6/8/2026 – Schackcykeln (The Chess Bike) will launch in Trelleborg on 15 June as a free mobile chess initiative for summer 2026. Run by volunteers from Söderslätt Schacksällskap and funded by the Swedish Postcode Foundation, the project will bring chess sets, tables and chairs to public spaces across the city. With live GPS tracking and a custom app, organisers aim to make casual chess easier to find and more accessible. | Photo: Agnes Orre

6/4/2026 – The fifth qualification places for the 2027 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship (Open and Women's) will now be decided through the Freestyle Friday standings after the final event on 26 June. The leaders in the Open and Women's divisions will each secure a direct spot in the finals at Weissenhaus. The series will then resume after the summer break, with the second half determining the sixth qualifiers in both categories.

6/1/2026 – The International Chess Federation has introduced the FIDE Excellence Awards, a biennial programme recognising achievements across the global chess community during each Olympiad cycle. The first ceremony will be held in Samarkand in September 2026, during the Chess Olympiad. Nominations are open across regular and discretionary categories, covering players, federations, events, creators and social-impact projects, with shortlists to be selected in July before the winners are announced at the ceremony.

5/29/2026 – Eight teams have qualified online for the final stage of the 2026 FIDE World University Team Championship, which will be held in Almaty from 4 to 9 August. They will be joined by eight wildcard entries in a 16-team over-the-board final. The event will feature a group stage followed by knockouts, with the winners earning the FIDE World University Team Champion title and a €25,000 first prize.

5/25/2026 – On Africa Day, attention turns to the growth of chess across the continent, from expanding federation activity and international events to social projects in schools, refugee camps and prisons. African players' achievements on the global stage are also highlighted, alongside FIDE's plans to support further development, including Africa's priority status for hosting the 2032 Chess Olympiad, while acknowledging the infrastructure, funding and access challenges that still need to be addressed. | Image: FIDE

5/23/2026 – The Giovanni Longo International Chess Museum has opened in Marostica's 14th-century Lower Castle, beside the city's Chess Square. Created from a donation by collector Giovanni Longo, the museum displays around 150 items, including 90 chess sets and boards from several continents. Its accessible exhibition space highlights the links between chess, art and culture, with works ranging from 18th-century craftsmanship to contemporary pieces by artists including Enrico Baj and Max Ernst. | Photo: FIDE

5/18/2026 – FIDE has confirmed that its 2026 Congress will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 20 to 27 September, with the General Assembly and elections scheduled for the final two days. The announcement sets out the application deadlines and endorsement requirements for candidates seeking the positions of President and Deputy President, elected Vice President and Zonal President, while also reminding applicants of the rules governing campaigning during the electoral period.

5/13/2026 – The first stage of the inaugural FIDE World University Team Championship has concluded, with 32 teams advancing from two online Swiss qualifiers to the knockout phase. Saint Louis University topped the Americas and Africa qualifier, while Ural State Mining University led the Europe and Asia event. The qualified teams will now compete online for eight places in the over-the-board finals, scheduled for August 3-9 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

5/6/2026 – For the 59th consecutive year, Biel/Bienne will host its prestigious International Chess Festival. From 11 to 24 July 2026, over the course of two weeks, more than 500 participants — ranging from ambitious amateurs to the world’s elite — will showcase their creativity, tactical finesse and strategic depth across a variety of formats. Below is an overview of the twelve tournaments, offering the chance to play alongside living chess legends such as Levon Aronian and Alexandra Kosteniuk, as well as rising star Lu Miaoyi (pictured). Matthias Blübaum and Candidates Tournament winner Vaishali Rameshbabu will also play. | Photos: Biel Chess Festival

5/2/2026 – FIDE has opened early registration for ChessMom 2026, a programme designed to support professional players who are mothers at the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. Building on its 2024 debut, the initiative offers financial and logistical assistance, with expanded eligibility now including mothers of children under two. National federations and players are encouraged to register interest ahead of the official regulations.

5/1/2026 – Greenland has held its first national chess championship, marking a milestone for the game's development in the region. Conducted online to overcome geographical challenges, the event brought together players from across the island, with Egon Mattaaq emerging as the inaugural champion. The tournament highlights growing efforts to build a connected chess community and expand participation in even the most remote areas. | Photo: FIDE

4/29/2026 – The World Senior Team Championship 2026 has concluded in Durrës, with USA 1 securing the 50+ title after drawing their final match, while Italy and Kazakhstan completed the podium. In the 65+ section, Germany – Lasker claimed gold ahead of Italy, with Iceland taking bronze on tiebreaks. The women's standings were led by USA Women and the FIDE Women's Team respectively, following closely contested tournaments across both categories. | Pictured: Artur Yusupov (top board for Germany-Lasker in the 65+ section) | Photo: International Senior Chess Events

4/25/2026 – In Barcelona and across Catalonia, chess is being integrated into public education as a tool for learning and inclusion. Schools such as Escola Jaume Balmes and Escola Ramon y Cajal use the game to teach subjects ranging from mathematics to language, while also helping students from diverse backgrounds connect. Supported by educators and institutions, the initiative demonstrates how chess can foster engagement, participation and personal development in the classroom. | Photo: KNZO Photography

4/24/2026 – At the halfway stage of the World Senior Team Championship in Durrës, the standings have begun to take clearer shape. In the 50+ section, USA 1 and Italy moved into the lead after key round-five victories, while France 1 emerged as sole leaders in the 65+ category. With closely contested matches and limited separation across both sections, the tournament remains open ahead of the decisive final rounds following the rest day. | Photo: Georgia Grapsa

4/19/2026 – The 2026 World Senior Team Championship has begun in Durrës, with 90 teams competing across the 50+ and 65+ sections. Top seeds include USA 1, England 1 and Kazakhstan in the younger category, while England I and Lasker SGK head the 65+ field. The event has attracted a number of leading veterans, among them Michael Adams, John Nunn and Artur Yusupov. | Photo: Georgia Grapsa

4/19/2026 – A major chess festival in Stockholm brought together more than 7,000 visitors and several leading figures, including Magnus Carlsen, Judit Polgár and Levy Rozman. The two-day event combined lectures, simultaneous exhibitions, beginner competitions and youth activities, while organisers also attempted to set a record for the largest chess lecture ever held. | Photo: FIDE / Pavel Dvorkovich

4/17/2026 – ChessBase is expanding. In a press release, Freedom Holding Corp. has announced the acquisition of ChessBase. The Kazakh financial and technology group, based in New York, has been committed to chess for many years – as a partner of FIDE and a sponsor of international tournaments. An initial $5m investment is set to further develop and expand the ChessBase platform. The company will continue to be headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.

4/15/2026 – FIDE has confirmed that the 2027 Grand Swiss will return to the Isle of Man, where the event was first held in 2019. Scheduled for 10–25 May, the tournament will feature a record prize fund of $900,000 and 170 players across the open and women's sections. As in previous editions, two qualifying places for the 2028 Candidates will be available in each event.