“What is the real magic of social chess?” FIDE panel shares stories of change
On 20 July, International Chess Day and the anniversary of FIDE’s founding in Paris in 1924, the FIDE Social Commission marked the occasion with Chess as Social Value, an online panel discussion bringing together the people behind FIDE’s flagship social projects. Moderated by André Vögtlin, Chair of the FIDE Social Commission, the one-hour session gathered voices from prisons, refugee camps, classrooms and community programmes across four continents around a single question: what is the real magic of social chess? FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich opened the discussion with congratulations on International Chess Day, celebrated across the world from the United Nations headquarters to member federations. He reflected on how FIDE has acquired a second mission alongside competitive chess. While social initiatives have existed throughout FIDE’s history, the last three years have brought a clear focus on bringing chess to communities that elite competition rarely reaches, from children on the autism spectrum to refugee camps, prisons and the elderly. “The people who do it are the highest value that we have, whether it is teachers, instructors, or just volunteers and enthusiasts that are helping,” he said. The moments that changed everything Asked for the moment they truly understood that social chess makes a difference, the panelists answered with personal stories rather than statistics. For Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, the idea began when she first joined FIDE and considered what she could contribute to an already established international organisation. Her answer was social chess: making FIDE more human and accessible, while expanding the game beyond the boundaries of elite sport. “I was so happy to see so many like-minded people, both in FIDE and outside of it, that were ready to jump on it and develop so many beautiful projects that we can celebrate today,” she said. Mikhail Korenman, leader of the Chess for Freedom project, identified several defining moments. One was the story of Hector, a man in Chicago who used chess while serving a prison sentence and went on to build a successful life after his release. The most emotional came during a visit to Mongolia this January, where Korenman met five women who had been released from prison in connection with their participation in the chess programme, all five now in employment. “They were full of life, and that is, I believe, the direct result of our program,” he said. Lāsma Kokoreviča, formerly Secretary of the Social Commission and now working within the Latvian prison administration, saw the change not only amongst prisoners, but also amongst the correctional staff around them. “The moment came when I saw my colleagues on the ground turn from sceptics into real supporters and true believers,” she said. “They began rooting for our teams. That was when I realised that chess has this power.” Anastasia Sorokina, leader of the FIDE Chess for Protection project, traced the Infinite Chess project from its origins to its adoption as a FIDE project in 2021, remembering a girl on the autism spectrum who, after half a year in the programme, began smiling and naming the pieces. She also spoke about her own experience of displacement in 2022, and how the chess community became a source of what she called social security as well as social chess. “Through social chess, we give hope and we give support to people who are in a difficult situation,” she said. She also spoke about her own experience of displacement in 2022, and how the chess community became a source of what she called social security as well as social chess. “Through social chess, we give hope and we give support to people who are in a difficult situation,” she said. Anastasiya Karlovich, who runs the girls’ clubs in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps in Kenya alongside Salome Melia, described the Saturday lessons the pair deliver by video call to four schools of girls, a project now in its fourth year that teaches life skills and a sense of belonging alongside the game itself. “Chess is an international language, and those who started to play immediately felt different and welcomed in our chess community,” she said. Susan Namangale, Global Director of The Gift of Chess, pointed to the first Chess for Freedom conference in Chicago as the moment the scale of the movement became clear to her, the beginning of connections that have since carried chess sets into communities across Africa. “A single chess set can change a life,” she said. She also recalled a former inmate from Malawi who travelled to India to speak at a Chess for Freedom event, a story that made national news and deepened the Malawi Prison Service’s engagement with the programme. Antonio Porter, Director of Programs at the Cook County Department of Corrections in Chicago, pointed to Checkmate for Kids, an event where participants in custody teach their own children to play. “Seeing that happen was the moment for me, and why we continue to have chess expand across our jail,” he said. How do you explain the social value of chess to someone who has no interest in the game? Vögtlin next asked how the value of social chess could be communicated to people outside the chess world, including governments, institutions and potential partners. Reizniece began by rejecting the idea that social chess is an optional extra. “Some would say that social chess is a cherry on the top of the cake,” she said. “But over these years, it has grown into something much more. I think it is the most delicious part of the birthday cake of FIDE.” Citing figures from the United Nations, UNESCO and the World Bank, she noted that more than 120 million people are currently forcibly displaced by conflict and persecution, more than 250 million children and young people remain out of school, and nearly 700 million people still live in extreme poverty. International sports organisations, she argued, are amongst those with an obligation to care for global welfare, precisely because of their global reach. Chess
The world celebrates International Chess Day 2026
Every year on July 20, the global chess community comes together to celebrate International Chess Day, marking the founding of FIDE in 1924. More than a commemoration of the game’s history, the day is a celebration of chess’s unique ability to connect people across countries, cultures and generations. This year, FIDE invited players, federations, clubs, schools, organisers and chess enthusiasts around the world to celebrate by taking chess beyond the traditional playing hall. The challenge was simple: stage a game in the most unusual, meaningful or symbolic place imaginable – whether on a mountaintop, beside a famous landmark, underwater or anywhere else that captures the imagination. The response was inspiring. From historic monuments and tropical beaches to schools, village squares and community centers, people from every corner of the world demonstrated that no event is too large or too small to celebrate the game. Every chessboard setup, every new player welcomed and every story shared reinforced chess’s power to unite, inspire and create positive change. Chess has no age – Sri Lanka One of the most touching submissions came from Sri Lanka, where FIDE Arbiter and photographer Navod Nethsara created a photo series entitled Chess Has No Age. Set in a rural Sri Lankan village, the story begins with a young child playing chess against an elderly woman. As the game progresses, more children gather around the board, gradually becoming part of the experience. The photographs beautifully illustrate how chess transcends generations, bringing together young and old through a shared passion for the game. Celebrating tradition on the shores of the Maldives The Maldives showcased Raazuvaa, the country’s traditional counterpart to modern chess. Played with culturally distinctive pieces, the centuries-old game reflects the rich heritage of the islands while sharing the same spirit of strategy and intellectual challenge. Against the stunning backdrop of white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, the photographs also celebrated another important story: the growing success of women in Maldivian chess. While the country’s chess community continues to develop, female players are leading the way, breaking barriers and achieving remarkable results. Chess among centuries of history – Pakistan In Pakistan, players gathered at the magnificent Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh in Multan, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Surrounded by centuries of history, participants demonstrated strategy, patience and creativity while celebrating the timeless appeal of chess. The event also encouraged young people to embrace the game as a pathway to critical thinking and lifelong learning. Inspiring the next generation – IndiaAcross India, International Chess Day became a celebration of learning.In West Bengal, Filix School of Education and the Purulia Chess Association marked the occasion by launching the Filix Chess Club, providing young players with new opportunities to develop analytical thinking, concentration and sportsmanship. Meanwhile, at EuroKids Balurghat School, even the youngest children joined the celebration. Through playful activities, they discovered how knights move, how pawns become powerful and how every game develops patience, focus and imagination. As the school proudly joked, “Watch out, Magnus Carlsen – the next generation of genius is on its way.” Building stronger communities – United Kingdom The town of Rugby in the United Kingdom hosted an inclusive International Chess Day celebration that brought together school champions from across the Midlands. Supported by Chess in Schools and Communities coach Anthony Mathurin, the event highlighted chess as a universal language that transcends age, language and physical ability. Mayor Nooria Sayani connected the celebration with her annual theme of community, compassion and cohesion, emphasising how chess encourages critical thinking, resilience and meaningful connections between people in an increasingly technological world. The festivities even showcased the growing popularity of chess boxing in Rugby – a unique discipline combining mental strategy with physical endurance. Changing lives through chess – South Africa At Kagisono Combined School in Soutpan, South Africa, educator and coach Thato Lempe shared how chess has become a powerful educational tool. Recognising that not every learner thrives in traditional classroom settings or physical sports, he introduced chess to help develop focus, discipline and resilience. His vision extends far beyond competition: he hopes to create a school where chess achievements are celebrated alongside sporting success, empowering learners to become confident thinkers, leaders and problem-solvers. Festivals, public squares and historic churches International Chess Day was also celebrated in many other remarkable locations.In Ireland, the Sligo Chess and Culture Festival transformed Queen Maeve Square into a vibrant meeting place for chess and culture. In Spain, chess found a unique setting inside the beautiful Romanesque Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Duratón, where history, architecture and the game came together in an unforgettable atmosphere. The Mongolian chess family and chess enthusiasts celebrated International Chess Day at the iconic Sükhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar. Initiated by Gombojav Zandanshatar, President of the Mongolian Chess Federation, the festivities brought together players of all ages and backgrounds, showcasing chess as a game that unites communities, inspires future generations, and promotes friendship and mutual understanding. Chess belongs everywhere These are just a few of the many stories received by FIDE this year. Together, they demonstrate that chess belongs everywhere – to schools and city squares, beaches and villages, historic landmarks and places of worship. Most importantly, it belongs to everyone.FIDE thanks every federation, club, organiser, volunteer, teacher, parent and player who helped make International Chess Day 2026 a truly global celebration. If you have not yet celebrated, there is still time to join. Set up a board in your favourite place, introduce someone to the game, organise an event in your community, or simply share your chess story with the world. Every celebration – big or small – helps show how chess continues to bring people together across borders, generations and cultures. Happy International Chess Day!
FIDE School Awards 2026: 20 schools recognized for educational excellence
The 4th cycle of the FIDE School Award is now complete. In total, 20 applicants qualified for an award. This award recognizes schools that prioritize chess as an educational tool to enhance learning and build community. For these schools, chess has a profound impact on both children and school culture, which is reflected in their teaching methods, tools, and the ways in which they connect with their surrounding communities through their chess programs. The FIDE School Award (FSA) also seeks to connect FSA-winning schools from around the world, enabling them to share ideas and educational resources that promote the value of educational chess and community engagement globally. Programs are evaluated on 11 different criteria, which include social impact, community involvement, innovation in teaching, chess educators, student involvement and more. To read more on the criteria and the FIDE School Award, click HERE. Congratulations to all the award winners of the 4th cycle! Gold School Award: Citrus Grove K-8 Center, Miami, Florida, USA Nord Anglia School Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Irving and Beatrice Peskoe K-8 Center, Homestead, Florida, USA Ruben Dario Middle School, Miami, Florida, USA North Miami Senior High School, North Miami, Florida, USA Phyllis Ruth Miller Elementary, Miami, Florida, USA Sharjah American International School, United Arab Emirates Colegio Obradoiro International School, A Coruna, Spain Hialeah Gardens Middle School, Hialeah Gardens, Florida, USA Harrow International School Shanghai, Shanghai, China Howard D. McMillan Middle School, Miami, Florida, USA Silver School Award Cayman Prep and High School, Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) Riyadh Schools Al Malqa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Riyadh Hebrew Language Academy 2, Brooklyn, New York Zhangir Khan School, Khan Ordassy Village, Kazakhstan Addis Abada #2 Primary and Middle School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Dalton E. Tucker Primary School, Southampton, Bermuda Bronze School Award Dominican Convent School, Zimbabwe Eden School, Veyrier, Switzerland Lakeland Elementary Middle School, Baltimore, Maryland, USA To learn more about the FIDE School Award and to see past recipients, click HERE.