FIDE

FIDE, short for the International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation, is an international organization that helps connect chess clubs and competitions all around the world. It was started in Paris, France, in 1924 and is based in Switzerland today. FIDE makes sure that chess rules are the same everywhere and organizes big chess tournaments.

One of FIDE’s important jobs is to rank chess players and decide who can compete in major events. It also promotes chess in schools and communities, helping more people learn to play and enjoy the game. In 1999, FIDE was recognized by the International Olympic Committee, showing that chess is a valued sport.

Today, FIDE has 201 member federations of FIDE from countries all over the world. Its motto, Gens una sumus, means “We are one Family” in Latin, showing that it brings chess lovers together no matter where they live.

Role

FIDE's main job is to organize big chess events, like the World Chess Championship. This competition decides who is the World Chess Champion. FIDE also holds other championships for women, juniors, seniors, and people with disabilities. They also have events for faster games called rapid and blitz.

Another big event is the Chess Olympiad. This tournament is held every two years where teams from different countries play against each other. FIDE also organizes the World Team Championship for the best teams.

FIDE is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the top group for organizing chess worldwide. It sets the rules for how chess is played and for running international competitions. FIDE gives out special titles to players, like the Grandmaster title, and calculates player rankings using the Elo ratings system.

Regions

Regions of FIDE include groups from around the world.

Continental

1. European Chess Union (ECU) – 1985
2. Asian Chess Federation (ACF)
3. African Chess Confederation (ACC)
4. Confederation of Chess for Americas (CCA)
5. Oceania Chess Confederation (OCC)

Affiliated organizations

1. African Chess Confederation (ACC)
2. Arab Chess Federation (ACF)
3. ASEAN Chess Confederation
4. Asian Chess Federation
5. Balkan Chess Federation (BCF)
6. Chess Association of Black Sea Countries
7. Commonwealth Chess Association
8. Confederation of Chess for Americas (CCA)
9. European Chess Union (ECU)
10. Francophone Chess Association (AIDEF)
11. Iberoamerican Chess Federation (FIBDA)
12. International Braille Chess Association (IBCA)
13. International Chess Committee of the Deaf (ICCD)
14. International Computer Games Association (ICGA)
15. International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF)
16. International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA)
17. International School Chess Union
18. Isle of Man Chess Association *Affiliated member
19. Mediterranean Chess Association (MCA)
20. MITROPA Chess Association
21. New Caledonia Chess Federation (LENC) *Affiliated member
22. Oceania Chess Confederation (OCC)
23. Portuguese-speaking Federations Association
24. Small Nations Chess Association
25. South Asian Chess Council (SACC)
26. World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC)

Tournaments

FIDE organizes many important chess events around the world. Some of the biggest tournaments include the World Chess Championship, the Women's World Chess Championship, the Chess World Cup, the Women's Chess World Cup, the Chess Olympiad, the FIDE Grand Prix, and the World Amateur Chess Championship. These competitions bring together players from many countries to compete.

History

Foundation and early years (up to 1939)

In 1904, a French chess group tried to start an international chess organization. In 1914, Russia also tried, but World War I stopped these plans. After the war, more attempts were made to bring countries together for chess.

Players made rules for world championship matches in 1922. These rules explained how the matches would be played and how much money was needed.

In 1924, during a tournament in Paris, players officially started FIDE, the international chess federation. At first, FIDE didn’t have much power or money.

FIDE wanted to help manage the world championship and started organizing chess events called Olympiads, where teams from different countries compete.

1946 to 1993

After World War II, there was confusion about who should be the next world chess champion because the previous champion had passed away. FIDE worked with players and countries to create a new way to choose the champion. They made a system where players would compete in tournaments to earn the right to challenge the current champion.

There were some disagreements, especially with American player Bobby Fischer. He had issues with the rules of the tournaments, which caused some problems for FIDE.

FIDE also had conflicts with chess groups from the Soviet Union.

1993 to 2018

In the 1990s, there was a split in the world chess championship. Two different organizations claimed to have the world champion. This caused confusion until they later reunited.

In 1999, FIDE was recognized by the International Olympic Committee. This helped chess aim to become an Olympic sport.

FIDE made agreements with companies to help organize chess events, but there were some disputes over these agreements.

2018 to present

In 2018, a new leader was elected for FIDE after the previous leader left.

FIDE made statements about conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine, which affected where chess events could be held and who could participate.

FIDE also made decisions about how transgender players could compete in women’s tournaments, which led to different opinions from chess groups in various countries.

FIDE presidents

The International Chess Federation, called FIDE, has had many leaders since it started in 1924. Here are the leaders and the years they served:

• 1924–1939 Alexander Rueb from the Netherlands
• 1939–1946 Augusto De Muro from Argentina
• 1946–1949 Alexander Rueb from the Netherlands
• 1949–1970 Folke Rogard from Sweden
• 1970–1978 Max Euwe from the Netherlands
• 1978–1982 Friðrik Ólafsson from Iceland
• 1982–1995 Florencio Campomanes from the Philippines
• 1995–2018 Kirsan Ilyumzhinov from Russia
• 2018–present Arkady Dvorkovich from Russia

Publications

Here are some books about the rules of chess:

• Kazic, Bozidar; Keene, Raymond; Lim, Kok Ann (1985). The Official Laws of Chess. Batsford. ISBN 0-7134-4802-4.
• FIDE (2000). The Official Laws of Chess (2nd ed.). Macmillan. ISBN 0-02-028540-X.