The opening ceremony of the World Schools Team Championship 2025 began with a colorful Parade of Nations, featuring players from more than 50 countries including India, China, the United States, and Norway. This was followed by the official transfer of ownership from FIDE to the International School Chess Federation, after which the event was formally declared open.
The tournament officially commenced on August 3, 2025, in the historic city of Alexandria, Virginia. Hosted at Episcopal High School, just outside Washington, D.C., the venue offers a beautiful campus with modern facilities and rich tradition, an ideal setting for a tournament that encourages critical thinking, fair play, and global connection. This event will bring together over 50 teams from around the world, uniting young chess players in a truly international competition.
Unlike a traditional indoor event, the opening ceremony embraced the sunny weather and took place outdoors on the grass lawn in front of the Hoxton house dormitory. Schools lined up in alphabetical order, and one by one, teams marched toward the front stage, proudly holding their country’s flag. The ceremony host introduced each team over the speakers, with upbeat music playing in the background to energize the crowd. The audience responded with loud applause, giving every team their moment in the spotlight. After all the teams had been welcomed, the national anthem of the United States played, followed by the FIDE anthem.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich then took the stage to pass the championship flag to Timur Turlov, President of the International School Chess Federation (ISCF). This symbolic gesture marked the official transfer of responsibility for the event to the ISCF.
“Following the World Corporate and the World Rapid & Blitz, this is the third major global chess event we are hosting in the U.S. in just over a year, and we hope to do more. We are eternally grateful to our partners, particularly Freedom Holding and Mr. Timur Turlov – for their generous support for chess globally, at all levels. And on this note, it is my honour to formally entrust the International School Chess Federation with care and stewardship over the FIDE World Schools Team Championship,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE.
Timur Turlov followed with a speech highlighting the educational value of chess and the importance of making the game accessible to children everywhere.
“Chess is not just a sport. It’s a way of thinking. It teaches discipline, decision-making, and the ability to see the consequences of your actions. It’s a game that shapes the kind of thinking every person needs – in life, in his or her career, in society. I say this not only as the head of a federation, but as a father whose children play chess. I see, game after game, how they learn to think, to be patient, to win – and sometimes to lose with dignity. Chess is a school of life. And we want more children around the world to have access to this beautiful game,” said Timur Turlov, President of the International School Chess Federation.
He ended his speech by officially declaring the World Schools Team Championship 2025 open, drawing a warm round of applause from the crowd.
The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests and prominent figures from the global chess and academic communities. Among them were present Dr. Bill Poucher, Executive Director of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), ACM Fellow, and Professor of Computer Science at Baylor University, recognized for his decades-long contributions to computer science and innovation and Dana Reizniece, former Latvia’s Minister of Economics and Minister of Finance, and current FIDE Deputy Chair. Their presence underscored the significance of the event and its role in shaping the future of scholastic chess worldwide.
Applications are now open to host the next World Schools Team Championship! National chess federations, educational institutions, and event organizers interested in hosting the tournament are invited to submit their proposals. Please include a description of the venue, infrastructure, and a letter of intent. All applications should be sent to: info@ischoolchess.com
For more information and the full program, please visit the official website of the Federation and follow our social media accounts – exciting, inspiring, and unforgettable moments lie ahead!
More information:
- Championship website: worldschoolteam2025.fide.com/
- Summit website: worldschoolteam2025.fide.com/summit/
- ISCF website: ischoolchess.com/
General Partner: Freedom Holding Corp.
Join us in Washington, D.C. / Alexandria from August 2–7, 2025.