The Slovenian Chess Federation is celebrating an impressive 90 years of activity in 2025. In 1935, twenty chess clubs from the former Drava Banovina region formally established the Slovenian Chess Federation, laying the foundations for today’s national organization.
One of the most significant milestones in the history of Slovenian chess was undoubtedly the hosting of the 35th Chess Olympiad in 2002 in Bled. The event brought together players from 133 countries, with a total of 1,615 participants. Thirty Slovenian chess players competed in the Olympiad.
Slovenian players earned their first Olympic medal in chess back in 1950, during the first post-war Chess Olympiad, held from August 20 to September 11 in Dubrovnik. The Yugoslav team at the time included Svetozar Gligorić, Petar Trifunović, Braslav Rabar, and three Slovenians: Vasja Pirc, Milan Vidmar Jr., and Stojan Puc. The team lost only one match (against Argentina), drew three, and won eleven with convincing results, ultimately securing first place overall.
Commemorative stamps were issued on both Olympiad occasions. The 1950 stamps were designed by Slovenian graphic artist Janez Trpin (1908–1973).
The stamps for the 2002 Olympiad were created by Studio Zodiak, led by designers Maja and Miljenko Licul.
The 1950 stamp:
