Home
News
ECU

Communique of the ECU Board Meeting in Pristina

ECU

The second quarterly meeting of the Board of the European Chess Union took place on Friday 25 April in Pristina, Kosovo. The meeting was hosted by the Chess Federation of Kosovo with excellent hospitality.

Main information and decisions:

  • Mr. Moshe Slav was appointed as the Commercial Chief Adviser of the ECU. With his extensive experience in commercial strategy and business development, Mr. Slav joins the ECU at a pivotal time as we continue to expand our presence across Europe and enhance our commercial initiatives.
  • The Board was informed about the projects submitted to the 2025 FIDE European Development Fund, aligned with the renewed FIDE guidelines.
  • The strategic cooperation with SenseRobot and the future steps were discussed.
  • The launch and the first month results of the ECU Training Hub were presented.
    The ECU Training Hub had an excellent start with 100 placed orders and 205 webinars spots we were booked.
  • ECU Board decided to create a framework for associated members in order the ECU organs to accept and discuss applications from interest parties.
  • The ECU 40-Year Anniversary Gala will take place in Batumi, Georgia on 11th October 2025 same day with the ECU annual General Assembly.

European Chess Championships

  • The European Women’s Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2025 is awarded to Monaco Chess Federation to be held from 8 to 12 January 2026 with a prize fund of 46,500 euros.
  • The proposal by PAOK Sports Club of Thessaloniki to host the European Fischer Random Chess Championship 2026 was warmly welcomed. The Championship will take place at PAOK SPORTS ARENA in Thessaloniki in the second half June. This decision holds special significance as it coincides with PAOK’s centennial celebration in 2026.
  • Georgian Chess Federation was awarded the European Individual Chess Championship 2027 and the European Youth Chess Championship 2028.

Board activities and meetings

Following the Board meeting, ECU representatives inspected the venue for the 2025 European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship. The Emerald Hotel Congress Centre, offering 2,500 m² of space, was deemed highly suitable. The championship, which will take place from 27 November to 1 December 2025, will feature a €65,000 prize fund, a 50% increase from previous years.

ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili and President of Montenegro Chess Federation Mr. Jovan Milovic signed the contract for the 2025 European Youth Chess Championship, which will be held in Budva, Montenegro from 28 October to 8 November 2025. The championship will feature six age categories (U8-U18) in both open and girls’ sections.

The President of the European Chess Union Zurab Azmaiparashvili, the CEO of the European Chess Union and President of the Mediterranean Chess Federation Erald Dervishi and the President of the Kosovo Chess Federation Armed Budina met with the Minister of Kosovo for Culture, Youth and Sports Hajrulla Çeku and discussed the possibility of including chess in the Mediterranean Games 2030, which will be organised in Pristina, among other chess matters.