2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities: Chess Unites Beyond Limits
From October 19 to 26, 2025, the city of Astana, Kazakhstan, will host the 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities — a global celebration of inclusion, unity, and the limitless power of the mind.
Organized by FIDE and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, this special Olympiad brings together 34 teams from around the world. The players include those with visual, hearing, and physical impairments. On the chessboard, they compete as equals — proving that passion for chess transcends every barrier.
A Perfect Stage for Inclusion
The games will take place at the Paralympic Training Centre in Astana, one of Central Asia’s most advanced accessible sports venues. Astana is no stranger to big chess events — it hosted the 2023 FIDE World Chess Championship between Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi, and the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship.
2025: The Year of Social Chess
FIDE has declared 2025 the “Year of Social Chess.” This initiative promotes how chess can make society more inclusive and connected. The Olympiad for People with Disabilities is one of the flagship events of this campaign, showing how chess unites people of all abilities and backgrounds.
From Online Beginnings to Over-the-Board Success
The first edition of this Olympiad began online in 2020, when 61 teams from 45 countries competed in the Online Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities. That event coincided with the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and Poland took home the gold.
In 2023, the dream of meeting over the board came true in Belgrade, Serbia, where 23 teams participated. Once again, Poland won first place, followed by the IPCA team and the Philippines.
This historic event was made possible through collaboration between FIDE, IBCA (International Braille Chess Association), ICCD (International Chess Committee of the Deaf), and IPCA (International Physically Disabled Chess Association).
Now, in 2025, the Olympiad moves to Astana with a record 34 teams, reflecting the growing global movement of inclusive chess.
Teams and Favorites
This year’s lineup is stronger than ever. Poland leads the field with an average rating of 2296, aiming for a third consecutive title. Other strong contenders include Israel (2189), FIDE 1 (2176), and Cuba (2164).
Teams from the USA, Philippines, Hungary, Czech Republic, Serbia, and many others will battle for top honors. Players are joining from every continent — from Argentina to Uzbekistan, Egypt to Kenya — showing how chess truly connects the world.
Tournament Format and Schedule
Each team has four players and one captain or reserve. Every round must include at least one male and one female player.
The event will follow the Swiss system over six rounds, with games played at 3:00 PM local time daily. The final round will take place on October 25 at 11:00 AM.
Time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move one.
The opening ceremony will be held on October 20 at 2:00 PM, just before the first round begins.
A Global Network of Inclusion
The combined efforts of IBCA, ICCD, and IPCA, supported by FIDE, have been instrumental in ensuring that chess remains accessible for everyone. Their work allows players with disabilities to compete internationally, build friendships, and share their love for the game.
The Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities is not just a competition — it’s a movement of courage, connection, and inspiration.
More Than a Tournament
This Olympiad reminds us that true strength is not measured by physical ability but by creativity, determination, and the will to overcome challenges.
In Astana 2025, one message will echo across the world:
Chess dissolves boundaries — and the power of the human mind knows no limits.
Photos: FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
