Empowering the Next Generation: The inaugural World Youth Leadership Forum unites global minds
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.
Throughout the world, many skilled players cannot afford to travel, train, or compete internationally. Witnessing their dedication despite limited resources opened Kristen’s eyes to a reality beyond her own experience. Chess connects us, but socioeconomic inequality often stands in the way of many dreams.
“What started as a personal passion has become a commitment to share chess with the world, ensuring that talent and love for the game, not financial circumstances, determine how far a player can go,” said Kristen Hou.
Supported by her mother, Linda Hou, who saw how chess had shaped her daughter’s character by building discipline, confidence, and resilience, Kristen founded the International Social Chess Foundation (ISCF) in December 2025. The registered non-profit organization is dedicated to using chess as a vehicle for social good. This vision led to the creation of the World Youth Leadership Forum – the first-ever international initiative designed to unite young people from around the world through chess, education, and cultural exchange.
The representatives from the United States, Switzerland, Romania, Ukraine, and El Salvador gathered to develop leadership skills, share ideas for fostering chess in society and education, and build meaningful global connections in an inclusive and supportive environment.
The keynote speaker was Paul Vallas, former superintendent of four United States cities and CEO of both the Chicago Public Schools and the School District of Philadelphia. Having dedicated his career to public service and educational leadership, Mr. Vallas brought chess education to dozens of schools across Chicago. He shared valuable insights on the role of chess in today’s technological world and its potential to foster international cooperation, especially among young people.
André Vogtlin, President of the Swiss Chess Federation and Chair of the FIDE Social Commission, shared eight leadership tips for young leaders, encouraging them to embrace service and collaboration:
Accept the challenges that come to you.
Delegate! Delegate! Delegate!
Ask a lot of questions before deciding, but then decide!
Things will often be bigger than you. Try to detach from problems, challenges, and criticism.
Don’t be bossy with your team! Listen to them and let them work. Intervene only when real problems arise.
Have your meeting rituals. Say “Thank you!” Communicate in a timely, concise, and bulleted manner.
Believe in the purpose of your projects and job assignments! Leadership will be much easier.
Go for it and see where you land!
The Forum highlighted several impactful social initiatives from around the world.
Dariana Didiliuc and Ștefan Cotei from Romania shared details of the Chess in Schools project, where 37 out of 42 counties, representing more than 150,000 students, participate in one of the largest educational chess projects worldwide. “We want every child, regardless of where they live or their background, to have the opportunity to experience everything chess can offer,” they explained.
Alejandra Zavala from El Salvador discussed the Chess for Freedom (chess in prisons) project, which she has been involved with since its inception in 2021. The initiative is now an important part of the “Plan Cero Ocio” by the Government of El Salvador, with a current focus on expanding chess programs to more inmates, including their teams in online and in-person events, and providing educational resources to inmates who have discovered a passion for teaching chess.
Florent Vogtlin, President of the Chess Club in Muttenz, Switzerland, provided a compelling example of community building. In just two years, the club went from the edge of closing to a lively, growing community with a sharply dropping average age. This was achieved by replacing classical games with faster, more social formats, including blitz and rapid events. A “Chess to Go” initiative even brought the club into a local café.
Jonathan Chen from California carries out the Infinite Chess project for children with autism. He and his sister co-founded a non-profit organization that has raised over $125,000 to support various chess projects in the United States and worldwide.
A highlight of the day was a deeply moving presentation by two young speakers from Ukraine: Danylo (12) and Esmeralda (11) , who shared their experiences using chess as a rehabilitation tool during wartime in their home city of Odesa. Their stories underscored the power of chess to provide normalcy, hope, and mental resilience in the face of immense challenges.
International Chess Organizer Dr. Mikhail Korenman, who works on the International Youth Forum and Intercontinental Scholastic Chess Tournament alongside International Chess Organizer Jeff DiOrio, concluded the first International Youth Forum with a thank-you note to all participants. He emphasized that while this was the first-ever Youth Forum, it will not be the last.
The event stands as a testament to the Social Commission’s core belief: that chess is more than a game—it is a powerful social tool capable of bridging divides, fostering resilience, and unlocking human potential for everyone, everywhere.
