DEVELOPMENT INDEX REGULATIONS (Approved by FIDE Council on April 2, 2025)

1.       FIDE Development Index

1.1     Definition

The FIDE Development Index (also known as Development Level) is a number calculated by FIDE to evaluate the current level of development of a National Chess Federation. It is calculated based on several parameters and updated yearly in January.

1.2     Levels of development

National Chess Federations are grouped into 5 classes of development, from Level 1 (considered the most developed) to Level 5 (considered the least developed).

A newly registered Federation gets Level 5 by default, until its Development Index can be calculated according to the standard formula.

1.3     Usage

The Development Index is used to determine the level of support that a National Chess Federation is entitled to apply for.

The support may consist of, but is not limited to, financial support, FIDE fee waiver, travel subsidies. Each scenario is governed by the relevant regulations (e.g. FIDE Financial Rules).

2.       Parameters

2.1     Population based data

Two (2) parameters are related to the chess population in the National Chess Federation:

2.1.1      Citizens / players

The ratio of citizens in the country per FIDE active player covers the presence of chess in the country.

Data sources:

• Citizens in the country: United Nations World Population Prospects, latest available data (link)
• Active players in the National Chess Federation: FIDE database, 31^st December year N-1

2.1.2      Players / female

The ratio of FIDE active players per FIDE active female players in the country covers the feminisation of chess in the country.

Data sources:

• Active players in the National Chess Federation: FIDE database, 31^st December year N-1

2.2     Activity based data

Two (2) parameters are related to the activity of the National Chess Federation:

2.2.1      Players / tournaments

The ratio of FIDE active players per number of FIDE rated tournaments reported by the National Chess Federation covers the offer for competition in the country.

Data sources:

• Active players in the National Chess Federation: FIDE database, 31^st December year N-1
• Number of FIDE rated events reported by the National Chess Federation: FIDE database, 31^st December year N-1

2.2.2      Annual budget of the National Chess Federation

The range of actual budget reported by the National Chess Federation covers its overall capability to operate.

Data sources:

• Actual budget reported by the National Chess Federation: declarative data by the National Chess Federation, last submitted budget (should not be older than 1 year)

2.3     Performance based data

Two (2) parameters are related to the strength of the top players in the National Chess Federation:

2.3.1      Top 10 active players

The top 10 active players rating average covers the elite level reached by the National Chess Federation.

Data sources:

• Active players’ rating in the National Chess Federation: FIDE database, 1^st January year N

2.3.2      Top 10 active women players

The top 10 active women players rating average covers the female elite level reached by the National Chess Federation.

Data sources:

• Active women players’ rating in the National Chess Federation: FIDE database, 1^st January year N

3.       Calculations

3.1     Principles

The FIDE Development Index is calculated based on the 5 most favourable parameters among the 6 listed in Article 2.

Each parameter is marked on a scale from 1 (strongest) to 5 (weakest), using the evaluation table in Article 3.2.

Once all marks for the 6 parameters are known, one occurrence of the weakest mark is removed, and the calculation is made based on the remaining 5 marks.

If a mark obtains an absolute majority (3 occurrences or more), the FIDE Development Index is defined as equal to that mark.

If no mark obtains an absolute majority, the FIDE Development Index is the average of the 5 marks rounded to the nearest whole number.

3.2     Evaluation table

The table below displays the corresponding marks for the evaluated parameters:

4.       Publication

PDC will maintain a development level list on its Commission website.