FIDE to Hold 2026 Congress in Samarkand

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The International Chess Federation, FIDE, has announced that its Congress will be held in Samarkand from 20 to 27 September 2026. The organization’s General Assembly, during which elections for governing bodies will be finalized, is scheduled for 26-27 September.

According to FIDE, participants are advised to reserve the dates in advance. Elections for key leadership positions within the organization will be held during the Congress in accordance with established nomination deadlines.

Candidates for president and deputy president running on a joint ticket must submit applications no later than 26 July 2026, by 18:00 Central European Time. For the positions of elected vice president and zonal president, the submission deadline is 26 August 2026, by 18:00 CET.

FIDE stated that applications must be sent to the organization’s official email address. Electronic and scanned signatures will be accepted provided their authenticity can be verified. Nomination forms must also include letters of support from national chess federations prepared in accordance with established procedures.

The organization has set specific endorsement requirements for candidates. Presidential candidates must secure support from at least five national federations representing a minimum of four continents, while the total number of supporting federations may not exceed eight. Candidates for elected vice president must receive backing from at least three national federations. Each federation may support only one presidential ticket and one candidate for each position.

FIDE also emphasized that election campaigning is permitted only within the framework of electoral regulations and during the officially established campaign period, which begins three months before the elections. Campaigning includes any activities aimed at increasing candidate visibility, including promotional and organizational events.

The federation added that brief candidate statements along with their full names will be published in the official Congress materials.