Matthew Richards

BSc Chemistry & Physics Student @ UJ | Chess enthusiast ♟️| Maverick Chess | Cricket fan 🏏 | FPL strategist ⚽ | Learning, competing, creating.

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

The African Chess Confederation proudly supports Chess South Africa’s intention to bid for the 2030 World Chess Olympiad – aiming to bring this iconic event to African soil for the very first time! 🌍✨

Let’s unite behind this historic campaign and show the world Africa is ready

[Esports World Cup @EWC_EN]

The first move starts the game. The next one defines it.

Rise Above.

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

https://t.co/ZXftaI6WdM

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

Is the calendar becoming too crowded? 🤔With Firouzja leaving the Grand Chess Tour and MVL withdrawing from the Esports World Cup, who should take priority?
♟️ Players
🏆 Organizers
🌍 National teams
📅 Should FIDE coordinate a global calendar
Let me know your thoughts! #Chess

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

The Most Beautiful Queen Sacrifice I've Ever Lost To https://t.co/pp2cFwHpNk

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

@chesscom TrustyMatt

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

INTERNATIONAL CHESS DAY!! Lets Play the Danish Gambit https://t.co/eo3eRMsSz0 via @YouTube and @GreenPawns #InternationalChessDay

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

@chesscom Interesting...

[Rakshit(chessiro.com) @Ra1kshit]

who is doing this.

the chess world events need renaming big time.

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

Spell Chess Championship Qualifier 5 & 6 https://t.co/OnlCORKKdf via @chesscom and @GreenPawns

[Charlize @Charlizevanzyl]

There’s been a lot of debate about this format change.

My initial reaction was actually quite positive because, at the 2025 World Cup in India, one of the most common things players told me in post-game interviews was that they’d like to see exactly this kind of change to the time control. That was especially true for those who made the deepest runs and were completely exhausted by the end.

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

@KingShady21 @FIDE_chess Apologies

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

I know it's not an exact comparison, but the format is similar to that of most world cups. i.e Group stage progressing to a knockout stage. The shorter duration is a plus, the time control for the swiss is a negative.

🤷‍♂️

[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

[That's Football! @ThatsFootballTV]

"LIKE JOHN TERRY FOR CHELSEA" 🫠

Watch Mark accurately predict the outcome for Gabriel's penalty 😅 #UCLFinal

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

@LegacySiu Ander Herrara

[MrDodgy is on ChessFam @ChessProblem]

look buddy, you don’t catch me winning chess games so how about we stay in our lanes

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

@ManUtd Matthew 7?

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

@chesscom So am I

https://t.co/0yKyR8Cqov

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

@chesscom Probably already said but... GRANDMOTHER

[Matthew Richards @Matthew551021]

King of The Hill Chess Championship Qualifier 7 & 8 https://t.co/CNqYcoiEA5 via @YouTube, @chesscom and @GreenPawns