The FIDE WOM Girls & Women Event – Tirana 2026 was held on 27–28 March 2026 at “Emin Duraku” School, Tirana, Albania, within the framework of the FIDE Women’s Commission Girls & Women Chess Marathon 2026 – Chess Women’s Day Celebration, on the occasion of the opening of the Albanian National Youth Chess Championship 2026. The championship gathered around 140 young participants in the age categories U6 to U18, providing an important platform to promote girls’ participation and visibility in chess.
The event aimed to:
- Encourage girls’ participation in chess
- Promote inclusion and visibility
- Create an inspiring and welcoming environment
- Support the long-term development of girls’ and women’s chess in Albania
The program included:
- Official Opening Ceremony
- “Girls Chess Wall – Our Voice” interactive activity
- Simultaneous exhibition with girls
- Closing Ceremony with certificates and awards
All planned activities were implemented successfully and received very positive engagement from the participants.
The event created a motivating and supportive atmosphere for girls and served as an important awareness and promotional activity within a major national youth chess championship.
At the conclusion of the event, participants received:
- Certificates of participation
- Symbolic gifts
- Books
These elements contributed to making the event a positive and memorable experience for the girls involved.
The Albanian Chess Federation is pleased to have contributed to the FIDE Women’s Commission Girls & Women Chess Marathon 2026 through the successful implementation of this event in Tirana.
The Federation remains committed to strengthening the participation of girls and women in chess and expresses its sincere appreciation to the FIDE Women’s Commission for its support.
Text prepared by: Albanian Chess Federation, Majlinda Pilinci
