The International Chess Federation has announced the second edition of its Continental Online Chess Championships for Prisoners, scheduled for May 2026 across four continents. This event continues the Chess for Freedom initiative, aiming to promote intellectual engagement and social reintegration through chess in correctional facilities. Registration is now open with no entry fee required.
The championships build on the success of the inaugural event held in May 2025, which united teams from correctional institutions worldwide in online competitions. That first edition highlighted chess's potential to foster connections and opportunities in challenging environments, serving as a regional complement to FIDE's intercontinental tournaments.
The 2026 edition will feature separate one-day competitions for Africa on May 12, the Americas on May 14, Europe on May 19, and Asia on May 21. All events will occur online via Chess.com, using round-robin or Swiss systems depending on participant numbers to ensure fair play. Matches will follow a rapid time control of 10 minutes per player plus a 5-second increment.
Participating correctional institutions and national federations can register one men's team, one women's team, and one juvenile team (for players under 20) per facility. Countries with national prison chess championships may enter additional teams. FIDE emphasizes security and integrity, with oversight from the organization and partners.
Winners of each continental championship will receive official titles and certificates, while all participants get recognition for their efforts. Institutions are encouraged to submit reports and photos, subject to local regulations, to showcase the program's impact.
Registration closes on May 1, 2026. Interested parties must complete an online form and confirm via email to Mikhail Korenman at mikhail.korenman@ccsheriff.org. A technical meeting via Zoom is planned for the week of May 5, 2026. This initiative underscores FIDE's dedication to using chess for inclusion and personal growth globally.
