International Arbiter (IA) Swapnil Bansod from Nagpur has achieved the prestigious ‘Fairplay Expert’ title, marking yet another milestone in his chess administration career. This FPE title was officially approved during the 2nd FIDE Council meeting of FIDE, held in August 2026.
Bansod proudly stands as the first Fairplay Expert from Vidarbha, the third from Maharashtra, and the eighth from India. He completed the necessary requirements at the Fairplay seminar in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in July 2024, as well as during the Mumbai Aurionpro GM Tournament, the National Chess Championship in Guntur, and the National Team Chess Championship in Raipur in 2026.
In 2020, Bansod made history by becoming India’s youngest elite-panel Category-A chess arbiter at just 33 years old, and he was the first International Arbiter from Vidarbha to reach this esteemed level. By 2024, he had also taken on the role of Chief Arbiter for the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2nd Leg in Kazakhstan, making him the first Maharashtrian and the third Indian to serve as a Chief Arbiter at a FIDE world event.
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Aug 27 ,2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
With nearly 20 years of experience managing over 250 national and international tournaments, including the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Chennai and the World Youth Chess Championship in Mumbai, Bansod possesses significant expertise in the field of fair-play administration.
His new qualification reinforces his commitment to upholding the integrity of competitive chess through effective anti-cheating measures and fair-play protocols.
This achievement is a source of pride for Nagpur. Bansod attributes his success to the unwavering support of his family, the Nagpur chess community, guidance from the only Fairplay Officer in India, IA Gopakumar MS, the Maharashtra Chess Association, and the All India Chess Federation, all of whom have encouraged him throughout his journey.
