Chess Federation of Serbia

♟️ About Chess Federation of Serbia

Chess Federation of Serbia (Šahovski savez Srbije – ŠSS) is the national governing body for chess in Serbia. Founded on September 19, 1948, the federation is headquartered in Belgrade and represents Serbian chess within FIDE and the European Chess Union. It coordinates national championships, team leagues, rating administration, national teams, youth and school chess, arbiter development, tournament organization, and Serbia’s participation in major international competitions. The federation runs an extensive annual program for players of all ages and levels. Its principal events include the Serbian Individual Championships, the First League of Serbia, the Svetozar Gligorić Cup, youth championships, school competitions, senior events, rapid and blitz championships, and the international Serbia Open. Moreover, ŠSS has developed substantial experience in hosting major FIDE competitions in Serbia, particularly in Belgrade and Vrnjačka Banja. Andrija Jorgić is the current President of the Chess Federation of Serbia. Delegates elected him to a new four-year mandate in March 2026. His program emphasizes youth development, chess in schools, stronger support for Serbia’s national teams, and attracting further European and World Championships to the country. During 2026, the federation also opened its new ŠSS Chess Academy, organized the sixth Serbia Open, hosted a major FIDE World youth event, and continued preparations for the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships 2026.

📜 History and Serbian Chess

Šahovski savez Srbije was established on September 19, 1948. In September 2026, the federation officially celebrated 78 years of continuous activity. Serbia has a deep chess tradition associated with leading players, clubs, international tournaments, and generations of prominent grandmasters. One of its most celebrated historical figures is GM Svetozar Gligorić, whose name is now attached to the federation’s principal national cup competition. Over the decades, the federation has developed the national competition structure while also supporting Serbia’s participation in international chess. More recently, it has increased its emphasis on hosting international FIDE events and strengthening development programs for younger players.

🏆 National and International Competition

The Chess Federation of Serbia organizes the country’s principal individual and team championships. In June 2026, the 20th Serbian Individual Chess Championship took place in Senta. GM Bojan Maksimović won his first national title with 6.5/9. The federation also organizes the First League of Serbia for open and women’s teams, the Svetozar Gligorić Cup, national youth competitions, and other official championship events. The 2026 First League is scheduled for October 4–14 in Vrnjačka Banja. Internationally, Serbia remains highly competitive. The open national team won the bronze medal at the 2025 European Team Chess Championship in Batumi after defeating Azerbaijan 3–1 in the final round. As of September 2026, Serbia’s open and women’s national teams are competing at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The open squad includes Aleksej Sarana, Alexandr Predke, Aleksandar Inđić, Velimir Ivić, and Bojan Maksimović.

🎓 Youth, School Chess and the ŠSS Academy

Youth development is one of the federation’s principal priorities. ŠSS organizes national cadet and junior competitions, school championships, training camps, and international participation for Serbia’s strongest young players. In August 2026, the federation formally opened the Chess Federation of Serbia Academy at its Belgrade headquarters. The initial group consists of 18 talented players aged 8–18, who receive systematic training from leading Serbian coaches. GM Branko Damljanović was appointed Director of the Academy in July 2026. The program aims to create a structured development pathway for leading young prospects and prepare them for European and World youth championships. In addition, the federation has continued programs designed to strengthen chess in schools. Youth and school chess also form a major part of Andrija Jorgić’s current four-year development program.

🌍 Major FIDE Events and Serbia Open

Serbia has become an increasingly active host of major international chess competitions. In April 2026, Vrnjačka Banja hosted the FIDE World Cadet and Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships. Approximately 450 players from 40 national federations competed across U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18 categories. The competition included separate Open and Girls sections, as well as additional team and solving events. The federation’s flagship international open is the Serbia Open. The sixth edition took place in Belgrade in July 2026 and attracted around 550 players representing 38 national federations. The festival brings together grandmasters, international players, club competitors, juniors, and developing Serbian talents. Another major event is scheduled for later in the year. The FIDE World Senior Chess Championships 2026 will take place in Vrnjačka Banja from November 2–15. The championships will feature Open and Women’s sections in the 50+ and 65+ categories, with a total prize fund of €50,000.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

Andrija Jorgić received unanimous delegate support for a new four-year presidential mandate at the federation’s electoral assembly on March 3, 2026. Goran Vlajković serves as Vice President. Bojana Bejatović handles the federation’s central administrative work and is identified in the federation’s latest September 2026 communications as General Secretary. The federation’s Belgrade office manages general correspondence, tournament administration, ratings, public relations, national-team matters, and other organizational functions. Therefore, Bojana Bejatović is the most useful principal contact for general organizer enquiries.