World Chess Day is observed on 20 July 2025.
Important Days
World Chess Day is observed every year on July 20 to commemorate the establishment of the International Chess Federation, FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), which was founded in Paris in 1924. Recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, the day celebrates chess as more than a game—promoting education, mental strength, and international solidarity.
- World Chess Day was first proposed by UNESCO in 1966 and officially recognised by the UN in December 2019. The resolution acknowledged chess as a global activity that promotes fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect. The game’s ability to transcend language, age, gender, and socio-economic barriers makes it a powerful tool for diplomacy and education.
- In 2025, World Chess Day is being observed with the theme “Every Move Counts”, aligning with FIDE's declaration of the Year of Social Chess.
- This initiative focuses on using chess to address social issues like inequality, education gaps, and community engagement. The idea is to bring chess to people from all walks of life—from schools and prisons to refugee camps and hospitals.
Main Point :- (i) The celebrations in 2025 feature global online events, educational workshops, and special initiatives. Notably, a 24-hour blitz tournament hosted in partnership with platforms like Lichess.org and Chess.com is taking place worldwide. Public spaces, railway stations, schools, and community halls are being transformed into chess hubs to encourage spontaneous and inclusive participation.
(ii) In the previous year (2024), World Chess Day made global headlines by setting a Guinness World Record with over 7.28 million online chess games played in a single day across more than 350 events globally. Building on that momentum, this year’s efforts are aimed at making the sport more accessible and relatable to people beyond the professional chess community.
(iii) World Chess Day continues to promote chess as a “gymnasium for the mind,” with its positive influence on concentration, memory, patience, and planning. From kindergartens to senior citizen homes, the game is being introduced as a tool to enhance cognitive skills and promote peaceful social interaction, truly reflecting the values celebrated on this global observance.
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