Smart Moves Summit 2025: Shaping the future of education through chess

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FIDE and the International School Chess Federation invite you to the Smart Moves Summit 2025, a groundbreaking international gathering exploring how chess can transform education. From classrooms to communities, from policy to practice, this event on August 4–5 brings together visionary educators, policy leaders, EdTech innovators, and social entrepreneurs to share real-world strategies that are changing how we teach and learn.

This summit is more than a conference—it’s an investment in ideas, networking, and practical tools that can redefine education for generations to come.

Why attend?

– Get inspired by thought leaders who are already reshaping national education policies through chess

– Discover strategies that make classrooms more inclusive, equitable, and effective

– Learn from global models for funding and scaling school chess programs

– Network with changemakers from over 30 countries and across disciplines

– Take home practical solutions that can be applied in schools, nonprofits, or government initiatives

Spotlight on speakers: Meet the changemakers

Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Latvia)

Former Minister of Finance and current FIDE Deputy Chair, Dana blends government policy and chess activism like no one else. Her session will explore how governments can integrate chess into national curricula—a must for any policymaker, education consultant, or federation leader.

Why it’s worth it: Gain insights from someone who has implemented chess in both national governance and global programs supporting refugees and underserved youth.

Timur Turlov (Kazakhstan)

Entrepreneur, investor, and President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, Turlov has funded and launched one of the world’s most ambitious chess-in-schools programs. He’ll speak on how private sector leadership and public policy can align to create systemic change.

Why it’s worth it: Understand how business thinking can drive educational transformation and discover replicable models of success.

Robert Katende (Uganda)

Founder of the SOM Chess Academy and inspiration behind Disney’s Queen of Katwe, Katende has used chess to uplift children from the slums of Kampala. His talk will focus on social impact, youth empowerment, and chess as a tool for hope.

Why it’s worth it: Hear a first-hand story of transformation and gain ideas for launching purpose-driven programs with lasting community impact.

Jennifer Shahade (USA)

WGM, author, and podcast host, Shahade is a leading voice in gender equity and representation in chess. Her session will discuss creating inclusive chess spaces and using media to reshape narratives in education and sport.

Why it’s worth it: Learn how to amplify voices, improve representation, and use storytelling to inspire a new generation.

José Francisco “Pep” Suárez (Spain)

Psychologist and ECU education commission member, Suárez specializes in using chess to support cognitive development, mental health, and classroom engagement. His hands-on training programs for teachers are used across Europe.

Why it’s worth it: Discover practical, evidence-based methods for integrating chess into any school system—even with no prior chess experience.

Jenny Ingber (USA)

President of Chess in the Schools (NYC), Jenny has built a nonprofit that reaches thousands of underserved students annually with academic enrichment and chess instruction. She’ll speak on sustainable nonprofit models and outcomes-based program design.

Why it’s worth it: Perfect for NGO leaders and school district administrators looking to implement high-impact programs with measurable success.

Jerry Nash (USA)

Chair of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission and architect of the global chess teacher training framework. He’ll lead sessions on educator certification, training systems, and implementation across diverse educational environments.

Why it’s worth it: Gain access to tested tools and frameworks that can help scale your chess-in-education efforts across schools or entire regions.

More speakers include:

  • Kenneth Regan – Anti-cheating expert and data scientist: learn how fairness and integrity are maintained in educational play
  • Michal Kanarkiewicz – Corporate strategist: how chess boosts executive functioning and decision-making
  • Anandita Oberoi – Counselor and researcher: using chess in therapeutic and gifted education
  • Tyron Davis III – Co-founder of The Gift of Chess: scaling global outreach through digital and real-world tools
  • Jeremy Kane, Rita Atkins, Arlecia Taylor, Zachary Saine, Tyler Schwartz, Elliot Neff, David Heiser, and others.

Reserve your place

This event is a must for anyone serious about using chess to impact education—whether you’re a teacher, policymaker, chess federation leader, or EdTech founder.

Get your tickets here: tickets.fide.com

Learn more at the official website: worldschoolteam2025.fide.com/summit/

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