The International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation, commonly referred to by its French acronym FIDE, is an international organization based in Switzerland that connects the various national chess federations and acts as the governing body of international chess competition.
FIDE was founded in Paris, France, on July 20, 1924. FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne (Switzerland).
Its motto is Gens una sumus, Latin for ‘We are one Family’.
In 1999, FIDE was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
It was one of the very first International Sports Federations, alongside the governing bodies of the sports of Football, Cricket, Swimming, and Auto Racing.
As of December 21, 2023, there are 201 member federations of FIDE.
FIDE World Cup:
The FIDE World Cup, established in 2000 by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), encompasses various iterations.
Since 2005, it’s been a 128-player single-elimination chess tournament, a vital part of the World Chess Championship qualification.
The format includes 7 rounds of “mini-matches” with 2 games each, followed by rapid and blitz tiebreaks if needed. The final consists of 4 games before tiebreaks.
Candidates Tournament:
It has been organized by FIDE since 1950 and determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship.
It is the second most important tournament in the World Championship cycle, as the winner of the Candidates Tournament plays the reigning world champion in the championship match.
It is the final contest to determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship.
Historically held triennially until 1992, since 2013, it follows a 2-year cycle.
World Chess Championship:
It determines the World Champion in chess.
Ding Liren (China) won the 2023 championship, defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi, while Magnus Carlsen opted not to defend his title.
FIDE Grand Swiss Open:
The FIDE Grand Swiss Open is a chess tournament that is part of the qualification for the World Championship cycle.
The FIDE Grand Swiss and FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2023 was held at the Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man.
It was an 11-round Swiss-system tournament with 114 players competing from 25 October to 5 November 2023 in the Isle of Man.
The top two players in the open event will qualify for the 2024 Candidates Tournament, which will determine the challenger for the World Champion.
The total prize fund is USD 600,000, with USD 460,000 for the Grand Swiss and USD 140,000 for the Women’s Grand Swiss.
The first Grand Swiss was held in 2019 in the Isle of Man.
