Season’s greetings from FIDE President – Happy New Year 2026

Dear chess friends,

As the year ends, I want to thank you for a remarkable 2025.

The chess calendar was packed. From the Women’s Grand Prix series to the World Cup and the Grand Swiss to the Global Chess League, we saw our sport grow in every region. This success does not happen by magic. It happens because of you.

Behind each of these events were people who worked hard to make them happen: the organisers, federation officials, arbiters, coaches, players, cohorts of volunteers and the members of the FIDE team. I am grateful for their trust, energy and support for chess and am confident that we are building a strong base for the growth our sport is experiencing.

We also made progress off the board. We focused on inclusivity and education, and we held the Smart Moves Summit in Washington, where we joined together the worlds of chess and education. We strengthened our financial stability and increased support for players and federations. We secured new partners and projects, from India to Norway and around the world, who see the value in what we do.

The coming year will bring more excitement – from the launch of the Total Chess Championship with Norway Chess, to the Candidates, world championship matches and the Olympiad – it will be another significant year for chess. I look forward to these and other projects, as we continue to spread chess around the world.

Chess has always been and will continue to be a bridge between nations and cultures, uniting people regardless of differences. This is who we are – a global chess family that works together on sharing the beauty of our sport and on discovering new talents and future champions.

I wish you and your close ones all the best in 2026.

Best regards,

Arkady Dvorkovich