Leon Watson
@leonwatson.bsky.social
Editor-in-Chief at WorldChess.com. PR advisor to the English Chess Federation. Previously worked for Chess.com, Chess24, The Telegraph, MailOnline & The Sun. Cricket fan. Chess coach. Season ticket holder at Spurs. #COYS
I hope he's all-white.
February 10, 2026 at 3:36 PM
I hope he's all-white.
FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich is reportedly on the next EU sanctions list.
The list will be published on February 24.
Huge implications for chess if it happens.
The list will be published on February 24.
Huge implications for chess if it happens.
The sanctions also aim at individuals like Sergio Obryvalin from the culture ministry and those tied to the sports sector, including FIDE president Arkadi Dvorkovich. These moves signal ongoing EU efforts to weaken Russia's financial and cultural stance.
(4/7)
(4/7)
February 9, 2026 at 4:15 PM
FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich is reportedly on the next EU sanctions list.
The list will be published on February 24.
Huge implications for chess if it happens.
The list will be published on February 24.
Huge implications for chess if it happens.
Is Thomas Frank about to be sacked by Spurs?
It struck me this morning that Vinai wrote in his open letter before the West Ham match that we all need patience.
To sack Frank after saying that makes him look stupid. #COYS
It struck me this morning that Vinai wrote in his open letter before the West Ham match that we all need patience.
To sack Frank after saying that makes him look stupid. #COYS
January 19, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Is Thomas Frank about to be sacked by Spurs?
It struck me this morning that Vinai wrote in his open letter before the West Ham match that we all need patience.
To sack Frank after saying that makes him look stupid. #COYS
It struck me this morning that Vinai wrote in his open letter before the West Ham match that we all need patience.
To sack Frank after saying that makes him look stupid. #COYS
The Glas ceiling does exist (at Palace).
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will leave the club this summer at the end of his contract.
“I told Steve (Parish) I’m looking for a new challenge,” Glasner said.
More from @mattwoosie.bsky.social ⬇️
“I told Steve (Parish) I’m looking for a new challenge,” Glasner said.
More from @mattwoosie.bsky.social ⬇️
Oliver Glasner says he will leave Crystal Palace this summer for ‘new challenge’
Glasner guided Palace to their first major trophy as his side lifted the FA Cup last season but will leave the club at the end of the season
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:53 PM
The Glas ceiling does exist (at Palace).
My son's first game for a while. He's just getting used to playing online. He's only 5. And he beat an 1100.
But none of that is an excuse for hanging a rook.
lichess.org/OhSmMI8v/bla...
But none of that is an excuse for hanging a rook.
lichess.org/OhSmMI8v/bla...
Blitz Chess • Mosakeak vs GrandRooster
Mosakeak (1132) played GrandRooster (1048?) in a rated Blitz (5+3) game of chess. GrandRooster won by checkmate after 25 moves. Click to replay, analyse, and discuss the game!
lichess.org
January 15, 2026 at 9:10 PM
My son's first game for a while. He's just getting used to playing online. He's only 5. And he beat an 1100.
But none of that is an excuse for hanging a rook.
lichess.org/OhSmMI8v/bla...
But none of that is an excuse for hanging a rook.
lichess.org/OhSmMI8v/bla...
World Chess Weekly: Is Magnus Carlsen Now The Most Dominant Figure in Sport?
worldchess.com/news/world-c...
worldchess.com/news/world-c...
World Chess Weekly: Is Magnus Carlsen Now The Most Dominant Figure in Sport? / News / World Chess - Official FIDE Online Chess Gaming Platform
The highs and lows of chess were laid bare this week as the World Rapid & Blitz ended in Doha, while troubles off the board continue.
worldchess.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:21 PM
World Chess Weekly: Is Magnus Carlsen Now The Most Dominant Figure in Sport?
worldchess.com/news/world-c...
worldchess.com/news/world-c...
A physicist, apparently, has discovered something about chess the New Scientist needs to report on.
WTF?
www.newscientist.com/article/2509...
WTF?
www.newscientist.com/article/2509...
Chess can be made fairer by rearranging the pieces
Chess960 involves shuffling the pieces at the back of the board, and an analysis suggests doing so can increase the complexity of the game to favour white, black or neither player
www.newscientist.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:55 AM
A physicist, apparently, has discovered something about chess the New Scientist needs to report on.
WTF?
www.newscientist.com/article/2509...
WTF?
www.newscientist.com/article/2509...
World Chess Weekly: Here's A FIDE Event Carlsen DOES Like—Starting Now, The Rapid & Blitz
worldchess.com/news/world-c...
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
World Chess Weekly: Here's A FIDE Event Carlsen DOES Like—Starting Now, The Rapid & Blitz
worldchess.com/news/world-c...
worldchess.com/news/world-c...
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
Chess is in mourning after it was announced English GM Jonathan Hawkins has died aged 42 just before Christmas. worldchess.com/news/jonatha...
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.
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
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.
This is from the U9 Girls section of the FIDE U9-U17 Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship concluded on December 21 in Antalya.
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
This was the week that was in chess: worldchess.com/news/world-c...
Chess Federations From England, Norway And Ukraine Stand Up To FIDE Over Return Of Russian Teams
worldchess.com/news/english...
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
Chess Federations From England, Norway And Ukraine Stand Up To FIDE Over Return Of Russian Teams
worldchess.com/news/english...
worldchess.com/news/english...
'Messi Of Chess' Faustino Oro Is On The Brink Of Breaking Youngest Ever Grandmaster Record
worldchess.com/news/faustin...
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
'Messi Of Chess' Faustino Oro Is On The Brink Of Breaking Youngest Ever Grandmaster Record
worldchess.com/news/faustin...
worldchess.com/news/faustin...
Magnus had a baby.
Hikaru's had a baby.
Do you think there'll be a Nepo baby?
Hikaru's had a baby.
Do you think there'll be a Nepo baby?
December 16, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Magnus had a baby.
Hikaru's had a baby.
Do you think there'll be a Nepo baby?
Hikaru's had a baby.
Do you think there'll be a Nepo baby?
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-...
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
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-...
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-...
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?
"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
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?
"They know about the issues being discussed and what we are doing."
Oblique reference to the Russian motion?
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.
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
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.
The FIDE General Assembly is under way. FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich is addressing delegates.
It will happen. It's a done deal.
World Chess Weekly: An Outbreak Of Seasonal Goodwill Between FIDE And Freestyle?
worldchess.com/news/world-c...
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
World Chess Weekly: An Outbreak Of Seasonal Goodwill Between FIDE And Freestyle?
worldchess.com/news/world-c...
worldchess.com/news/world-c...