FIDE Global Conference on Chess in Society and Education: Final call for registration
The Social and Educational Chess Conference, marking the launch of the FIDE Year of Chess in Education 2026, is fast approaching. Organized by FIDE, in partnership with KIIT and the All India Chess Federation the conference will take place from January 14 to 16, 2026 in Bhubaneswar, India. It aims to bring together experts from the fields of education, academic research, social development, public policy, and chess to critically examine and advance the use of chess as a structured instrument for learning and social impact on a global scale. “Chess has a unique ability to bring together education, social programmes, and public institutions. When it is organised well and supported by strong partners, it can reach people globally and create real opportunities for learning and participation. This conference is about sharing what works, learning from each other, and building stronger cooperation so that chess can play a meaningful role in education and social projects around the world,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President. The event will be held at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), one of India’s leading educational institutions, and will focus on two core pillars of FIDE’s global strategy: Social Chess and Chess in Education. “Education must go beyond textbooks and classrooms to nurture character, values, and the ability to think independently. Chess is a powerful tool in this journey, as it cultivates discipline, critical thinking, patience, and ethical decision-making. We are honoured that KIIT and KISS will host this global conference and partner with FIDE and the All India Chess Federation in advancing chess as an instrument for social transformation and inclusive education worldwide,” said Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT, KISS & KIMS. Over the course of the conference, participants will examine how chess can support inclusion, education, rehabilitation, and personal development across different communities and age groups. The programme combines strategic discussions, academic research, practical case studies, and on-the-ground experiences. The list of speakers includes: Achyuta Samanta, a globally respected educationist, social reformer, and sports visionary, and the founder of KIIT, KISS & KIMS Rodrigo Barbeito, a sociologist and international project manager at Club Magic Extremadura Mukesh Ranjan Das, Executive Director (HR), Indian Oil Corp (IOC) Professor Sabine Vollstädt-Klein, who leads the Neuroimaging of Addictive Behaviour group in the Central Institute of Mental Health at Heidelberg University. Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian National Chess Master and founder of a nonprofit Chess in Slums Africa. Cristóbal Blanco Acevedo, a neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, and International Chess Master. His work uniquely bridges elite chess and brain science using the game as a model to study advanced cognition Jerry Nash, Chair of FIDE Chess in Education Commission, a National consultant for educational chess in the US. André Vögtlin, FIDE Social Chess Commission Chair Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess The first day of the conference, titled “Every Move Matters: Social Chess in Action”, will focus on social impact initiatives. Sessions will highlight the outcomes of FIDE’s Social Chess Year 2025 and present priorities for 2026. Speakers and project leaders from around the world will share experiences from initiatives working with refugees, prison populations, children in underserved communities, elderly participants, and individuals facing addiction and social exclusion. The programme will also address institutional models, partnerships, CSR engagement, volunteer management, and sustainable project development. As part of the Every Move Matters theme, the first day of the conference will conclude with the presentation of the FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge. Short films submitted through the global initiative will be screened, showcasing real stories of how chess supports education, inclusion, and social change across communities worldwide. The evening programme will culminate in the announcement of the winning films, followed by a networking reception hosted by KIIT and the All India Chess Federation. The second day, “Every Lesson Counts: The Present and Future of Chess in Education”, will focus on chess in formal and non-formal education systems. Discussions will include current research on the cognitive and academic impact of chess, national and regional implementation models, teacher training, curriculum integration, and policy development. Digital tools and platforms supporting chess in education will also be showcased, alongside case studies from established programmes around the world. Beyond the main conference sessions, the programme includes exhibitions of social chess projects, educational workshops, networking activities, and presentations from digital and educational partners. Interactive formats such as audience Q&A, project showcases, and short film screenings will encourage dialogue and exchange between participants. The final days of the programme will be dedicated to site visits at KIIT and KISS facilities, local social chess initiatives, school activities, and Chess in Education teacher training courses, reinforcing the conference’s emphasis on practical application and long-term capacity building. The Social and Educational Chess Conference reflects FIDE’s ongoing commitment to developing chess as a tool for education, inclusion, and social development, while strengthening collaboration between institutions, educators, researchers, and federations worldwide. The conference will be streamed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel. Registration details, speakers, and the program are available at soc.fide.com/global-chess-conference.
Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives 2026: Application deadline approaching
We would like to kindly remind you that the application process for the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) Project 2026 is currently open. FACI is an international project implemented by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation with the support of Freedom Holding Corp., in partnership with FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation (ACF). The FACI Project aims to support the sustainable development of chess by strengthening national chess federations, developing chess education, and promoting international cooperation. In 2025, the FACI Project supported seven national chess federations: Oman, Cambodia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and Pakistan. Participating countries achieved strong results, including prize-winning places at international tournaments. Selected countries also received grants to take part in the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships in Almaty, providing young players the opportunity to compete at the highest level. A key focus of the FACI Project is the organization of training camps for national teams, conducted with the participation of Kazakhstan’s leading coaches. National chess federations interested in participating in FACI 2026 are invited to submit their applications via the official website: faci.kazchess.kz. Deadline: January 12, 2026, 12:00 PM Astana time (UTC+5). All applications will be processed in accordance with the FACI Project Regulations. The results of the selection process will be announced in early February 2026. Federations that participated in 2025 are invited to submit a new application to be considered for support in 2026. Decisions will be made by the FACI Working Group and the President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. Please carefully review the FACI Project Regulations posted on the official website. For more detailed information about the FACI Project, you can watch our video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMYLo4rCK24