Chess continues to show steady growth in the UAE, according to new figures released by the Asian Chess Federation.
The ACF report, issued as of January 2026, lists 3,745 registered players in the country. That total includes 2,461 males and 1,284 females.
Of those players, 590 are internationally rated. The report also shows 163 active internationally rated players in the UAE.
The figures were shared by Hisham Al Taher, Secretary-General of the Asian Chess Federation, following the release of the continental report.
The UAE’s officiating numbers were also listed. The country now has 44 international arbiters, including 34 men and 10 women. It also has 20 FIDE-rated arbiters and 67 national arbiters.
Across Asia, the ACF report recorded 631,964 registered players. Of those, 161,006 hold FIDE ratings, while 50,495 are active internationally rated players.
The report also showed the scale of the technical workforce across the continent. Asia now has 1,685 international arbiters and 7,026 national arbiters.
Al Taher said the ACF will continue working with FIDE to qualify more organisers and coaches across Asia.
The figures in the UAE point to a larger base for the sport, with growth seen in participation, rated competition and officiating, for a country where chess has a strong foothold, especially through clubs, schools and regional events.
