Breaking the limits: How FIDE’s Infinite Chess project helps people with autism
Five years since its launch, the Infinite Chess project has expanded globally, offering valuable insights to the chess community on its potential to enhance the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum The World Health Organization notes that autism affects one in every 100 children worldwide. In 2007, The United Nations General Assembly established April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) to raise awareness and provide opportunities for people with autism not only to survive but also to prosper. In 2019, FIDE answered the call and launched the Infinite Chess project aiming to help children with autism thrive using chess as a vehicle for developing important life skills. What began as a pilot program in 2019 has grown to encompass 19 countries worldwide, including Albania, Latvia, France, Spain, Portugal, UK, Gibraltar, Mongolia, Turkey, Morocco, Cyprus, India, Gambia, South Africa, Tanzania, Brazil, Taiwan, Malaysia, and New Zealand. Another six countries are expected to join this year: Jamaica, Botswana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Maldives, and Puerto Rico. Today, the project equips autistic individuals with essential life skills through free training and resources, promoting their acceptance and contribution to society. In March 2024, a three-day seminar at the Second International Congress of Chess, Education, and Health showcased studies on the project’s impact. The results confirmed that chess has helped children with autism improve their socio-emotional well-being and build a stronger foundation for life skills. In March 2024, a three-day seminar at the Second International Congress of Chess, Education, and Health showcased studies on the project’s impact. The results confirmed that chess has helped children with autism improve their socio-emotional well-being and build a stronger foundation for life skills. In the same month, the Spanish island of Menorca hosted the Second International Congress of Chess, Education, and Health as part of the FIDE100 Celebration program. The congress brought together experts in the fields of chess, education, and health. The three-day seminar showcased studies and experiences from different parts of the world about the role of chess in education and health, including the Infinite Chess project. The results showed that chess has helped children with autism improve their socio-emotional welfare and provided them with a stronger foundation for grasping important life skills. Reflecting on the past five years, WIM Anastasia Sorokina, the project leader, emphasizes the significant learning experience for both the chess community and health experts. “It has been an important learning curve for both the chess world and health experts. Through direct work with children who have autism, we gained a better understanding of how chess can be made more accessible. Chess is for all – we are all one family – and FIDE is steadfast in its commitment to providing everyone, regardless of their background or life circumstances, with an opportunity to learn and play chess as it does help make one’s life better,” she said. Running in sync with FIDE’s Social Commission and supported by the International Olympic Committee, the Infinite Chess project explores how chess can help children with autism develop through the 64-square game. Through specially designed courses and seminars, educators are taught how to present chess to children with autism and help them learn the game. The program, available online on the Infinite Chess website, as well as through courses and seminars published on YouTube, has been translated into five languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian) and is currently taught to more than 150 children between the ages of four and 17. You can watch a video on the Infinite Chess here.
The best students of FIDE Chessable Academy shine in in-person training camp
Thirteen exceptional young talents, born between 2007 and 2013, recently participated in an exclusive in-person training camp alongside chess legends Judit Polgar and Artur Jussupow These students distinguished themselves among over 450 participants in the project, which brought together some of the most promising chess talents globally. In its third year, the FIDE Chessable Academy, a partnership between FIDE and Chessable, aims to provide an in-depth training experience for the most gifted young chess players nominated by their national federations and FIDE-endorsed Academies. This initiative provided a unique opportunity for advanced chess training led by renowned players and coaches. Running from January until the beginning of April, the FIDE Chessable Academy comprised weekly online lessons culminating in an intensive in-person camp for the most successful participants. From March 28 to April 2, thirteen talented players, including five girls, convened in Menorka to undergo rigorous training under the mentorship of Judit Polgar and Artur Jussupow. To qualify for the in-person training, each FIDE Chessable Academy student had to meet specific criteria, including FIDE standard rating above 2000, attendance of a minimum of 75% of the online lectures, and others. Both FIDE and Chessable reserved the right to add one additional player each. Although originally planned for twelve participants, the final training stage included thirteen individuals. The FIDE Chessable Academy in-person training camp, organized by the FIDE Trainers’ Commission, covered essential aspects of chess gameplay, including exploring typical and innovative opening ideas, position evaluation, game planning, prophylactic thinking, principles of attack and defence, piece evaluation, and exploiting weaknesses in a position. In addition to the chess mastery class, the participants also took part in the “FIDE Personal Growth Academy”, where they were taught about the importance of developing social skills and personal development. The session featured experts like Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Geert van der Velde, Maria Yuste, and Natalia Ryzhenko, covering topics such as the power of a personal brand, the rules of communication and the dress and ethics codes of FIDE. “With personal growth training, we want to give these young talents and their parents a glimpse into those skills that will be important in their professional career – healthy nutrition and fitness, personal brand development and media training,” says Sami Khader, the Chair of FIDE Trainers’ Commission. About the FIDE Chessable Academy The FIDE Chessable Academy was launched in 2021 as a joint training initiative by FIDE and Chessable — the world’s leading chess e-learning platform. Its mission is to help up-and-comers become the best players they can be. Over these years, hundreds of promising youngsters from over 100 national federations enjoyed free access to Chessable courses — plus exclusive lessons from the world’s top coaches. Among the academy’s students were the 2024 Candidate GM Gukesh D and the 2023 World Junior Girls’ Champion WGM Candela Belén Francisco Guecamburu.
FIDE April 2024 rating list: Abdusattorov, Erigaisi crack top 10
The FIDE April 2024 rating list was impacted by the Prague International Chess Festival, the 5th Shengzhen (Longgang) Chess Masters 2024, and several open tournaments across Europe. The world #1 Junior, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (pictured below), gained 15 rating points following his excellent performance in the Prague International Chess Festival and is now #4 in the world, while 21-year-old Arjun Erigaisi collected 8 points in the 5th Shengzhen Chess Masters and Bundesliga and mounted to the ninth position on the list. Both players debut in the top 10 Open. Photo: Petr Vrabec Biggest gains in the top 100 Open and Women Lu, Miaoyi WGM CHN 2438 (+45) Beydullayeva, Govhar WGM AZE 2402 (+28) Balajayeva, Khanim IM AZE 2371 (+21) Hejazipour, Mitra WGM FRA 2376 (+20) Maltsevskaya, Aleksandra IM POL 2393 (+19) Nguyen, Thai Dai Van GM CZE 2643 (+16) Abdusattorov, Nodirbek GM UZB 2765 (+15) Maghsoodloo, Parham GM IRI 2732 (+15) Stefanova, Antoaneta GM BUL 2447 (+14) Garifullina, Leya IM FID 2427 (+14) Lu Miaoyi (pictured below) continues her rise in the rankings, reaching 33rd position in the women’s list. This is thanks to her strong showing in the 55th Ladies’ Grandmaster Tournament in Serbia (won by Alexandra Maltsevskaya, who collected 16 points) and the Reykjavik Open, where she added 45 points to her rating. Over the last three months, the Chinese teenager increased her rating by a whopping 186 points! Photo: Lennart Ootes Govhar Beydullayeva and Khanim Balajayeva did an excellent job in the Women’s Tournament Azerbaijan vs Georgia, picking up 28 and 21 points, respectively, while Mitra Hejazipour put in a solid performance in Jubilaeumsturnier 125 Jahre Werder Bremen that translates into 20 points. Khanim returned to the top 100 Women after a two-month absence. Nodirbek Abdusattorov was not the only rating beneficiary of the Prague International Chess Festival Masters. Nguyen Thai Dai Van and Parham Maghsoodloo, who completed the tournament podium, gained 16 and 15 points, respectively. Photo: Hallfríður Sigurðardóttir Leya Garifullina (pictured above) overperformed in two strong open tournaments (Aeroflot Open and Reykjavik Open), earning 14 points and reaching her career high in the women’s rating list.
Danish Championship: Boris Chatalbashev retains title
GM Boris Chatalbashev emerged as the winner of the 2024 Danish Championship. The 50-year-old successfully defended his last-year national title, scoring an impressive 8/9. The 2024 Danish Chess Championship, a 10-player round-robin tournament with classical time controls, was held in Svendborg from March 23 to April 1. Chatalbashev got off to a fantastic start, winning the first five games and taking the lead early on. Going into the final round a half-point ahead of his main rival GM Jesper Sondergaard Thybo, he convincingly outplayed FM Mikkel Manosri Jacobsen and clinched the title. Jesper Thybo (pictured below) started with two draws but then picked up steam and stayed in the race for gold to the very end. Just like the champion, the runner-up completed the event unbeaten, netting 7.5/9. IM Filip Boe Olsen and GM Bjorn Moller Ochsner both scored 5.5/9 and tied for third place, with the former completing the podium thanks to better tiebreaks. Final standings: 1 GM Boris Chatalbashev 2448 8 2 GM Jesper Thybo 2542 7½ 3 IM Filip Boe Olsen 2456 5½ 4 GM Bjorn Ochsner 2518 5½ 5 IM Nikolaj Borge 2379 4 6 FM Casper Liu 2283 4 7 IM Martin Haubro 2436 3½ 8 FM Jens Ramsdal 2378 3 9 FM Mikkel Jacobsen 2367 1½ 10 IM Jens Fries-Nielsen 2364 1½ Photos: Jesper Simonsen Official website: turnering.skak.dk/
Johan-Sebastian Christiansen triumphs in Mar del Plata
The unforgettable 53rd City of Mar del Plata International Chess Open, one of the oldest tournaments in South America, took place from March 23-30 in the Hotel Provincial. The event, supported by the FIDE Aid Package, brought together 278 players from 11 countries and was a great success. The President of the Mar del Plata Chess Federation, Lic. Javier Curilen was the tournament director, while AI OI Leandro Plotinsky and his team officiated the competition. After nine exciting rounds, GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen, a member of the Norwegian Olympic team, was crowned undefeated champion. The top seed arrived in Mar del Plata with great expectations and confirmed his status as a pre-tournament favorite, scoring 8/9 and taking clear first. As many as four participants finished a half-point behind the champion on 7.5/9 and tied for second place, with GMs Diego Flores and Leonardo Tristán completing the podium thanks to superior Buchholz. Final standings: 1 GM Christiansen, Johan-Sebastian NOR 2633 8 2 GM Flores, Diego ARG 2530 7½ 3 GM Tristan, Leonardo ARG 2521 7½ 4 IM Espinoza Palomino, Willyam PER 2400 7½ 5 CM Jaque Gutierrez, Matias CHI 2173 7½ 6 IM Acosta, Pablo Ismael ARG 2463 7 7 FM Spata, German ARG 2421 7 8 GM Felgaer, Ruben ARG 2565 7 9 IM Villegas, Franco ARG 2328 7 10 FM Schnaider, Ilan ARG 2314 7 Complete standings Official website: mdpajedrez.ar/
Oncological Chess shines at International Congress in Menorca
The II Congress of Chess, Education and Health – a vital meeting of chess minds, health professionals and dedicators to education – took place in Menorca, Spain from March 22-24. Under the direction of Pep Suarez, renowned psychologist, chess educator, and trainer, this event brought a distinguished international panel of speakers interested in educational and therapeutic chess to the island of Menorca. The Congress has marked a starting point for initiating collaborations between individuals from different parts of the world, joining efforts and energies to turn our beloved game into a social, inclusive, and healthy tool. The highlight of the event was the presentation of an innovative approach: Oncological Chess. FIDE Commission for Women’s Commission Chess always encourages members to bring new initiatives to have more women and girls of all ages around the world and pay attention to social and inclusive ideas. The Commission invited WOM Susana Goncalves, president of Chess2All, a non-profit association in Portugal, to officially present a stunning pilot project in Portugal shared in the meeting of June 2023, embracing women affected by breast cancer and childhood cancer moms. With the “Queens Rise” program, the opening lecture shined with Franck Droin on behalf of the “Health Social Disability” Commission of the French Chess Federation, followed by its partner Chess2all, represented by Vice President Tânia Chéu. Ongoing experiments in France (Paris) and Portugal (Porto) are already showing encouraging first results. Oncological Chess, an intelligent fusion of chess strategy and oncological therapy, has captured the attention of health enthusiasts and experts alike. It is internationally aimed at evaluating how the game of chess can participate in “Supportive Care” to limit cognitive disorders linked to chemotherapy. All chess federations were invited to join forces with French Chess Federation and Portuguese Chess Federation. Franck Droin, leader of the global team project, explained the importance of the program and the involvement of more partners. To share experiences, Tânia Chéu explained how Chess2All developed a pilot in Portugal by an interdisciplinary team of chess and oncology specialists with the assistance of League Against Cancer. To close the presentation, the passionate WOM Susana Gonçalves came up on stage to present PROJECT 2C – Moms & kids with Cancer, one of the most important social innovation projects of Chess2All. Its main goal is to promote cognition, emotional well-being, and socialization in cancer patients. The project presents magic moves with chess, used as a tool to entertain, and is dedicated to children hospitalised in an oncological hospital with their moms. “This pilot project was developed last year in Portugal with the help of other experts and volunteers. I thank all to have the courage enough for joining the team and contributing and sharing the knowledge, time and energy to create this project so now we can share it with other brave countries who have the courage to take it on and take it on as a pilot and spread it,” said WOM Susana Gonçalves very proud it is moving forward, hoping next year to delivery as a pilot project in different countries members of FIDE WOM. The innovative approach immediately sparked interest among congress participants. The event marked an exciting turning point at the intersection of chess and medicine, promising new possibilities for the well-being of oncology patients worldwide. Our warmest thanks go to Pep Suarez and his excellent team for providing a professional and social environment for all speakers and participants. As the International Chess Congress ends in Menorca, it is clear that Oncological Chess is not just a bold move on the board but also a movement of hope and healing for those facing the battle against cancer. BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES!
FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 to feature the Iconic World Chess Sets
The Iconic World Chess Sets will be used at the FIDE Candidates Tournament and the Championship Match; FIDE Continues Collaboration with World Chess on the Chess Sets for 2024-2025. Toronto, March 29 — The tradition that has lasted since 2012 continues as the major FIDE events, including the upcoming FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 and the 2024 Championship Match, will exclusively use the iconic World Chess Championship sets. The sets, designed by Pentagram for World Chess, have become synonymous with the pinnacle of chess competition, adorning the stages of the FIDE Championship Matches, the Candidates Tournaments, and other prestigious events for over a decade. This partnership extends through 2025, ensuring these remarkable sets remain integral to the chess world’s most elite competitions. Renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and timeless design, the World Chess Championship sets have earned a place as one of the most sought-after chess sets globally. Manufactured by World Chess, they epitomize the perfect blend of form and function, capturing the essence of chess at its highest level. All Championship Matches and Candidates Tournaments since 2012 have used the same chess design, which was initially developed with input from Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik, among others. “The chess board and pieces are often the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of chess. The evolution of design and craftsmanship in chess sets throughout history has elevated them to the status of art. These visual components play an important role in shaping the game’s image and promotion. We are delighted that the tradition of specially designing chess sets for top events has emerged, and we look forward to its continuation,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said. “Chess is a collection of traditions, almost like a religious act: a handshake, recording a move, a dress code… I am happy that World Chess, together with FIDE, has built another tradition — a special set for special events. Now, it’s all about the games!” says Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess. World Chess manufactures different variants of its iconic design, ranging from premium redwood options to high-quality plastic sets for club play. Available for purchase online and in select elite stores around the world, including the prestigious Harrods in London, the World Chess Championship sets offer enthusiasts the opportunity to bring home a piece of chess history. Ahead of the highly anticipated FIDE Candidates Tournament in April 2024 and the prestigious FIDE World Championship Match in November 2024, World Chess is thrilled to unveil a special limited edition chess set. Crafted from ebony wood and housed in a classic World Chess black box adorned with iconic symbols representing the FIDE Championship Cycle, this set boasts a solid black wooden chess board with a smooth finish, perfect for championship-level matches. Each board features a metal plaque displaying the edition number and a commemorative inscription honoring the legacy of the World Chess Championship. About World Chess World Chess Plc (LSE: CHSS) is a London-based chess gaming and entertainment company and Fédération Internationale des Échecs (‘FIDE’) official commercial partner. World Chess organized the FIDE Championship Matches in the USA, and the UK, and revolutionized the sport by signing the biggest media partnerships in history. World Chess develops Armageddon, the chess league for prime-time television. World Chess also runs FIDE Online Arena, the exclusive official chess gaming platform. More at worldchess.com.
Across the board: Fostering unity and empowerment in Africa through chess
Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess and other FIDE officials continue their transformative journey across Africa. With visits to Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Botswana, and South Africa, the delegation is set to inspire communities with the values chess instills. Côte d’Ivoire became the country, spotlighting women’s empowerment and the educational potential of chess. The visit by Dana Reizniece-Ozola and Anastasia Sorokina, to Côte d’Ivoire, marked a significant step forward in the global chess community’s efforts to foster inclusivity and cognitive development through the game. During the visit, several important official meetings were held. FIDE delegation, together with the President of the Ivorian Chess Federation, Justin Brou, engaged in pivotal discussions with the Ministry of Sports and Living Environment of Côte d’Ivoire, including the Director of the Cabinet Mr. Alfred N’Guessan Yao, and Chief of Staff Mr. Kragbe, laying the groundwork for the support of multiple chess tournaments and initiatives. The key topics included integrating chess into the national educational curriculum, promoting women in chess, and government support for events in which players will represent Côte d’Ivoire, namely: – The Zonal 4.2 in Monrovia, Liberia (May 9 – 19) – The 10th international French-speaking chess meeting in Quebec, Canada (August 12 – 20) – The 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary (September 10 – 23) A highlight of the visit was the emphasis on women’s empowerment through chess. The delegation advocated for increased female participation at all levels, aiming to break stereotypes and encourage the development of women and girls in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond. The ministry pledged its support, recognizing the potential to elevate the nation’s sporting landscape. The next day, the “Chess Princess of Côte d’Ivoire” tournament was held at Nid De Cocody school in Abidjan for 18 participants. Though announced as a female event, several boys joined, reflecting progress made since last year’s visit and lectures “Chess is an equal game”. After the tournament, all participants enjoyed a simultaneous exhibition with FIDE WOM Chair, IM Anastasia Sorokina. Anastasia Sorokina also visited ISM ADONAI University where she delivered an inspirational talk for the students, “Chess is for everyone”, and met the CIV woman champion (2022 and 2023), Marie Yavo Tchetche. “It was a great honour and pleasure for us to meet Dana and Anastasia,” said the President of the Ivorian Chess Federation, Justin BROU. “I am sure that our cooperation will contribute to the development of chess in schools and women’s chess as well. All the members of my team are very grateful to FIDE for their support and partnership.”
FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024: Registration is open
FIDE and the Uzbekistan Chess Federation invite all FIDE member federations to participate in the World Junior U20 Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024. Each federation can register any number of players. The championships will be held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, from August 1 (arrival) to August 8 (departure) 2024. The winners of the World Youth Rapid and Blitz Championship 2024 and the first 10 players on the starting list (10 for the open list and 10 for the girls’ list) will receive free accommodation in a double or triple room and full board. FIDE member Federations should proceed with the registration of their participants. The official registration link is to be requested by official email. Email: wjrb@fide.com The registration deadline is June 1, 2024. Official website will be launched on May 1st: wjrb2024.fide.com Invitation letter and regulations (pdf) Photo: Ymblanter
FIDE World School Rapid and Blitz Championships 2024: Registration is open
FIDE and the Uzbekistan Chess Federation invite all FIDE member federations to participate in the World Schools Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024 in the U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17 categories. The championships will be held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. The dates of Championships are from August 1 (arrival) to August 8 (departure) 2024. Participants must not have reached their 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th and 17th birthday before January 1st, 2024. FIDE member Federations should proceed with the registration of their participants. The registration link is to be requested by official email. Email: schoolsrapidblitz@fide.com The registration deadline is June 1, 2024. The official website will be launched on May 1: schoolsrapidblitz2024.fide.com/ Regulations and invitation letter (pdf) Photo: Guidecity