Chess federations

The international governing body of chess — founded in Paris in 1924, today headquartered in Lausanne, recognised by the IOC and responsible for the world championship cycle, ratings, titles, and the biennial Olympiad.

The international governing body of correspondence chess — administered separately from FIDE since 1951, runs the World Correspondence Chess Championship and the over-the-board ICCF rating system.

The continental governing body of African chess — coordinates events across 53 member federations and runs the African Chess Championship cycle.

The continental governing body of Asian chess — covers FIDE member federations across Asia and Oceania, including India, China, and the rapidly growing Central Asian chess powers.

The continental governing body of American chess — the umbrella for federations across North, Central, South America and the Caribbean.

The continental governing body of European chess — coordinates the European Individual Championship, the European Team Championship, and the broader European tournament calendar across 54 member federations.

The national governing body of chess in India — administers the Indian Championship, oversees state federations, and represents India at FIDE.

The national governing body of chess in Russia — successor to the Soviet Chess Federation, currently in conflict with FIDE over its post-2022 status.

The national governing body of chess in China — administers both Western chess and Xiangqi (Chinese chess) under a unified federation structure.

The national governing body of chess in Germany — founded in 1877, the second-oldest national chess federation in the world after the United States.

The national governing body of chess in England — administers the British Championship, the 4NCL league, and the FIDE-recognised representation of English chess.

The national governing body of chess in France — administers the French Championship, the Top 12 league, and operates as the host federation for the Alireza Firouzja generation of French chess.

The national governing body of chess in the Netherlands — administers the Dutch Championship, the Meesterklasse league, and the country's flagship international event (Tata Steel Chess at Wijk aan Zee).

The national governing body of chess in the United States — operating since 1939, headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee, and the FIDE member federation for American chess.

The breakaway professional body founded in 1993 by Garry Kasparov and Nigel Short — administered the classical-line world championship for seven years before folding in 1996.