By Liang Ziming
On June 16, the inauguration ceremony for the FIDE Shenzhen Office was held in Qianhai, Shenzhen. Following the official unveiling, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich held talks with He Fengxiang, Director of the Board and Card Games Administrative Centre of the General Administration of Sport of China. The two sides discussed further deepening cooperation in chess and promoting coordinated development between international sports organizations and Chinese cities. The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts and mutual good wishes for the future of the game.
He Fengxiang stated that China has always actively supported FIDE's work. He described the official establishment of the FIDE Shenzhen Office as a major milestone in bilateral relations and a new starting point for future collaboration. He expressed hope that the new office would serve as a platform to broaden and deepen cooperation between FIDE and China. By leveraging the geographical advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the two sides can explore innovative models in event hosting, youth training, international exchanges and industrial cooperation, jointly driving the continued growth of chess.
Dvorkovich expressed his gratitude to China for its long-standing strong support for FIDE. He noted that China not only possesses a deep-rooted chess culture but also boasts world-class capabilities in organizing large-scale events. A series of international chess tournaments held in China recently has demonstrated high standards of organization, professional hosting and positive social impact, making important contributions to FIDE's global tournament calendar.
During the meeting, He Fengxiang presented Dvorkovich with a horse sculpture. As 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, the gift symbolizes the spirit of "taking the lead", conveying wishes for continuous breakthroughs and broader development for FIDE and the global chess community. He Fengxiang also showed Dvorkovich a commemorative album, showcasing the achievements of major international chess events hosted in China in recent years. While browsing the album, Dvorkovich paused to share his thoughts, noting that he knew many of the outstanding players and was deeply impressed by China's chess achievements.
Arkady Dvorkovich and He Fengxiang | Photo: Liang Ziming
In return, Dvorkovich gifted He Fengxiang a copy of the book Chess Players. He expressed his hope that the book would serve as a medium to spread chess culture, help more people appreciate the charm of the game and promote mind sports worldwide.
With the FIDE Shenzhen Office now fully operational, both sides look forward to expanding their collaboration in event hosting, talent cultivation, cultural exchanges and international organizational partnerships. With Shenzhen as a hub, the office will connect the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and integrate chess resources across China, injecting new momentum into the global advancement of chess and fostering international sports exchanges and cooperation.
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