The United Nations(UN)’s World Chess Day is annually observed across the globe on 20th July to highlight the role of the World Chess Federation or International Chess Federation (FIDE) towards international cooperation for chess activity and improving harmony among the people across the globe.
The day also focuses on the importance of chess in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals(SDG).
World Chess Day 2021 also marks the 97th anniversary of the FIDE.
Background:
i.As an initiative of the FIDE, the International Chess Day, has been observed on 20th July by Chess players across the globe since 1966.
ii.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/74/22 on 12th December 2019 and proclaimed the 20 July of every year as World Chess Day.
iii.The first UN’s World Chess Day was observed on 20th July 2020.
Why July 20?
The date marks the establishment of the FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) in Paris in 1924.
Chess:
i.Chess is a 64-square checkerboard game for 2 players, made of 8×8 square, with 16 pieces (8 pawns, 2 knights, 2 bishops, 2 rooks, 1 queen, and 1 king) for each player.
ii.It is one of the most ancient, intellectual and cultural games that combines sport, scientific thinking and arts.
iii.At present, there are more than 2000 identifiable variants of the game.
History:
i.Chess was invented in India in the fifth century. It was then named “Chaturanga”.
ii.Chaturanga originated in the Northern Indian Subcontinent during the Gupta period (around 319 – 543 CE).
World Champion:
World Chess Champion– Magnus Carlsen(Norway)
Women’s World Chess Champion– Wenjun Ju(China)
About International Chess Federation (FIDE):
President– Arkady Dvorkovich
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
Founded in 1924 in Paris, France.
