In a city that has served as a crossroads of civilizations for centuries, a different kind of convergence took place today as the Social Chess Blitz Talks brought together advocates, educators, and humanitarian leaders united by a singular vision: that sixty-four squares can transform lives. Held at the Silk Road by Minyon, the two-hour event featured eight distinguished speakers who shared stories of chess as a vehicle for social change, spanning continents from Indian priso

The FIDE Social Commission held its annual meeting on 23 September 2026 in a hybrid format, bringing together members in person at the Silk Road by Minyouh Hotel in Samarkand, online via Zoom, and viewers on the official FIDE YouTube channel. The meeting was opened with welcome remarks by Dana Reizniece, Acting Chair of the FIDE Management Board, followed by André Vögtlin, Chair of the FIDE Social Commission. Under the theme “Every move counts” — on the chessboard and on the

In a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the universal language of chess, the FIDE Storytelling Challenge Awarding Ceremony captivated audiences during the FIDE World Chess Olympiad 2026. The event honored filmmakers from around the globe whose stories illuminated the profound impact of chess on individuals and communities. The ceremony, held as part of the FIDE Congress in Samarkand, marked the culmination of a journey that began with a simple yet powerful premise: th

New experimental format will showcase chess as a tool for education, inclusion, and personal transformation. The FIDE Social Commission is planning to organize an event called Social Chess Blitz Talks - a format built around short, powerful, chess-inspired stories. The Commission is reaching out to inspiring individuals to share their unique perspectives and experiences in a concise, impactful way. Here's the idea: each speaker delivers a short, sharp, and insightful speech

In the summer of 2025, a shared passion for chess sparked a new global initiative focused on social equity and youth empowerment. Kristen Hou, a rising sophomore at Benet Academy, traveled with her school to a chess festival in Iași, Romania. While playing in the scholastic tournament, she met peers from around the world who shared her love for the game. Through these new friendships, Kristen gained a profound insight: talent is not the only determinant of opportunity. Throug

The Vietnam Chess Federation has successfully concluded the fifth season of its "Happy Chess" project, a powerful reminder of how a simple board game can transform lives and build bridges to a brighter future. The season, which ran from June 22 to August 12, 2026, brought together 50 children from the Cil ethnic minority community in the highlands of Lam Dong Province, culminating in a moving Closing Ceremony and the "Friendship Tournament 2026" that celebrated their incredib

While millions of people around the world have been following the Football World Cup with great interest, another board has recently demonstrated that sport can also change lives in San Sebastián, in the Basque Country of Spain. The setting was Atotxa Square, the very place where Real Sociedad’s historic football stadium stood for nearly eight decades. Yet this time there was no grass pitch, no goals and no final score that truly mattered. Instead, the focus was on a chessboa

The online panel brought together global experts to highlight the life-changing impact of chess in prisons, refugee camps, and communities worldwide. On International Chess Day 2026, the FIDE Social Chess Commission (SOC) hosted a powerful online panel discussion titled "Chess as Social Value." The event brought together nine leading practitioners from around the world to share personal stories and demonstrate how chess is being used as a tool for rehabilitation, inclusion, a

The FIDE Social Commission celebrates International Chess Day with an interactive discussion to showcase chess as a tool for rehabilitation, protection, and development. In celebration of the International Chess Day on July 20, the FIDE Social Commission will host an interactive online panel discussion titled “Chess as Social Value”. The event will bring together leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners to demonstrate how chess transcends the game to create tangible s

In a landmark celebration of chess as a catalyst for social transformation, the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations in Geneva, in partnership with the FIDE Social Commission and UNESCO, hosted a prestigious side event on 8 July at Hall XIV of the Palais des Nations, commemorating the upcoming World Chess Day 2026. The gathering transformed the historic UN venue into a vibrant hub of strategy and solidarity, showcasing the profound impact of chess far beyond t

The FIDE Social Commission recently hosted an inspiring and insightful masterclass, "Chess as a Tool for Social Transformation," led by the distinguished International Master and social reformer, Mr. Atanu Lahiri. The session provided a deep dive into how chess can transcend its traditional boundaries as a game to become a powerful vehicle for social change and community empowerment. Mr. Lahiri, a Gold Medalist in the Commonwealth Chess Championship and a FIDE Trainer with de

A record number of 50 countries (42 countries in 2025) and 71 Male (50 teams in 2025), 21 Women (13 teams in 2025), and 19 Youth (13 teams in 2025) teams participated in the 2nd Continental Chess Championship for prisoners that was held from May 12 to 21, 2026. The African Continental Championship featured teams from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, Ghana, Eswatini, as well as new countries Nigeria, Namibia, Madagascar. Both Zimbabwe Male and Women teams finished at the top of their

The FIDE Social Commission is proud to highlight a pioneering pilot project that embodies the profound healing power of chess. BRAVE MOVES, a structured chess education program for children diagnosed with oncology conditions, is preparing to resume its transformative work at the end of March 2026 in Porto, Portugal. Supported by the FIDE Development Fund and the European Chess Union, BRAVE MOVES represents a strategic collaboration between the chess community and medical prof

The European “Chess for Freedom” workshop took place in Teramo, Italy, from May 17 to 19, bringing together prison administrators, educators, chess officials, researchers, and social project coordinators to explore the growing role of chess in rehabilitation, reintegration and social inclusion. Organised with the support of the Italian Chess Federation (FSI), the TERCAS Foundation, and the FIDE Social Commission, the event combined conference sessions, project presentations,

In an era defined by digital interaction, the paradox of our time is a growing epidemic of loneliness, particularly among the elderly. While technology connects us globally, it often fails to provide the simple, profound human warmth that comes from sitting across a table from another person. For the FIDE Social Commission, the belief that chess is a powerful social tool is at the core of our mission. Few projects embody this philosophy as vividly as Chess for Connection, fou

Join KIIT, KISS, and the global chess community in celebrating the 13th Art of Giving Day from May 15–17. The Art of Giving returns for its 13th edition in 2026, continuing a global movement founded in 2013 by Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta. Rooted in a simple yet powerful belief—that kindness, compassion, and sharing can transform lives and societies—the movement now spans more than 120 countries, uniting millions through small acts of generosity and human connection. This year

For vulnerable children and youth at risk in Durban, a simple chessboard has become a powerful symbol of possibility, thanks to the Chess for Hope project. Since its launch in 2023, the community upliftment initiative led by the KZN Chess Academy in partnership with I Care Durban has been providing more than just a game. Every Wednesday, at a drop-in centre in Morningside, street children are invited to sit down across a chessboard and, in doing so, discover a safe and nurtur

The FIDE Social Commission (SOC) hosted another successful interactive online masterclass on May 4th, cutting through the theoretical noise to deliver a session grounded in hard-won experience. Titled "Funding: Best Practices," the masterclass lived up to its promise, thanks to the candid insights of guest speaker Gundula Heinatz, Board Member of the Swiss Chess Federation. With the mission to help chess clubs and federations "learn from the best – without repeating the same

On April 4, 2026 the FIDE Infinite Chess project hosted “An Atypical Day”, an online event dedicated to International Autism Awareness Day. What unfolded was more than a talk – it was a global moment of listening, learning, and genuine human connection. Participants from 35 countries around the world gathered virtually to step beyond the 64 squares and into the real lives of families living with autism. Through personal stories, expert insight, and an open Q&A, the event deli

Following the feedback from Storytelling Challenge participants and chess community, FIDE Social Commission with support of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess organized the online Storytelling & Impact Content Masterclass on 7th March - first event in series of monthly educational activities. This online masterclass offered practical tools, creative inspiration, and professional insight into how impactful films are created – from the first idea to the final cut. More than