Global start of the year with FIDE Conference on Chess in Society and Education in Bhubaneswar

The year has started from the remarkable event wraping the FIDE year of Social chess and introducing the new chapter of Educational chess year. The FIDE Global Conference on Chess in Society and Education opened at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar on 14 January 2026, bringing together education leaders, researchers, social impact practitioners, and chess organisers for a three-day programme.

Chair of FIDE SOC Andre Vögtlin opened the conference with review of the FIDE Social Chess 2025 highlights and priorities for 2026.  He shared the flagship campaigns across the year, including a month-by-month rhythm of themed initiatives, and the Social Chess Day tournament “Every Move Counts”, organised with Lichess.org, which drew 20,078 players worldwide.

The first day oft he conference was devoted to the Social chess initiatives around the world and intensive work of FIDE SOC. Dr. Cristóbal Blanco Acevedo followed with a neuroscience-focused presentation on how chess engages the brain across multiple systems rather than in a single “chess area”.

Francesca Bonelli, Head of Partnership and Coordination at UNHCR, outlined the scale of global displacement and the role sport can play in wellbeing and opportunity. UNHCR reports that 123.2 million people were forcibly displaced by the end of 2024.

Russell Makofsky, Founding Board Member of The Gift of Chess, spoke online about a practical, distribution-led approach to access, tracing the organisation’s origins to community initiatives during the Covid-19 pandemic and outlining its goal of distributing one million chess sets globally by 2030. FIDE SOC project leaders highligted main project updates fort he audience.

Anastasia Sorokina presented Chess for Protection, focusing on expanding safe, structured chess activities in refugee settings, particularly for girls and schools.

Mikhail Korenman presented updates on Chess for Freedom, outlining developments in prison chess and upcoming continental and intercontinental competitions.

Prabitha Urwyler presented Chess for Hope and Recovery, describing chess as a tool that provides structure, routine, and reflection in rehabilitation contexts. April Yunwei Zhong highlighted how Chess for the Elderly supports both cognitive activity and social connection. Maria Tamkovich presented Infinite Chess, focusing on adaptive learning models designed to meet players where they are. FIDE SOC Ambassador Mukesh Ranjan Das, Executive Director (HR) at IndianOil, joined the conference to discuss IndianOil’s support for prison chess programmes. He described chess as an effective tool for building discipline, patience, and decision-making skills among inmates. The session continued with a presentation by Abhijit Kunte, who outlined IndianOil’s long-running support for chess-based rehabilitation programmes, particularly within correctional institutions.

The final academic block connected research with practical application. Sabine Vollstädt-Klein spoke about chess and self-regulation in addiction-related contexts. Hilario Blasco Fontecilla addressed the socio-educational use of chess in relation to ADHD. Joining online, David Smerdon presented work on the Gender Equality in Chess Index, highlighting the role of data in understanding participation and equity. The second day of the conference shifted its focus toward chess in education, with sessions dedicated to policy frameworks, research outcomes, and practical implementation in schools and learning environments.  

The conference concluded with announcement of the results of the FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge. The initiative received a total of 56 entries, including 43 grassroots submissions and 13 professional productions, showcasing stories from across the world that highlight chess as a tool for social impact, inclusion, and education. The Best Short Film (Professional) award went to Alberto, on a Blue Day, directed by Cristóbal José Blanco Acevedo, for its sensitive and reflective portrayal of chess as a tool for emotional expression. The Best Grassroots Film (Amateur) award was presented to The Childhood Board by Alfredo Castañeda-Herrera, highlighting the role of chess in childhood development and community connection. The Social Commission Choice Award was awarded to Checkmate Autism and the Power of Chess by Evguenia Charomova, recognised for its powerful depiction of how chess can support inclusion and empowerment for individuals on the autism spectrum.

The Outstanding FIDE Social Award was presented to Viraj Upadhyay and Vihanan Upadhyay for their initiative Pawns to Kids, which focuses on making chess accessible to children regardless of background. Created by the teenage brothers Vihanan (14) and Viraj (12), the initiative has introduced chess to hundreds of children in remote villages, orphanages, and underserved communities. The FIDE Social Chess Award was presented to Bernard Wanjala, Advisor to the FIDE Social Chess Commission and a leading figure in Kenyan and African chess. Benard Wanjala has played a pivotal role in introducing chess to the Kakuma refugee camp, using the game as a tool for education, inclusion, and opportunity within displaced communities.