Georgian Chess Federation

♟️ About Georgian Chess Federation

The Georgian Chess Federation (საქართველოს ჭადრაკის ფედერაცია) is the national governing body for chess in Georgia, headquartered in Tbilisi. Georgian organized chess has institutional roots dating to 1936, and the modern federation represents the country within FIDE and the European Chess Union (ECU). It coordinates national championships, regional chess, player development, arbiters and trainers, national teams, youth programs, and the organization of major international events in Georgia. Georgia has an exceptional international chess tradition, particularly in women’s chess. Legendary World Champions Nona Gaprindashvili and Maia Chiburdanidze helped establish the country as a global chess power, while later generations have continued to achieve major international results. Today, the federation runs championships for elite players, juniors, seniors, rating categories, players with disabilities, rapid and blitz chess, while cities such as Tbilisi, Batumi, Poti, and Kutaisi regularly host national and international tournaments. Akaki Iashvili is the current President of the Georgian Chess Federation and also serves internationally as FIDE Special Tasks Director. Under the federation’s current leadership, Georgia remained exceptionally active in 2026. GM Baadur Jobava and GM Nino Batsiashvili became Georgian national champions in February, Batumi hosted the European Women’s Chess Championship from May 24 to June 6, and the federation continued its national youth, trainer, arbiter, and regional programs. Later in 2026, Batumi is also scheduled to host the FIDE World Cadet Championship for U8, U10, and U12 players from November 10–17.

🏛️ National Chess Structure

The Georgian Chess Federation coordinates chess activity across the country through regional organizations, chess schools, clubs, trainers, arbiters, and tournament organizers. Its calendar covers the Georgian Championships, youth championships from the youngest age groups upward, U20 competition, rating-category championships, senior chess, championships for players with disabilities, rapid and blitz events, and regional Opens. The federation also develops Georgia’s chess infrastructure. In the 2025–2026 period, this included national trainer forums, FIDE and International Arbiter seminars, licensing examinations, and work toward a more unified coaching methodology. This combination of elite competition and technical education allows the federation to support not only players, but also the coaches, arbiters, and organizers required for a strong national tournament system.

🏆 Georgian Championships 2026

The 85th Georgian Chess Championship and 83rd Georgian Women’s Chess Championship were held simultaneously in Tbilisi from January 27 to February 5, 2026. Both competitions used a 10-player round-robin format with classical time controls. GM Baadur Jobava won the Open Championship, securing his fifth Georgian national title. He finished ahead of Tornike Sanikidze, while Luka Kiladze took third place. The Women’s Championship was dominated by GM Nino Batsiashvili, who scored 7.5/9 and also claimed her fifth Georgian championship title. Lela Javakhishvili finished second on tiebreak ahead of Meri Arabidze. These championships remain the federation’s principal elite domestic events and form an important part of national-team selection and high-performance development.

🎓 Youth Chess and Development

Youth development is one of the federation’s most extensive areas of activity. The 2026 Georgian U20 Championships concluded in March with approximately 60 players from almost every region of Georgia. The nine-round competition also carried qualification significance, with the champions earning places in European youth competition. The federation additionally organizes national championships in younger age categories and maintains regional qualification events throughout the country. Georgia also continues to host major international junior tournaments. Batumi staged the FIDE World Cup for U8, U10, and U12 players in 2025, while another major global event, the 2026 FIDE World Cadet Championship, is scheduled for the city in November. Therefore, young Georgian players can progress from regional events to national championships and international competition within a highly developed tournament structure.

🌟 European Women’s Chess Championship 2026

One of the Georgian Chess Federation’s largest international projects in 2026 was the 26th European Women’s Individual Chess Championship, held in Batumi from May 24 to June 6. Approximately 170 players from 32 European federations entered the championship, including around 30 Georgian representatives. The tournament consisted of 11 Swiss-system rounds with a classical time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the remainder and a 30-second increment from move one. The total prize fund was €60,000, while the championship also served as part of the qualification pathway for the next FIDE Women’s World Cup. Ukrainian Anastasiia Hnatyshyn, only 15 years old, won the European title. The event continued Georgia’s long tradition of hosting major FIDE and ECU championships in Batumi.

🌍 International Chess in Georgia

Georgia is one of Europe’s most experienced hosts of major chess competitions. Over the years, the country has staged Olympiad-level events, World Cups, European championships, youth championships, and major international Opens. In 2025, Batumi also hosted the 40th ECU General Assembly, attended by representatives from 43 European chess federations. Akaki Iashvili welcomed delegates on behalf of the Georgian Chess Federation. The federation’s 2026 calendar additionally included established events such as the Batumi Municipality Cup, Poti International Chess Festival – Nana Aleksandria Cup, regional Opens, and competitions dedicated to major Georgian chess figures. This combination of national championships, international festivals, and world-level events reinforces Georgia’s continuing role as one of the major chess centers of the Caucasus and Europe.