FIDE Commission for Women's Chess

13/06/2026

✨This weekend marks an important step in bringing chess to one of the world's largest displaced communities.

Representatives of FIDE, the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess, and the Chess for Protection project are in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where a series of activities are taking place, including chess lessons and a chess tournament for children and young people in the Kutupalong refugee camp.

As part of the visit, FIDE Commission for Women's Chess Chair and Chess for Protection Project Lead Anastasia Sorokina is working together with UNHCR, Movement in Refuge, and local partners to explore the possibility of launching the next edition of Chess for Protection in Bangladesh. Commission member Monalisha Khamboo (Nepal) is also on site, training local tutors who will be able to introduce and teach chess to children in the community.

The coming days will bring further activities, including a visit by Deputy President of the FIDE Management Board Dana Reizniece and continued discussions on how chess can create meaningful educational and social opportunities for displaced children and families.

While many steps still lie ahead, every journey begins with a first move. We are proud to be working alongside UNHCR, Movement in Refuge, and our local partners to expand access to chess and create new opportunities for learning, connection, and hope through our game.

08/06/2026

During Norway Chess in Oslo, the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess, in cooperation with the Norwegian Chess Federation and Dronningbrigaden, organized two important initiatives to support the growth of women and girls in chess.

The Queen Gathering brought together girls and women for a weekend of training, learning, inspiration, and community, while the FIDE International Organizer Seminar helped develop future chess leaders and event organizers👏

Creating opportunities both on and off the board is essential for building a stronger, more inclusive chess community.

🤝A special thank you goes to Norway Chess and to Benedicte Westre Skog, COO of Norway Chess and a member of our Commission, for generously providing entry tickets to Norway Chess for the seminar participants.

The opportunity to experience one of the world’s premier chess events firsthand was both inspiring and educational. Participants were able to observe the organization of a top-level international tournament from behind the scenes, gaining valuable insights into event management and best practices that will support their own development as future chess organizers.

🔗Read more about these activities and their impact:
https://wom.fide.com/fide-wom-activities-in-oslo-promote-learning-leadership-and-community/

05/06/2026

♟️✨HISTORY MADE!

At just 15 years old, Ukraine’s Anastasiia Hnatyshyn has become the youngest-ever European Women’s Chess Champion! 🇺🇦🏆

Sabrina Vega Gutierrez from Spain and Olga Badelka from Austria completed the podium👏



Photos: European Chess Union

03/06/2026

Amazing opportunity for girls👏 Susan Polgar Foundation Girl’s Inivitational👏

Make sure to check the details in the original post♟️

2026 Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational

The 23rd Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational is here, bringing together the top young female players from all over the United States.

Important note: the event will be held online this year.

Dates:

● Main Event: Saturday, June 6 (6-round Swiss, 25+5)
● Playoff (Top 4): Sunday, June 7

Details:

● Platform: Chess.com
● $1,500 scholarship prize fund
● Winner earns a 2026 SPICE Cup entry

Eligibility: U.S. girls born Jan 1, 2007 or later

More information can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rfD_lS2UBQbyawJWQ37B99679D6FDWM4/view?usp=share_link

Even though the event is online this year, we are looking forward to another exciting and competitive championship!

03/06/2026

📣 Due to the tremendous interest in our previous seminars, the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess and FIDE Arbiters' Commission are expanding their educational offer with a new series of arbiter seminars in July, August, and September.

⚠️ Due to limited capacity and high demand, early registration is strongly recommended.

👉Learn more in our latest article: https://wom.fide.com/series-of-arbiter-seminars/

29/05/2026

A unique opportunity to learn from a World Champion ♟️✨

Top finishers of the Queens’ and Princesses’ sections of the 2026 Queens’ Online Chess Festival recently took part in exclusive online training sessions with former Women’s World Champion GM Antoaneta Stefanova!

During two interactive 45-minute lessons, participants had the chance to learn from Antoaneta’s own games, answer practical chess questions, and discuss topics ranging from improvement methods to the journey toward becoming a titled player.

We are very grateful to Antoaneta Stefanova for dedicating her time and experience to inspire and guide the next generation of girls and women in chess. Creating such meaningful opportunities remains one of the most important goals of the Queens’ Online Chess Festival, which this year reached a record 991 participants from around the world.

🔗Read more about the sessions and the festival’s continued impact on women’s chess: https://wom.fide.com/learning-from-a-world-champion-winners-of-the-queens-princesses-festival-meet-gm-antoaneta-stefanova/

25/05/2026

Norway Chess 2026 has officially begun! ♟️

With world-class lineups in both Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women, the event once again sets an important example for the chess world by offering equal prize funds and equal conditions for both tournaments👏👏 A strong statement about visibility and the future of women’s chess.

Who are you cheering for this year?



🔗Read more in our latest article https://wom.fide.com/norway-chess-kicks-off-with-equal-prize-fund-yet-again/

22/05/2026

We’re excited to see the return of the Women’s Chess Summer Program in Bayamón, Puerto Rico! ♟️🌸

♟️From June 9–25, girls and women will have the opportunity to learn and enjoy chess in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment - completely free of charge.

👏The program will be led by WCM Keyshla M. Vega Jiménez, member of the Puerto Rico Women’s Olympic Team, highlighting the importance of strong female role models in inspiring the next generation of players.

✨Initiatives like this help create more opportunities for women and girls in chess while building community and developing passion for the game.

We are happy to be supporting this amazing initiative!

🔗Read more in the full article:
https://wom.fide.com/womens-chess-summer-program-returns-to-puerto-rico/



FIDE América
Diversity Commission - FIDE America

21/05/2026

❗️LAST PLACES AVAILABLE at our IO Seminar in Oslo - including free places for women!

We invite you to join the FIDE International Organizer Seminar in Oslo, Norway, on 30–31 May 2026, organized by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess together with the Norwegian Chess Federation under the auspices of the FIDE Events Commission.

Learn about FIDE regulations, tournament organization, fair play, event management, ratings, titles, and more - with successful participants receiving an official EVE IO norm certificate.

✨ Free participation for the first 10 registered women as part of the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess initiative
📍 Oslo, Norway
🗓️ 30–31 May 2026

🔗Find out more about it on our website:
https://wom.fide.com/fide-io-seminar-to-be-held-in-oslo.../



FIDE - International Chess Federation
Norges Sjakkforbund

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers in our chess community and beyond! 🌸♟️

Today, we celebrate the love, strength and dedication of the women who support, inspire and guide the next generation 🩷

Through our ChessMom project, the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess continues to highlight and support Mothers in the chess community.

See more details in our official announcement:
https://wom.fide.com/chessmom-2026-registration-now-open/

Wishing all chess moms a beautiful day filled with joy and lovely moments with your families!💐