FIDE Declares 2025 the "Year of Social Chess" with a Focus on Inclusion and Mental Well‐Being

In 2025, the global chess community is turning its attention beyond the board. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has officially declared this year the “Year of Social Chess”, promoting the game as a tool for mental health, community building, and inclusion. Under the unifying theme “Every Move Counts,” the initiative is making waves across schools, care homes, prisons, and refugee centers—places where chess is proving its quiet but powerful impact.

Timed to align with International Chess Day on July 20, FIDE’s campaign is about more than celebration. It’s a call to action: to bring chess into everyday spaces and remind the world that its value isn’t limited to elite tournaments or world rankings. As FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich put it, “Chess has the unique power to create connection, stimulate minds, and offer purpose—regardless of age, ability, or circumstance.”

What Is Social Chess?

“Social Chess” refers to programs and practices that use the game to serve a greater social good. This can mean using chess as therapy for people with neurodiverse conditions, introducing it in underserved schools to teach patience and problem-solving, or using it in elder care to help reduce cognitive decline.

In recent years, evidence has grown to support chess’s role in mental fitness. Studies have linked regular play with improved memory, stress reduction, and even delayed onset of dementia. In low-resource settings, it’s been shown to build confidence, discipline, and community among youth.

Global Participation

To support the Year of Social Chess, FIDE is funding grassroots initiatives in over 50 countries. Some highlights include:

• Kenya: community-run chess programs in rural schools

• Argentina: prison chess leagues supporting rehabilitation

• India: intergenerational chess events connecting seniors and students

• Ukraine and Poland: trauma-informed chess lessons for displaced children

Clubs and federations worldwide are also joining in, using #EveryMoveCounts to share how chess is making a difference in their communities.

More Than a Game

As the chess world grows more global and inclusive, FIDE’s message is clear: every move—on or off the board—has value. The Year of Social Chess is a timely reminder that this ancient game still has modern power to heal, connect, and inspire.

To learn more or get involved, visit fide.com.