♟️ About Fédération Togolaise des Échecs

Fédération Togolaise des Échecs (FTDE) is the national chess federation of Togo. Its mission includes developing chess clubs, supporting chess education and organizing competitive events. The federation brings together a growing network of local players and clubs across the country. Furthermore, it represents Togo in international chess activities and publishes official tournament information. Through its website, FTDE documents national championships, training initiatives and upcoming events. Its homepage reports more than 28 clubs and a community of over 350 players. It also celebrates the results of its 2025 national championship in Kpalimé. These activities reflect the federation's continuing work across competitive and community chess. In December 2026, FTDE will collaborate with the Association Internationale des Échecs Francophones (AIDEF) to stage the 12th Rencontres Internationales des Échecs Francophones (RIDEF) in Lomé. The gathering combines a nine-round classical championship, an eleven-round blitz championship and official FIDE training seminars. As a result, the event brings together players, arbiters and educators from the wider Francophone chess community.

🏛️ National Federation and Chess Development

The federation promotes chess through club activity, instructor training and national tournaments. Its official website explains this work as a combination of chess education, club creation and organized competition. Additionally, the organization makes information about its programs available to players across Togo. FTDE's work has included structured reporting to FIDE. In its development reports, the federation described its tournament activity, media communication and support for emerging players. Such reporting provides an independent record of its connection to the international chess-development network. Moreover, these documents distinguish the federation's national role from the activities of individual clubs.

🏆 National Championships and Leading Players

The federation's 2025 national championships took place in Kpalimé. According to its official website, Yakini Tchouka won the men's national title with 8.5 points from nine games. Meanwhile, Afi Gracia Adjessi won the women's championship with 7.5 points. FTDE highlights these results as examples of high-level chess achievement in Togo. The national federation also organizes competitive pathways for players seeking international experience. In April and May 2026, it hosted the Zone 4.2 Individual Chess Championships in Lomé. Its event notices outlined qualification conditions for Togolese players, entry payments and official contact channels. Therefore, the federation's program connects national champions with continental opportunities.

🌍 12th RIDEF in Lomé

The 12th RIDEF takes place in Lomé from December 18 to 28, 2026, including arrival, training and departure activities. Its classical championship runs from December 19 to 26, followed by an eleven-round blitz event on December 27. The official venue is Hôtel École Lébénè on Avenue du Général de Gaulle. FTDE acts as the Togolese organizing partner alongside AIDEF. The championship offers a combined guaranteed prize fund of €11,200, divided between €9,000 for classical chess and €2,200 for blitz. The program recognizes overall, women's, senior and veteran achievements. It also includes chess-education and arbiter-training seminars. Consequently, the event combines competition with professional development for officials and teachers.

🎓 Training, Arbiters and Chess Education

Chess education forms a visible part of FTDE's mission. The federation's website promotes training programs and community chess development. In addition, its cooperation on the 2026 RIDEF brings official FIDE education activities to Lomé. RIDEF's education program includes a FIDE arbiters' seminar led by International Arbiter Laurent Freyd on December 16–18. A separate FIDE School Instructor course runs from December 20 to 24 under Denis Lemouton. These sessions help build expertise in tournament management and teaching chess to children.

🤝 International Cooperation and Francophone Chess

FTDE works with international chess bodies to host events in Togo. Its partnership with AIDEF for the 2026 RIDEF brings the Francophone championship series to the country for the first time. The competition follows earlier editions in Yamoussoukro, Québec and Marrakech. Thus, Lomé joins a sequence of host cities across several continents. The RIDEF program welcomes eligible participants from AIDEF member federations and from countries or governments belonging to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Moreover, its organizers plan to support participation by representatives from multiple countries. This approach gives the Togo federation an international role beyond domestic tournament administration.

📍 Lomé and Tournament Infrastructure

Lomé, Togo's capital, hosts national and international chess events organized by the federation. For the 2026 RIDEF, the chosen venue is Hôtel École Lébénè in the administrative quarter. The same hotel previously hosted the Zone 4.2 championship activities in 2026. Accordingly, it has an established association with official chess competition in the city. The federation publishes event information through ftde.org. It also maintains an officially documented Facebook page and Facebook group for communication with its chess community. These channels provide additional ways for players, clubs and interested visitors to follow organized chess in Togo.