🤩♟ FIDE has announced the official shortlists for the inaugural FIDE Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding achievements, individuals, events, teams, federations and initiatives from across the global chess community.
Established in 2026, the biennial awards celebrate
🔥 A brilliant finish by Leinier Dominguez Perez!
A sharp tactical shot from the FIDE World Rapid Team Championship 2026. Leinier finds a beautiful mate-in-4 combination. Can you spot the winning idea?
♟ 🇨🇳Nie Xinyang 0-1 Leinier Dominguez Perez🇺🇸, Round 3
🇫🇷♟ Introducing Team France for the FIDE Chess Olympiad!
France (Open): Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Étienne Bacrot, Maxime Lagarde, Jules Moussard and Marc'Andria Maurizzi
Captain: Sébastien Mazé
France (Women): Marie Sebag, Deimante Daulyte-Cornette, Sophie Milliet, Pauline
♟️ Thousands of chess enthusiasts gathered in London's Trafalgar Square on 12 July for ChessFest 2026, a free, family-friendly celebration of the game that welcomed players of all ages and abilities.
From beginner lessons and giant chess sets to simultaneous exhibitions and the
FIDE invites senior players from around the world to compete in the World Senior Individual Chess Championships, which will take place in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, from November 2–15, 2026.
The event will feature four categories:
🏆 Open 50+ and Women 50+
🏆 Open 65+ and Women 65+
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Oleg Skvortsov, a passionate chess enthusiast, long-time philanthropist, and tournament organizer. He was 57.
His most significant contribution to the chess world was the Zurich Chess Challenge, a series of elite
♟ The FIDE Council has approved qualification paths for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2028 and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2028, following proposals developed by the Global Strategy Commission. The regulations introduce new qualification opportunities while
🎉 Happy 36th birthday to Ian Nepomniachtchi! 🎂♟
With a career-high rating of 2795 and a peak world ranking of No. 2, Ian became only the second player to win the FIDE Candidates Tournament in consecutive editions (2021 and 2022). He also shared the 2024 FIDE World Blitz
🇷🇸♟ The Serbia Open 2026 was officially declared open in Belgrade, marking the beginning of one of Europe’s most established and internationally diverse summer chess festivals.
Organized by the Chess Federation of Serbia under the patronage of the Ministry of Sports of the
♟ The FIDE Council has approved a series of significant changes to the format of the 2027 FIDE World Cup and the 2027 FIDE Women’s World Cup, following recommendations from the Global Strategy Commission.
Beginning in 2027, both World Cups will be played over 19 days and will
✨ Scholastic chess in Miami is thriving!
Thanks to the efforts of Marite Espinosa, who organizes many school chess programs, and a supportive group of school district staff and administrators, many schools have chess programs that produce not only talented players but also
🇧🇪 GM Daniel Dardha and WIM Hanne Goossens are the 2026 Belgian Chess Champions!
GM Daniel Dardha claimed his 4th Belgian national title after a dramatic final-round victory, while WIM Hanne Goossens secured her 5th crown with a flawless 9/9 performance.
The championships, held
