The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced a major financial commitment of €400,000 dedicated entirely to continental chess organizations as part of its comprehensive 2026 global development budget.
This €400,000 Continental Support fund will be distributed equally among FIDE’s regional governing bodies—including the European Chess Union, Asian Chess Federation, African Chess Confederation, and Confederation of Chess for Americas. The direct funding ensures that regional leadership can implement tailored strategies to elevate chess across multiple borders simultaneously.
Working in parallel with the FIDE Development Index (FDI) frameworks, these continental grants are earmarked for macro-level initiatives that build regional resilience, including:
- Continental and Zonal Events: Financial backing to organize high-tier regional championships and open qualifiers.
- Multi-Nation Educational Programs: Support to scale up standardized “Chess in Education” programs across neighbouring borders.
- Advanced Training Seminars: Region-wide professional workshops for national trainers, technical arbiters, and elite organizers.
- Cross-Border Integration: Aligning regional operations with FIDE’s digital governance models to modernize administrative databases.
FIDE Planning and Development Commission (PDC) ensures Continental associations are the vital link connecting FIDE’s global vision to local national federations. By directing a dedicated €400,000 to these regional bodies, we are giving continental leaders the resources they need to host premier events, upgrade training networks, and foster deep cooperation between neighbouring nations.
Continental bodies are instructed to align their upcoming project pitches with annual FIDE policy priorities. All structural resources, training databases, and methodologies generated through this funding must be accessible to member national federations without restrictions.
