ACF report highlights rapid growth of chess in Asia and UAE player base

AL AIN: The Asian Chess Federation (ACF) has released a report highlighting a substantial increase in the number of players and officials in the UAE and across Asia as of January 2026.

Hisham Ali Al Taher, Secretary General of the ACF, affirmed that the Asian continent continues to strengthen its global presence in the game of chess, both in terms of the number of registered players and the arbiters and organizers accredited by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), according to the latest statistics issued by the Asian Chess Federation.

Al Taher stated in a press statement that the data reflects significant growth in the chess playing community across Asia, with the total number of registered players reaching 631,964 players, including 518,318 men and 113,646 women, highlighting the wide spread of chess across Asian countries.

He explained that the number of FIDE-rated players reached 161,006 players, including 137,202 men and 24,804 women.

He also noted that the number of active rated players has reached 50,495 players, including 42,418 men and 8,077 women.

Al Taher added that the statistics also demonstrate the development of technical and officiating capacities across the continent. The number of International Arbiters (IA) in Asia reached 1,017 arbiters, including 862 men and 155 women.

Meanwhile, the number of FIDE Arbiters (FA) reached 1,685 arbiters, including 1,293 men and 392 women.

In the category of National Arbiters (NA), the total number reached 7,026 arbiters, including 5,227 men and 1,799 women.

Regarding active arbiters, Al Taher indicated that the number of active International Arbiters stands at 721 arbiters (580 men and 141 women), while the number of active FIDE Arbiters reached 1,345 arbiters (1,007 men and 338 women). The number of active National Arbiters stands at 7,026 arbiters (5,227 men and 1,799 women).

In terms of educational and organizational development, Al Taher pointed out that Asia currently has 25 accredited lecturers, including 17 Arbiter Lecturers (ARB) and 8 Organizer Lecturers (IO).

He also noted that the number of accredited organizers in Asia reached 180 organizers, including 162 International Organizers (IO) and 18 Associate Organizers (AO).

Al Taher further highlighted that the UAE continues to strengthen its presence within the global chess community.

The latest statistics show that the total number of registered players in the UAE reached 3,745 players, including 2,461 men and 1,284 women.

The number of FIDE-rated players in the UAE reached 590 players, including 424 men and 166 women.

He added that the number of active rated players in the UAE reached 163 players, including 109 men and 54 women, reflecting the increasing competitive participation of Emirati players in international tournaments.

Al Taher also pointed to the strong presence of officiating personnel in the UAE, noting that the country currently has 44 International Arbiters, including 34 men and 10 women, in addition to 20 FIDE Arbiters (16 men and 4 women), and 67 National Arbiters, including 35 men and 32 women.

Regarding active arbiters, the UAE currently has 20 active International Arbiters (14 men and 6 women), 10 active FIDE Arbiters (6 men and 4 women), and 67 active National Arbiters.

He further noted that the UAE also has accredited educational and organizational personnel, including two FIDE-accredited lecturers, one Arbiter Lecturer (ARB) and one Organizer Lecturer (IO), in addition to 11 International Organizers (IO).

Al Taher emphasized that these figures reflect the rapid growth of chess in Asia, both in terms of players and technical and organizational personnel. He stressed that the Asian Chess Federation continues to work closely with FIDE and national federations to expand the chess community, develop more arbiters, trainers, and organizers, and strengthen Asia’s position as one of the world’s leading chess regions.