FIDE announces .chess domains and 2026 development budget

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and its commercial partner, World Chess, are launching .chess domains to provide a dedicated and trusted internet identifier for the global chess community. National federations will receive specific domains, while clubs, academies, and players can register names to establish an official online presence. The technical backend for these domains will be provided by ICANN Registered Service Provider.

In a separate strategic move, FIDE has approved its 2026 development budget, which includes a €400,000 allocation specifically for National Chess Federations. This funding will be distributed via the FIDE Development Index (FDI) to support capacity building, grassroots development, and governance digitalization. The broader budget also includes €540,000 for educational projects and a €2 million travel subsidy pool for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.