FIDE and World Chess Submit Application for .chess Top-Level Domain to ICANN

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and World Chess announced on September 1, 2026 that they have jointly submitted an application to ICANN for a new top-level domain: .chess. The filing, lodged from Lausanne and London during ICANN’s first new-domain window since 2012, marks the first opportunity in more than a decade to create a purpose-built internet space for the game.

The application was made through a dedicated subsidiary of World Chess, FIDE’s official commercial partner, and on behalf of the federation. It has been filed as a community application, a status that may grant it priority leverage over any rival filings for the same string under ICANN’s Community Priority Evaluation process.

A Domain Built for One Game

Today, chess-related websites are scattered across generic and country-code extensions such as .com, .org and national identifiers, with nothing visually distinguishing them as part of the chess world. The proposed .chess TLD would change that, offering a single, officially recognised namespace in which national federations, neighbourhood clubs, tournament organisers, media platforms, academies and titled players could carry verified addresses ending in .chess.

Under the agreement between the two organisations, FIDE serves as institutional sponsor of the domain and will receive a share of revenues generated, along with an allocation of domains within the TLD. World Chess is funding the project, managing the application process, and would operate the extension on FIDE’s behalf if the application succeeds.

What the Rollout Could Look Like

• National federations would receive dedicated .chess domains, allocated in coordination with FIDE.
• Clubs, academies, organisers, platforms, media outlets and players could register names that immediately signal their connection to the game.
• Registration would open only after ICANN issues its approval decision, the next major milestone in the process.

Early-Access List Open

While the ICANN review is underway, an early-access list is available at worldchess.com/domains. Subscribers to the list will receive regular project updates, including advance notice of when domain registration becomes available, positioning them to be among the first to secure preferred names.

Institutional Backing

FIDE — the international governing body for chess, recognised by the International Olympic Committee and representing more than 200 national federations — has endorsed the application as institutional sponsor. World Chess is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker CHSS. The application’s community designation, combined with FIDE’s institutional role, is expected to strengthen its position in ICANN’s evaluation.

Next Steps

The application now enters ICANN’s review process, with an approval decision representing the next key milestone. Until that decision is issued, no registrations will be processed. Federations will receive further information from FIDE and World Chess about their dedicated domain allocations as the review advances.

Source

This report is based on information published by FIDE — International Chess Federation.

Official source: https://www.fide.com/chess-is-getting-its-own-home-on-the-internet-fide-and-world-chess-apply-for-the-chess-domain-extension/