The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries announced the 2026 inductees for the U.S. and World Chess Halls of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place in October in Saint Louis.

World Chess Hall of Fame inductees:

  • 🇮🇱 Boris Gelfand (GM)
  • 🇺🇦 Vasyl Ivanchuk (GM)
  • 🇨🇭 Alexandra Kosteniuk (GM)
  • 🇸🇪 Ulf Andersson (GM)
  • 🇬🇪 Nana Ioseliani (IM)

U.S. Chess Hall of Fame inductees:

  • 🇺🇸 Jeremy Silman (Instructional writer)
  • 🇺🇸 Montgomery Major (Organizer, editor, and writer)

Boris Gelfand will become the first active Israeli chess player to be inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame. After the 2026 inductees are included, the Hall of Fame will feature 61 members.

The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries is a museum that honors great chess players and figures. It was established by the United States Chess Federation in 1986 and is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. The Hall of Fame includes prominent people who have had a profound impact on the game. Representatives for induction into the Hall of Fame are chosen by FIDE each year.

Credit: Anastasiia Korolkova / FIDE