ECU2030 announces “Chess in Olympic Family” – Special Task Committee

ECU2030 announces “Chess in Olympic Family” – Special Task Committee

As European chess looks toward a new era of growth and modernization under the ECU2030 vision, a major new structural initiative has been introduced to elevate the sport’s institutional prestige: the ECU Special Task Committee: “Chess in Olympic Family” (COF).

This newly proposed dedicated working structure is designed to bridge the gap between European chess governance and the Olympic movement, establishing a unified European strategy for Olympic-family recognition.

To turn this vision into reality, the COF Committee will focus on five key pillars:

  • Statutes & Compliance: Aligning ECU rules and statutes with the Olympic Charter and International Olympic Committee (IOC) principles.
  • Mapping & Coordination: Creating a comprehensive database of ECU member federations that have already successfully joined their National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
  • Support Pathways: Providing practical tools, templates, and guidance to assist non-NOC member federations in securing national Olympic recognition.
  • Games Direction: Collaborating on strategic pathways to include chess in future European Olympic and European Youth Games.
  • EOC Cooperation: Building direct, collaborative projects with the European Olympic Committees (EOC).

To ensure its success, the committee will be composed of seasoned representatives from European federations with direct experience in Olympic procedures, working alongside a select group of respected chess athletes and Olympic champions acting as ambassadors.

Why This Matters for European Chess

Chess is already recognized as one of Europe’s premier mind sports, carrying deep social and educational impact. By launching the Chess in Olympic Family committee, the ECU2030 team aims to unlock a new level of institutional credibility.

In practice, this initiative is about professionalization and prestige. It means clearer rules, stronger credibility, and a solid foundation for long-term projects that support youth, education, and high-performance chess across all 54 member federations.

With the introduction of the COF Committee, ECU2030 is not just proposing a goal – it is delivering a concrete, professional roadmap to secure chess a permanent seat at Europe’s Olympic table.

For a detailed look at the programme, you can access the full document below.

ECU2030 Program Section COFDownload