VAR in chess

What you need to use
idChess VAR

Tournament broadcasts available to everyone

Phone

Any phone with required characteristics
is suitable

64 GB or more
Built-in
memory
4 GB or more
RAM
Android 7+
Android version
iOS 12+
iOS version

idChess subscription

Subscription allows you to
organize tournaments,
analyze games and much more

Go to Store

Tripod

You can use any tripod or
buy it from us. We offer a great
tripod set with a subscription

Go to Store

Do you want to use VAR?

Leave a request

How to use VAR
in tournaments

For arbiters

Tap VAR Video Recording
on the recording screen

1

Allow
access to
camera and
microphone

2

Connect to the tournament
and start broadcasting
the game

3

In a controversial situation,
click on Pause the recording
then Game replay

4

Make a decision after watching the game replay

5

After making a
decision,
close the video
or electronic
notation and
continue
recording

6

Which phone can I use?

Recommendations for phones
to use VAR

4000 mAh or higher
Battery capacity
4 GB or more
RAM
10 megapixels or more
Camera
64 GB or more
Built-in memory
8 cores or more
Processor
7 or higher
Android OS
12 or higher
iOS OS

Tournaments with VAR

Tournaments with idChess are held in Azerbaijan

Games with broadcast and VAR idChess were held in Iraq

Asian Championship among schoolchildren in Uzbekistan

West Asian Championship in Kyrgyzstan

U. Cholponbaev Memorial in Kyrgyzstan

PCU Tournaments

International chess festival Issykkul Open 2023 in Kyrgyzstan

FIDE on the implementation of VAR

On July 3, the International Chess Federation officially announced the use of idChess VAR in tournaments.

The use of idChess for broadcasting games has been previously approved by FIDE.

Reviews

Read what other users think of us

All reviews

"I often play in tournaments, and it is important to me that at any moment I can analyze the games played, and thanks to idChess, they are always at hand. idChess provides high accuracy in recognition, which allows me to focus on the game itself and not waste time writing down the moves. All games are stored directly in the app, and you can download and share them in a convenient format. I also like to play by the rules, and idChess VAR, the video assistant referee, helps me with this. If, in a controversial situation, the arbiter misses a violation, he can review this episode using VAR technology and make a final decision. This makes the decision-making process easier and more transparent for both arbiters and players. I recommend the idChess platform because it makes chess a technologically advanced and fair sport."

Nodirbek Yakubboev

Grandmaster, Uzbekistan

"This is the future. First of all, for live streaming and, in part, to fight cheating; what concerns illegal moves, i.e. everything related to the touch-move rule or the correct setting of pieces".

Arkady Dvorkovich

FIDE President

“The system provided to us by the idChess team was installed at our tournament in several categories: under the age of 7, 9 and 11. It performed well: when there were many difficulties, especially in the category under the age of 7, we watched the video, if everything was confirmed, the game was continued, if not — we issued a warning. The idChess system provided precious assistance in resolving contentious issues, the system saved arbiters in many situations. I think we will use it in the future, as it is really very useful"

Zhohangir Kamalov

International arbiter, chief arbiter of Asian Schools Chess Championship 2023

"The implementation of VAR in chess tournaments helps arbiters make decisions faster based on facts. Both players and arbiters expect the sport to be fair and VAR only contributes to that. Even in the first tournament, there were many moments when arbiters used VAR recordings to watch the video and make a decision."

Mukhammad Isakov

FIDE arbiter, Kyrgyzstan

"We had an exceptional experience using idChess to record games in our chess academy and broadcast chess tournaments organized by SmilingPawn.org. The application's sleek and user-friendly interface not only ensured easy adoption by chess arbiters but also elevated the overall experience for players. The inclusion of the VAR feature for fair play significantly contributed to the success of our chess tournaments".

Goran Radic

President, SmilingPawn.org, Croatia

"Impressed with idChess in our training sessions! VAR feature adds a new level of fairness, enhancing the learning experience for our players. Highly recommended!"

Mussallam Al Wadhahi

Member in Oman Chess Federation

"Used idChess and VAR in big tournaments – the VAR feature is a game-changer! Enhanced the integrity of matches and fair playing in the Coahuila State Open Chess Championship and the COLAM Cup. A must-have for chess events!"

Eduardo Aguilar

Mexican Arbiter, Academy Construajedrez

"Thanks to idChess, we were able to organize the broadcasting of the games and use VAR technology at the tournament for the first time in Bulgaria. This experience was very helpful. I hope that large chess competitions will also be held with VAR in the future. I would recommend the idChess platform for other organizers."

Plamen Stefanov

International Arbiter, Bulgaria

"idChess added great value. The VAR feature ensures fair play, creating a dynamic and enriching environment for our chess enthusiasts. Thumbs up!"

Habib Khalil

Vice President of Lebanese Chess Federation

"Impressed after using idChess in my academy, very useful for analysis games in training sessions! The VAR was tested and used in friendly tournament and it's so efficient for avoiding cheating and helping arbiters".

Ebrahim Bodnani

Owner of Laayoune City Chess Club, Morocco

"idChess has left a strong impression during our testing sessions! The VAR feature brings an additional dimension of fairness, significantly elevating the learning experience for the players. I highly recommend it!"

Doctor Chess

Youtuber, Chess influencer, Egypt

"idChess breaks new ground in chess technology! The app's efficiency delivers a fresh experience. VAR was put to the test in local tournaments, proving its value in enhancing fair play".

Abdullah Albaiz

Pawntakes Chess Club, Saudi Arabia

"Stepping into the future! We are truly excited about the technology of idChess. It will definitely be our solution for broadcasting games, which has never been as easy as it is now."

Toms Kalniņš

FIDE Arbiter, International Arbiter, Latvia

"I often play in tournaments, and it is important to me that at any moment I can analyze the games played, and thanks to idChess, they are always at hand. idChess provides high accuracy in recognition, which allows me to focus on the game itself and not waste time writing down the moves. All games are stored directly in the app, and you can download and share them in a convenient format. I also like to play by the rules, and idChess VAR, the video assistant referee, helps me with this. If, in a controversial situation, the arbiter misses a violation, he can review this episode using VAR technology and make a final decision. This makes the decision-making process easier and more transparent for both arbiters and players. I recommend the idChess platform because it makes chess a technologically advanced and fair sport."

Nodirbek Yakubboev

Grandmaster, Uzbekistan

"This is the future. First of all, for live streaming and, in part, to fight cheating; what concerns illegal moves, i.e. everything related to the touch-move rule or the correct setting of pieces".

Arkady Dvorkovich

FIDE President

“The system provided to us by the idChess team was installed at our tournament in several categories: under the age of 7, 9 and 11. It performed well: when there were many difficulties, especially in the category under the age of 7, we watched the video, if everything was confirmed, the game was continued, if not — we issued a warning. The idChess system provided precious assistance in resolving contentious issues, the system saved arbiters in many situations. I think we will use it in the future, as it is really very useful"

Zhohangir Kamalov

International arbiter, chief arbiter of Asian Schools Chess Championship 2023

"The implementation of VAR in chess tournaments helps arbiters make decisions faster based on facts. Both players and arbiters expect the sport to be fair and VAR only contributes to that. Even in the first tournament, there were many moments when arbiters used VAR recordings to watch the video and make a decision."

Mukhammad Isakov

FIDE arbiter, Kyrgyzstan

"We had an exceptional experience using idChess to record games in our chess academy and broadcast chess tournaments organized by SmilingPawn.org. The application's sleek and user-friendly interface not only ensured easy adoption by chess arbiters but also elevated the overall experience for players. The inclusion of the VAR feature for fair play significantly contributed to the success of our chess tournaments".

Goran Radic

President, SmilingPawn.org, Croatia