7/20/2026 – Levon Aronian extended his lead in the Masters Triathlon at the Biel Chess Festival after scoring 8½/10 in Sunday's blitz tournament, while Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus posted the second-best result. Aronian, Aydin Suleymanli, Erdogmus and Le Quang Liem have qualified for the final stage. In the Generations Challenge, the three teenagers advanced, while Alexandra Kosteniuk missed out narrowly. Christian Gloeckler and Savitha Shri B share the Masters Open lead. | Photos: Biel Chess Festival

7/18/2026 – The fourth classical round at the Biel Chess Festival brought another day of draws in the Masters Triathlon, with Levon Aronian and Le Quang Liem still sharing the lead. In the Generations Challenge, Vaclav Finek strengthened his leading position with a win over Vaishali Rameshbabu and remained unbeaten across the event. In the Masters Open Tournament, Peter Acs drew with Gopal G.N. but kept the sole lead on 4½ points. | Photo: Biel Chess Festival

7/15/2026 – Oleg Skvortsov, one of chess's leading patrons, has passed away. Between 2012 and 2017, he organized a series of world-class chess events, matches, and tournaments in Zurich, while also supporting the game through a number of other projects. | Photo: Wladimir Barsky

7/14/2026 – 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. Full information in this FIDE press release.

7/11/2026 – One of the world's strongest women's super-tournaments returns to Saint Louis this summer as the 2026 Cairns Cup welcomes ten of the world's top women chess players to compete for a $250,000 prize fund - one of the largest in women's chess. The tournament will take place 8-21 August at the recently expanded Saint Louis Chess Club (STLCC), where it will run alongside the prestigious Sinquefield Cup, creating one of the world's premier showcases of elite chess. Press release. | Photo: Saint Louis Chess Club

7/11/2026 – Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School of Uganda were crowned African continental champions after completing the tournament without losing a match. Kenya's Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School took silver, while the host nation also had reason to celebrate as Welgemoed Primary School secured bronze. All three teams qualified for the Grand Final in December.

7/10/2026 – After six rounds at the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship in Stellenbosch, Uganda's Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School and Kenya's Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School share the lead on 10 match points. Five teams remain two points behind before the final day. The third day also featured spotlights on Uganda's Ronald Wabwire and Zimbabwe's all-girls team, alongside educational workshops and activity sessions. | Photo: ISCF

7/9/2026 – The 59th edition of the Biel International Chess Festival begins on the weekend of 11 July. Participating are chess greats such as Levon Aronian, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Matthias Bluebaum in the Masters Triathlon, as well as Vaishali Rameshbabu and Alexandra Kosteniuk in the Generations Challenger. In both invitational events, games will be played in a triathlon system featuring blitz, rapid and classical games. | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase

7/8/2026 – The African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship began in Stellenbosch, South Africa, with 26 school teams from 22 countries competing for places in the Grand Final. The opening day featured two rounds, an unconventional ceremony centred on messages from young players and outreach activities at Paul Roos Gymnasium. The event, held during the Year of Chess in Education, continues until 10 July. | Photo: ISCF

7/8/2026 – FIDE has decided that the Best Creator category at the inaugural FIDE Excellence Awards will be named The Daniel Naroditsky Best Creator Award. The dedication comes as the chess world continues to honour the memory of Daniel Naroditsky, known to friends and fans as Danya, who passed away in October 2025 – a loss still felt deeply across the chess community. FIDE press release.

7/5/2026 – Tris Ann Richards has been appointed Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess, succeeding Anastasia Sorokina after several years in the role. Richards, President of the Saint Lucia Chess Federation, previously served as a Commission Councillor and has been involved in several FIDE projects. A Woman Candidate Master, FIDE Arbiter and certified chess instructor, she received the 2022 FIDE Women's Award in the Game Changer category for the Americas. | Photo: FIDE

7/4/2026 – The FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission has issued its decision in proceedings involving former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, finding him responsible for multiple violations linked to public statements about David Navara, the late Daniel Naroditsky and other players. The EDC imposed a two-year worldwide ban, with the final year suspended for a three-year probationary period, as well as 12 months of unpaid service for the chess community. The decision may be appealed. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

7/2/2026 – FIDE has invited the global chess community to mark International Chess Day 2026 on 20 July through creative games, inclusive events and a live discussion on chess as a tool for social change. The programme includes the Creative Chess challenge, activities promoted by the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess and a Social Commission panel featuring speakers involved in prison chess, refugee projects and community programmes around the world.

7/2/2026 – Pranav Venkatesh and Anna Muzychuk have qualified for the 2027 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship through the first part of the 2026 Freestyle Friday Championship. Pranav topped the open standings after 19 weeks of online play, while Muzychuk finished first in the women's standings. Both will join the already confirmed players in Weissenhaus, where the women's and open events are scheduled for February 2027. | Image: Freestyle Chess

6/30/2026 – Georgia honoured Nona Gaprindashvili at a ceremony in Tbilisi marking her 85th birthday, with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, government officials and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich among the guests. Held at the Rustaveli National Theatre, the event combined tributes to Gaprindashvili’s chess career with Georgian cultural elements. The former women's world champion also received Georgia's highest award for sporting achievement during the ceremony. | Photos: gov.ge

6/30/2026 – Incumbent FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich has announced he will seek a third term as President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Dvorkovich has said he will focus on providing more practical support for national federations, digital modernisation, youth development, stronger commercial partnerships and bringing FIDE closer to those it serves.

6/29/2026 – The FIDE World Cup Under 8–12 concluded in Batumi after eleven days of play, with China finishing first in the medal standings after winning three gold medals, one silver and one bronze. Kazakhstan, France and India also collected gold medals, while India added two silvers and one bronze. The closing ceremony brought together players, coaches, parents and guests, and included a performance by Junior Eurovision 2024 winner Andria Putkaradze. | All photos: Mindia Malakhmadze

6/29/2026 – The President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and the founder and the majority shareholder of Freedom Holding Corp., Timur Turlov, has nominated himself for the post of the Deputy President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The next elections to the FIDE leadership team will be held on September 26-27, 2026, in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), as part of the General Assembly of the International Chess Federation.