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.
2025 FIDE Online General Assembly: Minutes
FIDE publishes the Minutes of FIDE Online General Assembly Meeting which was held on December 14, 2025. FIDE Online General Assembly Minutes 2025 (pdf)
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.
Manuel Petrosyan and Anahit Mkrtchyan crowned Armenian champions
GM Manuel Petrosyan and untitled Anahit Mkrtchyan emerged victorious at the Armenian National Chess Championships. Petrosyan captured his second national title, while Mkrtchyan claimed her first. Both earned the right to represent Armenia in international team competitions. The 86th Armenian Chess Championship and the 81st Armenian Women’s Chess Championship where held simultaneously at the Tigran Petrosyan Chess House-Sports School in Yerevan from January 13-21, 2026. Both competitions were 10-player round-robins with classical time control. The Open Championship was fiercely contested – so much so that no player completed the tournament undefeated. Entering the final round, GM Manuel Petrosyan, IM Artur Davtyan, and GM Zaven Andriasian were tied for the lead with 5/8. In the decisive round, both Davtyan and Andriasian drew their games, while Petrosyan secured a crucial victory over IM Arsen Davtyan to clinch the title. Davtyan, Andriasian, and GM Aram Hakobyan finished on 5.5/9, a half-point behind the champion tying for second place. Based on tie-breaks, Davtyan took silver, while Andriasian completed the podium with bronze. 86th Armenian Championship – Final Standings The Women’s Championship developed into an exciting duel between Anahit Mkrtchyan (pictured below, right) and WFM Astghik Hakobyan. Both players surged ahead early, but Hakobyan gained the upper hand by defeating Mkrtchyan in their Round 6 encounter, taking sole lead. However, a late collapse derailed her campaign: Astghik lost two her final games and had to settle for silver with 6/9. Mkrtchyan drew both of her final two games, which proved sufficient to claim gold with 6.5/9. WFM Sona Krkyasharyan, Ani Avetisyan, and WFM Anna Khachatryan scored 5.5 points and tied for third place. Based on tie-breaks, WFM Sona Krkyasharyan was awarded the bronze medal. 81st Armenian Women’s Chess Championship – Final Standings Photos: Armenian Chess Federation
Carlsen and Nakamura dazzle Barcelona with blindfold chess show at ICE 2026
The world’s No.1 and No.2 chess players headlined ICE Barcelona with a rare exhibition match played entirely from memory, joined by GothamChess for commentary, insight, and fan interaction. Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, two of the world’s most renowned chess grandmasters, made a special appearance this afternoon at ICE Barcelona 2026, the International Casinos & Entertainment Expo. One of the world’s largest iGaming and gaming-tech trade shows, ICE attracts tens of thousands of professionals from the global gaming and tech industries. The highlight of the event hosted by BETBY was a blindfold chess exhibition game between Carlsen and Nakamura, a rare format in which both players compete without seeing the board, relying purely on memory and calculation. To the best public knowledge, this was the first publicly staged blindfold head-to-head between the world’s No. 1 and No. 2. Playing for fun in Barcelona, Carlsen was expected by many to play the Catalan Opening but the world’s No.1 instead began with 1.Nf3. Nakamura responded with the solid Agincourt Defence for the 15-minute game. The Norwegian tried to confuse his opponent with a double fianchetto setup maneuvering his knights aggressively and eventually winning a central pawn. But Nakamura had “seen” far ahead and, at the right moment, sacrificed a bishop to force a perpetual check. Watch the game [HERE]. “The Internet’s Chess Teacher,” Levy Rozman, provided live play-by-play commentary, explaining moves and strategies to more than a hundred spectators and making the match accessible even to casual observers. Known online as GothamChess, Rozman is an American International Master, content creator, and commentator who produces daily chess content across platforms. On YouTube alone, he recently surpassed seven million subscribers. A fireside chat with all three guests covered topics such as strategic thinking, mental discipline, and the evolution of chess as both a sport and a digital entertainment medium. Spectators from all over the world were given rare insight into the minds and approaches of elite chess players. Reflecting on how chess has evolved over the past five or six years, Nakamura said that while he had previously focused almost exclusively on his playing career, he began investing seriously in content creation in 2019, and since the pandemic, it has become his main professional focus. Carlsen noted that he has been recognized far more widely in recent years, adding that since early 2023, chess has “just kept showing up in everybody’s algorithms.” He also pointed out that the pandemic changed the chess world: the focus has shifted away from purely classical formats toward a more diverse landscape in which speed chess, rapid, and blitz events have become much more popular. In addition to the blindfold match and discussion, the event featured interactive exhibition games, giving spectators the chance to play against Carlsen or Nakamura in short, fun matches. All three masters played several blitz games, much to the delight of the audience. Written by IM Michael Rahal, Barcelona, Spain Photos: BETBY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnohw2JeIUs&t=3426s
Ghana Championship: Bernard Anhwere and Maud Benson claim titles
CM Bernard Anhwere and WCM Maud Benson emerged as the winners of the recently concluded Ghana National Chess Championship. Organized by the Ghana Chess Association the event was held in Accra and brought together top chess players from across the country. Final standings Open category: CM Bernard Anhwere – 7.5/9 Akpa Prince – 6.5 FM John Hasford – 5.5 CM Fomevor Cephas Clinton – 5.5 Loglo Daniel – 5 Ladies category: WCM Maud Benson – 7/8 Ridham – 7 pts WCM Gertrude Banini – 5.5 Dotse Dzidzor Esi – 5 Dotse Sumya Ibrahim – 4.5 Bernard Biney Otoo‘s impressive performance earned him the junior championship title, highlighting the bright future of Ghanaian chess The top 5 finishers in both Open and Ladies categories will represent Ghana as The Golden Knights at the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan later this year. The Ghana Chess Association extends its gratitude to the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, for attending the closing ceremony. He expressed his appreciation for the game of chess and commended the organizers, notably Madam Christiana Ashley, for a thrilling event and pledged continued support for the sport, highlighting the strong participation of young players. Special thanks also go to the dedicated arbiters, organizers, the media and our sponsors, including Mr. Rajan Singh of Cave and Gardens, for their continued support of Ghana Chess. Photos: Sabb Studio
Call for Submissions: FIDE Veteran Support Program 2026
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is pleased to announce the continuation of its support for chess veterans. Grants will be awarded to distinguished chess players, coaches, and organizers aged 65 and older who have made significant contributions to the development of chess and are currently facing an unstable financial situation. As in previous years, we national invite federations, clubs, and individuals to submit applications. Each submission must include a CV of the nominee and be sent to office@fide.com. The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2026.
Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2026 officially underway!
Wijk aan Zee, 17 January 2026 – This afternoon, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2026 was officially opened in a fully packed De Moriaan community hall. The start of the tournament was delayed due to actions by protesters. The 88th edition of the world famous chess event was inaugurated by Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland, together with tournament director Jeroen van den Berg. The Tata Steel Chess Tournament – known worldwide as the ‘Wimbledon of chess’ – each year attracts the world’s top grandmasters, emerging talents, hundreds of amateur players and thousands of visitors to the coastal village Wijk aan Zee. The tournament boasts a rich history dating back to 1938 and has evolved from an internal company competition (formerly Hoogovens) into an international toptier sporting event. Over the decades, legendary players such as Viswanathan Anand, Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Magnus Carlsen — who won multiple titles here — played chess in De Moriaan, as well as illustrious names from earlier times, including Max Euwe, Mikhail Botvinnik, Mikhail Tal, and Boris Spassky in Beverwijk. Battle commences This year, 28 top players are participating: 14 in the Masters group and 14 in the Challengers group. Immediately after the gong, all participating International masters and Grand masters took their seats at the boards for their first game, marking the official start of the battle for the prestigious titles. The Masters group features an average age of just 23 years – making it the youngest edition ever. The Challengers tournament includes no fewer than four women competing for the title, among them the Dutch player Eline Roebers, who made history earlier this year by becoming the first Dutch woman to win the European Blitz Chess Championship. Important role of the local community During the opening, Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland, emphasized the unique character of the tournament: “The Tata Steel Chess Tournament brings creativity, strategic thinking and innovation together – values that are central both in chess and in our organisation.” He also highlighted the important role of the local community and the unique atmosphere that the event creates each year in Wijk aan Zee. Extensive program rich in tradition The event is distinguished by the combination of grandmasters and amateurs playing under one roof, a tradition symbolizing connection and accessibility within the chess world. In addition to the matches in De Moriaan, the tournament once again offers an extensive program for the local community, including the annual Tata Steel Chess Festival for families and children. The games can be followed live in De Moriaan and online worldwide. More information is available at tatasteelchess.com. Photos: Tata Steel Chess Tournament