International Chess Day: Everything You Need to Know
Get ready—July 20, 2025, is International Chess Day! First celebrated in 1966, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) established International Chess Day to honor chess as a game that teaches mutual respect while transcending national and cultural boundaries.
Fédération Internationale des Échecs? International Chess Federation!
The date of July 20 was chosen to mark the date of the establishment of FIDE in Paris, France in 1924. The current acronym, “FIDE,” is derived from the original name “Fédération Internationale des Échecs.” For over 100 years, FIDE has been developing and promoting chess worldwide. It was one of the very first international sporting organizations, alongside swimming, football, cricket, and auto racing.
Along with being one of the earliest, FIDE is also one of the largest sporting organizations, with 201 member federations from countries around the world. From tiny Monaco to vast Russia, these Federations are united in supporting and promoting chess as a cultural and educational legacy for generations to come.
During the last 100 years, there have been many changes in the world of chess, including the adoption of the ELO rating system, changes and refinements to rules, and creation of world titles and competitions. With the establishment of one governing body for chess, players and fans could be sure of consistent standards for the title of “World Champion,” rather than players organizing matches themselves.
FIDE strives to unite chess players according to its motto, “Gens Una Sumus,” which translates as “We Are One Family.” International Chess Day embodies the hope that chess will serve as a tool of international understanding and bring people together.
United Nations Recognition of World Chess Day
In December of 2019, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing July 20 as “World Chess Day.” Chess has the power to break down political and social boundaries, creating spaces for mutual understanding and international goodwill. It was natural for the United Nations to honor the sport for its contributions to education, inclusion, cooperation, and peace.
Resolution A/74/L.24 states the following:
“Recognizing the important role of chess as an affordable and inclusive activity, which can be exercised anywhere and played by all, across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability or social status, Noting that chess is one of the most ancient, intellectual and cultural games, with a combination of sport, scientific thinking and elements of art…”
With this resolution, the United Nations recognized the universal appeal and accessibility of chess, as well as its rich history.
World Record Chess
How does the chess world observe International Chess Day? While it’s not a day that inspires fireworks or gift exchanges, it has inspired a world record.
In 2024, FIDE organized an attempt at the Guinness World Record for the most chess games played in 24 hours. In 63 tournaments worldwide, players completed 7,284,970 total games. Every game used standard FIDE time control (minimum 3 min + 2 seconds) and Sofia Rules to avoid early draws. FIDE spearheaded the attempt in Biel, Switzerland, with over 350 global events in-person and online. This outstanding achievement was a fitting way to mark FIDE’s 100th year!
Ideas for Celebrating International Chess Day
While you may not be prepared to break any world records, there are many things you can do on International Chess Day. We've compiled these ideas as a starting point:
Play Chess!
- Participate in a tournament or chess gathering. Your local library or chess club may have an event planned for July 20, so be sure to check out their schedule. One way to find the chess clubs in your area is the US Chess Club Search and Affiliate Directory. You can search by location, type of activity, and many more parameters. State affiliates also have club listings.
- Play online against someone in another country. This is easier than ever with platforms like Lichess and Chess.com. There is nothing more “international” than playing across borders.
- Invite a friend for a game or three. July 20 is on a Sunday in 2025, tailor-made for a leisurely afternoon of games and conversation.
- Show your enthusiasm for chess with a social media post. It doesn't have to be a big production! You can simply wish your friends and family a "Happy International Chess Day" to share your love of playing chess. Bonus points for a selfie with your favorite chess set or a friend during a game.
Learn About Chess History
- Read about the history and personalities of chess. Chess has never had a shortage of interesting characters, from historical players like Howard Staunton, the namesake of the Staunton chess design, to today’s superstars. Treat yourself to a signed edition of Susan Polgar’s autobiography, “Rebel Queen,” while copies last, or grab the newest by Miguel A. Sánchez, “Jose Raul Capablanca, A Chess Biography.”
- Watch a movie or series about chess. There have been some great ones in the past few years! “Searching for Bobby Fischer” is the movie adaption of the true story of Josh Waitzkin, a child prodigy trying to survive the ups and downs of competitive chess. A binge-worthy series with a lot of buzz is “The Queen’s Gambit,” a fictional story about Beth Harmon, a young prodigy making her way in the male-dominated chess world of the 1960s.
Teach and Learn About Chess
- Teach someone to play chess. The basics of chess aren’t hard to teach, and you might create a new chess enthusiast in the process. This is also the perfect time to teach a child in your life how to play and get those summer-slow synapses back in shape.
- Learn a new chess variant. Most chess players are comfortable with classical chess and related time variants, like Blitz and rapid. Try something like Capablanca chess, played on a 10x8 board with the addition of the Chancellor and Archbishop pieces. Play Fischer Random Chess on a regular set by placing the back rank in a random arrangement. Do you know how to play Shogi? Often called “Japanese chess,” International Chess Day is the perfect time to learn to play.
Is chess not big in your area? Take the initiative yourself! With a few boards sourced from friends and family, you could stage impromptu chess in the park or at the community center. With a little enthusiasm and preparation, you can create a space providing all the benefits of chess for your community.
There are also many events online during International Chess Day. Sign up now for an event on your favorite online platform or watch the livestreams as other players compete.
Here's to another year of chess—bridging cultures, providing opportunities, and promoting global cooperation. A very happy International Chess Day to you all!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! The United States celebrates National Chess Day on the second Saturday of October. This has been the case since President Gerald Ford proclaimed the first National Chess Day on October 9, 1976. Events are held all over the United States by local clubs and US Chess affiliates. Check with your favorite club now to see what they have planned.
FIDE chose July 20 as International Chess Day to commemorate the founding of FIDE on July 20, 1924. It has been celebrated on July 20 every year since 1966.
International Chess Day is an opportunity to reflect on the truly global reach of chess. Chess is played worldwide under the same rules with the same equipment. People who do not share the same culture or even speak the same language can sit down at a chess board and enjoy a game. International Chess Day is an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of chess to peace and global cooperation, introduce new players to the game, and enjoy a chess event or game yourself.