With the inclusion of Vanuatu and Tonga at the recent meeting of the General Assembly, the International Chess Federation now counts 201 member federations worldwide

The FIDE General Assembly, which took place in the second week of December, decided to approve the applications of two new member federations – Vanuatu and Tonga, bringing the number of members to 201. Also, New Caledonia was included as an Affiliated Member.

The Vanuatu Chess Federation was established in 2022 to promote chess on the island. So far, it has had over 400 young people take part in various chess events. "We are aiming to make a chess part of the lives of people living in Port Vila and the islands. We also want to use it as a tool to engage young people out of school or work to help them think differently. We hope that chess will be recognized as a sport in Vanuatu and people will enjoy watching and following it as they do playing it," VP of the Vanuatu Chess Federation Rik Hinton said in a letter to FIDE.

Tonga, another Pacific island nation, inaugurated its chess federation in 2023 with a profound mission: "To promote chess at every echelon of society, leveraging it as a catalyst for social and intellectual development, benefiting all individuals."

GM Nigel Short, FIDE's Development Director, made visits to both Vanuatu and Tonga in 2022, laying the groundwork for their inclusion in FIDE. Short expressed his joy at the news, stating: "This is a momentous occasion for chess in Vanuatu and Tonga, as well as for FIDE as a whole. Chess transcends boundaries, offering numerous advantages. It is essential that the game is accessible to all, giving a sense of belonging within our global chess community. We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to them within FIDE."

The additions of Vanuatu and Tonga further signify FIDE's commitment to expanding the reach of chess and developing its growth to all corners of the world.