We are pleased to announce the successful organization of the FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar for Women, held as part of our ongoing commitment to support women in chess and to strengthen female representation and opportunity throughout the international chess community. The seminar was organized jointly by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM) and the Norwegian Chess Federation, in close cooperation with the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission, under the auspices of FIDE.
Remarkable Global Interest and Growing Demand
The response to the seminar was truly inspiring. With over 70 applications received from around the world, the level of interest clearly demonstrated both the growing demand for professional development opportunities for women arbiters and the global reach of this initiative. Unfortunately, due to capacity limitations, we were not able to accept all applicants on this occasion.
Encouraged by this strong interest, WOM is already planning to organize additional arbiters’ seminars around April and July 2026 (dates to be confirmed), continuing our commitment to creating more opportunities for women in chess officiating.
A Truly International Seminar
The seminar brought together 23 participants from 21 countries, reflecting the truly international scope of the initiative. Participants represented a wide geographical spread, including Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Lesotho; India, Malaysia, Korea, Nepal, Mongolia; Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Saint Lucia; Georgia, Portugal, Türkiye, Serbia, Germany; and Norway.
This diversity underlines the worldwide impact such programs can have. By increasing the number of qualified women arbiters across continents, we not only expand professional opportunities, but also help reshape the image of the chess world itself – one where women are visible, respected, and present at every level.
When girls see women officiating, leading, and shaping the game globally, they know that chess is a space where they belong.
Supporting women in chess – supporting women in life
The seminar also featured some truly inspiring and heart-warming moments. Two participants joined while balancing both their chess careers and motherhood, reminding us that supporting women in chess also means supporting women in life: Marjorie Bocangel (Peru) and Altanzul Namnandorj (Mongolia) attended the seminar with their young children. Their presence beautifully reflected the spirit of WOM’s ChessMom initiative – showing that with understanding, flexibility, and the right support, motherhood and professional development can go hand in hand.
High-Level Educational Programme
The seminar was delivered by a highly experienced and respected team of arbiters. The Lecturer was IA Nikolopoulos Panagiotis (Greece), FIDE Lecturer, supported by IA Delega Tomasz (Poland) as Assistant Lecturer within the Lecturer Training Programme. The role of Technical Organizer was carried out by IA Sorokina Anastasia (Australia), FIDE Lecturer, WOM Chair.
The programme covered a comprehensive range of topics essential for arbiters’ development, including the Laws of Chess, competition and title regulations, ratings, fair play, pairing systems, and the role of the Chief Arbiter. The seminar concluded with an examination, giving participants the opportunity to earn norms and progress toward FIDE Arbiter titles in accordance with FIDE regulations.
Appreciation and Acknowledgements
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess extends its sincere thanks to the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission for their cooperation and continued support, and to the Norwegian Chess Federation for their strong partnership and commitment as co-organizers of this seminar.
We also warmly thank all participants for their dedication, engagement, and enthusiasm throughout the seminar. Their motivation is a powerful reminder of the importance of continued investment in women’s education and leadership within chess.
Last but not least, we would like to express our special gratitude to WOM Commission member Yılmaz Kartal for his invaluable support during the seminar. His efforts in ensuring that everything ran smoothly, along with his assistance in providing photos and documentation, were instrumental to the success of the event.
Through initiatives like this seminar, the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess continues to work toward a more inclusive and representative chess world – one where women and girls everywhere can see clear pathways to participation, leadership, and success.
