The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess was pleased to co-organise the DGT Board Operator Certification Seminar, which took place on 3–4 January 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden, alongside the prestigious and long-standing Rilton Cup. Hosted at the Scandic Continental Hotel, the seminar unfolded in a vibrant chess atmosphere, with participants surrounded by one of Scandinavia’s most traditional international tournaments.
The seminar was organised by DGT (Digital Game Technology) in cooperation with the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, the Stockholm Chess Federation, and the Rilton Cup organisers, highlighting once again the strong and growing partnership between DGT and the Commission. DGT’s continued support of initiatives aimed at education, technology, and inclusion in chess plays an important role in expanding professional opportunities within the chess ecosystem.
A total of 26 participants took part in the seminar, representing eight countries: Sweden, Mexico, Latvia, Denmark, Iceland, Romania, Portugal, and Slovenia. Particularly encouraging was the strong female participation, with 14 women and 12 men attending. This outcome reflects the Commission’s ongoing commitment to improving gender balance in technical and professional chess roles, including arbiting, tournament operations, and chess broadcasting.
As part of this commitment, the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess fully waived the participation fees for all female attendees, ensuring access to high-level technical education and supporting women’s representation in areas of chess that remain traditionally male-dominated. Creating such opportunities is a key part of the Commission’s broader mission to promote equality, visibility, and sustainable involvement of women at all levels of the game.
The seminar was led by International Arbiter (Category A) Sotiris Logothetis, who delivered a high-quality, hands-on programme focused on modern chess technology and event operations. Participants received practical training on the use of DGT e-Boards and e-Pieces, event setup through DGT LiveChess, live game broadcasting, troubleshooting, and integration with major online platforms such as Chess.com and Lichess. The overall level of engagement and expertise throughout the seminar was excellent, contributing to a productive and interactive learning environment.
Upon successful completion, participants received official DGT Board Operator certification, an internationally recognised qualification that supports professional involvement in modern chess tournaments and digital broadcasting.
The Commission is also pleased to underline that DGT is a key partner and sponsor of the Pia Cramling Cup, held during the Rilton Cup, further demonstrating shared values in supporting girls and women in chess through concrete actions.
We extend our sincere thanks to DGT, the Stockholm Chess Federation, and the Rilton Cup organisers for their cooperation and dedication in making this seminar possible. We also warmly thank International Arbiter Sotiris Logothetis for his high-level instruction and practical approach throughout the programme.
Special appreciation goes to all participants, whose engaged participation, professionalism, and positive attitude created a welcoming and productive learning environment over the two days.
The Commission looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with DGT and its partners through future educational initiatives that expand professional opportunities, strengthen technical expertise, and support balanced representation in chess worldwide.
To learn more about DGT and their work in chess technology, visit dgt.nl.
