FIDE Global Conference on Chess in Society and Education
Chess: The Game That Teaches, Unites, and Transforms
About the Event
How can a game become a tool for global progress? Find the answer at the Social and Educational Chess Conference in Bhubaneswar, India, from January 14 to 16, 2026.
In the landmark FIDE Year of Chess in Education, this pivotal event, convened by FIDE, KIIT, and the All India Chess Federation, will bridge the worlds of research, pedagogy, social development, policy, and chess to explore how the game shapes minds, builds character, and fosters equitable societies.
14.01.2026
Every Move matters – Social Chess in Action
09:00 - Opening and Welcome
09:30 - FIDE Social Chess Year 2025 Highlights
09:50 - The Amplified Connectome of the Brain:
Chess, the Best Scientific Tool
10:20 - How to build a big international Social Chess Ecosystem for various social groups
11:50 - Showcasing and Updates from FIDE Social
Chess Projects
12:40 - Social chess panel Q&A engaging the audience
14:30 - Social Chess in India
15:00 - Session: Bridging Research and Practice in
Social Chess
16:00 - Hall meetings
Evening - Story-telling Challenge Movie Night and
Awards | Networking Reception
15.01.2026
Every Lesson Counts – The Present and Future of Chess in Education
09:00 - Opening and Welcome
09:15 - Year of Chess in Education 2026
09:45 - Chess Builds Academic and Life Skills
10:30 - Research: Measuring the Impact of CIE
12:00 - CIE roadmap for India
12:45 - Established ClE Programs
14:30 - Challenges of Incorporating Chess into the
National Curriculum
15:15 - ClE Teacher Training at University
16:00 - Digital Technology to Support ClE
Evening - Networking activity
Venue: KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India https://kiit.ac.in/
Format: On-site / hybrid
Additional Information
The City: Bhubaneswar, the “Temple City of India” & capital of Odisha. A perfect harmony of ancient spiritual heritage and a thriving modern IT hub.
Location: Eastern coast of India. The economic and cultural nerve center of its region.
Getting Here (By Air):
Direct flights from major Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai.
International travelers: Fly to Delhi (DEL) or Mumbai (BOM) first, then a short 2-hour connecting flight to Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik Airport (BBI).
KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is a globally recognised institution renowned for excellence in education, research, and sports development. It has emerged as a leading Indian hub for sports education, having produced 24 Olympians and 3 Paralympians. KIIT's holistic model emphasises world-class infrastructure, academic flexibility for athletes, and collaboration with national and international federations like FIVB, FIDE, FIFA aligning with the principles of social educational chess in fostering cognitive development, leadership, inclusion, and lifelong learning.
The University's comprehensive sports ecosystem spanning over 30 disciplines includes high- performance academies staffed by world-class coaches and supported by Olympic-standard facilities.
KIIT supports over 1000 elite athletes and regularly hosts major national and international events. Through its close association with the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), the world’s largest residential institution for Indigenous children, KIIT demonstrates the transformative role of sport in social upliftment. Notably, KISS has formally incorporated chess into its academic curriculum to enhance critical thinking, concentration, and cognitive skills.
Together, KIIT and KISS exemplify how chess serves as a powerful instrument for intellectual growth, inclusion, and holistic development.KIIT – Deemed to be University (Institute of Eminence)
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Dr. Gaganendu Dash
Director General, Sports & Yoga
sports.kiit@gmail.com
sports@kiit.ac.in
Key Speakers
Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta
Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta is a globally respected educationist, social reformer, and sports visionary, and the Founder of KIIT, KISS & KIMS. He has pioneered one of the world’s most impactful models of education
and social empowerment, integrating academics, sport, and inclusion to uplift marginalised communities. His leadership has positioned KIIT and KISS as global exemplars of how education and sport can drive societal transformation.
Rodrigo Barbeito
Rodrigo Barbeito – Sociologist and international project manager at Club Magic
Extremadura, working on social chess initiatives. His research on chess as a social and therapeutic tool has been published by the University of A Coruña. He has presented his work on youth and community integration at international conferences. Will present Sustaining Social Change Through Chess: Two Decades of Experience
and Methodology from Club Magic Extremadura.
Professor Sabine Vollstädt-Klein
Professor Sabine Vollstädt-Klein– Leads the Neuroimaging of Addictive Behaviour group in the Central Institute of Mental Health at Heidelberg University. Her research investigates the neurobiology of addiction and the development of therapeutic interventions, with a current focus on chess-based cognitive remediation. Will
demonstrate why chess is good for the brain and can be helpful against addiction.
Tunde Onakoya
Tunde Onakoya – Nigerian National Chess Master and founder of Chess in Slums
Africa. His nonprofit has provided education and mentorship to over 10,000 children in underserved communities. In 2025, he set a Guinness World Record with a 64-
hour chess marathon in Times Square to fund Africa's largest free school for vulnerable children. Will tell how to build a big international Social Chess Ecosystem for various social groups.
Dr.Cristóbal Blanco
Acevedo
Dr.Cristóbal Blanco Acevedo – Neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, and International Chess Master. His work uniquely bridges elite chess and brain science, using the game as a model to study advanced cognition, decision-making, and neuroplasticity, offering new insights into brain health and high-performance thinking. Will present chess as the Best Scientific Tool.
Jerry Nash
Jerry Nash (BA, MDiv, MA, Chairman, FIDE Chess in Education Commission) – National
consultant for educational chess in the US. He is an educator who believes in the power of
chess to enable student – and teacher – success. Will outline plans for the 2026 Year of
Educational Chess and lead an interactive workshop on using chess to develop critical
thinking skills.
Anzel Laubscher
Anzel Laubscher (FIDE Senior Lead Instructor, main lecturer for FIDE EDU courses, EDU
Commission member) – She is a Woman International Master, lecturer and curriculum
developer at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Will cover developing chess
resources for educators and present a masterclass and walk participants through From
Classroom Chess to Chess Club the Educational Way.
Dil’da Nauryzbayeva
Dil’da Nauryzbayeva (Director of Educational Projects, International School Chess Federation ISCF) – Overseeing global chess education initiatives, partner engagement, and program implementation. Former Satbayev University vice-rector and IT architect. Will discuss digital technology in chess education and present ISCF's new digital tool, OpenBoard platform.