“Infinite Spectrum: Awareness and Recognition” – Follow-up on celebrating autism inclusion through chess and community
On April 6, the Infinite Chess initiative hosted “Infinite Spectrum: Awareness and Recognition”, a transformative online event that united global advocates, educators, and families to advance autism awareness and inclusion. With powerful speeches, heartfelt stories, and the premiere of an exclusive project video, the meetup illuminated how chess and community support can unlock potential for children on the spectrum. The event began with inspiring words from Dana Reizniece (Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board and Project Supervisor), André Vögtlin (Chair of the FIDE Social Commission), and Anastasia Sorokina (Chair of FIDE Women’s Commission and Infinite Chess Project Leader). Their messages underscored FIDE’s commitment to leveraging chess as a tool for social impact. A highlight of the opening was the premiere of “FIDE Infinite Chess – A Visionary Approach to Modern Chess“, created with immense support of Kazakhstan Chess Federation a 10-minute video showcasing the project’s mission, strategic partnerships, and real-world impact. The film set the stage for discussions on how chess transcends borders and abilities. Key moments that inspired action 1. Dismantling Stigma with Practical Solutions Doreen Dia, Occupational Therapist and CEO/founder of iPromise Rehab and Care Services in The Gambia, shared actionable strategies to combat societal stigma. Her insights emphasized: The role of community education in fostering acceptance. Adaptive learning techniques for neurodiverse children. How local advocacy creates systemic change. “Breaking stigma starts with small, courageous conversations,” she reminded attendees. 2. Chess as a Catalyst for Growth Ritha James Makame, Life Skills Coordinator at the Ilyanna Foundation and Infinite Chess teacher, revealed the challenges and triumphs of teaching chess to children with autism. Her approach—rooted in patience and creativity—demonstrated how the game: Enhances cognitive flexibility and problem-solving. Builds social connections through structured interaction. Empowers teachers and parents to collaborate effectively. 3. A Mother’s Unwavering Love Renata Nair, mother of Teegan (a student in the Infinite Chess project, South Africa), moved the audience with her raw, hopeful journey. She described: The pivotal role chess played in Teegan’s confidence and focus. How community support alleviates isolation for families. Why inclusive programs like Infinite Chess are lifelines. “Every small victory is a testament to what’s possible,” Renata shared. Honoring Champions: The Infinite Chess partners awards The event culminated in the Infinite Chess Partners Awards, celebrating unsung heroes in autism advocacy. Winners—nominated included: Pioneer Partner – Pep Suárez, Olimpia Chess Academy (Menorca), Luis Blanso de la Cruz, Madrid Chess Academy, Club Ajedrez 64 Villalba (Spain), Sharon Whatley, Gibraltar Chess Association (Gibraltar), Franck Droin (France). Regional Growth Leader – Pep Suárez, Olimpia Chess Academy (Menorca), Erick Takawira, KZN Chess Academy (South Africa), Kanthi Sarjoo, The Browns’ School (South Africa), Sharon Whatley, Gibraltar Chess Association (Gibraltar). Accuracy and Detail Excellence – Viesturs Kapče (Latvia), Buddhi Nirukshi Panagoda (UK), Rita Wu, Taiwan Youth Chess Association (Taiwan). Event Participation Champion – Melodi Dincel (Turkey), Charomova Evguenia (New Zealand), Susana Gonçalves, Association Chess2All (Portugal). Innovation Leader – Ng Teck Sen, Bumblebee Training Centre (Malaysia), Anu Bayar, ABChess Academy (Mongolia), Keunae Choe, EBC Foundation (USA). Outstanding Support – Luciano Gomes de Sousa (Brazil), Christina Aziz (The Gambia), Viviane Bejjani-Aziz (The Gambia), Elly O. Goro, IYANNA FOUNDATION (Tanzania). Collaboration Excellence – Kazakhstan Chess Federation, Kamal Daoudi, INSTITUTION TAHAR SEBTI (Morocco), Dalila Mougaa, INSTITUTION TAHAR SEBTI (Morocco), Albanian Chess Federation. Impactful Communicator – Dr. Ankita Sanghavi, Innocent Times School (India), Netra Patkar, ZEP Rehabilitation Centre (India), Mark Bryan (Cyprus). The awards underscored the power of collective effort in driving inclusion. “What an inspiring event! Today, we’ve shared knowledge, stories, and hope. Let’s carry this momentum forward—keep advocating, connecting, and uplifting. A huge thank you to our speakers, attendees, and the Infinite Chess team. Stay tuned for future events, and remember: every step counts in creating a more inclusive world. Until next time—take care, stay inspired, and keep shining!” were Maria Tamkovich’s closing words. Carrying the Momentum Forward Watch & Share the Infinite Chess video to spread awareness. Recorded video of the online meetup. Join the Movement via #InfiniteChess on social media. Support inclusive chess programs in your community. A heartfelt thank you to all speakers, attendees, and the Infinite Chess team for making this event a milestone in autism advocacy. Together, we’re proving that chess is more than a game—it’s a universal language of opportunity. “The spectrum is infinite, and so is our potential to make a difference.” Infinite Chess website: infinitechess.fide.com/
Ju Wenjun strikes back: World Champion levels the score with endgame magic
World Champion Ju Wenjun equalized the score in Game 3 of the FIDE Women’s World Championship, redeeming her endgame blunder in Game 2 with precise and elegant play today. In a battle that lasted over five hours and 87 moves, Tan Zhongyi blundered on move 60, allowing Ju to seize the advantage and play an instructive endgame with the principle of two weaknesses, ultimately claiming victory. The playing hall today was graced by four Women’s World Champions; the reigning champion and challenger, along with Zhu Chen and Xu Yuhua, the second and third women’s world champions from China. Chen, the current FIDE Treasurer, and Yuhua, Secretary General of the Chinese Chess Association, made the ceremonial first moves on the board. Following the ceremony, the clock was started and the game commenced. It featured a repeat of the first game’s Sicilian, where the World Champion introduced 3.c4, the Kramnik Variation, a rare sideline occasionally seen at the highest level, including during the Carlsen-Caruana World Championship match. It was a curious choice, as statistics tend to favor Black in this line. Tan Zhongyi paused to consider her response, and soon the players entered a completely uncharted position. It was clear that both had exited home preparation, as they began using significant time on their moves. The game transitioned into a position where both players had isolated pawns – White on c3 and Black on d5, with Ju once again at a time disadvantage. Understandably so, as the position remained balanced and called for subtle maneuvering. With the white pieces, Ju had to look for chances to create imbalances, prolong the game, and prevent Black from steering it toward a draw – without taking undue risks so early in the match. Black managed to simplify with a series of trades, and the game seemed to be heading toward a dry draw. However, the position was still rich in tactical possibilities and required precise play. This match has shown that even seemingly equal positions are far from over – as evidenced by Ju’s decisive blunder in Game 2. Ju held the initiative, with active pieces and the bishop pair, while Tan’s position was more passive, putting her on the defensive and having to remain solid. It was far easier for White to find natural moves, while Black faced challenges. True to her style, Ju kept pressing, attempting to squeeze out chances, though her time management remained a concern, having cost her the previous game. Tan took advantage of this by playing confidently and quickly, blitzing out moves and putting the pressure on Ju. An important moment came on move 37: White has just captured the d5 pawn, and the only move for Black was the tricky 37…Ne3, preparing to recapture the pawn. Anything else would leave White a pawn up with dominant pieces. After some thought, Tan found the only move, and Ju, having anticipated this, responded immediately with 38.h4, the best follow-up. After 38…Qg4, Black remained a pawn down and had to choose the least harmful version of the position. At this point, Ju’s body language shifted – she sat upright and focused, while Tan began to consume more time. This was Ju’s domain: technical positions. As FIDE commentator Evgenij Miroshnichenko noted, “A game of chess has a fantastic amount of resources for both sides.” Following a series of forced trades, the game simplified into an endgame with opposite-colored bishops with a pair of rooks still on the board. White held an extra passed pawn on c3, and although the position remained theoretically equal, the players reached the additional time control at move 40 with a long endgame ahead. The c-pawn was difficult to advance, and Ju needed a weakness on the kingside to make progress. She continued pressing, and her opportunity arrived on move 60. Black committed a critical error with 60…Bc6? The idea of trading the rooks was correct, but the execution was flawed. It was essential not to remove protection from f7-pawn and while keeping White’s king at bay with 60…Re2! The key is to meet 61.Kg5 with 61…Re4! As played, after 61.Kg5, trouble loomed. 61…Ra4 failed to the intermediate 62.Be5+, and after 62…Ke7 63.Rb2, White preserved the rooks – a crucial detail, as a pure opposite-colored bishop endgame would likely end in a draw. From there, Ju’s plan was clear: her king advanced to g7, the rook stayed active, and the c-pawn became a growing threat. Black, by contrast, had active counterplay. Her weak f7-pawn and the advancing c-pawn were too much to handle. What kept viewers on edge was Ju’s time pressure. But this is the reigning Women’s World Blitz Champion, and even with only minutes on the clock, she navigated the complications masterfully. She confidently found the best moves and brought home a well-deserved win. In the post-game press conference, she said that the endgame was relatively straightforward, so her low time did not concern her and after 73.f3 she felt she was winning. We have witnessed endgame magic from both players in the last two games, where their ability to keep pushing in equal positions, and ultimately yield decisive results, is highly admirable. It surely serves as a lesson to not give up, and beautifully shows the infinite possibilities in chess. Ironically, things are not always clear-cut black and white. With the score once again leveled, and two decisive results in the first three games, the match is shaping up to be nothing short of exciting. The fourth game will be played on Monday, April 7, at 3 PM local time in Shanghai, with Tan Zhongyi playing White. FACT SHEET, Game 3, FIDE Women’s World Championship 2025: White: Tan ZhongyiBlack: Ju WenjunResult: 0–1Opening: Sicilian DefenseGame length: 87 movesMatch score: 1.5–1.5 Follow FIDE’s social media channels for updates, tune into YouTube for live commentary and coverage, and visit the official match website for more information. Written by Charlize van Zyl Photos: Anna Shtourman Official website: womenworldchampionship2025.fide.com/ About the Match The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship