Montenegro Chess Federation

♟️ About the Montenegro Chess Federation

The Montenegro Chess Federation, officially known in Montenegrin as Šahovski savez Crne Gore, is the national governing body for chess in Montenegro. Founded on February 6, 1949, the federation coordinates organized chess throughout the country and represents Montenegro within FIDE and the European Chess Union. It brings together affiliated clubs, registered players, arbiters, trainers, tournament organizers, national teams, and regional chess communities. Moreover, the federation establishes national competition regulations, manages player registration and ratings, supports chess education, and promotes the game among children, juniors, adults, women, and senior players. Jovan Milović serves as president and represents the federation in its national and international activities.

🏆 National Competitions and Player Development

The federation manages an extensive annual program of individual and team competitions. Its principal events include the Montenegro Individual Championship, Montenegro Women’s Championship, Premier League, First and Second Leagues, Women’s League, Youth Championships, Team Cup, rapid championships, and blitz championships. In addition, it organizes regional youth qualification events and supports tournaments delivered by affiliated clubs across Podgorica, Budva, Cetinje, Nikšić, Petrovac, Herceg Novi, and other Montenegrin cities. The federation also selects and supports national teams for Chess Olympiads, European championships, youth events, senior competitions, and other official international tournaments. Through its arbiter, trainer, scholarship, and national-team programs, it provides a structured pathway from school chess to elite international competition.

🌍 International Tournament Organization

Montenegro has developed into an important destination for major international chess events. The Montenegro Chess Federation has organized or hosted world, European, Mediterranean, junior, youth, senior, team, and open championships. Its recent international portfolio includes the FIDE World Junior Championship, European Team Championship, European Individual Championship, European Junior Championship, European Club Cups, and the Montenegro Open. The federation is the principal operational organizer of the Montenegro Open, Mediterranean Open and Women Championships 2026 in Budva. It manages registration, tournament sections, schedules, prizes, technical operations, accommodation arrangements, participant communication, and cooperation with arbiters and international chess bodies. The Mediterranean Chess Association provides the regional championship framework, while the Ministry of Sports and the Municipality of Budva support the event institutionally.