Turlov and Iashvili Discuss 2027-28 Calendar, Tbilisi Palace and Miners

FIDE President Timur Turlov met Akaki Iashvili, president of the Georgian Chess Federation and the FIDE President’s Representative for Special Projects. The talks ranged over competition formats, the 2027-28 calendar and a handful of Georgian projects.

His two roles explain the mix: national plans from the federation chief, and international events from the representative attached to the president’s office.

Looking back at Samarkand

The two reviewed the recent FIDE elections in Uzbekistan and the Olympiad in Samarkand. FIDE’s account says they paid particular attention to sporting results, organisational matters and how the event was run overall.

The 2027-28 calendar

A significant part of the meeting went to the international calendar for 2027-28. That includes World Championships and other events within the scope of the FIDE Events Commission.

They traded views on improving formats, organisational standards and the experience of players, organisers, spectators and media. FIDE says several new ideas are under consideration to raise the quality and appeal of major events, but names none of them.

Tbilisi Chess Palace and kindergartens

On the Georgian side, the headline item was the major reconstruction of the Tbilisi Chess Palace, a landmark venue in the centre of the capital. Renovation and restoration are expected to finish by the end of 2027.

That timing sits inside the calendar window they discussed. A restored palace could plausibly become a candidate venue, though FIDE’s report does not say it was proposed as one.

Chess in preschool education also came up. A project for young children already runs in 15 kindergartens in the Georgian city of Poti, and it was described as a model that could be developed and adapted in other countries.

A championship for miners

The most unusual idea was a social initiative to bring chess to coal-mining workers. Among the possibilities discussed was the first World Chess Championship for Miners.

Because there are active coal mines in Tkibuli, Georgia, Georgia could play a pivotal role in such a project. It is an early idea, and no date, format or venue was given.

Growing the map

The rest of the talks covered spreading chess across all continents. Turlov and Iashvili discussed widening the geographic reach of international competitions, supporting national federations, launching new projects and deepening cooperation.

They paid particular attention to countries and regions where chess already has a strong foundation but considerable room to grow. The meeting ended with an agreement to keep working closely and to prepare practical proposals for new projects and improvements to FIDE competitions in the coming years.