♟️ FIDE and ISCF Declare 2026 as the Year of Chess in Education
- Chess Math
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Following the success of the 2025 Year of Social Chess, the international chess community is moving forward — 2026 has officially been declared the Year of Chess in Education.
📍 On October 20, at the NGS School in Astana, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to jointly promote and expand scholastic chess worldwide.
The initiative builds on the vision of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, announced at the Smart Moves Summit in Washington, D.C., to make education a key focus area for 2026.
🌍 Goals of the “Chess in Education 2026” Initiative
Integrate chess into school curricula around the world.
Launch the World Schools Team Championship League 2026 (WSTCL) — a new global school chess tournament.
Host Continental Championships in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Bring together winners for the Grand Final of WSTCL 2026.
Organize educational side-events to promote chess as a learning tool and social connector.
🏫 Voices from FIDE and ISCF
“Education is the foundation for a good and successful life, and chess is a powerful tool to support that goal,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.“After the successful Year of Social Chess, we are continuing with the Year of Chess in Education — launching new projects, expanding our reach, and involving more schools around the world.”
Timur Turlov, President of the ISCF, added:
“From early childhood, learning builds a society based on respect, empathy, and equal opportunity. That’s why declaring 2026 as the Year of Chess in Education is such an important step.”
🧩 About the Program
The Chess in Education 2026 initiative represents a major milestone in FIDE’s ongoing efforts to promote chess as a valuable part of learning — strengthening students’ cognitive and social development, creativity, and problem-solving skills worldwide.
📘 About ISCF
The International School Chess Federation (ISCF) was established in September 2024 as a FIDE-affiliated organization dedicated to advancing chess within global educational systems.ISCF develops school-based chess programs, supports national federations, and promotes intellectual growth and inclusion through chess education.
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