On June 30, 2025, a three-member delegation from the International University Sports Federation (FISU) arrived in Liaocheng to conduct an on-site review of preparation work for the 2026 FISU World University Mind Sports. Representatives from the Chinese University Sports Association, Liaocheng Municipal People’s Government, relevant municipal authorities and technical teams joined the whole schedule to exchange views with the delegation on moving forward all preparatory tasks.
The delegation consisted of Paulo Sivieri, FISU Sports Coordinator; Lukasz Turlej, FISU Chess Technical Chair; and Geert Magerman, FISU Bridge Technical Chair. Right after their arrival on the afternoon of June 30, the delegation headed straight to Liaocheng Chess Training Base for an inspection tour. Guided by local staff, they toured competition and training halls as well as teaching areas, examined training equipment and watched young chess players during their daily training sessions. Wang Jie, Secretary-General of Liaocheng Chess Association, delivered a full briefing on the city’s chess development track, covering regular cultural events and tournaments held locally. The delegates showed great fascination with Liaocheng’s annual July 20 Chess Culture Festival celebrating World Chess Day, and offered high praise for the city’s fruitful achievements in grassroots chess promotion.
On the morning of July 1, the delegation carried out a full-scale inspection of venues for chess and bridge competitions, athlete registration offices, technical meeting rooms, and accommodation hotels for participating athletes and officials. In strict accordance with FISU official standards, they conducted item-by-item checks ranging from venue layout and equipment configuration to guest room conditions and catering services, to guarantee all hardware facilities meet official competition requirements.
Liaocheng boasts remarkable progress in popularizing chess among young generations. The city is now home to over 300,000 chess enthusiasts, with the number growing by 30,000 every year. More than 300 primary and secondary schools provide regular chess courses, among which 17 schools and kindergartens have been awarded the title of National Characteristic Chess School. Dongchangfu District of Liaocheng is also recognized as China’s National Hometown of Chess. The delegation also paid field visits to Liaocheng Experimental Primary School and Liaocheng Oriental Kindergarten to observe in-class chess teaching and live match practice. Students were seen engaged and joyful during lessons, fully focused over chessboards, demonstrating strong learning enthusiasm and solid competitive awareness, which drew constant compliments from the FISU team.
The official preparatory meeting was held following the campus visits. At the opening of the meeting, Liaocheng screened an official promotional video that showcased the city’s unique scenery and its vision for the upcoming Games. Afterwards, representatives from the Organising Committee’s external liaison, competition, publicity, medical service and security divisions took turns presenting detailed operational plans for the event. After listening carefully to all reports, the FISU delegation fully acknowledged Liaocheng’s efficient and well-organised preparation work. Meanwhile, they put forward constructive suggestions on competition formats, schedule arrangement, referee recruitment, athlete transportation and the progress of official logo design, offering clear guidance for follow-up preparation work. Representatives from the Chinese University Sports Association also delivered targeted guidance on event delivery. Liaocheng officials stated they would compile all feedback from the meeting, coordinate cross-departmental communication and fully implement all discussed arrangements.
During their stay, the delegation also visited local cultural landmarks including Guangyue Tower, Dongchang Lake and the Shanshan Guild Hall. They inspected potential venues for the Games’ cultural day events and immersed themselves in Liaocheng’s profound historical and cultural heritage. The FISU delegation remarked that they were deeply impressed by Liaocheng’s professionalism, thorough preparation and sincere passion for promoting mind sports. They look forward to a spectacular 2026 FISU World University Mind Sports in Liaocheng, a grand gathering where intellectual competition and cultural exchange converge for student athletes across the globe.
