In his continued efforts to promote chess growth across Africa, Grandmaster Nigel Short, FIDE Director for Chess Development, recently visited Guinea. His trip to the West African nation is part of a larger mission to integrate more countries into the global chess family and spark interest in the game throughout the continent.
During his stay in the capital city of Conakry, Short was warmly welcomed by local players and officials. He took part in chess activities, including Q&A session, a chess tournament and a simultaneous exhibition held at the British Embassy, and met with Guinea’s sports authorities from the National Olympic Committee, the Sports Ministry of the country and the Checkers and Chess Federation to discuss the country’s potential membership in FIDE.
Of Africa’s 54 countries, 50 are currently FIDE members. Although Guinea has had a government-recognized Checkers and Chess Federation for over four decades, the country is still not a part of FIDE. Short’s visit aims to change that by helping Guinea become the 202nd country to join FIDE and the 51st African federation.
“I still find it very hard to understand how Guinea has had a government-recognized chess (and checkers) federation for 43 years, but somehow didn’t manage to join FIDE,” Short noted. “The meetings with officials have gone well, so hopefully this will change this year.”
The trip reflects FIDE’s broader commitment to chess development, particularly in underrepresented regions. Through high-profile visits, partnerships with local institutions, and ongoing support from diplomatic missions, FIDE hopes to nurture a thriving chess culture in countries like Guinea.
With this promising momentum, Guinea may soon take its place on the international chess stage — opening new opportunities for its players and contributing to the ever-growing global chess community.