Media accreditation opens for FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026
FIDE is pleased to announce the opening of media accreditation to the FIDE candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. Dates: March 18 – April 16, 2026 Location: Paphos, Cyprus The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament and the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament form the final qualifying stage of the FIDE World Championship cycle. Each tournament features eight of the world’s strongest players competing in a double round-robin format over fourteen rounds of classical chess. At the conclusion of the events, the winners secure the right to challenge for the FIDE World Chess Championship and FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship titles. Both tournaments are played under classical time controls and are regarded as the most exacting tests in professional chess. Media registration form: candidates2026.fide.com/accreditation-for-media Official website: candidates2026.fide.com We invite all media representatives wishing to cover the tournaments to submit their accreditation applications via the media registration form above. Accreditation is open for all members of the written press, photographic press, online media, and writers and photographers working for publications and/or websites of the FIDE National Member Federations. Accredited event media will collect their badges onsite at the events. A valid travel document containing a photo must be presented to receive media accreditation. The event organisers will ensure a comfortable working environment for all Accredited Media, providing a range of facilities and services at the level established at major FIDE events. We look forward to your coverage of the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament and the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament!
Qualification paths for the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2027
Following the recent announcement of the cooperation agreement between FIDE and Freestyle Chess, the International Chess Federation has now published the qualification paths for the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2027. The 2027 Championship will feature a compact field of eight players who will secure a seat in a cycle of events that will span from April 2026 to January 2027, featuring both online and over-the-board tournaments. The pathways to qualification: 3 players from the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2026 (Top 3 finishers) 1 player from the Grenke Freestyle Chess Open 2026 2 players from a designated OTB or online tournament 1 player from the Freestyle Friday Championship 2026 (season-long online series on Chess.com) 1 player from online tournament, played between January 1 and January 15, 2027 If a qualified player withdraws, the spot will be passed down according to defined sporting criteria which will be announced in due course. The setup ensures that the field represents the most competitive players across classical and online formats. The full text of regulations is published [HERE] As noted above, the first event that will grant a qualifying spot for the 2027 World Championship will be the Grenke Freestyle Chess Open 2026, taking place from April 2-6, 2026. Freestyle Chess is also known as Chess960 or FIDE Fischer Random Chess as per the FIDE Charter. The FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship is a continuation of FIDE’s previous events in the Fischer Random format (held in 2019 and 2022).
FIDE announces regulations for Women’s Circuit 2026-2027
The regulations were officially approved by the FIDE Council and cover the period from 1 January 2026 The FIDE Women’s Circuit 2026-27 is a series of top women’s tournaments. Players are awarded Ranking Points (RP) based on performance in these key events. The 2026-2027 edition broadly mirrors the Open Circuit’s structure in widening the scope of eligible tournaments. Some of the key aspects of the new regulations: – The regulations cover the period from 1 January 2026 to 21 December 2027. The Women’s World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 and 2027 are eligible regardless of those cut-off dates. – To be included in the Women’s Circuit, a tournament must have the Tournament Average Rating (TAR) not below 2300 for the majority of tournaments (and not below 2400 for FIDE‐rated women’s tournaments pre‐approved by the FIDE Global Strategy Commission). – The ”Tournament Average Rating” (TAR) is now calculated based on the top 12 players in a tournament. If there are fewer than 12 players in the tournament, then the average rating of all the players in the tournament will go towards calculating TAR. – The final score is the sum of the top 12 event scores, or all their event scores if the number of tournaments is under 12. – In order to be eligible to qualify for the FIDE Women’s Candidates 2028, a player’s final score shall consist of at least eight tournaments, including at least five with standard (classical) time control. The regulations for the 2026-2027 Women’s Circuit can be found [HERE] Current standings on the Women’s Circuit Leaderboard Sixteen players now appear on the Women’s Circuit Leaderboard after the recently concluded European Women’s Rapid & Blitz Championships. The rapid champion Nino Batsiashvili from Georgia holds the early lead in the Women’s Circuit, with 13.86 points. She is followed by the blitz champion Eline Roebers on 11.81 points and former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, who finished second in the rapid event, with 10.48 points. The other players are on single-digit scores. We maintain dedicated pages on our website for the FIDE Women’s Circuit 2026 – 2027 featuring the latest information on eligible tournaments, current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Women’s Circuit 2026 – 2027
Empowering teachers, inspiring students: FIDE Chess in Education at Madras Christian College
Chennai, January 22–24, 2026 – A quiet revolution in classroom learning unfolded at Madras Christian College (Autonomous) as the FIDE Chess in Education Commission (CIE), in partnership with the Emmanuel Chess Centre, inaugurated the Chess in Education – Preparation of Teachers’ (PoT) Course. Held at the Blue Whale Hall, MMIP, MCC, the three-day intensive programme focused on equipping teachers – especially from the Tribal Welfare Department – with the skills to bring chess into classrooms, reaching nearly 27,000 tribal children across Tamil Nadu. The course extended far beyond chess fundamentals. Over three immersive days, WIM Rita Atkins and Dr. Joseph Ebenezer guided participants in using chess as a structured pedagogical tool to strengthen academic skills, cultivate critical thinking, and foster life skills. Through interactive sessions, live demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, teachers explored how chess enhances problem-solving, decision-making, and mental agility – making learning both engaging and meaningful. Dr. P. Wilson, Principal of MCC, welcomed the gathering with warmth, expressing his delight at seeing chess embedded into educational institutions and underscoring the transformative potential of innovative learning approaches. WIM Rita Atkins, EDU Secretary of FIDE CIE, also presented the Tamil and English editions of the FIDE Chess in Education Course Book, localizing a globally accredited curriculum for Tamil Nadu schools. The programme received strong support from Tmt. G. Lakshmi Priya, IAS, Secretary to Government, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, who spoke passionately about how chess can empower children from marginalized communities, enhance equity, and improve learning outcomes. Thiru S. Annadurai, C.L.S., Director of the Tribal Welfare Department, highlighted the Department’s pride in partnering with FIDE CIE and Emmanuel Chess Centre to take chess education to the grassroots, ensuring that children in remote tribal regions have access to world-class, future-ready learning opportunities. The initiative received strong governmental backing. Ms. G. Lakshmi Priya, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, spoke passionately about how chess can empower children from marginalized communities, enhance equity, and improve learning outcomes. Thiru S. Annadurai, C.L.S., Director of the Tribal Welfare Department, expressed pride in partnering with FIDE CIE and the Emmanuel Chess Centre to bring world-class, future-oriented learning opportunities to remote tribal regions. At the valedictory session on January 24, Dr. Veena Eswaradas highlighted chess’s cognitive benefits, including enhanced analytical reasoning and mental flexibility. Certificates were awarded to 54 participants who successfully completed the PoT Course. Dr. Joseph Ebenezer, Senior Lead Instructor for FIDE CIE, FIDE Trainer, and Candidate Master, emphasized the programme’s global standards and pedagogical rigor. Of the graduates, 34 earned the FIDE School Instructor (SI) title, qualifying them to implement chess-based learning in schools. SI title holders included: Government Tribal Residential Schools / EMRS: C. Gajalakshmi; M. Thangadurai; Sivasankari; Kabildev K; Suresh D; S. Pugazhenthi; R. Chandra Somu; M. Suresh; E. Sathish Kumar; R. Nithiyanandham; Gobi S; Rajakumar D; Duraiswami P; Chandru D; Deenadhayalan V; P. Sivakumar; Madhan Kumar L; Govindhammal R; M. Gowri Rani; Gnanasakthi S; Samikkannu P; Jeevitha G; Settu T; A. Anbuchelvan. Madras Christian College (Autonomous) alumni: Genita Gladys A; Joshua Anand Samuel; Jim Isaac; Gracelin Victoriya K; Dr. Ishvar Mohan; Dr. N. Prabhu. Women’s Christian College alumni: Pon Margret A; Dr. M. Getzi. Meston College of Education alumni: Aparna A; Jecinth Evlyn J. Other participants: Dr. Emma Kalpana; Bharaneeshwaran V. Chess sets and the Winning Moves DVD were provided to schools to support classroom implementation. This initiative marks a major step in mainstreaming Chess in Education across Tamil Nadu, empowering teachers and students with innovative, future-ready learning tools while fostering cognitive development, critical thinking, and 21st-century competencies at the grassroots level.
FIDE World Youth Championships 2026: Registration now open
FIDE, the Italian Chess Federation and UniChess invite all national chess federations to participate in the World Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Montesilvano, Italy. The event will be held from June 14 (official day of arrival) to June 27, 2026 (official day of departure). Every national federation is entitled to register one official player in each of the six categories: U14, U16, U18 (Open and Girls). This provides a total of six invited official players, plus one accredited accompanying official (Head of Delegation) with a valid FIDE ID. The following players also have the personal right to participate: The top three players from the previous World Youth Championships in the U14, U16, U18 categories. The gold medalists of the previous edition may choose to play in their corresponding age category or in a higher age category. The Champions (gold medalists) of the last Continental Youth Championships. Registration deadline and the deadline for visa data documentation submission are April 7, 2026. An extensive summer programme is planned for all participants, including excursions, beach access, a blitz tournament, a football match, and other activities. Invitation letter, regulations, schedule (PDF) Email: worldyouth@fide.com Official website: chessworldyouth.com/ The full regulations and registration form are available on the official website.
FIDE Amateur World Championships 2026: Bids received and under review
The FIDE Events Commission has received multiple bids for the 2026 World Amateur Championships. By the deadline of January 26, 2026, four bids were submitted for the 2026 World Amateur Championships and one bid for the 2026 World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Championships. Bids for the World Amateur Championships (new format): UAE, Fujairah: proposed dates October 15–22, 2026 Spain, Sitges: proposed dates October 29 – November 5, 2026 China, Shenzhen: proposed dates October 15–25, 2026 Nigeria, Abuja: proposed dates September 1–8, 2026 Bid for the World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Championships (new tournament): Nigeria, Abuja: proposed dates May 31–June 8, 2026 The evaluation process is now underway. FIDE will announce the selected hosts in due course.
Strengthening chess integrity: Joint meeting of FIDE Commissions
On 24–25 January 2026, at VU University in Amsterdam, the Chairmen and Secretary of the FIDE Arbiters’, Rules, and Fair-Play Commissions held a joint meeting dedicated to the future of chess integrity. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich attended the opening of the meeting, which was marked by a strong spirit of unity, professionalism, and mutual respect. Addressing the participants, he emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts across all integrity-related functions in chess, stating: “The integrity of chess depends on close cooperation between arbiters, rules experts, and fair-play specialists. Only by working together, with clearly defined responsibilities and high professional standards, can we ensure trust, fairness, and consistency at all levels of competition.” A clear and shared vision emerged from the discussions: arbiters and fair-play staff should not be viewed as separate entities, but as complementary roles that must operate in close coordination. This includes the development of integrated education and training pathways, clearer allocation of responsibilities within the playing venue, and enhanced cooperation at all organisational levels. The working group reaffirmed the central role of the Chief Arbiter, highlighted the importance of modern and harmonised education systems, and stressed the necessity of maintaining the highest fair-play standards at FIDE World Events. A key conclusion of the meeting was the recognition that arbiters, rules experts, and fair-play specialists form a single professional community, working together to make chess fairer, stronger, and safer for players, organisers, and the global chess community. The working group formulated several proposals – including potential amendments to existing regulations – which will be circulated for consideration within the respective commissions. Joint work will continue in the coming months with the objective of developing a comprehensive set of proposals for submission to the FIDE Council.
Don’t miss out: Early-bird tickets offer for FIDE Candidates 2026 ends soon
Tickets are now on sale for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, one of the most prestigious events in the international chess calendar. From March 28 to April 16 2026, the world’s attention will turn to Cyprus as the FIDE Candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament are held side by side at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort. Set on the scenic coastline near Paphos, the venue offers a rare combination of top-level sport and an exceptional setting, making this a must-see event for chess followers from around the world. The Candidates Tournament is the final and most demanding step in the World Championship cycle. Over fourteen rounds of classical chess, eight elite players in each event compete in a double round-robin format, with only the winner earning the right to challenge for the World Chess Championship title. Every game matters, and the tension builds steadily as the tournament progresses, round by round. The 2026 edition brings together an outstanding field of players, including former challengers, established super-grandmasters, and rising stars. Watching these players compete in person offers a close-up view of chess at the highest level, where preparation, stamina, and nerves are tested every day for nearly three weeks. Tickets are available in Standard and VIP categories, with a range of day passes and full event passes on offer. Standard ticket holders can watch the games live from the viewing area inside the playing hall and enjoy access to the fan zone. VIP tickets provide an enhanced experience and designed for those who want closer access and added comfort. VIP guests enjoy access to the VIP lounge, live viewing from VIP seats inside the playing hall, preferential seating in the fan zone, and all-day catering. Subject to availability and confirmation, VIP ticket holders may also have the opportunity to play a game with a Grandmaster and receive an autographed player card. VIP passes are strictly limited and are expected to be in high demand. Special early-bird prices are currently available for a limited time, valid until February 1. Multi-day discounts can be applied at checkout using the promo codes 2days10, 3days15, or 4days20 for bookings of two, three, or four or more days. Due to venue capacity, availability is limited, and prices will increase closer to the event. All tickets are sold exclusively through the official ticketing platform at tickets.fide.com. Spectators are encouraged to book early to secure their preferred dates and seating category. With world championship ambitions on the line, an exceptional venue, and a rare chance to see the very best players in classical chess up close, the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 promises an experience unlike any other on the chess calendar.
FIDE representatives visit Mongolia to support social and educational chess activities
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Representatives of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) visited Mongolia to become acquainted with the country’s social and educational chess initiatives and to further strengthen international cooperation in socially oriented chess programs. The delegation included André Vögtlin, Chairman of the FIDE Social Commission and President of the Swiss Chess Federation, and Dr. Mikhail Korenman, Counselor to the FIDE Social Commission and founder and coordinator of the Chess for Freedom program. During the visit, the delegation was honored to be received by the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, Khassuuri Gankhuyag, who was presented with the Social Chess Year Award in recognition of Mongolia’s outstanding achievements and long-term contributions to social chess programs and community development initiatives. The FIDE representatives also held an official meeting with the Chess Federation of Mongolia at the State Parliament building, together with its Deputy President, Galbadrakh Janchiv, Member of Parliament. During the meeting, the Mongolian side shared information about the country’s social and educational chess achievements, as well as its organizational structure and long-term development strategies. Two leading chess academies – ABChess Academy and Steinitz Academy – presented their training programs, development policies for junior and youth players, and socially oriented chess projects. The parties exchanged views on international best practices and discussed potential opportunities for future cooperation. André Vögtlin and Dr. Mikhail Korenman also visited the Women’s Federal Correctional Facility, whose team has participated in all Chess for Freedom championships and has won the competition three consecutive times. The delegation met with Colonel Batbayar Bumdari, Head of Prison No. 407. In recognition of their contributions to the Chess for Freedom program and their support of socially impactful chess initiatives, representatives of the correctional facility were also presented with the Social Chess Year Award. A particularly inspiring meeting took place with former members of the Mongolian women’s prison chess team. They shared their personal stories and experiences before, during, and after their participation in the Chess for Freedom program. Their testimonies demonstrated that chess is not only a game, but a powerful rehabilitative tool that fosters confidence, discipline, emotional resilience, and hope. This visit marked an important milestone in strengthening Mongolia’s international cooperation, promoting the exchange of best practices with global chess organizations, and laying a strong foundation for future collaborative initiatives in the field of social and educational chess.
European Chess Union unveils European Chess Super League 2027
The European Chess Union (ECU) is proud to announce the launch of the European Chess Super League, a groundbreaking new competition set to redefine the landscape of club chess across the continent. The inaugural edition will take place in 2027, with dates and location to be announced and a minimum budget of €500,000. A new era for European club chess The European Chess Super League brings together eight of Europe’s strongest chess clubs to compete for a prize fund of €300,000. The event will showcase world-class talent, thrilling matches, and a commitment to sporting excellence and innovation. Key features: Elite Participation: 8 clubs, including top 4 finishers from the European Chess Club Cup, the highest-rated club, the organizer’s team, and two ECU wild cards available to any club in Europe and worldwide. Prize Fund: €300,000, with €110,000 awarded to the champion. Format: 7-round round-robin, 6 boards per team, two reserves allowed per team. Media & sponsorship Main Partner and sponsor is the “SUPER Foundation” based in Bucharest Romania and major supporter of Chess Top Events as the “Grand Chess Tour”. The ECU retains all commercial, media, and broadcasting rights for the Super League. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available for brands looking to align with Europe’s premier chess event.