International Chess Day

Most everyone in the world has heard of the game of chess, but what not everyone knows is that there is an entire day dedicated to the celebration of this wonderful pastime!
A game of strategy and wits, chess has long been considered to be the thinking man’s game. From its early days in India to everywhere in the world today, chess is a wonderful game to play anytime, anywhere and with almost anyone.

History of International Chess Day

Invented in India in the fifth century, this board game was originally named “Chaturanga”. Chess is likely one of the oldest games of this era. After the development of the game in India, it eventually spread to Persia.
When the Arabs later conquered Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim world and subsequently spread to Southern Europe. In Europe, the game had evolved into roughly what is its current form by the 15th century. It went through some extensive development in Europe. By the late 15th century, it had survived a series of prohibitions and Christian Church sanctions to almost take the shape of the modern game as most people know it today.
Modern history saw reliable reference works, competitive chess tournaments and exciting new variations of the game. These factors added to the game’s popularity, further advanced by reliable timing mechanisms (first introduced in 1861), effective rules and charismatic players.
The modern form of chess, with 204 black and white (or other opposite colors) squares and 32 black and white pieces (16 for each team) has been well enjoyed by amateurs and professionals, children and adults, men and women for many years.
Chess remains a highly popular pastime among the general populace all over the world. A 2012 survey found that chess players seem to make up one of the largest communities in the world. In fact, at least 605 million adults all over the globe play chess on a regular basis. Now that’s a lot of chess!
The first modern chess tournament was held in London in 1851 and won by German Adolf Anderssen. On July 20, 1924 at the eighth summer Olympic games in Paris, France, the FIDE (World Chess Federation) was founded.
Then in 1966, on the same day as the founding of the FIDE, International Chess Day began. The idea to celebrate the day came through UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Now, there are chess tournaments that are put on all over the world on this particular day. This day has been celebrated in as many as 178 countries, and a resolution officially recognizing it was signed by the United Nations in 2019.
People all over the world are ready to celebrate International Chess Day!

How to Celebrate International Chess Day

When making plans or considering ways to celebrate International Chess Day, try out these ideas:

Play (or Learn to Play) the Game of Chess

Maybe the first thing to try would be to find a chess mate to play the game with. For those who have never played (or it’s been a long time!), try going out and learning how to play. Ask a friend to give lessons, or get some instructions online, then find someone to face off with.
If a friend can’t be found in person, try playing chess online. Lots of computer programs and apps exist on almost every skill level, from novice to expert. Join in an online chess game to brush up on those skills.

Join a Chess Club

Most cities have one or more chess clubs. They can be found in middle schools and high schools, in local community centers or sports clubs, and even high winning competitions. Take a look around the city and locate a local chess group or club. Go play a game and maybe pick up some new chess moves along the way!

Organize a Human Chess Game

For a fun Saturday or Sunday event, call friends and family (at least 32 are needed!) over for a picnic and try organizing a human chess game at the park! An easy way to make it work is to use colored tee shirts with game piece names on them to identify who is playing what piece.

Celebrate International Chess Day with Food

Have fun making chess piece shaped cookies for the chess lover in your life, or baking a checkered cake that can be decorated as a chess board!
If throwing a chess based party for the day, create fun and crafty foods, such as a chess board made out of light and dark square crackers. Add mini cheese balls with an olive on top–stabbed with a toothpick– to create the chess pieces!

Watch a film About Chess

In between games of chess, see about catching a flick that revolves around the game of the day:

• Searching for Bobby Fischer, 1993. Based on the true story of Josh Waitzkin’s exploration in the world of chess who went on to become an international master.
• Queen of Katwe, 2016. Based on the real life of Ugandan chess player Phiona Mutesi, who grew up in the slums of Katwe and overcame adversity to play on an international level.
• The Luzhin Defense, 2000. A romantic drama about a mentally tormented chess player who travels from Russia to Italy to compete in tournaments but is overcome by stress and anxiety.

No matter what kind of chess-based activities are indulged in, whether watching people play a chess game (in person or online), playing a game, or just learning about it, get caught up in the wonders of the sport on International Chess Day!International Chess Day
We celebrate International Chess Day on July 20, a day that was born from an idea the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had. Chess lovers around the world celebrate their favorite game on this day each year, in a tradition spanning more than 50 years.HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL CHESS DAY
The origins of chess are a matter of debate. Multiple theories attribute the beginning of this game to countries like India, China, Russia, and Central Asia.
A popular theory credits the Indian war game — ‘chaturanga’ — as the inspiration for chess. People regard this as the precursor of chess as it had two key features found in later chess variants — different pieces had different functions and the victory was based on one piece (the king, in modern chess). Versions of this game reached the east, north, and west, taking on very different characteristics each time. A version of chaturanga or a later variant called ‘shatranj’ made its way into Europe through Persia, the Byzantine Empire, and the Arabian Empire.
It is believed that the reason chess pieces do not have distinctively human/animal features is because of the Islamic influence. Islam religion forbids making statues of people or animals, so this is probably why chess pieces are so vague looking.
The expanding Arabian empire took chess to North Africa, Sicily, and Spain by the 10th century. At the same time, chess was being spread around the globe, Eastern Slavs took it to Kievan Rus’ and the Vikings brought the game to Iceland and England.
Chess’s popularity can be attributed to the fact that it was associated with wealth, knowledge, and power. It evolved to resemble the current version of chess in England by the 15th century.
The game as we know it was soon established by an Englishman, adopting the black and white squares we know so well. Modern history shows many events and competitions in relation to chess and exciting new variations of the game, which added to chess’s popularity. Further advancements soon made this game what it is today — reliable timing mechanisms came around, rules of play were put into effect, and charismatic world players burst onto the scene.
The General Assembly proclaimed July 20 as International Chess Day to mark the date of establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Millions of chess players around the world celebrate this day and this game.

INTERNATIONAL CHESS DAY TIMELINE

7th Century
Chaturanga Flourishes
The Indian war game ‘chaturanga,’ which is remarkably similar to chess and is sometimes seen as its precursor, is played across northwestern India.
10th Century
The Oldest Recorded Game
A manuscript from this age shows a record of a chess game between a Baghdad historian and his pupil.
1254
Chess is Banned
King Louis IX forbids people from playing this game in France.
15th Century
Chess is Now Popular
The game spreads across continents, increasing in popularity — it is known as the royal game in England.
1834
First Major International Chess Event
A series of six matches are held between the leading French and British players, Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais of Paris and Alexander McDonnell of London — Bourdonnais wins and this event is analyzed and reported extensively.
1835
Standardized Chess Sets
An Englishman, Nathaniel Cook, establishes a standard design for the chess game set.
1849
Patented and Endorsed
After the new standard chess set is patented, famous player Howard Staunton endorses it, thus resulting in it being called the 'Staunton pattern' — even today, only sets based on this design are allowed in international competition.
1861
Timing is Everything
Chess players are now being timed reliably — the mechanism to do so is introduced in this period.
1924
A Special Organization Comes into Being
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is established in Paris.
1966
Our Day is Celebrated
International Chess Day is observed from this day to mark the day the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded.
December 12, 2019
World Chess Day is Officially Recognized
The U.N. General Assembly proclaims July 20 as World Chess Day.

International Chess Day

International Chess Day

English
International Chess Day is an annual chess celebration held on July 20. Players, clubs, and organizations from around the world create and participate in events on International Chess Day to celebrate this remarkable game.
Here is what you need to know about International Chess Day:

• What Is International Chess Day?
• When Was International Chess Day Started?
• How Do You Celebrate International Chess Day?

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What Is International Chess Day?

International Chess Day is a worldwide celebration for chess which is sponsored by FIDE, the International Chess Federation. FIDE's motto is "Gens una sumus," which is Latin for "We are one people." International Chess Day is a great way to celebrate that sentiment and to promote and show appreciation for our beloved game throughout the world.
International Chess Day
FIDE sponsors International Chess Day every year.
International Chess Day is celebrated on July 20 every year because that is the day when FIDE was founded in 1924. International Chess Day 2020 doesn't just celebrate chess but also FIDE's 96th birthday as an organization.

When Was International Chess Day Started?

The idea for the International Chess Day was first proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It was first celebrated in 1966 after FIDE established the event. The UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the International Chess Day in 2019. International Chess Day 2020 marked the 54th consecutive International Chess Day.

How Do You Celebrate International Chess Day?

You can celebrate International Chess Day by merely discussing chess with someone, watching a chess stream, playing chess, or participating in International Chess Day activities. In 2018 Chess.com held a 24-hour arena tournament to celebrate and honor International Chess Day.
International Chess Day
Chess.com celebrated International Chess Day 2018 with a 24-hour marathon arena tournament.
In 2019 Chess.com celebrated International Chess Day with a multitude of activities that included 24 hours of Puzzle Rush access for all members, another 24-hour marathon arena tournament with prizes, and all-day streams with special guests.
International Chess Day
Chess.com's International Chess Day activities in 2019 included 24 hours of Puzzle Rush and a 24-hour marathon arena tournament.
In 2019 FIDE asked chess players to participate in their tweetstorm for International Chess Day by using the hashtag #InternationalChessDay on social media. According to US Chess, the hashtag was used in almost 4,000 tweets in 2019. These tweets reached an audience of more than 18 million people on Twitter alone.
FIDE's theme for International Chess Day 2020 was "Teach someone how to play chess."
International Chess Day
FIDE's International Chess Day design. Image: FIDE.
FIDE was also involved in an online event called "Chess for Recovering Better," organized with the U.N. and attended by government officials and other relevant stakeholders. Several top chess players also participated, including former world champions GM Viswanathan Anand and GM Vladimir Kramnik, former women's world champion GM Hou Yifan, and GM Levon Aronian.
Chess.com's main activities for International Chess Day 2023 can be found here.
What would you like to do to celebrate International Chess Day? Let us know in the comments below!