About the Supporting Elite Chess Fund 2026 to 2029

[John Upham]

About the Supporting Elite Chess Fund 2026 to 2029


https://www.gov.uk/guidance/about-the-s ... 26-to-2029

[Christopher Kreuzer]

It says "Published 15 April 2026".

Is there something new that happened recently?

Not saying it is not something to be celebrated but bit puzzled why this is being highlighted now.

The link to the ECF website tells us nothing.

[John Upham]

It says "Published 15 April 2026".

Is there something new that happened recently?

Not saying it is not something to be celebrated but bit puzzled why this is being highlighted now.

The link to the ECF website tells us nothing.

I presume you knew all about this: congratulations!

[Christopher Kreuzer]

It is not exactly a secret, though I don't see the ECF publicising their plans for it.

It was mentioned by Leonard Barden in The Guardian on 14 August 2026:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/ ... s-champion

The finance for such a match could come from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s new Elite Chess Fund of £250,000 a year till 2029, given its stated objectives include to promote diversity.

There was earlier coverage in July 2025:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... 0-visitors

The occasion was marked by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announcing the renewal of government support for chess which was briefly axed as part of departmental cuts earlier in the year. “We are allocating £1.5m to help identify, support and elevate top tier players who have the potential to compete at a global level,” said Reeves.

The previous backing of £500,000, launched by Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives in 2023, was for elite chess generally, and supported the English men’s and women’s teams at the 2024 Budapest Olympiad. However, there has been widespread and justified criticism of an additional £250,000 allocated for stone chess tables in public parks, which have been little used and often vandalised.

The rest of Leonard's July 2025 column says quite a bit more, which I won't quote here.

It is slightly unclear how the ECF are actually handling this on their side. Does it get discussed at the AGM?