New Website Launched for the Planning and Development Commission

The Planning and Development Commission (PDC) has just launched its new dedicated website: https://pdc.fide.com.

The PDC, which was restructured from the previous "Development Commission", was formed shortly after the last elections as an initiative of President Arkady Dvorkovich. Its primary objective is the sustainable development of FIDE through the strengthening of the Federations and the Continental Bodies, "in a responsible and effective manner for the benefit of our communities and the wider global society", as described on its website.

The Commission is led by Sonja Johnson (TTO), as Secretary, with Tshepiso Lopang (BOT), Fidel Gonzalez (VEN), Vladimir Kramnik (RUS) and Viswanathan Anand (IND) as Councillors.

Within a few months, the PDC has quickly become one of the most active Commissions in FIDE, having been assigned a very important responsibility: the management of the Development Fund. The establishment of this fund was promised by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich during his campaign in 2018, with the aim to support the efforts of Federations and Continents in developing chess across the world.

Please visit the PDC website to obtain additional information on the funding process, the PDC Team and its activities as well as news/reports from federations and continents which highlight how FIDE's support has contributed to the successful execution of their respective plans/events.

Full list of members of the Planning and Development Commission:


Sonja Johnson (Secretary)
Tshepiso Lopang (Councillor)
Fidel Ernesto Gonzalez Chirinos (Councillor)
Vladimir Kramnik (Councillor)
Viswanathan Anand (Councillor)
Israel Shilong (Member)
Hal Bond (Member)
Arkadij Naiditsch (Member)
Shahapol Nakvanich (Member)
Majlinda Pilinci (Member)
Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou (Member)
Erick Hernandez (Member)
Emmanuel Mwaka (Member)
Sainbayar Tserendorj (Member)