I am Hassan, Yassin, President of the Djiboutian Chess Federation (FDE) since 2020, re-elected for a second term (2024–2028), and President of FIDE Zone 4.4 since 2022.
Alongside my commitment to the chess community, I have worked as a Physics and Chemistry teacher since 2003. This professional experience has enabled me to develop essential leadership, educational, communication, management, and strategic planning skills, which I have consistently applied to the development of chess.
For more than a decade, I have dedicated much of my work to promoting chess as a powerful educational, social, and sporting tool. Between 2016 and 2019, I initiated and developed the Chess in School program in Djibouti, firmly believing that chess is an effective means of strengthening students’ cognitive abilities, promoting inclusion, encouraging equal opportunities, and preparing future generations to become responsible citizens.
As President of the Djiboutian Chess Federation, I have led a comprehensive process of modernization and institutional strengthening.
Under my leadership, the Federation has improved its governance, established a structured national competition calendar, organized FIDE-rated tournaments, increased the number of FIDE-rated players, and implemented training programs for arbiters, coaches, and administrators.
Particular attention has also been given to youth, women, and people with special needs, ensuring that chess remains an inclusive and accessible sport for all.
My election as President of FIDE Zone 4.4 has allowed me to expand these efforts at the regional level. I have worked to strengthen cooperation among member federations, improve communication with continental and international chess bodies, and promote collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing chess development throughout the region.
Over the years, I have established strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect with the leaders of African chess federations, officials of the African Chess Confederation (ACC), and representatives of FIDE.
These partnerships have been built through dialogue, cooperation, and a shared commitment to advancing chess. I firmly believe that the ability to unite people, build consensus, and encourage collaboration is one of the most important qualities required of a FIDE Vice President.
My candidacy is guided by a clear vision: to contribute to making FIDE an organization that is even closer to its member federations, providing fair, sustainable, and effective support for their development.
If elected as Vice President of FIDE, I will work actively to advance the following priorities:
- Strengthen FIDE’s global development programs to create greater opportunities for emerging federations.
- Expand the Chess in School program in cooperation with Ministries of Education and institutional partners around the world.
- Promote continuous education and certification programs for arbiters, coaches, organizers, and federation officials in order to strengthen the institutional capacity of national federations.
- Encourage good governance based on transparency, accountability, sound management, and the sharing of best practices.
- Develop strategic partnerships capable of mobilizing additional financial and technical resources to support FIDE’s development programs.
- Promote balanced representation of all regions of the world within FIDE’s activities and governing bodies, ensuring that every federation has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth of international chess.
I firmly believe that the future of chess depends on open governance, stronger international cooperation, and sustained investment in youth, education, and the long-term development of national federations.
Drawing upon my national, regional, and international experience, my understanding of the realities faced by developing federations, and my unwavering commitment to the advancement of chess, I am ready to dedicate my knowledge, energy, and international network to serving FIDE and all of its member federations.
With humility, determination, and a strong sense of responsibility, I respectfully seek the confidence and support of the national federations. Together with the FIDE leadership, I am committed to helping build a more ambitious, inclusive, and sustainable future for chess worldwide.