FIDE Online Arena

{{Short description|Internet chess server}}

{{primary sources|date=August 2019}}

The FIDE Online Arena{{Cite web |title=Fide Online Arena Official Website |url=https://chessarena.com/}} is the International Chess Federation's (FIDE) official exclusive Internet chess server devoted to chess playing and related activities.[http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/7318-fide-online-arena.html FIDE News] A test version of the server began on August 8, 2013; the fully operational version was announced for October 2013. FIDE Online Arena is the only official online chess platform of the World Chess Federation where Online Official games can be played, with Official online rating and titles: AGM (Arena Grandmaster), AIM (Arena International Master), AFM (Arena Fide Master) and ACM (Arena Candidate Master). While these titles are recognized at FIDE-sanctioned over the board (OTB) events, should a player obtain a regular OTB title such as CM (Candidate Master) or FM (FIDE Master), this replaces their arena title.

The fully operational version of FIDE online arena was launched on April 4, 2014 with the announcement made by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. Games played between two FIDE online arena members will be for FIDE online ratings. A plan to merge online and over-the-board FIDE ratings for the blitz and rapid time controls in the future was also announced.

The new version of the iOS app has been released in 2021.{{Cite web|title=FIDE Online Arena Now Has an iOS App. Hmmm|url=https://worldchess.com/news/all/fide-online-arena-now-has-an-ios-app-hmmm/|access-date=2021-09-25|website=worldchess.com|language=en}} An Android app has been released in 2024.{{Cite web |title=FIDE Online Arena - Apps on Google Play |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chessarena&referrer=adjust_reftag=cJ8QfjvG0EXnW&utm_source=Chess+Arena&utm_campaign=Website&utm_content=Footer |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=play.google.com |language=en-US}}

According to a September 2015 internal report, there were 4805 members, 2078 paying the subscription fee, with India the most populous.[http://www.fide.com/images/stories/NEWS_2015/FIDE_News/2015_EB_Agenda__Annexes/Annex_49.pdf Annex 49 of the Sep 2015 FIDE Executive Board meeting] In 2023, the platform has grown to 730000{{Cite web |title=FIDE Online Arena - Official FIDE Gaming Platform |url=https://chessarena.com/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=FIDE Online Arena |language=en}} registered members, according to the site.

In 2019, the Arena has been acquired and is now managed by World Chess,{{Cite web|title=FIDE Online Arena Now Has an iOS App. Hmmm|url=https://worldchess.com/news/all/fide-online-arena-now-has-an-ios-app-hmmm/|access-date=2021-08-07|website=worldchess.com|language=en}} the company that organized the World Chess Championship Matches in 2014, 2016, and 2018. In September of 2021, both World Chess and FIDE announced that the Arena ratings and titles will be included in the official players’ profiles on FIDE website.{{Cite web|title=FOA Rating and Title Are Now Part of Your FIDE Profile|url=https://worldchess.com/news/all/foa-rating-and-title-are-now-part-of-your-fide-profile/|access-date=2021-09-24|website=worldchess.com|language=en}}

In 2024, Chess Arena introduced the feature to apply for a chess coach and create personalized lessons on the site.{{Cite web |title=Fide Arena Coaches |url=https://coaches.chessarena.com/en |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Chessarena}}