Liaocheng Organizing Committee

♟️ About the Liaocheng Organizing Committee

Liaocheng Organizing Committee is the local operational body responsible for preparing and delivering the 2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports in Liaocheng, Shandong Province, China. The championship brings international university athletes together for chess and bridge competition from October 11–16, 2026. The Organizing Committee works within the event structure established by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the China Student Sports Federation, and the People’s Government of Liaocheng. Moreover, it cooperates with the Chinese Chess Association, Chinese Bridge Association, and China Anti-Doping Agency on technical and sporting requirements. Unlike a permanent chess club or federation, the Liaocheng Organizing Committee exists specifically to coordinate this international championship. Its responsibilities include competition operations, delegation services, accommodation, transport, accreditation, ceremonies, medical support, information services, volunteers, and communication with participating national university sports federations.

🏆 2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports

The committee’s principal responsibility is the 2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports, one of FISU’s official World University Championship events. The championship takes place in Liaocheng and combines international chess and bridge within one university-sport festival. Eligible competitors represent their countries through recognized national university sports federations. The chess program includes separate men’s and women’s individual championships, a mixed-team classification, and blitz competition. Moreover, the classical competition runs over nine rounds and brings together leading university chess players from participating nations. FISU provides the international regulatory framework, eligibility requirements, accreditation system, and championship standards. Meanwhile, the Liaocheng Organizing Committee manages the event’s day-to-day delivery in China.

♟️ Chess Competition and Technical Cooperation

The Organizing Committee works closely with the Chinese Chess Association on the chess component of the championship. This cooperation covers competition preparation, technical requirements, playing conditions, equipment, arbitral operations, and coordination with FISU’s chess representatives. The committee also works with the Chinese Bridge Association on the parallel bridge championship. Preparations began well before the competition year. In June 2025, a FISU delegation visited Liaocheng to inspect the city’s chess facilities and assess preparations for the championship. The delegation included FISU Competition Coordinator Paulo Sivieri, FISU Chess Technical Committee Chair Lukasz Turlej, and FISU Bridge Technical Committee Chair Geert Magerman. During the visit, local organizers presented Liaocheng’s chess-development programs and tournament infrastructure. Further coordination continued during 2026. In March, representatives of FISU, the China Student Sports Federation, Liaocheng education and sports authorities, and the Liaocheng Chess Association held another preparation meeting to review progress and coordinate the next stages of organization.

🏨 Venue and Delegation Services

The championship takes place at the Arcadia International Hot Spring Hotel in Liaocheng. The hotel serves as both the competition venue and the main accommodation base for delegations. Therefore, athletes and officials can access playing halls, accommodation, meals, information services, and event support within one coordinated complex. The Organizing Committee manages local transport for accredited delegations during the official event period. It also coordinates designated transfers from Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport and Jinan West Railway Station. In addition, the committee assists delegations with arrival information, accommodation arrangements, accreditation, visa-support documentation, and official invitation procedures. An Information Desk operates during the championship to support athletes, team officials, and other accredited participants.

🌍 International University Sport

The Liaocheng championship forms part of the global FISU World University Championships program. These championships allow student-athletes to represent their countries while continuing their university education. Consequently, the event combines high-level sporting competition with academic identity, cultural exchange, and international cooperation. The Liaocheng Organizing Committee acts as the primary local connection between FISU, the China Student Sports Federation, national delegations, technical sports organizations, Liaocheng authorities, and the official venue. The committee also coordinates ceremonies, volunteer services, cultural activities, media operations, and host-city presentation. Through these activities, Liaocheng aims to introduce visiting university athletes to both Chinese culture and the city’s established interest in mind sports.

🌱 Chess Development in Liaocheng

Liaocheng has developed a particularly strong chess environment, especially in the Dongchangfu District. Local authorities and the Liaocheng Chess Association have invested substantially in school chess and junior development. Hundreds of schools in the city have introduced chess-related activities, while several schools and kindergartens have received national recognition for their chess programs. The city also operates a dedicated Liaocheng Chess Training Base, which FISU representatives inspected during their 2025 preparation visit. In May 2025, Liaocheng launched a public promotional program for the championship under the theme “Mind Sports in the Water City, Connecting the World Through Intelligence.” Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and FIDE Vice President Xie Jun participated in the program. These initiatives connect the university championship with Liaocheng’s broader effort to develop chess participation among children, students, families, and local players.

🤝 Event Preparation and Coordination

The Organizing Committee brings together several levels of international, national, and local administration. The China Student Sports Federation and People’s Government of Liaocheng serve as co-hosts. FISU provides international supervision and championship standards, while specialist sporting organizations support the technical competitions. Local education and sports authorities, the Liaocheng Chess Association, venue personnel, volunteers, medical teams, transport providers, and other operational partners support event delivery. Wang Jie, Secretary General of the Liaocheng Chess Association, has represented the local organizing structure during FISU preparation meetings and has played an active role in presenting Liaocheng’s chess development and championship preparations. Meanwhile, Wendy Yao serves as the publicly designated Organizing Committee contact for participating delegations and general organizational assistance.