FIDE_SocialChess

📢 Got a chess project that drives social change? 🌍 Education, inclusion, mental health & more — we want to feature you! 📝 Submit now: soc.fide.com/social-chess-2… 📩 sc.projects@fide.com #SocialChess #FIDE2025 #EveryMoveCounts ♟

🎬♟️ Ready to turn powerful ideas into powerful stories? Join us for the Social Chess Storytelling & Impact Content Masterclass — a special online session dedicated to creating films for social change and sports projects. 📅 7 March 2026 (Saturday) ⏰ 11:00 AM CET 💻 Online (Zoom) Registration link: forms.gle/fWvMJT96L5H6Hn… Led by Maxim Kolyshev — Cannes Lions finalist, award-winning creative and film director with over 150 international awards — this inspiring masterclass will explore how powerful stories are born and how ideas evolve into films that move people, build communities, and create real impact. Perfect for creators, athletes, organizers, and anyone passionate about storytelling with purpose. 🧐 Every great film starts with a great idea! Let’s create stories that matter. 🎥✨ @FIDESocialChess

🇨🇦Chess for Connection brought to the second site in Windsor! Samarth Tyagi, Karmanbir Pahuja, Daniel Lee and youngest Dylan Lee in Action at Amica Riverside Retirement Residence! @FIDESocialChess @prabithaUrwyler @DanaReiznieceOz @advorkovich

On Feb 12, 2026, The Indian Express highlighted the Yerawada Prison chess initiative in Pune 20 trained inmates now coach 200 fellow prisonersbuilding structure, leadership & opportunity through chess. ♟️ Thank you for covering this important work. #SocialChess #ChessForFreedom🌍

🇨🇦 Chess for Connection in Windsor! 🌟Daniel and Kavin in Action at Kensington Court Retirement Residence, our first location in Windsor! We are excited to announce our partnership with Windsor Chess Club to bring Chess for Connection to the Windsor! 🎉🎉 @FIDESocialChess

🌍 February: Make YOUR Social Chess story visible! Tag @FIDESocialChess in posts/reels. DM project clips – we co-create reels! With @fide_chess @thegiftofchess @UNHCR @kiituniversity + YOU. Real people photos OK (w/ consent). Weekly Storytelling winners all month! #SocialChess

🌍𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 showed how chess is versatile in promoting education, inclusion, and personal growth across communities worldwide! 🔗 fide.com/fide-global-co… @FIDESocialChess

FIDE representatives Mr. André Voegtlin and Dr. Mikhail Korenman visited Mongolia and met with Vice Prime Minister Mr. Khassuuri Gankhuyag, who was honored with the Social Chess Year Award for Mongolia’s commitment to social chess. ♟️

One week later – still inspired. ♟️✨ Day 1 in Bhubaneswar reminded us how powerful chess can be when it meets education, culture and purpose. #socialchess #everymovecounts #everylessoncounts Watch the recording: youtube.com/watch?v=j4EerS…

Introducing: Chess in Africa ♟️ ✨ Led by International Master Stefan Macak (Slovakia 🇸🇰), Chess in Africa (A journey through Africa with Chess) is a long-term mission to bring chess to children in underserved communities across Africa—reaching places where access to learning opportunities is limited. Driven by a simple but powerful vision—that every child, no matter where they live, deserves the chance to think, dream, and strategize for a brighter future—Stefan is traveling by car across Africa, carrying chess sets, demo boards, and books to villages, schools, and local clubs. ♟️ At the heart of the project is a mission to introduce chess to poorer and remote regions, empowering young minds with critical thinking, strategy, patience, and confidence. This includes the aim of establishing chess schools and sustainable chess activities across countries such as Mauritania, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. The journey has already reached communities in Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea, directly engaging children through teaching and play. 🌍 The road continues. This winter, Stefan plans to bring chess to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso, with the intention of returning every summer, winter, and Easter holiday over the next five years, steadily expanding the project’s reach across the continent. As part of FIDE’s Social Chess Year, Chess in Africa shows how chess can cross borders—opening minds, building skills, and creating opportunity, one move at a time. ♟️✨ Know a social chess project making a difference? Share it with us at socialmedia@fide.com #FIDEsocialchess #ChessForAll #SCY2025

@Carl_Portman Yes, she does.

Does she replace Lasma?

The FIDE Social Commission is pleased to officially announce the appointment of Maria Tamkovich as its new Secretary.

Looking forward to sharing lessons from the field and learning from peers working at the intersection of #Chess & #SocialImpact. 🔗 Programme & registration: soc.fide.com/global-chess-c… #SocialChess #ChessInEducation @FIDESocialChess #SportForDevelopment @FIDE_chess @KIITUniversity

in 2025 – all the best in your new role! 👉 Tag @fide_socialchess (topic-related only) 👉 Invite us for collabs 👉 Mention us in Stories – we reshare! Here’s to 2026 & Social Chess ✨ #SCY2025 #SocialChess @FIDE_chess 2/2

Thank you to our amazing community! ♟️💙 From 1,200 followers in January to 3,612, what a year for Social Chess. 📊 20k+ monthly views 🌍 Global reach: Kenya, India, USA, Spain 🤝 Strong team & active communities worldwide Special thanks to @lasmakoko for her great impact 1/2

Introducing: The Browns’ School × Infinite Chess Project 🌟 South Africa 🇿🇦 ✨ Supported by KZN Chess Academy and Erick Takawira, The Browns’ School has been part of the Infinite Chess Project for three years—using chess to nurture focus, confidence, and life skills among learners. Over the past year, students aged 15–18 showed exceptional commitment, often spending their lunch breaks playing chess and joining mainstream groups to sharpen their skills. Several graduating learners have even expressed plans to join chess clubs after school—proof of a lasting passion ignited by the game. ♟️ The impact goes far beyond the board. Parents shared powerful reflections: “Chess has helped Thapelo become more organised and focused on tasks. He has become calmer and takes time to think before acting.” “There has been a definite improvement. Chess has positively influenced his homework, and he now works independently.” “She is thinking on her feet more quickly than before. Her abilities, analytical skills, and independence have all improved. These voices highlight how chess is shaping behaviour, emotional control, and critical thinking—both in and out of the classroom. As part of FIDE’s Social Chess Year, we celebrate how The Browns’ School is using chess to build stronger minds, social skills, and a foundation for lifelong learning, with more to come in 2026. ♟️✨ Know a social chess project making a difference? Share it with us at socialmedia@fide.com — your story could inspire the world 🌍 #FIDEsocialchess #InfiniteChess #ChessForAll #EveryMoveMatters #SCY2025 @FIDESocialChess

From 15–17 December 2025, a FIDE delegation led by André Voegtlin, Chair of the FIDE Social Commission (@FIDESocialChess), and Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (@FideWomen), participated in the UNHCR Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. The delegation engaged in key discussions on refugee inclusion, gender equality, and the role of sport in empowerment, while strengthening cooperation with partners across the Sport for Refugees Coalition and UNHCR ahead of the World Chess Olympiad 2026. Read the full report here: fide.com/fide-delegatio…

2 African Champions making Kenya proud 😍Elizabeth Cassidy and Nathaniel Manyeki with big wins at the African Youth Chess Championships in Zimbabwe Are you watching @citizentvkenya @StateHouseKenya @FIDE_chess @FIDESocialChess @JulieGichuru @NewInChess @chesscom @GMCarlsson

Introducing: Chess For Freedom ♟️ Singapore 🇸🇬 ✨ Launched in August 2023 by the Singapore Chess Federation (SCF) and the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), Chess For Freedom brought chess to inmates at Institution B1 as a tool for reflection, discipline, and growth. The programme began with a simultaneous match against 34 inmates, followed by structured chess lessons linking the game’s principles to real-life decision-making. They were introduced to the local chess community and were welcomed them to join them after serving their sentences. Chess sets, clocks, and books were donated, and a mini tournament gave inmates a taste of friendly competition. ♟️ The impact was immediate. Inmates practiced during yard time, borrowed puzzle books, and showed strong enthusiasm for learning. Lessons progressed into tactics and strategy, alongside exposure to the local and global chess scene. From March 2024, chess became a core enrichment module within the VTE and LNP programmes, with trained inmate volunteers leading beginner classes—building leadership, accountability, and composure under pressure. 🌍 B1 also fielded teams in FIDE’s Intercontinental and Continental Online Chess Championships for Prisoners, supported by live game commentary from GM Kevin Goh. Tired but inspired, the inmates left determined to improve. As part of FIDE’s Social Chess Year, Chess For Freedom shows how chess can open minds, foster responsibility, and support positive change—one move at a time. ♟️✨ Know a social chess project making a difference? Share it with us at socialmedia@fide.com #FIDEsocialchess #ChessForFreedom #ChessForAll #EveryMoveMatters #SCY2025 @FIDESocialChess

Congratulations to @Carl_Portman, recognised in the King's New Year Honours 2026 for his work woth #chessinprisons His service shows the power of #chess for #hope #rehabilitaion & #transformation. @ecfchess @FIDE_chess @FIDESocialChess #socialchess

@prabithaUrwyler @ecfchess @FIDE_chess @FIDESocialChess Thank you so much. 🫡