What Is ChessMom 2026? Everything You Need To Know About FIDE's Initiative For 46th Chess Olympiad

Last Updated:April 30, 2026, 10:45 IST

FIDE opens early registration for ChessMom 2026, offering financial and logistical support so women chess players who are mothers can compete at the 46th Chess Olympiad.

FIDE and the organisation’s Commission for Women’s Chess have come together for ‘ChessMom’ for its second iteration after its debut at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

The programme provides financial and logistical support to professional women chess players who are mothers, allowing them to compete at the highest level alongside their children and a caregiver.

What Exactly Is ChessMom 2026?

The global chess body FIDE, together with its Commission for Women’s Chess, has opened early registration for the ChessMom 2026 programme. First introduced during the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, this initiative is designed to support professional women chess players who are also mothers, enabling them to compete at the highest level without having to be separated from their children.

What Support Does the Programme Offer?

ChessMom provides both financial and logistical support. Selected players can travel and participate in the Olympiad together with their child and a caregiver, helping them balance professional commitments with motherhood. The initiative reflects a growing effort to make elite chess more inclusive and accessible.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to women players who are part of their national federation’s official delegation for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. For the 2026 edition, eligibility has been expanded: mothers with children under two years of age can now apply, compared with the under-one limit in 2024.

How To Register?

Players, federations, and community members are encouraged to complete the early registration form. Early registration helps organisers identify interested participants, share timely updates once the official Olympiad regulations are released, and provide guidance throughout the application process.

What Information Is Required?

Applicants and federations need to prepare key details, including player credentials (name, FIDE ID, federation, citizenship), visa requirements, the child’s details, and information about the accompanying caregiver. A formal request letter from the player and confirmation from the national federation are also required.

Information For Federations

National federations play a crucial role in promoting the programme. Typically, delegations receive three rooms for accommodation. If a ChessMom participant is approved, her single room is upgraded to a double room to accommodate the child and caregiver — without increasing the total number of rooms allocated.

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