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 – India
Across 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.
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!