Arkady Dvorkovich

President of FIDE, International Chess Federation

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

♟ Eight years ago, I committed to building a stronger, fairer, global FIDE.

Serving as the president of FIDE for the past eight years has been an exceptional honour.

Together, we have strengthened FIDE, significantly expanded and improved global events and invested more in children’s chess, women’s competitions, senior chess, education and social programmes.

But this is not the endpoint. It is the foundation.

That is why today I am announcing that I will seek another term as President of the International Chess Federation.

Every federation deserves opportunities to grow, with support tailored to its needs and circumstances. Every player and chess enthusiast deserves a place in our global chess family.

Every move counts. Everyone matters.

#Dvorkovich2026 #DvorkovichTeam

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

RT @FIDE_chess: Statement by the FIDE President

Today, the EU decision to include my name in the 21st sanctions list was published. I want…

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

♟🎉 Happy 50th birthday to a true legend of our game, Judit Polgar (@GMJuditPolgar) .

A grandmaster at 15, she is considered the strongest female player in the history of chess – the only woman ever to surpass a 2700 rating. Guinness World Records recognized her record-breaking reign as the world's top-ranked female player: 26 years and 28 days.

But Judit's influence reaches far beyond the record books. Her sharp mind, her integrity, and her gifts as an organiser are valued not only in her native Hungary but across the entire chess world.

Judit, thank you for all the beauty and inspiration you have brought to our game. On behalf of the whole FIDE family, I wish you health, happiness, and many more years of the passion and brilliance that continue to inspire millions – at the board and beyond.

Happy birthday! 👏

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

#DvorkovichTeamPrinciples I'd like to share with you the second principle that guides my team.

♟ Chess creates opportunity!

Chess changes lives. From school children to seniors, from those on the margins of society to centres of opportunity, chess can help every person and every community to be better and more successful. Chess opens educational, personal and professional opportunities. FIDE should work closely with public institutions and partners to create more pathways into chess for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances

#DvorkovichTeam

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

♟ As chess continues to evolve, FIDE’s role is to embrace innovation that strengthens our sport while respecting its rich tradition. The Total Chess World Champion Tour is a natural evolution of the elite competitions we already have and celebrates the complete player by combining excellence in Fast Classic, Rapid and Blitz formats.

We are convinced that the tour will attract new audiences, commercial partners and greater media interest, helping us expand chess globally. FIDE is proud to be working closely with Norway Chess, and we are grateful to our Hungarian friends for hosting the first official pilot event. We look forward to seeing this new chapter begin in 🇭🇺 Budapest, one of Europe’s great chess capitals.

#TotalChess @TotalChess @NorwayChess

[International Chess Federation @FIDE_chess]

♟ A new era in elite chess begins this November as 🇭🇺 Budapest hosts the official pilot of the FIDE-approved Total Chess (@TotalChess) World Championship Tour, a ground-breaking global championship created by Norway Chess (@NorwayChess) that aims to redefine how the world’s best players compete – and how fans experience the sport.

From 10–21 November 2026, the world’s elite men and women including World No.1 Magnus Carlsen will battle at Budapest’s iconic Anantara New York Palace Hotel across Blitz, Rapid and Fast Classic to determine chess’s most complete player.

The Budapest event will serve as the official pilot of the Total Chess World Championship Tour, delivering the same championship format, regulations and prize structure that will define the inaugural global season beginning in March 2027, when multiple tournaments across international host cities will culminate in the crowning of the FIDE World Combined Champion.

Read more: https://t.co/QYF5sl0h80

#TotalChess

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

Congratulations!

[Nitin Narang @narangnitin]

A truly double delight for chess lovers.

Today is World Chess Day, and the All India Chess Federation (AICF) is pleased to release the another instalment of quarterly stipends, ranging from ₹60,000 to ₹1,50,000, totalling ₹42,30,000, to 42 top players across the U7 to U19 categories (Open and Girls), based on their performances in the 2024 National Championships.

This is the first time in the history of Indian chess that our players and prodigies are receiving such financial support, so they do not have to give up their passion due to financial constraints. These stipends will support their coaching and travel needs, enabling them to compete globally and pursue higher goals with confidence.

This is part of AICF's ambitious plan to create a robust ecosystem for chess in India, inspired by the vision of Aadarniya Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji to empower and encourage athletes at the grassroots.

If chess is your dream, chase it. We are with you.

@narendramodi @mansukhmandviya @FIDE_chess @advorkovich @PMOIndia @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @aicfchess

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

♟ This year, I am celebrating International Chess Day in 🇦🇩 Andorra together with our friends – the leaders of the Federació d'Escacs Valls d'Andorra. The country is currently hosting the 42nd Andorra Chess Open, which has brought together more than 200 players from around the world – a remarkable achievement for the organisers and a testament to the event's long-standing tradition.

Andorra also sets a great example in chess education, with a well-established programme that introduces the game to children across the country and helps develop the next generation of players.

One of FIDE's favourite International Chess Day traditions is to introduce someone new to our game. This year, I had the pleasure of teaching Mònica Bonell Tuset, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Government of Andorra, the basics of chess. I hope this was the first of many games for the Minister!

Whether you are playing your thousandth game or your very first, I encourage everyone to celebrate International Chess Day by sharing the joy of chess with someone new.

Happy International Chess Day!

#InternationalChessDay #Andorra #AndorraChessOpen #ChessInEducation #FIDE @escacsandorra

[International Chess Federation @FIDE_chess]

♟🌍 Happy International Chess Day!

Chess teaches us to think ahead, make decisions, learn from mistakes, and keep improving. These are skills that extend far beyond the 64 squares – which is why FIDE has declared 2026 the Year of Chess in Education.

#EducationalChess2026 #EveryLessonCounts / @advorkovich @turlov @ischoolchess

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

♟ FIDE's strength comes from listening. If you have ideas on how we can better serve federations and the global chess community, get in touch: [email protected]

We read everything. The best ideas become action.

#DvorkovichTeam

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

♟🤝 Congratulations to Zurab Azmaiparashvili on his re-election as President of the European Chess Union!

The election showcased the strength of European chess: competitive campaigns, thoughtful programmes, and a shared commitment to the future of our game.

The true value of an election lies not only in choosing a winner, but in bringing together the best ideas from every campaign and putting them to work for the benefit of the entire chess community.

I wish the ECU leadership every success in the years ahead and look forward to continued close cooperation between FIDE and the ECU to develop and promote chess across Europe and beyond.

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

📆♟ It's Friday – end your week properly: find a great place and enjoy a game of chess in good company.

On July 20, we celebrate International Chess Day, and I invite you to take on a challenge: set up a chess game in the most unusual, meaningful, or symbolic place you can think of.

A mountaintop, a beach, a famous landmark in your hometown – anywhere that captures the spirit of the game.

📷 Share your photo or video using #InternationalChessDay and tag @fide_chess.

The most original and inspiring entries may be featured on FIDE's official channels. Show us where chess takes you.

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

#DvorkovichTeamPrinciples ♟ Chess teaches us that every move has consequences, and every decision counts. Leadership is no different. Good decisions are built on long-term values, not short-term considerations.

I'd like to introduce you to my team's principles.

The first one: "Every federation counts."

Big or small, long-established or newly formed – every federation deserves respect, support, and opportunity in the chess family. We want every federation to have an equal opportunity to be heard. We believe development should reach every region. We know that success is measured by how well the whole chess community grows.

#DvorkovichTeam

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

#DvorkovichTeam ♟ Some people discover chess. Others are born into it. 🇲🇦 Bouchra Kadiri was named after a victory: in Arabic, Bouchra means "good news," and her father, Moroccan Chess Champion Mokhtar Kadiri, chose the name because he won a championship on the day she was born. I'm proud to have her on my team.

Bouchra made history herself: she became the first woman to win the Moroccan Women's Chess Championship in 1984, the first Moroccan woman to win an international chess medal, and today, the first woman to lead the Royal Moroccan Chess Federation. Under her presidency, the number of registered clubs has more than tripled, from 12 to 39, alongside major initiatives in women's chess, school chess, and youth development.

Her work reaches far beyond Morocco. As Vice President of AIDEF and of the Mediterranean Chess Association, she builds bridges across the French-speaking world and the Mediterranean – with over 35 years of experience in management, institutional development, and international events behind her.

As Bouchra puts it, chess "has been more than a personal passion; it has been a mission." That's exactly the spirit this team is built on.

Read more about my team: https://t.co/LhEuS62YKF

#Dvorkovich2026 #EveryMoveCounts

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

The qualification system for the FIDE Candidates Tournaments is one of the cornerstones of the FIDE World Championship cycle, and it is essential that it continues to evolve alongside the game itself.

These changes have been carefully developed to make the qualification process more balanced, transparent, and performance-based. By introducing the Total Chess World Championship Tour as a new pathway, refining the allocation of the FIDE World Cup places, and placing greater emphasis on results achieved during the cycle, we are ensuring that every route to the Candidates rewards sustained excellence at the highest level of competition.

[International Chess Federation @FIDE_chess]

♟ 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 maintaining a balanced pathway through FIDE’s premier competitions.

▪️ FIDE Candidates Tournament 2028

Eight players will qualify through the following pathways:
FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 2027 – 2 players
Total Chess World Championship Tour 2026–2027 – 2 players
FIDE World Cup 2027 – 2 players
FIDE Circuit 2026-2027 – 2 players

▪️ FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2028

Eight players will qualify through the following:
FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2027 – 2 players
FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Series 2026–2027 – 2 players
FIDE Women’s World Cup 2027 – 2 players
FIDE Women’s Circuit 2026-2027 – 2 players

Read more: https://t.co/q8ldxtVJgH

#FIDECandidates

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

🇷🇸♟ The Serbia Open 2026, now underway in Belgrade, is a great illustration of how chess is alive and thriving in the country. FIDE has always regarded Serbia as a strong partner and a true friend of our game.

During my visit to Belgrade, we discussed further cooperation with the Chess Federation of Serbia. I would like to highlight the excellent work of its President, Andrija Jorgić, and his team.

We also had a productive meeting with Serbia's Minister of Sports, Zoran Gajić, where we exchanged ideas on bringing chess to EXPO 2027 Belgrade. With its theme, "Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All," the Expo provides a perfect stage for our game.

On behalf of FIDE, I would like to thank Serbia for its continued support of chess and our shared mission.

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

The new format has been designed to preserve the unique identity of the FIDE World Cup while adapting it to the evolving needs of modern chess. We believe that the combination of Swiss qualification and knockout finals will offer a more engaging experience for both players and fans.

At the same time, we are making the FIDE World Cups more inclusive than ever before. The increased number of places, including additional qualification spots for Africa and the Americas, will provide more opportunities for talented players from every continent to compete on one of the biggest stages in world chess.

With these changes, the FIDE World Cup and FIDE Women's World Cup will remain among the most watched competitions in international chess, while continuing to serve as key gateways to the World Championship cycle for players from every corner of the world.

#FIDEWorldCup

[International Chess Federation @FIDE_chess]

♟ 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 consist of two distinct stages.

▪️Stage 1: Swiss qualification
The opening stage will consist of Swiss-system tournaments played with a Fast Classical time control of 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move.

The FIDE World Cup will feature four Swiss pools, while the FIDE Women’s World Cup will be divided into two Swiss pools. Each Swiss tournament will be played over nine rounds across five days, with the pools balanced to ensure comparable playing strength.

The leading players from each pool will advance to the knockout stage:
– FIDE World Cup: Top four players from each of the four pools (16 players total)
– FIDE Women’s World Cup: Top eight players from each of the two pools (16 players total)

▪️Stage 2: Knockout finals

The second stage will retain the traditional knockout. The Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final will be played using the existing World Cup format and classical time controls.

Read more: https://t.co/oUf9ySNGe0

#FIDEWorldCup

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

♟ It was a pleasure to visit the Montenegro Open and Mediterranean Open & Women Championships 2026 in beautiful 🇲🇪 Budva.

On behalf of FIDE, I would like to express my appreciation to the Montenegro Chess Federation – Jovan Milović, great job, thanks a lot for that – and to Erald Dervishi, President of the Mediterranean Chess Association, for moving this organization forward. We have a really good goal: to include chess in the multi-sport Mediterranean Games, to be visible to the Olympic movement, to Olympic committees, and to be aligned with all our friends in the Olympic family. So I hope with this event we are closer to this goal, and we will continue pursuing it.

Open tournaments are the backbone of our chess ecosystem. They bring together professionals, ambitious juniors, veterans, amateurs, and local communities. They create opportunities, discover new talent, and keep chess thriving in every corner of the world.

We launched the FIDE Open Aid Programme back in 2021, at a time when the world was facing an unprecedented crisis. Many open tournaments risked vanishing altogether.

Today, that emergency measure has turned into something much bigger – a long-term commitment. Over these years, the programme has helped 107 tournaments in 73 countries, providing organizers with more than €640,000 in total. And in just the first six months of 2026, FIDE has already supported 28 events.

Supporting these events is not simply an investment in tournaments – it is an investment in the future of chess. As the international federation, FIDE has a responsibility to help ensure that high-quality playing opportunities remain accessible across all continents and for players of every level.

I would like to thank all tournament organizers for their dedication, as well as our partner Freedom Holding Corp. for helping make this programme possible. Together, we continue to build a stronger and more inclusive global chess community.

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

🌍♟ More chess players in Africa and more opportunities for them – this is one of our main goals!

During the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship, together with ISCF President Timur Turlov (@turlov), we met with chess officials and representatives of ministries from across Africa. Our discussions focused on how chess can play a more prominent role in societies throughout the continent.

FIDE has offered structured support, and together we have laid the foundation for stronger backing and greater opportunities for the game.

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

Together with 🇿🇦 South African officials, we inspected a potential venue and discussed the possibility of Cape Town bidding for the 2032 Chess Olympiad.

South Africa is a great location. I'm happy that we brought the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship here. We could see first-hand how capable the local team and the national federation are. A modern venue, a prestigious location, and the capacity of local organisers to host big international events are a great combination, and we will take this into account when making the final decision.

[International Chess Federation @FIDE_chess]

🌍 South Africa explores historic bid for first African Chess Olympiad

A FIDE delegation, led by President Arkady Dvorkovich (@advorkovich), visited the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) as a possible venue for the event. They were joined by Andre Lewaks, President of Chess South Africa; Dr. Lyndon Bouah, Chief Director for Sport and Recreation in the province of the Western Cape; and Kevin Malam, Assistant Director at the Western Cape Government.

The CTICC is being considered as a possible venue for what would be the first Chess Olympiad on African soil. Opened in 2003, the complex has a total floor space of 140,855 square meters and can accommodate up to 9,500 people. Its main auditorium can seat about 1,500 people.

Read more: https://t.co/ohBF5JvXLS

@CTICC_Official @AfricanChessCon

[Arkady Dvorkovich @advorkovich]

♟ Chess helped me to acquire skills that are good for day-to-day life. Memory, strategy, thinking about what your opponent can do, but most importantly, that it’s just you and the board. No one can help you; you are responsible for each move and everything that will happen from that move. That is what life is about: we make our moves and we are responsible for them.

I hope chess will do the same for the wonderful children we met during the social outreach visit at the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026!