When having to know a FIDE Language to be an International Arbiter, is knowing English fluently sufficient for fulfilling this requirement or is English and another FIDE language required? Chris Bird or someone who is an IA, do you have to know two languages one being English to a certain percent and another basically fluently? Does knowing English fluently fulfil both the English obligation and the FIDE Language obligation?
1 Like
According to the Arbiter’s Manual (https://arbiters.fide.com/wp-content/uploads/Publications/Manual/Arbiters_Manual_2025.pdf), p.220, Chapter X, under Section 4, “Requirements for the Title of International Arbiter”, we find 4.2:
“Obligatory knowledge of English language, minimum at conversation level.”
For FIDE Arbiter (Section 3), there is more flexibility, allowing alternative knowledge of Arabic, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish, although it is still required to know chess terms in English.
(Upshot: Knowledge of English is sufficient.)
There are 3 different levels for FIDE arbiter licenses/titles.
FIDE Arbiter of National Level (formerly known as FIDE National Arbiter) - there is no official language requirement.
FIDE Arbiter - (3.3) Sufficient knowledge of at least one of the following languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish; plus knowledge of chess terms in English.
International Arbiter - (4.3) Obligatory knowledge of English language, minimum at conversation level.
The FIDE Regulations for the Title of Arbiters effective March 1, 2026 - https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/B06012026 (note the language requirements are the same as the previous regulations)
4 Likes
The IA language requirements have changed. Used to be a working knowledge of two FIDE languages, one of which had to be English. The requirement for an other-than-English language has been dropped.