Following the Year of Social Chess, 2026 will be dedicated to chess in education, underscoring FIDE’s focus on integrating chess into the global school curricula worldwide.
On 20 October, at NGS School in Astana, FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to jointly promote scholastic chess globally. The initiative builds upon the successful 2025 Year of Social Chess and aligns with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich’s proposal – made at the recent Smart Moves Summit in Washington, D.C. –to make education one of key focus areas for 2026.
Under the agreement – which will guide future cooperation – ISCF will work closely with FIDE to organise a series of international school team tournaments under the name “World Schools Team Championship League 2026” (WSTCL), which will serve as a flagship event of the “Chess in Education 2026” programme.
The tournaments will unfold in two stages:
- Continental Championships for Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.
- Grand Final featuring the winners of respective Continental Championships.
The parties expressed their intent to draft an action plan for additional events alongside each WSTCL 2026 tournament, aiming to expand scholastic chess and promote chess as an educational tool.
The memorandum was signed by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Timur Turlov, President of the International School Chess Federation.
“Education is the foundation for a good and successful life, and chess is a proven and powerful tool to underpin that goal,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.
“Investment in chess education, youth and school events has been one of the goals of my team since taking the helm of FIDE. I am delighted that after a successful Year of Social Chess, we are continuing with the Year of Chess in Education, launching new projects and initiatives and getting more schools and educational facilities involved in chess.”
The memorandum will serve as a foundation for implementing initiatives aimed at developing school chess and popularising intellectual sports in school education.
“Inclusion and equal opportunities have always been close to my heart. With the backing of our Freedom Shapagat Foundation, we have consistently supported social initiatives that help children and promote a more compassionate and humane society. That is why hosting these initiatives within the framework of the FIDE Olympiad for People with Disabilities feels especially meaningful,” said Timur Turlov.
“It is only natural that in this year — declared by FIDE as the Year of Social Chess — together with the International School Chess Federation, we take the next step and announce 2026 as the Year of Chess in Education. From early childhood, it is through learning that we build a society grounded in respect, empathy, and support for every child,” he added.
The “Chess in Education 2026” initiative marks a major milestone in FIDE’s global efforts to promote chess as a valuable component of learning, supporting both cognitive and social development among students worldwide.
About ISCF: The International School Chess Federation (ISCF) is dedicated to the global promotion and integration of chess within the educational system globally. Launched in September 2024 as a FIDE-affiliated organization, the ISCF operates as a main institutional platform for advancing chess in schools — developing educational programs, supporting national federations, and fostering cognitive and social growth among students through the game of chess.