Description
Celebrate World Chess Day on July 20
World Chess Day is an annual event that commemorates the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Paris in 1924. It is a day to celebrate the benefits of chess for education, culture, and peace. In this article, we will tell you more about the history and significance of World Chess Day, and how you can join the global chess community in celebrating this occasion.
The history of World Chess Day
Chess is one of the world’s oldest and most popular games, with a rich and diverse history. The origins of chess can be traced back to India in the 6th century, where it was known as Chaturanga, meaning “four divisions”. The game spread to Persia, where it was called Shatranj, and then to the Arab world, where it became a part of the Islamic culture. Chess reached Europe in the 10th century and underwent several changes in the rules and the pieces over the centuries. The modern form of chess, with the queen and the bishop having more power, emerged in the 15th century.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) was established on July 20, 1924, in Paris, France, to unite chess players and organisations from different countries and promote the game worldwide. FIDE is the governing body of international chess and organises tournaments, championships, and ratings for players and teams also sets the official rules and standards for chess and supports chess education and development.
FIDE declared July 20 as International Chess Day in 1966, to mark its 42nd anniversary. Since then, chess players and enthusiasts worldwide have celebrated this day by organising events, activities, and competitions to promote the game and its values. In 2019, the United Nations recognised July 20 as World Chess Day, acknowledging the role of chess in fostering dialogue, solidarity, and a culture of peace among nations.
The significance of World Chess Day
World Chess Day is not only a day to celebrate the game of chess, but also to recognise its benefits for society. Chess is a game that stimulates the mind, enhances creativity, improves memory, and develops logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Chess is also a game that transcends language, age, gender, and cultural barriers, and brings people together in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect.
World Chess Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of chess for education, especially for children and young people. Chess can help students improve their academic performance, concentration, and self-confidence. Chess can also teach students valuable lessons about planning, decision-making, and coping with challenges and failures. Many studies have shown that chess can improve cognitive abilities, such as spatial reasoning, numerical skills, and verbal fluency.
World Chess Day is also a chance to highlight the role of chess in promoting peace and cooperation among people and nations. Chess can foster dialogue, understanding, and friendship among people from different backgrounds and cultures and can also be a tool for social inclusion and empowerment, especially for marginalised and vulnerable groups, such as women, girls, refugees, and people with disabilities.
Chess can help people overcome stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination, and build a more tolerant and inclusive society.
How to celebrate World Chess Day
There are many ways to celebrate World Chess Day, whether you are a beginner or a master, a casual player or a professional, a fan or a teacher. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Play chess with your friends, family, or colleagues, either online or offline. You can also join a chess club, or start your own, and meet new people who share your passion for the game.
- Learn more about chess, its history, rules, and strategies. You can read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or take courses on chess. You can also follow the latest news and updates on chess events and tournaments, and watch live games and commentary from the best players in the world.
- Teach chess to someone who doesn’t know how to play, or help someone who wants to improve their skills. You can also volunteer to teach chess in schools, libraries, community centres, or other places where chess can make a difference. You can also donate chess sets, books, or equipment to organisations that support chess education and development.
- Participate in chess events, activities, and competitions organised by FIDE, national chess federations, or local chess clubs. You can also organise your chess event, activity, or competition, and invite others to join. You can also use social media to share your chess stories, photos, and videos, and use the hashtag #WorldChessDay to connect with the global chess community.
World Chess Day is a day to celebrate the game of chess and its positive impact on society.
Join us on July 20, and let’s make this day a memorable one for chess lovers everywhere!
References
- World Chess Day | United Nations
- Wikipedia – Chess
- Bbc.co.uk – World Chess Day: What’s so good about the game?
- World Chess Day 2023: Date, Celebrates and History – adda2474
- Chess.com – Benefits of chess
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