Benjamin Banlock Leads FECADE to Historic Russia Deal

By Lesley Angu

The Cameroon Chess Federation (FECADE) has taken a major step toward expanding its international footprint after signing a cooperation agreement with the Moscow Region Chess Federation (FERM) in Russia. The convention was officially signed in Moscow, opening a new chapter for chess development in Cameroon and strengthening ties between both federations.

The agreement was signed by FECADE President Benjamin Banlock and FERM President, Russian Senator and Grandmaster Sergey Karjakin. The partnership is aimed at promoting technical collaboration between the two institutions through tournaments, seminars, exchange programs, and training camps for players, coaches, and officials in both Cameroon and Russia.

Under the terms of the deal, both federations will share expertise and organize joint activities both physically and online. This includes capacity-building opportunities for trainers, competitive exposure for players, and access to stronger chess structures, with Russia widely regarded as one of the global powerhouses of the sport.

For Cameroon, the agreement marks an important early achievement under FECADE’s new executive bureau led by Benjamin Banlock and his team under the slogan “Le Gambit de l’Excellence.” The move is expected to create new pathways for Cameroonian chess talents seeking higher-level competition and development opportunities.

Banlock is already a familiar figure in Cameroon’s sports administration landscape. Before his move into chess governance, he served as Secretary General of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and later worked as Coordinator of Cameroon’s national football selections following his appointment in 2024. His experience in sports administration and federation management is viewed as one of the assets he now brings into Cameroonian chess.

This latest agreement is being hailed as a landmark diplomatic and sporting breakthrough for FECADE. With stronger institutional links now established with the Moscow Region Chess Federation, FECADE members stand to benefit from international exposure, improved training opportunities, and a broader competitive network.

The signing in Moscow is therefore more than a symbolic gesture—it signals FECADE’s ambition to position Cameroon more competitively on the international chess scene under Benjamin Banlock’s leadership.