A new era for chess on the international sports stage
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) was officially admitted as a member of the International World Games Association (IWGA) following the vote held in Lausanne on April 25, 2026. The decision, taken during the Annual General Meeting at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne—one of the symbolic capitals of global sports diplomacy—shows that chess is being regarded not only as a mind sport, but also as a lasting and institutional part of the wider international sports ecosystem. After the review of FIDE’s application, the approval also raised the number of IWGA member federations to 40.
This development is widely seen as an important step in the diversification of The World Games movement. By bringing chess into its structure, the IWGA—known for gathering globally established sports that are not part of the Olympic programme—has offered concrete proof that mind sports are gaining greater visibility in international sports governance. FIDE’s long-established organisational framework, intercontinental tournament network, title system, and vast global community of licensed and active players make this membership much more than a routine administrative decision. With its unique blend of strategy, calculation, discipline, and creativity, chess continues to build a distinctive place alongside traditional athletic disciplines.
IWGA CEO Joachim Gossow welcomed the decision by underlining that chess is among the most widely practised and recognised disciplines in the world. A key point in his remarks was the IWGA’s willingness to embrace not only physically driven sports, but also disciplines that demand intense mental performance. That perspective is especially meaningful in the context of chess’s long-standing quest for broader sporting recognition. At the elite level today, chess requires a sophisticated preparation process, opening repertoire work, middlegame planning, endgame technique, and psychological resilience—qualities that give it a much stronger standing within the modern definition of sport.
From FIDE’s perspective, this membership does more than expand its institutional representation; it may also pave the way for chess to gain greater visibility in future multi-sport international events. In recent years, the game has reached new audiences through rapid chess, blitz chess, and online competitive formats, and it is now finding a stronger voice within sports governance platforms as well. Built around values such as fair play, excellence, international exchange, and universality, this new chapter shows that chess is increasing its influence not only on the 64 squares, but also within the politics of global sport. In short, the decision taken in Lausanne stands as a diplomatic success for FIDE and a historically significant milestone for the chess world.