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Celebrating International Chess Day 2025: Every Move Counts
Every year on July 20, the world celebrates International Chess Day. This day marks the anniversary of FIDE’s founding in 1924.
In 2024, FIDE celebrated its 100th anniversary, honoring a century of chess. It also set goals for the future — expanding chess worldwide, making it accessible, and using it to bring positive change.
The Year of Social Chess
In 2025, FIDE launched the Year of Social Chess. This initiative focuses on inclusion, education, empowerment, and mental wellness through chess.
The theme for this year is “Every Move Counts” — reminding us that every decision on the chessboard, like in life, has meaning.
Record-Breaking Chess
In 2024, the chess world broke a Guinness World Record for the most games played in 24 hours — over 7.28 million games across 350+ events.
This year, FIDE wants to keep the momentum going with global celebrations, inclusive events, and creative chess stories.
Join the Creative Chess Challenge
FIDE invites everyone to play Creative Chess.
Play a game in the most unique or symbolic place you can — like a mountain, underwater, or at a famous landmark!
Host your game or event between July 10 and 20.
Post your photos or videos with the hashtag #InternationalChessDay, or send them to socialmedia@fide.com. You might be featured on FIDE’s social media or YouTube on July 20!
Let’s show how fun, vibrant, and creative chess can be.
24-Hour Online Blitz Tournament with Lichess.org
Join FIDE and Lichess.org for the biggest Social Chess Day online tournament ever.
This 24-hour blitz tournament starts at 00:00 CEST on July 20 and runs until 00:00 CEST on July 21.
Time control is 5+3. Players of all levels are welcome. You can join anytime and play as many games as you like!
Exciting Prizes for Participants
All players will enter random prize draws. Some of the prizes include:
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5 winners will get a voucher for the World Chess Olympiad 2026 opening ceremony in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (plus two hotel nights).
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10 winners will get a €100 FIDE shop gift voucher.
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20 winners will receive the “Chess Players” photography book.
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40 winners will attend a group or individual masterclass with a top Grandmaster.
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20 winners will be invited to play in a GM online simul on Lichess.
Join the tournament here: lichess.org/tournament/fscday25
Celebrate Over-the-Board
FIDE encourages chess federations to host inclusive, over-the-board events on July 20.
Invite seniors, refugees, underserved youth, or players with disabilities. These events show how chess brings people together, regardless of their background.
Share your photos and stories by tagging FIDE and using the hashtags:
#FIDESocialChess, #FIDESocialChessAward, #SocialChess, #SocialChessDay
Teach Someone to Play Chess
One of the best ways to celebrate is by teaching someone to play.
Show a friend, sibling, or colleague how to move the pieces. You could inspire a lifelong love for the game.
Let’s Make Every Move Count
Whether you teach one person or host a tournament, your effort matters. Let’s celebrate how chess can change lives on International Chess Day 2025.
Photos: FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
