Shift your perspective: FIDE Infinite Chess hosts “An Atypical Day” for autism awareness
In celebration of International Autism Awareness Day, the FIDE Infinite Chess project invites you to an online event that goes beyond the board to explore the real lives of families living with autism. This April 4, is a step into a world of unique perspectives, challenges, and triumphs. The FIDE Infinite Chess project is proud to present “An Atypical Day,” a special awareness talk dedicated to fostering understanding and sparking meaningful change within the chess community and beyond. Date: April 4Time: 12:00 CESTLocation: Online (Link available upon registration)Registration link: https://forms.gle/dA7TRwSRyCLzksoM6 While chess is often hailed as a universal language, the Infinite Chess project recognizes that the journey to the board is different for everyone. This event will pull back the curtain on that journey, placing the spotlight not just on the game, but on the incredible families who navigate the world of autism every single day. The core of “An Atypical Day” is a powerful dialogue. We will hear firsthand accounts from the people who live this reality daily: parents and coaches. They will share their intimate experiences, painting a vivid picture of life beyond the diagnosis. We will explore the central theme of the event: the journey of families living with autism. What does a typical (or atypical) day actually look like for them? What are the unspoken challenges they face from morning until night? How do they cope, adapt, and find joy in the midst of a world not always designed for them? Most importantly, we will delve into a story of hope and integration. We will ask the crucial question: How have their lives changed since joining the Infinite Chess community? Has the structured, logical, yet creative world of chess provided a new outlet, a safe space, or a bridge to connection? We aim to uncover the transformative power of inclusion, one move at a time. Following these personal stories, the floor will open for a vital Q&A session. This is a unique opportunity for participants to ask questions or share their own concerns in a safe and supportive environment. To guide this discussion and provide professional insight, we are honored to welcome a distinguished specialist: Gulzhanar Akhaeva – Defectologist, Master of Special Pedagogy, Sensory Therapist, and Head of the Psychological and Pedagogical Correction Office No. 5 under the Akimat of Astana. Gulzhanar will offer expert perspectives on the topics raised by the families, helping to bridge the gap between personal experience and professional understanding. Join us “An Atypical Day” is more than just a talk; it is an invitation to shift your perspective. Whether you are a chess enthusiast, an educator, a parent, or simply someone who wants to understand the world a little better, your presence matters. Let’s come together to listen, learn, and champion a world where every mind can thrive. How to participate: The event will take place online on April 4 at 12:00 CEST. Registration details: https://forms.gle/dA7TRwSRyCLzksoM6 About FIDE Infinite Chess: The FIDE Infinite Chess project is dedicated to making chess accessible and beneficial for individuals with autism and other special needs, fostering inclusion and cognitive development through the royal game. The project currently thrives in 28 countries, supporting more than 270 children with autism and co-occurring conditions, and welcomes new interested families from around the world. Contact us: infinitechess@fide.com
Erling Haaland invests in Norway Chess to launch the new Total Chess World Championship Tour
Football superstar Erling Haaland is investing in Norway Chess and its new tour format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour. Haaland has ambitious plans to contribute to make chess a broader and more spectator-friendly sport. Norway Chess has been a driving force for innovation in chess for years and is now taking another major step with the launch of the Total Chess World Championship Tour. The initiative is now gaining a new strategic investor: global football superstar Erling Haaland. Together with Norwegian business leader Morten Borge, Haaland has established the company Chess Mates, which will be a significant owner of Norway Chess. “Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything”, says Erling Haaland. “Chess is ultimately about strategy and long-term thinking”, says Morten Borge. “Those are qualities that also define both elite sport and the ability to make sound investments over time. In many ways, chess sits right at the intersection of the worlds Erling and I come from. I’ve even promised to give Erling a bit of chess training!” With millions of fans around the world, Haaland is already a global sports icon and a natural partner to help grow new audiences and bring fresh energy to the game. “I’m investing in Norway Chess because I believe the new Total Chess World Championship Tour can turn chess into an even bigger sport for spectators around the world. The team behind Norway Chess has already done an impressive job growing the event, and joining the project was too exciting to pass up,” says Haaland. The new championship, featuring the world’s best players, is expected to become one of the most significant developments in modern chess. The Total Chess World Championship Tour will consist of four tournaments each year, hosted by four different cities, and will crown a combined world champion across three disciplines — Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz chess. This new World Championship has been approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for a minimum of 16 years. “Chess – like football – has always been a global language of strategy and creativity. Seeing a world-class athlete like Erling Haaland join the Total World Chess Championship Tour is a powerful signal of the global attention and cultural relevance that chess enjoys today. As FIDE President, it has always been my ambition to build chess into a sustainable and attractive global sport. Working closely with my team and with forward-thinking partners such as Norway Chess, our goal is to develop the Total World Chess Championship Tour into the most compelling intellectual sporting event in the world,” says FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. A pilot tournament is planned for autumn 2026, followed by a full championship season in 2027. Each season will consist of four events, and a minimum annual prize pool of USD 2.7 million. Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, welcomes the investment and involvement of Haaland as a long-term strategic partner. “We expect the new championship to become one of the most prestigious events in the global chess calendar. The fact that Erling is joining us as an investor says a great deal about the commercial potential of this tour. Erling has an enormous global following and is truly world-class when it comes to creating magical sporting moments. I am absolutely certain he will bring tremendous value to Total Chess, help generate increased interest in the fascinating world of chess, and attract new audiences. He has already contributed with several great ideas. With Erling on board, we are now entering the final phase of finding host cities for the first tour,” says Madland. About Norway Chess and Total Chess World Championship Tour: A groundbreaking FIDE-approved format, developed and owned by Norway Chess. The Total Chess World Championship Tour brings together the best players across three disciplines — Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz — to crown the FIDE World Combined Champion, the most complete and versatile chess player in the world. Fast Classic is an innovation of classical chess with a shorter time limit, down to 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment, and will receive classical rating. The Tour will feature a minimum $2.7 million annual prize pool, including at least $750,000 for each of the first three events and $450,000 for the Finals (with four players), plus performance bonuses. The Total Chess World Championship Tour, hosted by four different cities, will officially launch in Q1 of 2027. For more information, go to: https://www.totalchess.com/ Contacts: For Norway Chess and Total Chess:Kjell Madland: +47 911 67 695, kjell@norwaychess.com For Chess Mates and Morten Borge:Peter Markovski: +47 920 41 055, pm@stormcom.no