♟️ World Chess Day ♟️
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Today over 600 million people are playing chess every day, and the number is only increasing. The universal appeal of chess lies in the fact that it is an affordable and inclusive activity that can be conducted and exercised anywhere across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability or social status. Chess combines sport, scientific thinking and elements of art beautifully into an ancient sport of testing our intellectual abilities and is a reflection of the socio-cultural development of humanity over centuries.
According to UN, “Chess is a global game, which promotes fairness, inclusion and mutual respect, and noting in this regard that it can contribute to an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding among peoples and nations.”
Chess has been around for centuries, and if you ask us, every day is a chess day, since we have been lucky enough to learn, play, and enjoy this game with our students and coaches every day of the year. While there is a day designated for almost everything and every whim in that people have, UN endorses some on the basis of the potential of a particular cause in order to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.
When is International Chess Day Celebrated?
International Chess Day has been around since 1966. On 12 December 2019, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 20 July as World Chess Day to mark the date of the establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Paris in 1924. Under the initiative of FIDE, July 20 has been observed as International Chess Day by chess players around the world since 1966.
Recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the supreme body responsible for chess championships, FIDE defines the individual and international competition rules of chess, calculates the ratings of chess players, and awards performance-based titles to chess players (Candidate Master, Master, International Master, Grandmaster, and their women’s versions).
Why is International Chess Day Celebrated?
International Chess Day is a worldwide celebration for chess celebrated on July 20 every year, the day FIDE was founded in 1924. FIDE also marks it’s 97th birthday this year as an organization. Players, clubs, and organizations around the world are marking this year aligning with the UN theme of “Chess for recovering better”.
As the Olympics brought truce and constructive competitive spirit, and also celebrated the human tenacity of beating odds, nothing has set a better example than chess in recent times.
“Throughout history, games and sports have helped humanity to survive times of crisis by reducing anxieties and improving mental health. While the coronavirus outbreak has forced most gaming and sports activities to scale down, chess has demonstrated remarkable resilience, adaptability and a very strong convening power in times of pandemic. Over the past few months, the overall interest in chess is reported to have doubled, with more players than ever coming together to participate in chess events that are being increasingly held through online platforms.”
Chess plays an important role in strengthening education, women empowerment, global cooperation and culture of peace. Sports have been known to bring people together, and FIDE’s motto, “Gens una sumus,” (Latin for “We are one people.”) resounds beautifully with the overall global sentiment in 2021.
Looking at the brighter side, the pandemic has created an opportunity to go beyond borders and look at the whole world in a uniformed perspective. Chess is a mind game that pushes for deep logical thinking and enhances responsible action. By promoting chess and linking it with the issues that concern the entire human race, International Chess Day is a creative and strategic way of creating a universal platform and showing solidarity with those still suffering from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic in various corners of the world.
The benefits of chess have been long noticed, researched and recorded. Chess provides support to improving the brain’s “muscle power” and is also linked to mental development.
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