AnyTime News 
Anytime News Network | Pooja Srivastava
Lucknow: In a significant step toward strengthening the technical framework of chess tournaments in India, a two-day Senior National Arbiter Seminar commenced in Lucknow on March 14, 2026. The seminar is being organized at Hotel Amber under the joint aegis of the UP Chess Sports Association and the Lucknow Chess Association.
The seminar began at the scheduled time of 9:30 AM on Saturday and witnessed enthusiastic participation from chess enthusiasts and officials across the country. A total of 50 participants have registered for the seminar. Out of these, 43 participants are from Uttar Pradesh, while others have arrived from Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Kerala and Delhi.
The seminar was formally inaugurated by Pawan Batham, who welcomed FIDE Lecturer Swapnil Bansod with a bouquet. On this occasion, seminar coordinator Anand Singh extended a warm welcome to all participants and the guest lecturer. He expressed hope that the seminar would help participants gain deeper knowledge of tournament regulations and arbitration procedures in chess. He also wished the participants success in the final examination scheduled at the end of the seminar.
During the two-day program, a total of four technical sessions will be conducted by the FIDE lecturer. The first three sessions will focus on the Arbiter Manual, official chess rules and various aspects related to the organization and management of chess tournaments. These sessions aim to equip participants with the professional skills required to officiate tournaments effectively.
The final session of the seminar will consist of an examination. Based on the results, eligible participants will be awarded the National Arbiter title by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
Organizers believe that the seminar will significantly increase the number of trained arbiters in Uttar Pradesh. This will help ensure the smooth and professional conduct of chess tournaments across districts and contribute to the overall development of chess in the state.
Such initiatives are expected to strengthen the chess ecosystem and encourage greater participation in competitive chess events in the future.
