RIFKA ZIYARD
COLOMBO : International Chess Day is celebrated annually on July 20th. On this day, in 1924 the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded. The idea to celebrate this day as the international chess day was proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and it was first celebrated in 1966. International Chess Day 2021 marks the 55th consecutive International Chess Day.
The UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the International Chess Day in 2019. The designation of World Chess Day of the UN recognizes the important role of the FIDE in supporting international cooperation for chess activity and aiming to improve friendly harmony among all peoples of the world, and also provides an important platform to foster, dialogue, solidarity and culture of peace.
The United Nations recognizes that 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. The UN states that Chess also offers important opportunities in the implementation of the ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals’.
FIDE is the first institution that is the United Chess Federations of different countries. On International Chess Day, FIDE is responsible for organizing various themes, events, and competitions. This year FIDE is repeating the campaign of 2020 under the motto, “Teach someone how to play chess” and hope to turn it in to a yearly tradition.
Chess became one of the hottest trends in 2020, especially during the pandemic. You can celebrate International Chess Day by teaching someone to play chess or by learning to play chess. You can discuss chess with someone, watching a chess stream or join a chess club.
