WSCIM Highlights: Chess as a catalyst for social change
The second session of the World Social Chess Initiatives Marathon brought together chess activists, experts and promoters from across the globe to discuss the benefits of introducing the game to deprived areas and prisons. The participants also discussed the role chess has in helping the elderly cope with challenges of old age. As the first event in the Year of Social Chess, the Chess Initiatives Marathon was organized by the FIDE Social Chess Committee and brought together experts, activists and NGO representatives working on projects where chess is used as a tool for addressing social issues. Following the first part of the World Social Chess Initiatives Marathon on January 19, the afternoon session highlighted three relevant topics: how chess can help inmates, troubled youth and children from deprived areas; how the game can be used to help elderly cope with social and psychological challenges of old age; and the role chess can play in building diplomatic bridges between nations. Reform behind bars: From prisons to deprived areas, how chess helps Transforming lives in Mexican prisons José Manuel Barradas of the Mexican Chess Federation spoke about the implementation of the chess programs in Mexican prisons. Last year’s national championship for prisoners saw participation from over 40 institutions, and Barradas outlined an ambitious plan to introduce chess clubs in prisons, supported by government and private funding. “We need money for boards, pieces, but most important—teachers who can work inside prisons,” he emphasized. The initiative, guided by the FIDE Social Chess Commission, aims to expand across Latin America. Barradas highlighted the personal rewards: “Helping people is satisfying, and everyone should try it at least once.” Nigeria’s Anchor heritage initiative Focusing on western and northern parts of Nigeria, the Anchor Heritage Initiative employs chess to aid inmate rehabilitation. By providing legal aid, welfare, counseling, and rehabilitation programs, the organization works to facilitate inmates’ reintegration into society. One of its standout programs is the 100-day Chess Initiative, which uses the game as a tool for personal development and skill-building among inmates. “Pausing and thinking,” a key chess strategy, has helped individuals like Ayo, a 17-year-old participant, manage anger and impulsivity. Looking ahead, the organization plans to establish Chess Corners in custodial centers and host tournaments. These efforts aim to address Nigeria’s high recidivism rates by equipping inmates with skills for reintegration. Full presentation:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14ph3sJtozsx4U6RTKFWW1aRtQmd4ix1R Anchor Heritage – Chess as a Correctional Tool (PDF) Uplifting vulnerable youth in Brazil and Papua New Guinea In Brazil’s Ribeirão Preto region, Alexandre Vergara’s “Viva Chess Classes” are transforming lives in Jardim Zara, a neighborhood plagued by social challenges. Part of the Quebrada Viva project, the initiative uses chess to foster critical thinking and community spirit among children from underprivileged backgrounds. Since its inception in 2021, Quebrada Viva focuses on children and adolescents from low-income and vulnerable backgrounds, utilizing chess as a motivational tool for engagement, education and improvement. “The goal is to help children in these deprived areas build confidence and have a sense of achievement through structured play and learning,” Vergara said. In another part of the world – Stephen Deburu’s Chess Inda Hood project in Port Moresby focuses on reducing anti-social behavior and drug abuse among young people. The program emphasizes discipline, critical thinking, and engaging parents—particularly mothers—to involve their children. “The greatest benefit from this is the stories you hear from people, as testimonies of how chess has changed their lives. Getting them to love the game and to get to know other people gives a sense of progress and achievement, building a positive state of mind,” said Deburu. Full presentation:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14ph3sJtozsx4U6RTKFWW1aRtQmd4ix1R Viva Chess Classes (PDF) Enhancing life for the elderly Chess for Connection: Bridging generations in Canada “Chess for Connection” is a Canadian youth-led nonprofit initiative dedicated to addressing the social, emotional, and cognitive challenges faced by seniors. Inspired by the story of Gilbert Bong Perez—a retired doctor and chess Olympian for Canada— the initiative aims to use chess an inclusive and accessible tool that transcends physical ability and age. April Zhong, who presented the project, highlighted the importance it has in today’s social climate, noting that as global populations age, seniors increasingly face cognitive and physical challenges, reduced social connections, and heightened risks of loneliness and isolation. The program offers a variety of tailored activities, ensuring inclusivity and adaptability based on the needs of each senior home and its participants. Activities include chess lessons at an individual or group level, tournaments and events, as well as light-hearted sociable activities such as drinks or discussions. Regular participation of seniors aged 50 to 90, who praise the program for its engaging activities and opportunities to connect with youth. With over 800 volunteer hours logged by 30 young chess players, the program has expanded internationally, establishing a branch in Uganda in collaboration with Makerere Chess Society. Full presentation:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XbyxhX5xFl3ZycTHzVqSP9jB42h26Bps/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=108323171340070226706&rtpof=true Chess for Connection (PDF) Lifelong learning at Club Athletico Paulistano Cristiana Fiusa Carneiro, a former Brazilian chess champion, legal expert and psychologist, shared her experience organizing chess programs for elderly members of Club Athletico Paulistano in São Paulo. Starting in 2015 with just four participants and one class a week, the program now boasts three weekly classes and 26 regular attendees. Carneiro explained how the classes combine chess instruction with opportunities for socialization and mental stimulation. The classes are spread into four sections – they begin with giving people time to socialise and connect, making them feel more comfortable with the setting. The next step is to solve chess problems, to help stimulate them. Then comes the main point of the lesson – teaching strategy through theoretical lessons, exercise and games. The lesson ends with friendly matches between participants. “Regular sessions provide a sense of security and community, reducing isolation and improving well-being,” she noted. Plans for future expansion include digital tools and collaborations with other senior programs. Full presentation:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZSkj-t1EgQRanrGDAB6Fho65QeZ1ug3X/edit#slide=id.p5 Chess for Aging Group at Club Athletico Paulistano (PDF) Chess as a tool for diplomacy and peace Lior Aizenberg, founder of Chess4all and Chess4Solidarity in Israel, highlighted the role of
FIDE Statement regarding the “Freestyle Chess” project
With regard to the recent communications from the “Freestyle Chess Players Club” (“FCPC”), FIDE states the following: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the only internationally recognized governing body of chess (in particular, by the International Olympic Committee), regulating all official international chess competitions. While we have always remained open to cooperation with private organizations and initiatives across the chess community, FIDE retains its supreme role with respect to the rules, titles, and ratings. FIDE’s status and global responsibilities towards the chess community are distinct and non-negotiable. FIDE does not oppose commercial platforms, projects, or privately managed clubs, such as the FCPC, engaging with players in their own capacity. However, the attempts by FCPC to present their project as a World Championship are in contradiction with the well-established status of FIDE and its authority over world championship titles in all relevant variations of chess – including Chess960/Freestyle chess, as outlined in the FIDE Handbook. Moreover, the line of conduct adopted by FCPC threatens the execution of players’ existing contractual obligations towards FIDE. The steps taken by the FCPC project unavoidably lead to divisions in the chess world – and we remember all too well the unfortunate consequences of a similar split that happened in the not so distant past. Although the formal status of 2025 Freestyle Chess series has yet to be determined, FIDE wants to ensure that all players can plan their schedules for 2025. That is why – as a matter of goodwill and to provide sufficient comfort to the players for the immediate future – FIDE took the decision to accommodate the 2025 Freestyle Chess series in the calendar and to refrain from invoking relevant legal clauses in previously signed contracts concerning players’ participation in 2025 Freestyle events. Nevertheless, FIDE retains all its legal rights related to the World Championship title and will be ready to challenge organizers and initiators of any series that decide to brand themselves as a “World Championship” without the approval of FIDE. We are open to dialogue, and looking forward to reaching a mutually acceptable agreement, provided that the governing role and its well established authority of FIDE over the World Championships is respected by potential partners. Should such an agreement not be reached, FIDE demands that the Freestyle series does not carry the status of a “World Championship”. FIDE will not hesitate to use all legal means against those who violate its rights – be it initiators, organizers and/or investors of the project. As the 2025-2026 World Championship cycle is underway, all qualified players are expected to sign an additional contract, which will include a clause indicating that participation in any alternative world chess championships in any variation of chess not approved by FIDE (except for the Freestyle tour in 2025) would lead to their withdrawal from the two consecutive FIDE World Championship cycles. As a part of the contracts, FIDE commits to running the cycle events at the highest level with substantially increased prize funds – the dates and locations of those are published in FIDE Calendar.