Press release by FIDE
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess is delighted to announce the inaugural Pia Cramling Cup, a new tournament for girls and women established in collaboration with Pia Cramling and the Stockholm Chess Federation. The competition will be held during the historic Rilton Cup. One of the event’s sponsors is DGT, the company that brings the best and most innovative chess products to players around the world.
Taking place on January 2, 2026, at the Scandic Continental in Stockholm, the event marks a truly special milestone – not just as a new competition, but as a celebration of one of the most iconic figures in women’s chess: Pia Cramling.
A former world number one, a pioneer of women’s competitive chess, and one of the strongest female players in history, Pia Cramling has devoted her life to excellence at the board. Today, she continues her legacy in a new dimension: investing in the future of talent. The Pia Cramling Cup stands as a testament to her belief in supporting young and emerging female players – offering them a platform, visibility, and the inspiration to strive for greatness. The presence and personal involvement of Pia Cramling send a powerful message to every girl entering the playing hall: you can become a champion too.
The Pia Cramling Cup will be a FIDE rated rapid event, played in seven rapid rounds. The entry fee is free.
- Registration link is available [HERE]
Prizes will be sponsored by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, DGT, and Majana, reinforcing our shared commitment to creating opportunities and motivation for the next generation of female chess players.
We warmly welcome all girls and women to register, participate, join us in Stockholm, and become part of this historic first edition!
DGT Board Operator Seminar at the Rilton Cup
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess is pleased to share an exciting development opportunity for arbiters, organizers, and chess professionals: the DGT Board Operator Certification Seminar, taking place alongside the renowned Rilton Cup in Stockholm, Sweden. This seminar is organised by DGT in cooperation with the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, Stockholm Chess Federation, and the Rilton Cup.
📍 Venue: Scandic Continental, Vasagatan 22
📅 Dates: 03–04 January 2026
🕘 Time: 09:00–14:00 (local time)
🎓 Instructor: International Arbiter (Category A) Sotiris Logothetis
This two-day onsite seminar provides hands-on training with DGT’s digital board technology, essential for anyone wishing to work with modern chess broadcasting and technical tournament operations.
Seminar highlights
Participants will learn:
- The functioning of DGT e-Boards and e-Pieces
- Setting up and managing events using DGT LiveChess
- Broadcasting live games onsite and online
- Troubleshooting and advanced operational techniques
- Integration with leading online platforms such as Chess.com, Lichess, and others
Successful attendees will receive official certification as DGT Operators, gaining a recognized qualification that supports professional involvement in international chess events. The seminar will be conducted in English.
Participation fee
Standard participant fee: €200
SPECIAL OFFER for women: participation for female attendees will be fully covered by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, as part of our mission to create more opportunities for women in chess!
Our cooperation with DGT continues to strengthen, as they are also one of the key partners and sponsors of the Pia Cramling Cup, which will be held during the Rilton Cup and serves as a meaningful initiative supporting girls and young women in chess.
👉 Read more about the seminar: https://dgt.nl/seminar-rilton-cup
👉 Register here to secure your spot: https://www.dgt.nl/register
FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess and Norwegian Chess Federation to host Arbiters’ Seminar
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess and the Norwegian Chess Federation, under the auspices of FIDE, will host the 213th Internet-based FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar for women from January 9 to 11, 2026.
Lecturer: IA Panagiotis Nikolopoulos (GRE), FIDE Lecturer.
Assistant Lecturer: IA Tomasz Delega (POL), Lecturer Training Programme.
Technical Organizer: IA Anastasia Sorokina (AUS), FIDE Lecturer.
The seminar will be conducted in English.
Upon successful completion, the seminar will award norms and titles for the FIDE Arbiter, in accordance with the FIDE Regulations for the titles of Arbiters.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/QVjdtSJUG6EFTXpj7
Note: Up to 22 participants, women only. Each continent (America, Africa, Asia, Europe) has a right to nominate 2 participants per continent (4 continents = 8 participants). Norwegian Chess federation as co-organizer has a right to nominate 2 participants. Participation by nomination first. In the case of free slots, organizers will accept individual participation. No fee for the participants. WOM will cover 20 euros per participant to ARB and will cover lecture fee, lecture assistants fee, organizing expenses etc.
Schedule:
January 9, 2026
16:00-21:00 Laws of Chess
January 10, 2026
09:30-12:00 Laws of Chess, Rapid, Blitz, Appendices and Guidelines
12:15-13:00 System of Games
13:00-14:30 Tie break regulations
16:00-18:00 Fair play Regulations
18:15-19:30 Titles Regulations
19:45-21:00 Ratings Regulations
January 11, 2026
09:30-11:00 General Regulations for Competition
11:00-12:00 Arbiters’ titles
12:15-14:00 FIDE Swiss Rules, Pairings
16:00-16:45 The role of Chief Arbiter
16:30-17:00 Review, Questions-Answers
17:00-21:00 Examination Test
