflot Open – his second consecutive title in this event. Aram Hakobyan emerged victorious at the Al-Beruniy 3rd International chess tournament – Masters and shared 9th place in the Aeroflot open, translating to 12.66 circuit points and eighth position in the standings. Finally, Mikhail Antipov rounds out the top ten following his victory in the 2026 Saint Louis Masters. We maintain a dedicated page on our website for the FIDE Circuit 2026-27 featuring the latest information on eligible tournaments, current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Circuit 2026-27
FIDE releases Gender Equality in Chess Index 2026
Second edition of the GECI ranks 119 federations, with all regions showing improvement since 2023 Brisbane, Queensland – On International Women’s Day, the FIDE Women in Chess Commission (WOM) and The University of Queensland published the second edition of the Gender Equality in Chess Index (GECI), a comprehensive measure of female participation, performance, and progress across 119 chess federations worldwide. The GECI uses a geometric mean of three indicators – Participation (percentage of female players), Performance (female rating levels relative to male), and Progress (female representation in youth championships) — to produce a single score between 0 and 100 for each federation. The Commission intends to continue updating the rankings every two years. The 2026 GECI reveals broad-based improvement since the first edition in 2023. Average scores rose in every region, with Africa leading at 67.6, followed by Asia (64.5), the Americas (63.1), and Europe (56.7). Seventeen federations — including China, Turkmenistan, and Trinidad & Tobago – have been ranked for the first time. Mongolia retains the top position with a score of 89.26, followed by Sri Lanka (86.99) and Uganda (84.62). The largest rise comes from the United Arab Emirates, which rose 73 places from 77th to 4th. The Maldives climbed 50 places to 13th. The report’s interview section includes interviews with three federations that illustrate different paths toward stronger female participation in chess. The UAE’s rise was driven by institutional coordination between the federation, government ministries, and the national Olympic committee, including the mandatory inclusion of girls in all youth championship delegations. In the Maldives, the chess association equalized prize money between the Women’s and Open categories and is launching a project called “Checkmate Geography” to extend training across its archipelago of over 1,000 islands. And in Sri Lanka, we hear the story of the Wijesuriya family — led by ten-time Women’s National Champion Suneetha Wijesuriya, who, unable to afford her own set, drew a chessboard on the floor with chalk — showing how grassroots development can help build a national chess culture. “When we created the GECI in 2023, we wanted to give federations a clear, evidence-based picture of where they stand on gender equality. You can’t improve what you don’t measure,” said GM David Smerdon, Associate Professor at The University of Queensland and lead author of the report. “Two years later, we’re seeing that this approach is working — federations are using the index to identify gaps and take action, and scores are improving across every region. International Women’s Day is about recognizing both how far we have come and how far we still need to go. In chess, we now have the data to do both.” “The stories in this report remind us that gender equality in chess is not just a policy question, it is a human one,” said Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board. “A woman in Sri Lanka drawing a chessboard with chalk, a federation in the Maldives ensuring girls on remote islands can access training, a country in the Gulf mandating that every youth delegation includes girls. These are the decisions that change the game.” “The improvement we see in the 2026 rankings is a strong signal, but our work is far from done,” said Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Women in Chess Commission. “We call on every federation to use the GECI as a starting point for meaningful action.” The full report is available at https://doi.org/10.14264/9ec1c7e
Chess Women’s Day Celebration 2026: Visible, connected, worldwide
Throughout the month of March, the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess once again brings the global chess community together through the Chess Women’s Day Celebration, inviting federations, clubs, academies and organisers worldwide to celebrate women and girls in chess. Following the inspiring success of last year’s first global celebration, the 2026 edition continues under the theme “Visible, Connected, Worldwide.” The goal is simple yet powerful: to increase the visibility of women and girls in chess, strengthen connections between organisers and communities across continents, and highlight the many initiatives that promote equity and opportunity in the game. Throughout March, a wide variety of events – tournaments, simultaneous exhibitions, lectures, workshops and community gatherings – take place across the world. Each of them contributes to a shared global effort to celebrate women in chess and inspire new generations of players. A strong start in Poland The celebration began before March, with a women’s event in Poland the XV Radzikowska Memorial, one of the strongest and most established women’s chess festivals in Europe. A highlight of the festival was the exciting Team Poland vs Team World match, where leading Polish players faced invited international stars. Alongside the main match, a rapid tournament for girls and women offered an opportunity for young players to compete and interact with elite players. The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess partnered with the organisers of the festival, supporting the best performing girls with special prizes and training sessions with top Polish women grandmasters. Women’s Chess Day and futures tournament at the Prague Chess Festival March kicked off in a perfect way at the Prague Chess Festival, where the Commission partnered with organisers to support the Futures Tournament, a round-robin event for talented young girls played alongside the prestigious Masters and Challengers sections. For the participants, this meant experiencing a world-class chess environment and sharing the stage with top players such as Gukesh Dommaraju, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Divya Deshmukh. This year’s Futures event had a very special ambassador – legendary Swedish grandmaster Pia Cramling, who met with the girls and their parents to share insights from her remarkable chess career. She also gave a simultaneous exhibition, creating a memorable moment for everyone involved. As part of Women’s Chess Day activities, Divya Deshmukh also took on the role of chess instructor, introducing the basics of the game to Czech actress Aňa Geislerová in a relaxed and engaging session. The Futures tournament was won by Kaja Rzadkowska (Poland), followed by Christina Jordan (Switzerland) in second place and Zuzana Stará (Czech Republic) in third. A major celebration in Kazakhstan Another highlight of the global celebrations took place on March 6 with the Qazaq Queens Chess Fest 2026, organised by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation – a long-standing and highly active partner in promoting chess development and women’s participation in the game. The event brought together players, organisers and guests in a vibrant festival atmosphere that beautifully celebrated both women and chess. With its elegant setting and engaging programme, the event truly reflected the spirit of the Chess Women’s Day Celebration. A special role in the organisation and development of women’s chess initiatives in Kazakhstan is played by Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and a member of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. Through her continued work and leadership, numerous initiatives promoting girls’ and women’s participation in chess continue to grow in the country. Queens’ Online Chess Festival connects players worldwide One of the largest initiatives of the celebration is the Queens’ Online Chess Festival, organised by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess as part of the Chess4All FIDE WOM project. Running from March 1–29, 2026 and dedicated to International Women’s Day, the festival is free to join and open to women and girls of all ages and playing levels. Two parallel competitions are held throughout the month: Queens’ Women’s Open Tournament Unrated Princesses’ Tournament The festival began with the African continent on March 1 and immediately showed impressive growth. This year alone, 114 African women players registered, marking the highest participation from the continent in the history of the event. With players continuing to join from across the world, the festival highlights how online chess can connect communities globally. The Commission also expresses its gratitude to Lichess for providing the playing platform. Partnerships, dialogue and new initiatives The celebration also includes cooperation with several international festivals and initiatives working to increase women’s participation in chess. One of them is the Budapest Spring Festival, where the entry fees for all women players were waived in both groups of the tournament, underlining a shared commitment to making high-level chess more accessible and inclusive. The festival also hosted a Women’s Chess Roundtable on March 4, creating space for discussion, exchange of ideas and inspiration among women in chess. The roundtable included participation from Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. Storytelling and social impact As part of the March programme, the Commission also cooperates with the FIDE Social Commission in supporting the Storytelling & Impact Content Masterclass, an initiative dedicated to creating meaningful visual storytelling for social and sports initiatives. The lecture is delivered by award-winning creative director Maxim Kolyshev, a Cannes Lions finalist and winner of more than 150 international awards. In this inspiring session, participants explore how powerful stories are created and how they can build communities and generate real social impact. Celebrating Women’s Day across continents On International Women’s Day, a special simultaneous exhibition will take place in Saint-Tropez, organised by the chess club Les Fous de la Vieille Tour. Participants will have a rare opportunity to face the 12th Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, whose remarkable career has inspired thousands of girls around the world. Partner events across Africa are also bringing women together through competition and celebration. In Malawi, an invitational women’s round-robin tournament will take place on March 8, while another women’s event is scheduled from March 26–30, demonstrating the country’s continued efforts to promote greater equity and participation in chess. Further
Call of interest for arbiters at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad and 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities
The FIDE Arbiters’ Commission (ARB) is opening a call of interest to all International Arbiters and FIDE Arbiters with a valid FIDE license who wish to be part of the arbiter team at the 46th Chess Olympiad and 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities. Both events will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, taking place from September 15-28 and September 10-18, respectively. The call of Interest will be open for one month, from March 7, 2026 to March 29, 2026, 23:59 CET. Important note:* Chamilo is the ARB Training Portal, which we are using to support the process. We will take advantage of the call of interest to include colleagues who haven’t followed training sessions yet under this new system. Survey link: https://arb-learn.fide.com/main/survey/fillsurvey.php?iid=48&invitationcode=auto&cid=20&course=COI&sid=0&language=en_US In case it’s your first time using the portal or you don’t remember it, you may want to initialize your password, using the lost password link: I lost my password
Nodirbek Abdusattorov triumphs in Prague
The 2026 edition of the Prague International Chess Festival 2026, featuring the Masters, Challengers and Futures tournaments, is now in the books. The prestigious Masters tournament, a 10-player round-robin with classical time control, featured a formidable lineup and was fiercely contested event from start to finish. GM Jorden Van Foreest led most of the way scoring three straight victories in Rounds 3-5 (including a win over the World Champion Gukesh D), but never felt safe as his competitors stayed hard on his heels. The race culminated in the penultimate eighth round: the Dutchman slipped in an equal endgame and lost to the last year’s winner Aravindh Chithambaram, while Nodirbek Abdusattorov defeated David Navara and surged ahead. Going into the final round a half-point ahead of Van Foreest, Abdusattorov drew with Hans Niemann and secured the title with 6/9, as his main rival suffered second consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Parham Maghsoodloo. As a result, Maghsoodloo, Aravindh and Van Foreest tied for second place on 5/9, with the first two joining Abdusattrov on the podium due to superior tiebreaks. Abdusattorov, the event’s only unbeaten player, claimed his second major title of 2026, gained 9 rating points and consolidated his leading position in the FIDE Circuit 2026 – 2027. Final standings – Masters To the delight of the home crowd IM Vaclav Finek (CZE) won the Challengers event. WCM Kaja Rzadkowska from Poland emerged victorious in the Futures tournament. Final standings – Challengers and Futures Photos: Prague International Chess Festival Official website: https://praguechessfestival.com/en/2026