International Chess Day July 20

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  • International Chess Day July 20

    International Chess Day July 20

    July 11, 2020

    "Dear chess friend,

    Very soon, on July 20th, we will celebrate International Chess Day. As you probably know, this also marks FIDE's 96th anniversary.

    This is a day to celebrate chess, and from the International Chess Federation, we would like to reinforce this tradition.

    Last year many of you joined us in this celebration, and thanks to that we achieved resounding success: many people and institutions from "outside" the chess world echoed our campaign, and we managed to attract more people to our sport.

    This year we will also count on the invaluable support of the United Nations and UNESCO.

    We would like to invite you to take part in this celebration again. Our plan for the International Chess Day 2020 is simple but ambitious: we want to make an appeal to the members of our chess community and ask you to teach someone how to play chess to mark this day.

    You will find detailed instructions below. I would kindly ask you to distribute this information among your friends, members of your chess club or federation, associates and sponsors, and representatives of the media in your respective countries.

    Arkady Dvorkovich
    FIDE President"


    WHO?

    Preferably a kid (it would be easier, and more rewarding for you both!), but it can also be a grown-up. Learning chess has beneficial effects, at any age!

    Choose someone close to you. You can change somebody's life by teaching him/her a beautiful game, but you will also be spending some quality time and creating or reinforcing a special bond with that person. If your children already play, maybe you can invite your nephew, or your son's best friend. Maybe you can finally teach your boyfriend how to play, or your high-school best mate. Or you could propose this as an after-work activity with your colleagues at the office.

    WHEN?

    July 20th falls on a Monday, so the plan is that we devote to this action the weekend, from Friday to Sunday (July 17-19).

    Then, on Monday, we share our experience on social media. Can we start the week with one million new chess players? We believe so.

    HOW?

    Some of you might be seasoned chess teachers, but many others have never taught the basics chess to absolute beginners. During the days leading to the weekend, try to gather some materials, watch some tutorials, and do some reading. From FIDE, we will stimulate the exchange of information and will share the most interesting ones, in different languages. Let's help each other with the preparations.

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    Last year, on the International Chess Day, 3,842 tweets from 2,342 different contributors used the hashtag #Internationalchessday. That means we reached an audience of more than 18 million people and 47 million potential impacts - and that's on Twitter alone! The campaign was also massively followed across other social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, and International Chess Day became a trending topic in several countries. The trend was so strong that many global brands, institutions, and celebrities, joined the initiative.

    Let's try to reach even higher numbers this year! You can start using the hashtag #Internationalchessday in your social media posts during the weekend leading to July 20th. But the very important day is Monday: please make sure to make at least one or two posts with the official hashtag, if possible early in the morning. That will ensure that other users will follow.

    If you have any doubts or suggestions, or you think you can contribute to this campaign in some other way, please don't hesitate to contact us:

    David Llada
    david.llada@fide.com
    + 34 623 021 120

  • #2
    I think I will teach my young great niece how to play. She is both sharp and interested. Have to make plans for next weekend.

    Comment


    • #3
      International Chess Day July 20

      July 18, 2020


      United Nations: "Chess for recovering better"

      From:

      https://www.fide.com/news/635

      To celebrate the International Chess Day, on 20 July (10:00-12:00 EST), top chess personalities, including the FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, Levon Aronian, and Hou Yifan, will take part in a high-level virtual event - “Chess for Recovering Better”.

      The event will be attended by the United Nations and government officials, permanent missions to the UN, representatives of civil society, academia, and other relevant stakeholders. It will be broadcast live by the UN, and also at FIDE's Youtube Channel.

      https://www.youtube.com/user/fidechannel

      This meeting aims at providing a platform to discuss the unique capabilities leveraged by chess in supporting social cohesion, equality, and inclusion, with a focus on COVID-19 response and recovery efforts for building back better.

      From the concept note of the event:

      "Globally, chess is recognized as a powerful tool for promoting the values of discipline, equality, respect for rules, and mutual understanding. In 2019, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 74/22 under agenda items “Sport for development and peace” and “Culture of peace”, designating the 20th of July as World Chess Day.

      The resolution acknowledges the important opportunities offered by chess in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs, such as strengthening education and health, fostering solidarity and promoting cooperation, gender equality, inclusivity, and peace.

      Throughout history, games and sports have helped humanity to survive times of crisis by reducing anxieties and improving mental health. While the coronavirus outbreak has forced most gaming and sports activities to scale down, chess has demonstrated remarkable resilience, adaptability, and very strong convening power in time of the pandemic. Over the past few months, the overall interest in chess is reported to have doubled, with more players than ever coming together to participate in chess events that are being increasingly held through online platforms."

      Chess for Sustainable Development

      The United Nations recognizes that sports, the arts, and physical activity have the power to change perceptions, prejudices, and behaviors, as well as to inspire people, break down racial and political barriers, combat discrimination and defuse conflict, and therefore contribute in promoting education, sustainable development, peace, cooperation, solidarity, social inclusion and health at the local, regional and international levels.

      Chess is one of the most ancient, intellectual, and cultural games, with a combination of sport, scientific thinking, and elements of art. As an affordable and inclusive activity, it can be exercised anywhere and played by all, across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability, or social status.

      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.

      Chess also offers important opportunities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, including strengthening education, realizing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and fostering inclusion, tolerance, mutual understanding, and respect.

      About International Chess Day

      FIDE has been celebrating the International Chess Day since 1966, following a recommendation of UNESCO. The date marks the establishment of the International Chess Federation, which was founded during the Paris 1924 Summer Olympics.

      On December 12, 2019, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution proclaiming 20 July as "World Chess Day", as per their own denomination. The resolution was tabled by Armenia and co-sponsored by 52 other countries. Armenia’s Ambassador to the UN, Mher Margaryan, presented chess as a consensus builder that “can transcend national boundaries and break down racial, political and social barriers."

      The impact of COVID-19 on sport

      Sport is a major contributor to economic and social development. Its role is well recognized by Governments, including in the Political Declaration of the 2030 Agenda, which reflects on “the contribution sports make to the empowerment of women and young people, individuals and communities, as well as to health, education, and social inclusion objectives.”

      Since its onset, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to almost all countries of the world. Social and physical distancing measures, lockdowns of businesses, schools, and overall social life, which have become commonplace to curtail the spread of the disease, have also disrupted many regular aspects of life, including sport and physical activity. This policy brief highlights the challenges COVID-19 has posed to both the sporting world and to physical activity and well-being, including for marginalized or vulnerable groups. It further provides recommendations for Governments and other stakeholders, as well as for the UN system, to support the safe reopening of sporting events, as well as to support physical activity during the pandemic and beyond.

      See also:

      https://www.chess.com/news/view/unit...onal-chess-day

      Comment


      • #4
        I taught my great niece Marissa how to play. She is a sharp one and will make a good tournament player.

        Comment

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