In a significant development for the chess world, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Freestyle Chess Operations GmbH have announced a partnership to stage the first official FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship. The tournament is set to take place from February 13-15, 2026, at the luxury resort of Weissenhaus, Germany. This collaboration marks a resolution to a period of public dispute between the two entities regarding the governance and sanctioning of world championship titles in the Chess960 (also known as Fischer Random) format. The agreement clarifies that FIDE holds exclusive authority over official World Championship titles, ensuring a unified approach to the sport's highest accolades. The championship will feature an eight-player field, with six players directly qualifying through their performance in the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. These include top players such as Magnus Carlsen, Levon Aronian, Fabiano Caruana, Vincent Keymer, Arjun Erigaisi, and Javokhir Sindarov. Two additional spots will be filled: one nominated by Freestyle Chess (GM Hans Niemann has been selected) and one determined through an online qualification tournament hosted by Chess.com on January 14-15, 2026. The event boasts a substantial prize fund of $300,000, with the winner receiving $100,000. The tournament structure includes a rapid round-robin on the first day, with the top four advancing to semifinals and a final on subsequent days, all played over the board. Beyond the men's championship, plans are also in motion for a Women's Exhibition Match during the event and the inaugural FIDE Women's Freestyle Chess Championship later in 2026, with a prize fund of $50,000. This joint venture signifies a new era of cooperation, aiming to provide a clear and transparent sporting framework for the evolving landscape of elite chess.