FIDE Global Survey
on Chess in Education
Following the Year of Social Chess, 2026 will be dedicated to Chess in Education, emphasizing FIDE’s commitment to integrating chess into school curricula worldwide. To establish a solid baseline for understanding the global reach of educational chess and to guide FIDE’s future policies, the organization is conducting the Global Survey on Chess in Education.
The survey will help identify key trends in the field and provide essential insights for developing FIDE’s Educational Strategy and Action Plan for 2027–2030.
The survey will help identify key trends in the field and provide essential insights for developing FIDE’s Educational Strategy and Action Plan for 2027–2030.
Welcome Message from FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich
Dear Friends,
In 2021, FIDE carried out its first Global Survey on educational chess, which revealed that more than 25 million children and 237,000 teachers and trainers worldwide were already engaged in this important field. That survey gave us a valuable baseline for understanding the reach of educational chess and helped shape FIDE’s policies in the years that followed.
Since then, FIDE has worked with federations and partners around the world to place educational chess at the forefront of our mission. We have:
Developed and delivered training courses for teachers and lecturers, in multiple languages;
Launched a certification system for educational chess programs;
Organized international conferences and summits to share best practices;
Facilitated research and pilot projects in schools and communities.
Now it is time to see how the landscape has evolved. Thanks to your support, the new Global Survey will highlight trends in educational chess and assist us in shaping FIDE’s Educational Strategy and Action Plan for 2027−2030.
The results will also be shared with partners such as UNESCO, UNICEF, ministries of education, universities, and NGOs, ensuring that your efforts gain visibility and recognition at the highest international levels.
Your participation is vital. It will help demonstrate the global power of chess as a tool for learning, attract new sponsorship opportunities, and shape FIDE’s priorities. As an additional incentive, I am pleased to confirm that survey participation will be taken into account by FIDE’s Planning and Development Commission (PDC) when awarding Chess in Education grants in 2026.
This survey also prepares the ground for a landmark initiative: 2026 has been declared the Year of Educational Chess. Together, we will celebrate and expand chess as a medium for learning and growth — empowering millions of children, teachers, and communities worldwide.
I warmly invite all federations, schools, and partner organizations to take part in this important effort. Together, let us make every educational move count.
With best regards,
Arkady Dvorkovich
President
International Chess Federation (FIDE)
International Chess Federation (FIDE)
How to Complete the Survey
This survey is designed for completion by representatives of:
National Chess Federations
Chess in Schools Organizations (CiSOs)
Educational Institutions or Administrators
Other Stakeholders in Chess Education
We encourage respondents to consult multiple data sources including national education statistics, regional program records, and expert input to complete the questions as accurately as possible.
The survey is structured to gather both quantitative data and qualitative insights.
Estimated completion time: 20–30 minutes.