New Year’s greetings of the IDF President Vladimir Langin
Dear friends!
On behalf of the International Draughts Federation (IDF) and myself personally, I congratulate all draughts players, coaches, organizers, officials and all draughts lovers on Christmas and the upcoming New Year!
In 2025, draughts-64 continued its successful development.
All the planned competitions of the IDF calendar were held. All competitions were held at a high level and received high praise from the athletes, coaches, and heads of delegations.
In April 2025, Türkiye hosted:
– European Men’s and Women’s Championships (60 athletes from 17 European countries)
The prize fund for the European Championships was €25,000.
– European Youth Championships (more than 140 athletes from 9 countries).
In October-November 2025, Türkiye also hosted:
– World Men’s and Women’s Team Championships (10 countries);
– World Veterans Championships;
– World Youth Championships, including the World Student Championships, and the World Team Championships for Youth Teams.
A total of more than 350 athletes from 17 countries participated in all competitions of the World Championships.
Four stages of the World Cup were held twice in Türkiye, Uzbekistan and Russia.
For the first time, a separate tournament was held, the World Cup Final, with a prize fund of 1,000,000 rubles (US$12,500).
The results of the 2024-2025 World Cup have been summed up. The World Cup was held in 8 stages. The World Cup stages were held in Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and Russia. 412 athletes from 24 countries took part in all stages of the World Cup, including 32 International Grandmasters.
Based on the results of the competition and the fulfillment of the norms, various international titles were awarded to athletes and referees in 2025.
The IDF also has ambitious plans for the development of draughts worldwide in 2026.
All annual events are scheduled on the IDF calendar.
The European Youth Championship will be held in April in Türkiye.
The Asian Championship will be held in Uzbekistan.
In November, Türkiye will host the World Youth Championship (including the World Student Championship), the World Veterans Championship, team competitions—the World Men’s and Women’s Team Championship and the World Youth Team Championship.
A new World Cup will begin in 2026.
World Cup stages will be held in Turkey, Uzbekistan and other countries.
The World Cup Finals are scheduled for Türkiye (give away draughts) and for Russia (draughts-64).
The main tournament of the year, the World Men’s and Women’s Championship will be held at a high level, with a large representation of countries (over 30) and a large prize fund!
A number of international tournaments are also planned.
We will focus on promoting draughts-64, broadcasting competitions online, producing awards and commemorative prizes. We welcome new ideas and suggestions from all interested parties! Together, we will make our sport better and stronger!
I wish everyone good health, personal well-being, success, new achievements in sports and personal life in 2026, as well as prosperity for our beloved sport that unites us all!
Vladimir Langin
IDF President