In April 2023, during the intense battle for the Chess Crown between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren, the President of the International Chess Federation, Arkady Dvorkovich, and the President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, Timur Turlov, discussed the tasks of popularizing the noblest form of sport.

The flagship of any sport is the competition among professionals, but one of the most important directions of development is undoubtedly popularization. After all, it is not necessary to be a professional to play chess for pleasure and mental training.

The two Presidents unanimously agreed that the love for the game of chess should be instilled from childhood. This is how culture, interest, and subsequent discipline are formed.

This is how the idea of holding the first-ever World Schools Team Championship was born. The idea grew significantly, and the project was formed in partnership between the KCF and FIDE.

Interesting fact: at first it was planned to limit the Сhampionship to 15 countries, but when negotiations with federations from different countries started, the responses were all positive, and the number of countries grew to 50.

When an idea is truly good and bright, it sets the tone and movement. Thus, one could say that the project grew on its own – it scaled up, and the organizers had to keep up with accepting new teams from all corners of the world!

Now, in August 2023, the World Schools Team Championship is taking place, welcoming 71 teams from 50 countries! This result became possible thanks to the coordinated work of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation team and the reliable support of the Сhampionship’s partner – the International Chess Federation! Both Presidents will be present at the opening ceremony, and who knows what surprises they will have in store this time.

We wish everyone luck, strategic decisions, and victories! And to the tournament – an easy but vibrant start, as this is the first year that will set the tone for all future World Schools Team Championships!