FIDE Launches Early Registration for ChessMom 2026: Supporting Women Chess Players Who Are Mothers at the 46th Chess Olympiad

FIDE Launches Early Registration for ChessMom 2026: Empowering Women Chess Players Who Are Mothers

Last Updated: April 30, 2026, 10:45 IST

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity in the world of chess, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has opened early registration for the ChessMom 2026 program. This initiative, a collaboration with the Commission for Women’s Chess, is set to support professional women chess players who are also mothers, allowing them to compete at the prestigious 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan without having to be separated from their children.

What is ChessMom 2026?

First introduced during the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, ChessMom 2026 is designed to provide essential financial and logistical support to women chess players who are mothers. The program enables these players to travel and compete alongside their children and a caregiver, striking a balance between their professional commitments and motherhood.

Support Offered by the Program

ChessMom 2026 offers a comprehensive support system that includes travel assistance and accommodation arrangements. This initiative reflects a growing commitment within the chess community to make elite chess more accessible and inclusive for women, particularly those juggling the demands of motherhood.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to women players who are part of their national federation’s official delegation for the 46th Chess Olympiad. Notably, the eligibility criteria have been expanded for 2026, allowing mothers with children under two years of age to apply, a change from the previous limit of under one year.

How to Register

Interested players, federations, and community members are encouraged to complete the early registration form. This early registration process is crucial for organizers to gauge interest, share updates, and provide guidance as the official Olympiad regulations are finalized.

Required Information for Applicants

To register, applicants must prepare key details, including player credentials (name, FIDE ID, federation, citizenship), visa requirements, and information about their child and accompanying caregiver. A formal request letter from the player and confirmation from the national federation are also necessary.

Role of National Federations

National federations play a vital role in promoting the ChessMom program. Typically, delegations are allocated three rooms for accommodation. If a ChessMom participant is approved, her single room will be upgraded to a double room to accommodate her child and caregiver, without increasing the total number of rooms allocated.

As the chess community gears up for the 46th Chess Olympiad, the ChessMom initiative stands as a testament to FIDE’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where women can thrive both as players and as mothers.

For more information and to register, visit the official FIDE website.

First Published: April 30, 2026, 10:45 IST