BACK
CHESS. EDUCATION. FUTURE.
A global federation advancing chess in education and creating international opportunities for the next generation.
GLOBAL FIDE PARTNER
MORE THAN CHESS
ISCF uses chess as a practical language of learning — developing strategic thinking, confidence, teamwork and access to international opportunities.
ABOUT ISCF
COMMUNITY
Connecting schools, federations, families and governments
OUR MISSION
Integrating chess into school systems worldwide
OUR MAIN GOALS
Giving young players access to tournaments, experts and new pathways
CHESS
LEARNING
OPPORTUNITY
FROM LAUNCH TO GLOBAL FIDE PARTNER
A fast transition from launch to global institutional partnership.
2024
Presented at the FIDE General Assembly during the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest.
2026
FIDE and ISCF declare the Year of Chess in Education and sign a Memorandum of Cooperation.
6
Countries
7
Cities
19
Masterclasses
600+
Participants
27+
World-Class speakers
FROM 2025 TO PRESENT
THE TOURNAMENT IS THE PLATFORM. EDUCATION IS THE MISSION
WSTC 2026 — A GLOBAL SCHOOL CHESS CYCLE
A new continental format under the Year of Chess in Education — expanding participation and opening the competition to more countries worldwide.
FLAGSHIP PLATFORM
ASIA
Almaty · Kazakhstan
AFRICA
Stellenbosch · South Africa
AMERICAS
San José · Costa Rica
EUROPE
Tsaghkadzor · Armenia
GRAND FINAL
COMPETITION
CONFERENCES
MASTERCLASSES
EVENTS
The first WSTC event ever held in Central America.
The first official WSTC event on African soil.
The global cycle opened with 19 countries under one roof.
Asia
WORLD SCHOOLS TEAM Championship 2026
6-11
April
Almaty,
KAZAKHSTAN
26
TEAMS
19
COUNTRIES
114
PLAYERS
AFRICA
WORLD SCHOOLS TEAM Championship 2026
6-11
July
Cape Town,
SOUTH AFRICA
26
TEAMS
22
COUNTRIES
114
PLAYERS
AMERICAS
WORLD SCHOOLS TEAM Championship 2026
11-16
August
San José,
COSTA RICA
29
TEAMS
25
COUNTRIES
116
PLAYERS
four CONTINENTS. ONE EDUCATIONAL MISSION
WSTC 2026
EUROPE SOON
CHESS IS NOT ONLY A GAME TO WIN. IT IS A TOOL TO TEACH.
EDUCATION IN ACTION
ISCF uses chess as a practical language of learning — developing strategic thinking, confidence, teamwork and access to international opportunities.
WHAT ISCF DOES
MASTERCLASSES
Elite coaches and best practices
CONFERENCES
Policy, innovation and AI in education
SCHOOL OUTREACH
Local access and inclusion
GRANT PROGRAM
$100,000 to scale proven CIE models
FROM CHESSBOARD TO EDUCATION POLICY
Ministers, vice-ministers and officials from the Americas gathered to discuss educational innovation and regional cooperation.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
FROM DISCUSSION TO SYSTEMIC CHANGE
Ministers, vice-ministers and officials from the Americas gathered to discuss educational innovation and regional cooperation.
ISCF works with governments, ministries and national institutions to advance chess in education and youth development.
KAZAKHSTAN
BARBADOS
COSTA RICA
EL SALVADOR
SMART MOVES: GOVERNMENTS THAT THINK AHEAD
INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT
BEHIND EVERY NUMBER IS A STORY
Four examples of access, inclusion and confidence built through chess.
PROJETO VIDANÇAR
Young players from Complexo do Alemão in Rio de Janeiro reached an international stage.
CHESS OPENS DOORS
GIRLS WHO LEAD
A special chess event designed to empower
girls aged 16 and under.
CHESS OPENS DOORS
DUOLINGO DREAMERS
Girls from rural India reached their first
international chess tournament.
CHESS OPENS DOORS
SCHOOL OUTREACH
50+ students from three local schools joined an inclusion-focused outreach visit.
CHESS OPENS DOORS
MEDIA IS NOT THE STORY. IT IS THE EVIDENCE OF SCALE.
Asia
300k
REACH
126
PUBLICATIONS
87
local media
25
foreign media
AFRICA
832.9K
VIEWS
57
REACH
57
publications
10
local media
47
foreign media
AMERICAS
722.7K
VIEWS
173.4K
REACH
93
publications
34
local media
49
foreign media
GLOBAL REACH, VISIBLE IMPACT
The movement is amplified through social platforms and international media coverage.
VISIBILITY & PROOF
An investment in education
A contribution to the next generation
An international platform of trust
A global intellectual brand
A MOVEMENT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.