FIDE Social Commission Meets in Samarkand
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 social chess board — the Commission reviewed a year of significant growth, celebrated new partnerships, and set priorities for the second half of 2026 and beyond.
In his opening report, André Vögtlin looked back at a remarkable period for social chess. Coming out of the successful Social Chess Year 2025, which featured monthly events, a Storytelling Contest, and the Social Chess medal for national federations, the Commission has continued to break new ground.
The meeting continued with detailed presentations from project leaders, each highlighting impact, challenges, and plans.
Chess for Freedom by Dr Mikhail Korenman
The flagship prison programme has grown from 42 teams in 28 countries in 2021 to 135 teams in 57 countries in 2025. In 2026, continental championships and training sessions were held in Malawi and Mexico, and the project was presented in Italy and Mongolia.
Infinite Chess by Maria Tamkovich
This global movement for neurodiversity is now active in 28 countries. Maria Tamkovich presented a powerful paradigm shift: “An autistic brain is not a broken, it runs a different operating system.” The chessboard offers logical calm, silent dialogue, and a path from diagnosis to talent. The project’s handbook is available in seven languages, and the second part is ready for translation. In 2026, Infinite Chess was presented at the UN in Geneva and at the World Youth Leadership Forum in Chicago. New partners from Trinidad and Tobago, Singapore, Switzerland, Malta and Malawi will join in the coming year.
Chess for Elderly / Chess for Connection by April Zhong
April Zhong reported on a programme that brings chess to senior homes, hospitals and community centres. With 50+ youth volunteers and programmes in Toronto, Windsor and Ottawa, the initiative celebrated a participant’s 100th birthday this year. The Medi-Chess Initiative in Lagos, Nigeria, is a new pilot that brings local seniors to hospitals for free health checkups while engaging students in chess. Challenges include building a sustainable global model and maintaining quality across different local contexts. Next steps include expanding youth leadership and organising the 2027 Intergenerational Chess Challenge.
Chess for Homeless by Tünde Csonkics
Tünde shared the inspiring story of chess social work in Hungary. The Homeless Chess Club has grown from 2–4 people to 20, meeting every Monday, with sponsors now providing food, drinks and chess sets. A prison chess programme started in 2026 by a prison sergeant, and in the Roma community of Gyöngyösoroszi, 26 out of 110 students now play chess after only two months of instruction. “In front of the board, your social background, your wealth, or your past do not matter,” said Tünde. “Here everyone can feel equal and be present with dignity.”
Chess4Hope & Chess4Research, Chess4Elderly by Prabitha Urwyler
Dr Prabitha Urwyler presented a portfolio that moves from isolated initiatives towards documented implementation and sustainable local ownership. Projects in India, Kosovo, Greece and Nigeria are reaching hundreds of children, with teacher training and community outreach. A key principle was emphasised: “Chess is not automatically therapeutic. Value depends on context, methodology, relationships and evidence.” A research manuscript on chess-based cognitive remediation therapy has been submitted to PLOS ONE and is under peer review.
Social Media by Boris BruhnBoris Bruhn
Boris reported on the growth of @fide_socialchess on Instagram, now with 4,629 followers, plus active channels on X/Twitter and Facebook. The “Every Move Counts” campaign with Lichess.org attracted over 20,000 players, and the Storytelling Challenge received 56 entries. The audience is global, with top countries including India, Brazil, the USA, Kenya and Spain. The mandate for 2027 is clear: “2026: We built the community. 2027: We connect the movement.”
Strategic Priorities for the Second Half of 2026
The Commission confirmed its priorities for the remainder of the year and beyond:
Team composition of the FIDE Social Commission 2026–2028 (October 2026)
Intercontinental Chess for Freedom Championship (October 2026)
New format: Social Chess Entrepreneurship (November 2026)
Chess for Freedom Continental Championship + Conference (2027)
Social Chess side event at the FIDE World Championship Match in Geneva, 25 November–15 December 2026, including the Chess for Freedom movie.
In his closing remarks, André Vögtlin thanked Dana Reizniece, all project leaders, Commission members, volunteers, partners and the online audience. He reiterated the central message that every move counts — not only on the chessboard, but also on the social chess board. He encouraged continued collaboration, evidence-building and local ownership across all social chess projects.
