Tunisian Chess Federation

♟️ About Fédération Tunisienne des Échecs

The Fédération Tunisienne des Échecs (FTE), or Tunisian Chess Federation, is the national governing body for chess in Tunisia. Founded in 1957, the federation has represented Tunisia within FIDE since 1958. It regulates competitive chess nationally through affiliated clubs, official championships, player licensing and ratings, national teams, arbiters, trainers, and tournament administration. The federation is headquartered in the El Menzah area of Tunis. FTE oversees individual and team competition across classical, rapid, and blitz chess. Its program covers national championships, the National A and National B team leagues, regional Honor divisions, youth and junior competitions, women’s chess, senior events, and qualification tournaments. In addition, the federation registers FIDE-rated competitions and supports Tunisian players representing the country at African, Arab, Mediterranean, Francophone, and international events. Sofien Majdoub is the current President of the Tunisian Chess Federation. FIDE continued to identify Majdoub as Tunisia’s federation president and delegate during the 2025 Congress cycle. The federation has maintained a busy 2026 domestic calendar, while it is also supporting the Sahel International Chess Festival 2026, scheduled for October 24–November 1 in Monastir.

📜 History and Development

Competitive chess in Tunisia has roots extending well before the creation of the national federation. Organized clubs and local championships were already active during the first half of the 20th century, particularly in Tunis, Sousse, and La Goulette. The Fédération Tunisienne des Échecs was established in 1957, shortly after Tunisian independence. Tunisia joined FIDE in 1958, giving the federation responsibility for representing the country within the international chess structure. Over subsequent decades, Tunisia produced internationally recognized players, including GM Slim Bouaziz and GM Slim Belkhodja, while the federation developed national championships and club competitions across the country. Tunisia has also hosted African, Arab, Francophone, and FIDE events, together with seminars for arbiters and trainers.

🏆 National Championships and Team Chess

The federation administers a multi-level national club system. During 2026, its competition program included the Tunisian Team Chess Championship National A and National B, together with Honor competitions in different regions. The 2026 National A Championship featured 12 teams. Club d’Échecs Sfaxien finished first with 21 match points and 37 game points, ahead of Cavalier Temimien des Échecs and Association Sportif El Hezeg. Therefore, the competition again brought together clubs from several parts of Tunisia within the federation’s top national team division. FTE also oversees individual championships in standard, rapid, and blitz chess. Moreover, its national calendar includes qualifying competitions and regional championships that allow players and clubs to progress through the Tunisian competitive structure.

🎓 Youth Chess and Player Development

Youth chess forms an important part of the federation’s activity. FTE supervises championships for children, juniors, and school-age players while supporting clubs that provide regular instruction and competitive opportunities throughout Tunisia. The 2026 calendar included national individual competitions for younger age categories, public children’s club championships, U16 events, and other junior tournaments. These competitions complement Tunisia’s club-based training structure and provide young players with opportunities to establish national and FIDE ratings. The federation also supports technical development beyond playing competition. Over the years, Tunisia has hosted FIDE Arbiter and Trainer seminars, helping develop qualified officials and coaches who can support domestic tournaments and international events.

🌍 International Tournament Activity

FTE works with local chess associations and tournament organizers to bring international competition to Tunisia. One of its principal current projects is the Sahel International Chess Festival 2026, which will take place from October 24 to November 1, 2026 at Hotel El Habib in Monastir. The festival is being developed with Association Le Carré Royal de Ksibet El Mediouni, which handles much of the operational organization. Meanwhile, the Tunisian Chess Federation provides the national institutional framework and supports international communication and FIDE-related coordination. The program includes several classical rating groups, youth and senior competition, blitz chess, and opportunities for titled and ambitious players. The main classical tournaments use nine rounds, while the published festival prize fund totals €8,000.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

Sofien Majdoub currently leads the Fédération Tunisienne des Échecs as President. He is also an experienced chess official and International Arbiter. The federation coordinates chess nationally through its governing structure, technical commissions, regional organizations, affiliated clubs, arbiters, and tournament officials. Consequently, it serves as the principal link between Tunisia’s domestic chess community and FIDE. Its responsibilities include national competition administration, international representation, ratings and tournament registration, national-team participation, technical development, and cooperation with organizers staging FIDE-rated events in Tunisia.