Panels of Arbiters for FIDE Events 2026-2027
The FIDE Arbiters’ Commission is pleased to release the List of arbiters for the green, blue, red, and yellow panels, which will be used for making appointments to FIDE events during the 2026-2027 cycle. We would like to thank the hundreds of Arbiters from around the world (760 arbiters from 129 Federations) who responded to the Call of Interest for Panels of Arbiters and World Events 2026-2027.
The panel system is described in the FIDE Handbook, B06.4 – FIDE Regulations for the Appointment of Arbiters in World Events, including Appendix B06.4.B – Arbiter Selection Procedural Rules.
There are four panels named by colour (to check the list of arbiters for each panel click on the colour of panel below):
- A Green Panel, containing 25 International Arbiters of category A
- A Blue Panel, containing 45 International Arbiters of category A or B
- A Red Panel, containing 60 International Arbiters of category A or B
- A Yellow Panel, containing the remaining International Arbiters or FIDE Arbiters of any category
- The ARB Chairman, ARB Secretary, and ARB Councillors are eligible for nomination irrespective of their inclusion in any Panel.
The panels were formed, following the published arbiters selection procedural rules and considering selection criteria to help making the final lists:
- Geography: each continent is represented proportionally to the actual demographics of titles/categories (A and/or B) eligible for the Green, Blue and Red panels
- At least 25% female and at least 25% male
- Proficiency in English
- Wishes expressed by the candidates (maximum level for appointment, geography)
- Feedback from all four Continental Organisations (Africa, America, Asia, and Europe), FIDE Global Strategy Commission, and FIDE Events Commission.
- Experience in events as an Arbiter, and previous behaviour or misbehaviour during chess events.
- Software skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills.
The Arbiters’ Commission started the procedure with releasing a Call of Interest for all International Arbiters and FIDE Arbiters who hold a valid FIDE arbiters’ license. The Call of Interest was opened for one month, from August 28th to September 27th, 2025. In total 152 Arbiters with IA-A and IA-B categories responded to the Call for Interest.
The panels were formed following the FIDE Regulations, particularly B.06.4 FIDE Regulations for the Appointment of Arbiters in World Events (effective July 20th, 2023) and selection criteria. These selection criteria were applied by a team of voting members, who used consensus as a decision- making method.
Each voting member received a list of 152 arbiters (arbiters Category A and B who participated in the Call of Interest for World Events 2026-2027) and voted for every other arbiter on it (on a scale of 130 points to 1 point). The second step was to consult all four Continental Organisations for their feedback, FIDE Global Strategy Commission, and FIDE Events Commission, before starting the composition of Panels by the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission Councillors. Voting members discussed the draft with the Team of Consultants so they will be able to present the final version of the List of arbiters for the green, blue, red, and yellow panels.
The Arbiters’ Commission believes that this list was made in the best interests of FIDE and arbiters worldwide. Moreover, we expect that its content and integrity will be proved over the following two years when these arbiters complete their duties at FIDE World Events.
Ivan Syrovy, ARB Chairman
Nebojsa Baralic, ARB Secretary