On July 20, 2024, a monumental event will unite chess players from every corner of the globe. FIDE, in celebration of the International Chess Day and its 100th anniversary, presents an unprecedented challenge.
We’re on a quest to set the Guinness World Record for the most chess games played in 24 hours. Whether you’re a grandmaster or a beginner, your move can make history.
From the streets of cities to digital arenas, from classrooms to grand halls, the world will become a chessboard.
Join us! Be part of a day when every game contributes to a record-breaking celebration of chess!
And make sure it suits all the requirements!
And make sure it suits all the requirements
Any chess event held between July 20, 2024 00:00:00 CEST and July 21, 2024 00:00:00 CEST may join the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt, provided it is supervised by a FIDE licensed arbiter. Official arbiters will be the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt Stewards and FIDE will rely on them to register their event and be the main point of contact with FIDE during the whole process.
Tournament requirements:
• Minimum rate of play: 5 minutes per game
• Maximum duration for a game: 8 hours
• Compliant tournament formats: Swiss System, Round Robin, Simultaneous display
• No games against computers
Note: a single round of a several day event, played on July 20, is perfectly compliant with the attempt.
By filling the form below
The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt Stewards are requested to provide their FIDE IDs and email addresses in order to register the event, together with all useful information to confirm that the format, rate of play and other technicalities are compliant with the attempt (see regulations for all details).
Whether your event is created specifically for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt or you are involved in an official event with games on July 20, you are welcome to register!
Please submit your registration request by filling the form below before July 15, 2024.
Confirm the number of games played
To get your results assessed, the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt Steward of the event needs to confirm the number of games played and provide to FIDE a standard TRF file and sign a protocol confirming the number of games played.
After registration, FIDE gives the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt Steward login and password to a personal page for the event. It will be used to upload a protocol, TRF and pictures and to receive the signed GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt certificate.
The National Chess Federation is responsible for overseeing each event, collecting evidence proving the facts mentioned in the protocol signed by the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt Steward.
All documents shall be submitted to FIDE after the end of the world record attempt period (21st July 2024 00:00:00 CEST).
Goal | Most number of chess games (both online and offline) to be played during one day (24 hours) |
Governing body | International Chess Federation (FIDE) |
Scope | Any OTB chess game played in an event pre-registered to be counted as part of the GWR attempt. |
Registration | Each OTB event has to be pre-registered by a National federation in advance on fide100.com/gwr not later than July 15th 2024. |
Date of play | July 20th 2024, The 24-hour period begins at 00:00 CEST (Lausanne time) and finishes at 24:00 CEST (Lausanne time). Eligible chess events may last several days, however only games played on July 20th 2024 (Lausanne time) may count in the attempt to make a Guinness World Record. |
Eligible games | All games of a round that actually started during the time frame are counted as valid – defaulted games are disregarded |
Format | Chess games played according to the Laws of chess, standard games, Rapid games and Blitz games |
System of play | Swiss system, round robin or simultaneous display tournaments |
Time control | Minimum 3 min. + 2 sec. increment per move, starting from move 1 (for games with increment) or 5 min. per game (for games without increment) Maximum 8 hours of play for the game according to the planned time control (based on 60 moves in case of increment) |
Pairings | Pairings shall be conducted by arbiter using a FIDE officially approved pairing program |
Assessing results | The official arbiter of the event is responsible to confirm the number of games played and provide to FIDE a standard TRF file and sign a protocol confirming the number of games played. The arbiter must be registered at FIDE, have a title of International arbiter or FIDE arbiter; or be a FIDE licensed National Arbiter. |
Evidences | The FIDE Arbiter that registered the event is responsible for overseeing it and proving evidence proving the games were played (1 report per section). Evidences are: • Mandatory: the TRF file of the event • Optional: pictures from the event |
Participants | Every human chess player (both FIDE registered and not registered players). |
FINAL protocol | Is a written statement confirming the number of chess games played both online and OTB signed by the Chairman of FIDE Arbiters commission and presented to GWR |
Deadline for reporting | Evidences shall be submitted no later than 01:00:00 July 21, 2024 on the FIDE GWR Attempt portal, by the arbiter of each event (1 report per section). |
Goal | Most number of chess games (both online and offline) to be played during one day (24 hours) |
Governing body | International Chess Federation (FIDE) |
Scope | Any online "compatible" chess game played on a pre-registered platform according to the criteria valid for the GWR attempt. |
Registration | Each online chess platform wishing to be included in the GWR attempt shall be pre-registered not later than July 15th 2024. |
Date of play | July 20th 2024, The 24-hour period begins at 00:00 CEST (Lausanne time) and finishes at 24:00 CEST (Lausanne time). Eligible chess events may last several days, however only games played on July 20th 2024 (Lausanne time) may count in the attempt to make a Guinness World Record. |
Eligible games | All compatible games that were played (started and finished) within the time frame are counted as valid. |
Format | Chess games played according to the Laws of chess, standard games, Rapid games and Blitz games |
System of play | Swiss system or round robin tournaments Arena or individual 'online rated' games, with a minimum number of 15 moves |
Time control | Minimum 3 min. + 2 sec. increment per move, starting from move 1 (for games with increment) or 5 min. per game (for games without increment) Maximum 8 hours of play for the game according to the planned time control (based on 60 moves in case of increment) |
Pairings | Manually through challenges Computer generated in all other cases |
Assessing results | The online chess platform shall provide the statistics and relevant required information to justify the number of compatible games played. |
Evidences | Certify accuracy of data reported by the online chess platform. |
Participants | Every human chess player registered on the platform (anonymous not allowed). Games against computers are not counted. |
FINAL protocol | Is a written statement confirming the number of chess games played both online and OTB signed by the Chairman of FIDE Arbiters commission and presented to GWR |
Deadline for reporting | All elements shall be submitted to FIDE and GWR after the end of the world record attempt period (21st July 2024 00:00:00 CEST). |