A Grandmaster Park: David Smerdon Honoured in His Hometown
There’s a brand-new reason for the chess world to smile – and it comes with swings, greenery, and a very special name. We’re thrilled to share that a park in Robertson, Australia, has officially been renamed David Smerdon Park, in honour of Grandmaster David Smerdon. This is no ordinary tribute – after all, it’s not […]
Queens Weekend: A Royal Gathering for Women and Girls Sparks Inspiration at Norway Chess
The vibrant chess scene in Norway witnessed an inspiring gathering of 30 women and girls for the “Dronningsamling” or “Queens Weekend”. Organised by the Norwegiajn Chess Federation during the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, this important initiative, aimed to empower and encourage female participation in the chess world. Our Commission is a proud partner of this […]
Special Edition of the IA Seminar for WOMEN only
Dear FA women arbiters, According to the FIDE Regulations for the training of chess arbiters, starting from January 1st 2024, each application for IA arbiter requires one norm from IA Seminar. The duration of the IA Seminar shall be a minimum of sixteen (16) hours. Considering the great interest in IA Certification Seminars, we are pleased […]
Balancing moves and motherhood: ChessMom initiative continues
On the occasion of Mother’s Day, FIDE and the Women’s Commission express appreciation for the many women who contribute to the chess world while also raising families. Balancing the responsibilities of motherhood with a professional chess career is no easy task, and we acknowledge the dedication, strength, and perseverance of these remarkable players. In this […]
FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series will reach its final in Austria!
The FIDE Women’s Grand Prix (WGP) 2024–2025 is reaching its thrilling conclusion, with the final leg set to commence in Grosslobming, Austria, from May 5 to 16. This prestigious series has showcased the pinnacle of women’s chess, featuring six tournaments across the globe and offering a substantial prize fund of €600,000. More importantly, it serves […]
Training with Champions – A Unique Reward for Queens’ Festival Top Finishers
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess is thrilled to offer an extraordinary opportunity for the rising stars of the Queens’ Online Chess Festival 2025 and the Princesses’ sections – lessons with Champions – GM Vaishali Rameshbabu and IM Alina Kashlinskaya. The Top 10 players from each of the 6 qualification tournaments — 4 continental Queens’ […]
Ju Wenjun continues her reign!
In April, the chess world witnessed a historic moment as China’s Ju Wenjun clinched her fifth Women’s World Chess Championship title, defeating compatriot Tan Zhongyi with a commanding 6.5–2.5. This victory not only solidified Ju’s legacy as one of the game’s greats but also underscored China’s continued dominance in women’s chess. A Rivalry Revisited The […]
Women’s World Chess Championship Match
The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship is currently underway in China, featuring a highly anticipated rematch between reigning champion Ju Wenjun and challenger Tan Zhongyi. The match is scheduled from April 1 to April 23, 2025, and is being hosted across two cities: Shanghai, Ju Wenjun’s hometown, and Chongqing, Tan Zhongyi’s hometown. Match […]
Queen’s Gambit Challenge has launched!
The Queen’s Gambit Challenge is a new global initiative led by FIDE and the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, designed to empower female players and support national federations in building strong women’s chess teams. Running from April 2025 to April 2026, the program focuses on federations with limited female participation, offering a structured curriculum tailored […]
Queens’ Online Chess Festival 2025: Celebrating the Winners
The Queens’ Online Chess Festival 2025 once again united female chess players from across the globe in an exciting month-long celebration of competition, talent, and empowerment. Held throughout March—Women’s Month—the Festival highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for women and girls to play and succeed in chess. The event featured two main competitions: the Queens’ […]