FIDE’s #SocialChess Conference 2024: Leveraging Chess for Societal Good and Announcing 2025 as the “Year of Social Chess”

FIDE Declares 2025 as the “Year of Social Chess” at Budapest Conference

On September 21, 2024, Budapest played host to the #SocialChess conference, a gathering of FIDE officials, Social Commission members, and project leaders dedicated to harnessing the power of chess for societal good. The event marked FIDE’s strong commitment to utilizing chess as a transformative tool across various social initiatives worldwide, with the announcement of 2025 being declared as the “Social Chess Year.”

The conference kicked off with an inspiring address by Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, who emphasized the importance of collective action in driving positive change through chess. Quoting the renowned Latvian poet Imants Ziedonis, she highlighted the significance of giving back and the lasting impact it can have on individuals and communities.

Reizniece-Ozola set the tone for the conference by stating, “We are helping people change lives with a wonderful tool we have in our hands—chess,” underscoring the potential of chess to bring about meaningful change.

André Vögtlin, Chair of the FIDE Social Commission, introduced the central theme of 2025 as the “Year of Social Chess,” aligning with FIDE’s long-term goals for social impact. Vögtlin called upon federations, organizations, and individuals engaged in social outreach through chess to collaborate with FIDE in advancing this mission.

The conference showcased several major initiatives spearheaded by the Social Commission, demonstrating the profound influence chess can have in diverse social contexts. Projects like “Chess for Protection,” “Chess for Freedom,” “Infinite Chess,” and “Chess for elderly and Chess for life” were highlighted, each showcasing the unique ways in which chess is being used to bring about positive change.

One of the most touching sessions of the conference focused on “Chess and Cancer (Project 2C),” which aims to provide emotional support and cognitive stimulation to cancer patients through chess. The initiative, led by Susana Concalves, is set to launch the Queen’s RISE initiative in March 2024, focusing on supporting women with breast cancer through chess as part of their therapy.

As the conference concluded, a unified message of unity and action resonated throughout the room. With FIDE gearing up for 2025 as the “Year of Social Chess,” the call for global participation was clear: chess is not just a game but a powerful tool for social change.

In a world where connections are more important than ever, FIDE’s Social Commission is actively shaping a brighter future by connecting communities, empowering the vulnerable, and offering second chances through the game of chess.

Written by Milan Dinic

Photos: Hungarian Chess Federation