The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM) will hold its 2026 Commission Meeting on 22 September during the FIDE Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. The meeting will also be open to participants online on FIDE’s official YouTube channel.
Themed “Beyond the Board: Women, Innovation and the Business of Chess,” the three-hour meeting will bring together Commission members, invited speakers and members of the chess community to review WOM’s work over the past year and discuss new opportunities for women within the wider chess industry.
Members of the chess community are invited to join the meeting, either in person or online. Those wishing to participate are encouraged to register in advance here.
The meeting will open with a welcome from FIDE interim President GM Viswanathan Anand, followed by remarks from FIDE Management Acting Chair Dana Reizniece. The Commission will then present an overview of its recent work, impact and future priorities, including the Queens Gambit Challenge and a series of ongoing WOM initiatives.
A central part of this year’s programme will focus on the growing opportunities available for women in chess beyond competitive play.
“Too many women leave chess because they believe they cannot build a profitable career. Through this meeting, we hope to reshape that narrative and highlight the many opportunities for women to build careers, businesses and impact on the chessboard and beyond. We also will be discussing the strides we have made as a commission and how we can map the best path forward toward gender equality in chess,” said Tris-Ann Richards, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess.
WIM Fiona Antoni will speak on the transition from chess player to chess entrepreneur and the possibilities for building opportunities both on and off the board. ChessBase India co-founder Sagar Shah will address the business of chess, investment, and the future of the chess industry, while Christina Aziz will examine women’s pathways, influence and potential within chess. A fourth presentation will look at careers and business opportunities created through digital content, streaming and personal branding.
Commission members will also report on a range of WOM projects, including the Queens and Princesses Festival, Chess Mom, Chess for Protection, Chess Marathon and Chess4All. The meeting will include an update on the 2026 global survey and Women in Chess Index, continuing the Commission’s work to better understand the position of women in chess worldwide.
The programme will conclude with the WOM Commission Member Recognition Awards, Special Awards and the Queens Festival Winners Awards, followed by an open discussion giving participants an opportunity to share comments and engage directly with the Commission.
Key details:
- Date: 22 September 2026
- Time: 15:00 – 18:00 (UTC+5)
- Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-70OPo8NI08IFogSFupL2GsVPAdeZK-lGpRQRq7TQx1oEUA/viewform