"Brave Moves" brings chess to children fighting cancer in Portugal

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 professionals. It transforms the chessboard into a space of resilience, cognitive stimulation, and emotional relief for up to 30 young patients.

The project builds upon a successful initial initiative implemented by the non-profit organization Chess2All at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology (IPO), with the support of the Portuguese League Against Cancer. During that first phase, medical specialists observed a markedly positive psychological and cognitive impact on the children. They noted that chess, beyond its intellectual rigor, provided a crucial sense of normalcy, focus, and control during an immensely challenging time.

Encouraged by these clinical observations, BRAVE MOVES is now a more ambitious, four-month pilot program. It is designed not only for immediate impact but also to create a scalable model for psychosocial care.

What sets BRAVE MOVES apart is its deep integration with the healthcare environment. Qualified chess trainers conduct regular sessions meticulously adapted to the children's medical conditions, energy levels, and emotional needs. This delicate work is carried out in constant, close coordination with the Institute's psychologists and doctors, whose professional support validates the project's therapeutic credibility. The medical team has recognized chess as a valuable tool in their holistic care strategy, actively championing this initiative.

The project's core objectives are clear and compassionate:

• To provide a positive, absorbing intellectual activity during treatment.

• To support cognitive development and concentration, often challenged by long hospital stays.

• To strengthen emotional resilience and self-confidence.

• To reduce stress and anxiety through structured, playful engagement.

• To create precious moments of joy, personal achievement, and social connection.

  
  

Chess is uniquely suited for this mission. It encourages strategic thinking, patience, and problem-solving—skills that empower children to regain a sense of agency. The game's very symbolism, where every move matters and challenges can be overcome, resonates deeply with the personal journeys these brave children are facing.

Beyond its direct benefit to the children in Porto, this second pilot phase carries significant strategic weight for the global chess community. A primary goal is to develop practical recommendations and methodological guidelines for implementing chess-based support programs in oncology settings across Europe.

The entire process—from coordinating with healthcare professionals to adapting teaching methods and evaluating outcomes—is being meticulously documented.

This documentation will lay the foundation for an upcoming online seminar, organized with the support of IPO's doctors and medical experts. The seminar will present the project's methodology, share practical insights, and serve as a platform for international knowledge exchange, marking a vital step toward scaling the project across the continent.

BRAVE MOVES aspires to become a sustainable international initiative, integrated into hospital education and psychosocial support programs worldwide. By combining the universal language of chess with professional medical cooperation, the project brings strength, courage, and hope to children fighting cancer.

This vision is made possible by a powerful coalition of partners. Chess2All, led by its President Susana Goncalves (FIDE WOM member), serves as the lead implementing partner with the support of the Portuguese Chess Federation. The Portuguese Institute of Oncology is the primary research and study partner, while the Portuguese League Against Cancer aids in promotion and dissemination.

The FIDE Social Commission extends its deepest gratitude to the entire BRAVE MOVES project team including Nadzeya Kravchuk, Director of ICSF — your visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and profound compassion have turned a beautiful idea into a life-changing reality for these children and their families.

We also thank the qualified chess trainers who bring patience and joy to every session, the medical professionals at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology who have embraced chess as a partner in healing, and the Portuguese League Against Cancer for their invaluable support. You remind us all of the project's guiding truth: In every game of chess, brave moves change the position.

In life, brave moves change the future.