Stories That Move: FIDE Storytelling Challenge Awards

In a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the universal language of chess, the FIDE Storytelling Challenge Awarding Ceremony captivated audiences during the FIDE World Chess Olympiad 2026. The event honored filmmakers from around the globe whose stories illuminated the profound impact of chess on individuals and communities.

The ceremony, held as part of the FIDE Congress in Samarkand, marked the culmination of a journey that began with a simple yet powerful premise: that the true impact of chess is best told not through statistics, but through stories. The challenge invited creators from every corner of the world - from Ecuador to New Zealand, from Nigeria to Kyrgyzstan - to share real-life narratives that showcased chess as a catalyst for personal transformation, social connection, and opportunity.

The response was overwhelming. A total of 56 films were submitted, with 43 in the Grassroots category and 13 in the Professional category. Each entry was a unique testament to the game’s power to inspire, connect, and heal. The esteemed jury evaluated the films based on three key criteria: Originality and Creativity (50%), Storytelling and Narrative Impact (25%), and Relevance to Theme and Social Impact (25%).

The winners of each category received a special FIDE Trophy, an invitation to the FIDE Olympiad 2026, and a Certificate of Participation. The top three films were also showcased at the Social Chess Conference 2026 and promoted across FIDE’s global social media channels.

The evening began with a warm welcome from Dana Reiznieze, Acting Chair of the FIDE Management Board and a tireless advocate for the social power of chess. “This collection of films is more than a competition entry; it is a vital communication treasury for our Social Commission. A rich, multidimensional report on the social chess landscape.”

The first award of the evening, Best Short Film in the Professional Category, went to ‘ALBERTO, ON A BLUE DAY’ by Cristóbal José Blanco Acevedo from Spain. The film tells the extraordinary true story of Alberto, a semi-professional chess player who faced a life-threatening injury. In a world-first, Alberto and his doctor, Cristóbal Blanco Acevedo, played a blindfolded game of chess during awake brain surgery—a symbol of cerebral plasticity, integration, and synchronization.

Next, the Best Grassroots Film in the Amateur Category was awarded to ‘THE CHILDHOOD BOARD’ by Jorge Luis Hernández Ochoa and Déborah Silva Quesnel from Mexico. Part of an international research initiative coordinated by Princeton University’s Department of Anthropology, the film captures workshops where chess was introduced not as a competitive discipline, but as an open-ended form of play. It uses chess as a lens to observe how children engage with rules, with each other, and with their own imaginations.

The final award of the evening, the FIDE Social Commission Choice Award, was presented to ‘CHECKMATE AUTISM AND THE POWER OF CHESS’ by Evguenia Charomova from New Zealand. The documentary explores how chess can strengthen joint attention, turn-taking, self-regulation, problem-solving, and leadership skills. It highlights a groundbreaking project in New Zealand that marked a significant milestone for inclusive education and neurodiversity awareness. Although Charomova could not attend in person, Paul McAvoy, Head of the New Zealand Delegation, accepted the award on her behalf.

To all our winners, our finalists, and every single one of the 56 creators who shared their story—thank you. You have shown us that chess is not just about kings and queens, but about people and communities. You have shown us that it can empower, connect, and heal.

Behind every move, there’s a story that can change the world. And these films are proof.