Goa, India — October 31, 2025
A new chapter for chess and education was written this morning at the Hotel Rio Resort in Goa, India, where the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the All India Chess Federation (AICF), and KIIT University officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the values of chess in education and society across India, Asia, and the world.
The signing took place just hours before the opening of the 2025 FIDE World Cup, highlighting the shared commitment of all parties to use chess as a tool for learning, inclusion, and personal growth.
President Arkady Dvorkovich, representing FIDE; President Nitin Narang, representing the AICF; and Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS Universities and Member of Parliament, signed the MoU in a ceremony attended by chess officials, educators, and media representatives.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation through 2025 and 2026, focusing on joint initiatives such as training programs, workshops, conferences, research, case studies, school competitions, and awareness campaigns. The collaboration also aims to enhance teacher training and develop educational programs that bring chess into classrooms and communities — beginning in India and expanding globally.
“We have recently launched the 2026 Year of Chess in Education, following this year’s Year of Social Chess. There is an ongoing effort to fulfill the social mission of our beloved game, and we are delighted to find more and more partners joining us in this endeavor. This Memorandum will help us promote chess in schools and share best practices and knowledge—not only in India but globally,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE.
“It’s a proud moment to sign this MoU, with India leading the way in Social Chess. I am confident that AICF, KIIT, and FIDE will make every effort to ensure that every school provides access to chess from an early age,” said Nitin Narang, President of AICF.
“We are committed to promoting all forms of sports in India, and our chess programs have been running successfully for many years. I warmly invite everyone to the January conference in the beautiful city of Bhubaneswar, and I hope it will be a great success,” said Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS Universities.
As part of the agreement, an International Conference on Social Chess and Educational Chess will be held in January 2026 in Bhubaneswar, hosted by KIIT University. This event will form part of FIDE’s global initiatives: the Year of Social Chess 2025 and the Year Chess in Education 2026, bringing together international and Indian experts to explore how chess can foster social inclusion and educational innovation.
In closing the ceremony, Arkady Dvorkovich presented KIIT University and the AICF with the Social Chess Years Award Medal, in recognition of their commitment to advancing chess for social good.
This landmark collaboration underscores India’s growing leadership in the global chess movement — demonstrating how the game can transform education, empower youth, and connect communities worldwide.
About AICF
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is the national governing body for chess in India, overseeing the game’s development and organization from grassroots to elite levels across the country.
About KIIT University
KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology), based in Bhubaneswar, India, is one of the country’s leading universities, renowned for its commitment to inclusive education, innovation, and social impact through its sister institution, KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences).