👤 About the Organizer

Federación Colombiana de Ajedrez, commonly known as FECODAZ, is the national governing body for chess in Colombia. It represents Colombian chess within the International Chess Federation and coordinates the sport at national level. The federation operates as a private nonprofit sports organization that carries out public and social functions. Its legal personality was recognized through Resolution No. 1472 of 1973.

FECODAZ works through departmental chess leagues and other affiliated sports structures across Colombia. It establishes national regulations, manages official competitions, supports player registration, and coordinates national rating matters. In addition, the federation maintains official information for players, arbiters, coaches, organizers, and league administrators.

The federation’s headquarters are located in the Colombian Olympic Committee building in Bogotá. From there, its administration manages communications, resolutions, competition procedures, national registrations, and relationships with regional leagues. Its official digital services also allow players to check the validity of their FECODAZ membership cards and review eligibility for competitions.

José Gregorio Ramírez Fontalvo serves as president of FECODAZ. Colombia’s Ministry of Sport officially registered him in the position through Resolution No. 000486 of June 3, 2026. He leads an executive committee that also includes representatives responsible for finance, international affairs, administration, and the federation’s wider institutional work.

The executive committee’s 2025–2029 priorities include stronger training programs, wider participation among children and young people, and greater support for affiliated leagues. It also aims to expand international events in Colombia, develop arbiters and coaches, improve digital services, and promote chess as an educational and inclusive activity.

Specialist commissions support the federation’s operations. These include the Technical Commission, Arbiters Commission, Disciplinary Commission, communications team, and administrative personnel. Consequently, FECODAZ combines sporting governance with tournament administration, training, disciplinary oversight, ratings, and national development.

🏆 National Championships and International Chess

FECODAZ maintains Colombia’s official national chess competition program. Its calendar combines national championships, youth events, rapid and blitz tournaments, qualification competitions, international events, and national-team participation. The federation also coordinates tournament regulations and registration requirements with host leagues and local organizing teams.

The national program includes competitions for leading adult players. Important events include the Semifinal Nacional de Mayores and the Final Nacional de Mayores. These tournaments form part of the pathway toward Colombia’s national titles and international representation. Separate competitions also support women’s chess and other defined player categories.

Rapid and blitz chess form another important part of the annual program. The 2026 calendar includes separate national rapid and blitz championships for younger players and adults. Therefore, competitors can pursue national recognition across classical and faster time controls.

FECODAZ also supports Colombian participation in major international competitions. Its calendar covers events such as the Chess Olympiad, World Youth Championships, World Cadet Championships, World Junior Championship, World Amateur Championship, and regional championships across the Americas. The federation manages selection and registration procedures when players or teams represent Colombia officially.

In 2025, FECODAZ worked with FIDE to organize the FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad in Barranquilla. National federations from around the world entered mixed teams of boys and girls. The competition used a team Swiss system and brought an official global FIDE championship to Colombia.

The federation also promotes international tournaments held in Colombia. These events help local players face foreign opposition, pursue title norms, and gain experience without travelling abroad. Meanwhile, visiting players can compete within Colombia’s growing chess circuit.

Tournament administration increasingly uses digital tools. FECODAZ publishes an online calendar and validates player eligibility through its membership-card system. Its website also provides information about national and FIDE ratings, official arbiters, coaches, resolutions, and competition procedures.

The federation broadcasts selected events through Lichess. Recent coverage has included games from Colombian national youth championships and the American Continental Championship. These broadcasts give players, families, coaches, and chess supporters access to live games and downloadable tournament data.

🌱 Youth Chess, Training and National Development

Youth development remains one of FECODAZ’s principal responsibilities. The federation coordinates national championships for different age groups and supports qualification for continental and world youth competitions. Its tournament structure provides opportunities for both open and girls’ categories.

National youth competitions cover categories such as Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18. Young players can compete for national titles and earn the opportunity to represent Colombia abroad. Moreover, these events help departmental leagues identify talented players and monitor their competitive progress.

FECODAZ works with affiliated leagues to develop chess beyond the main national championships. Regional leagues organize local tournaments, training activities, circuits, and qualification events. The federation then connects these activities with national regulations, ratings, and selection procedures.

Training for arbiters and coaches also supports national development. FECODAZ maintains official registers for both groups. In addition, its commissions organize education, certification, and professional development activities. This structure helps tournaments apply consistent rules and gives developing players access to qualified instruction.

The federation also promotes fair play and participant welfare. Its institutional resources include fair-play guidance and a protocol for preventing violence. These measures support safer events and clearer responsibilities for organizers, officials, coaches, and affiliated organizations.

Digital development has become another important part of the federation’s work. Players can check their membership status, follow ratings, view national event information, and access live broadcasts online. Furthermore, the official calendar offers a centralized point for tournament information and registration validation.

FECODAZ also publishes Peón Ladino, its chess magazine. The publication shares federation news, tournament information, interviews, rankings, and material connected with Colombian chess. Therefore, the federation’s activities extend beyond competition management into communication, education, and the preservation of national chess activity.

Through national championships, international representation, youth pathways, training, digital services, and cooperation with regional leagues, FECODAZ supports chess throughout Colombia. Beginners can enter the sport through local structures. Meanwhile, advanced players can progress toward national titles, international events, and official representation of Colombia.