International Chess Day (20/07)

For many years, since 1966, International Chess Day has been celebrated all over the world on July 20th. This holiday is held by decision of FIDE — of the International Chess Federation (Federation Internationale des Echecs, FIDE), founded on this day in 1924.

FIDE — is an international non-governmental sports organization that unites national chess associations of different — countries; today its members are 199 national federations (as of 2023). FIDE's activities are aimed at spreading and developing chess around the world, as well as promoting and raising the level of chess culture and knowledge.

FIDE has the authority to establish the rules of the game of chess, the conditions for holding the world championship and all other international chess competitions, as well as assign international chess titles. Currently, more than 40 official championships are held under the auspices of FIDE for youth, men, women and the elderly.

The United Nations, recognizing that sport, art and physical activity can change attitudes and behavior and help overcome prejudice, as well as inspire people, break down racial and political barriers, counter discrimination and smooth out conflicts, also proclaimed July 20 at the General Assembly World Chess Day.

The proclamation of World Chess Day by the United Nations recognizes the important role of the International Chess Federation in promoting international cooperation in the field of chess and striving to expand friendly harmony among all peoples of the world.

After all, chess — is one of the oldest intellectual and cultural games, combining sports, scientific thinking and elements of art. Being an accessible and inclusive activity, this game can be played anywhere. Chess can be played by everyone, overcoming language barriers, as well as differences in age, gender, physical capabilities or social status. It is a global game that encourages justice, inclusion and mutual respect. In this regard, it should be noted that chess can help create an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual understanding between countries and peoples.

By the way, the name of the game comes from the Persian language: checkmate — ruler died. The birthplace of chess is India. There, in the 5th century, the predecessor of chess, the — game of chaturanga, appeared. The name «chaturanga» translates as «four-piece» and is presumably explained by the fact that chaturanga was originally played by four players.

Chatrang, and later Shatran, was the name given to the game when it arrived in Sassanid Persia around 600. It further spread along the Silk Road to other regions, including the Arabian Peninsula and Byzantium. In 900, the Abbasid chess masters al-Suli and al-Laylaj composed essays on the technique and strategy of the game, and by 1000 chess had become popular in both Europe and Russia, where it came from the Great Steppe.

The first international tournament in the history of modern chess took place in London in 1851 and was timed to coincide with the World Industrial Exhibition, and in 1924 the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded in Paris.

Chess — is a board game on a 64-cell board with 32 pieces (16 pieces each in white and black). 2 partners play. The goal of the game is to checkmate the opposing king. The game of chess is believed to promote memory, mental ability, creative and logical thinking.

With the advent of the computer, chess players began to master it and computer chess programs appeared –, and tournaments began to be organized among computers.

According to FIDE, today chess is recognized as a sport in 107 countries, played by tens of millions of players on all continents, on average more than 60 million games are played every day, and 605 million adults play chess regularly.

In Russia, almost every city has a chess club (often there are several of them), where admirers of this sport gather. On International Chess Day, these clubs host tournaments, entertainment events, and amateur lectures on the exchange of playing experience.



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