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Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

World Chess Weekly: Here's A FIDE Event Carlsen DOES Like—Starting Now, The Rapid & Blitz
worldchess.com/news/world-c...

World Chess Weekly: Here's A FIDE Event Carlsen DOES Like—Starting Now, The Rapid & Blitz / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

The players have arrived, a slightly cringe opening ceremony done, the press conference finished, and we're all set for the big seasonal showdown: the World Rapid & Blitz.

worldchess.com

December 26, 2025 at 1:56 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

Chess is in mourning after it was announced English GM Jonathan Hawkins has died aged 42 just before Christmas. worldchess.com/news/jonatha...

Grandmaster Jonathan Hawkins Dies Of Rare Cancer Aged 42—A Week After Appeal Launched To Help / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

An appeal to help the family of GM Jonathan Hawkins, who passed away just before Christmas, has raised nearly £20,000 so far.

worldchess.com

December 22, 2025 at 9:35 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

Russian flags and anthems are back in chess.

This is from the U9 Girls section of the FIDE U9-U17 Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship concluded on December 21 in Antalya.

December 22, 2025 at 10:02 AM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

3 Monster Issues Chess Will Have To Grapple With In 2026

worldchess.com/news/what-wi...

3 Monster Issues Chess Will Have To Grapple With In 2026 / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

2026 will see old issues and new. Here's what we think will dominate the news.

worldchess.com

December 22, 2025 at 9:22 AM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

This was the week that was in chess: worldchess.com/news/world-c...

World Chess Weekly: Russia Row Explodes, Oro Edges Closer And Baby Hikaru Born / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

It's been a hugely important week for chess. We look at the stories that made the headlines.

worldchess.com

December 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

Chess Federations From England, Norway And Ukraine Stand Up To FIDE Over Return Of Russian Teams

worldchess.com/news/english...

Chess Federations From England, Norway And Ukraine Stand Up To FIDE Over Return Of Russian Teams / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

A rebel alliance is forming. Could FIDE be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport? Meanwhile, Russia strips GM Vladimir Fedoseev of his titles.

worldchess.com

December 18, 2025 at 1:42 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

'Messi Of Chess' Faustino Oro Is On The Brink Of Breaking Youngest Ever Grandmaster Record

worldchess.com/news/faustin...

'Messi Of Chess' Faustino Oro Is On The Brink Of Breaking Youngest Ever Grandmaster Record / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

The Argentinian prodigy has secured his second GM norm. He's now in a race against time to get this third, and make history.

worldchess.com

December 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

Magnus had a baby.
Hikaru's had a baby.

Do you think there'll be a Nepo baby?

December 16, 2025 at 1:43 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

The FIDE General Assembly was a complete mess—and the outcome wasn't necessarily as clear as headlines suggest.

I thought it was a done deal that Russian teams would be allowed back into chess, but the issue is NOT completely resolved yet.

Here's my reading of it:

worldchess.com/news/russia-...

Chess World Left In Limbo As FIDE's Russia Vote Ends In Chaos And Confusion / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

We knew there'd be a bunfight—there always is. But we didn't expect it to end like this.

worldchess.com

December 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

Dvorkovich says FIDE is "sharing best practises" with the IOC and "have constant communication, sometimes even daily.

"They know about the issues being discussed and what we are doing."

Oblique reference to the Russian motion?

December 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

We are about to see Russian teams re-admitted to international chess tournaments.

The FIDE General Assembly is under way. FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich is addressing delegates.

It will happen. It's a done deal.

December 14, 2025 at 1:42 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

World Chess Weekly: An Outbreak Of Seasonal Goodwill Between FIDE And Freestyle?

worldchess.com/news/world-c...

World Chess Weekly: An Outbreak Of Seasonal Goodwill Between FIDE And Freestyle? / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

The relationship between FIDE and Freestyle Chess appears to be thawing. Meanwhile, FIDE's next big row is just around the corner.

worldchess.com

December 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

There's one big thing on the agenda at FIDE's General Assembly that could spark a crisis in chess.

The big fight is this weekend.
worldchess.com/news/fide-ge...

There's One Big Thing On The Agenda At FIDE's General Assembly That Could Spark A Crisis In Chess / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

The chess world could see a momentous change this weekend as Russia pushes again to be readmitted to team sport next year. How strong is the opposition?

worldchess.com

December 11, 2025 at 10:20 AM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

Tug-Of-War Over Carlsen Continues As Norwegian Picks Up Freestyle Chess Crown
worldchess.com/news/carlsen...

Tug-Of-War Over Carlsen Continues As Norwegian Picks Up Freestyle Crown / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

FIDE and Freestyle Chess both want him in their events. Meanwhile, the GOAT keeps on GOATing.

worldchess.com

December 10, 2025 at 1:11 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

Carlsen and FIDE Are At Each Others' Throats Again—And Now Nakamura's Piling In

worldchess.com/news/hikaru-...

Carlsen and FIDE Are At Each Others' Throats Again—And Now Nakamura's Piling In / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

Can't we all just get along? Gens una sumus, and all that.

worldchess.com

December 8, 2025 at 2:09 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

This story about UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves allegedly lying or overstating her achievement as a national girls chess champion is complete b******s.

www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves accused of overstating chess championship win

Ms Reeves has used her love of the board game to promote herself as a strategic and competitive Chancellor

www.standard.co.uk

December 4, 2025 at 9:59 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

When you're doing the PR for a chess event, and ANDY MURRAY turns up unannounced.

worldchess.com/news/andy-mu...

Tennis legend Andy Murray Serves Up Ace At London Chess Classic / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

Apparently the Brit enjoyed BBC2 series Chess Masters and got in touch with its host GM David Howell.

worldchess.com

December 1, 2025 at 10:42 AM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

World Chess Weekly: World Cup Sorted, Candidates Sorted, Now for the London Chess Classic

worldchess.com/news/world-c...

World Chess Weekly: World Cup Sorted, Candidates Sorted, Now for the London Chess Classic / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform

It's been a momentous and important week in chess as a 19-year-old outsider won the World Cup and all the spots for the 2026 Candidates tournament have been filled. At last.

worldchess.com

November 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM

Leon Watson

@leonwatson.bsky.social

Quite-literally bumped into this guy, GM Alireza Firouzja, yesterday at the London Chess Classic. It was in the toilets. I think he was a bit annoyed. The bang didn't put him off his game, though.

Photos: John Saunders.