FIDE

FIDE (the International Chess Federation) is the governing body of world chess, founded in 1924. It organizes the World Chess Championship cycle, maintains the official Elo rating system, awards titles from Candidate Master to Grandmaster, and oversees competitive play across over 200 member federations worldwide.

FIDE runs the most prestigious events in chess, including the Candidates Tournament and the World Championship match. The monthly FIDE rating list is the universal standard for measuring player strength. FIDE titles (FM, IM, GM, WFM, WIM, WGM) are lifetime achievements that carry significant weight in the chess community.

In 2026, FIDE declared the Year of Chess in Education, partnering with the International School Chess Federation to integrate chess into school curricula globally. Initiatives include the World Schools Team Championship League, global education conferences in India and Costa Rica, and a worldwide survey shaping FIDE's Educational Strategy for 2027-2030.