International Chess Day: Enjoy This Game Of Strategy & Wits

Prasenjit Das
Mar 21, 2023 By Prasenjit Das
Originally Published on Mar 21, 2023
Fact-checked by Dolly Chhatwani
International Chess Day started in 1966.

Where is International Chess Day celebrated?

International Chess Day is a global holiday, and it is celebrated all over the world.

Who is International Chess Day celebrated by?

All chess players and enthusiasts celebrate International Chess Day every year.

When did International Chess Day first start?

International Chess Day began on July 20, 1966, to mark the formation day of the International Chess Federation or FIDE. However, it received the status of an official holiday in 2019.

Who started International Chess Day?

On December 12, 2019, the UN General Assembly registered July 20 as World Chess Day.

History And Timeline

The game of chess has a long and interesting history. Here, we will see some of the most important events that took place on its way to the present day.

The Rise of Chaturanga

Around this time, chaturanga became widely popular in northwestern India. Chaturanga was much similar to modern chess. Many theories have also claimed this game to be the precursor of chess.

Seventh century

Chess is Forbidden in France

In 1254, Louis IX of France forbade the French people from playing chess.

1254

Chess Game Becomes Globally Popular

The popularity of Chess spread throughout the world in the 15th century. The game received its modern form around this time as well.

15th century

Founding of the Day

On July 20, 1924, the International Chess Federation, or FIDE, was established. After four decades, the members of the chess community started celebrating International Chess Day to mark the foundation day of FIDE.

1966

Chess Day Becomes An Official Holiday

On December 12, 2019, the UN General Assembly registered July 20 as the official World Chess Day.

2019

Traditions And Customs

Chess is one of the oldest games in the world. The origin of this sport, however, is debatable. A popular theory claims that chess is of Indian origin, and it is derived from the Indian war game chaturanga.

There are also some other sources that state Hán Xin, a commander, invented chess around 200 BC. A trace of Islamic influence can also be found in the evolution of this game.

The Islam religion prohibits people from making statues of animals or people. According to some people, this is the reason why chess pieces have vague appearances. They neither resemble humans nor animals.

Chess became globally popular in the 15th century. It was around this time that the game received its modern form (already mentioned). On July 20, 1924, the International Chess Federation, or FIDE, was formed in Paris, France. After 42 years from this day, people celebrated International Chess Day for the first time.

Finally, in 2019, the UN General Assembly recognized this event and created World Chess Day.

Ways To Observe International Chess Day

International Chess Day aims to celebrate this beautiful and fun sport. So, the best way to observe this event is to play chess. Many chess clubs conduct tournaments on this day. You can participate in one of them. Also, you can play the game with your friends and family.

For those who don't know how to play this game, International Chess Day gives you an opportunity to learn chess. Begin by learning the rules of the game and then move on to various chess moves.

You can also seek help from your friends and family members, given that they know how to play chess. Learning chess is also a great way to celebrate this brilliant event.

Finally, post something nice on social media. It will inform others about this famous holiday and also encourage them to celebrate it.

Facts And Stats

  • People first celebrated International Chess Day on July 20, 1966. This day marked the foundation day of the International Chess Federation (July 20, 1924).
  • The UN General Assembly created the official World Chess Day on Dember 12, 2019.
  • This year (July 20, 203), International Chess Day falls on a Thursday.

Who invented chess?

The exact origin of the chess game is a bit obscure. Different theories give different origin stories of this board game. One such theory claims that Hán Xin, a famous commander, invented this game somewhere around 200 BC.

 

What is the significance of International Chess Day?

Chess is one of the oldest games in the world. International Chess Day attempts to celebrate this brilliant game.

 

Does everyone celebrate International Chess Day?

Chess players and enthusiasts mainly celebrate International Chess Day.

 

How do chess clubs celebrate International Chess Day?

Chess and sports clubs celebrate International Chess Day by conducting chess tournaments. On this occasion, these organizations also spread awareness among people about the beneficial effects of this famous game.

 

What are some related days?

International Tabletop Day and National Board Game Day are similar to International Chess Day.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Tuesday, July 20, 2021
  • Wednesday, July 20, 2022
  • Thursday, July 20, 2023
  • Saturday, July 20, 2024
  • Sunday, July 20, 2025

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Sources

https://en.chessbase.com/post/20-july-is-international-chess-day

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https://nationaltoday.com/international-chess-day/

https://www.google.ru/search?q=national tabletop day

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Written by Prasenjit Das

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

Prasenjit Das picture

Prasenjit DasBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature

Having obtained a Bachelor's degree in English language and literature from West Bengal State University - Barrackpore Rastraguru Surendranath College, followed by a Master's degree in English language and literature from Calcutta University, Prasenjit has several years of experience as a content writer, Prasenjit has mastered the art of producing cohesive and coherent copy. To further refine his skills and continuously challenge his creativity, Prasenjit successfully completed the "Introduction to Creative Writing Course" offered by British Council. Outside of his professional pursuits, Prasenjit finds inspiration in engaging in various creative activities, including writing poetry.

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Fact-checked by Dolly Chhatwani

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts specializing in English Literature

Dolly Chhatwani picture

Dolly ChhatwaniBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts specializing in English Literature

A skilled professional-client manager, Dolly brings a wealth of experience to any team. Holding a Master's in English Literature, she has worked in various customer relations and operations management roles throughout her career. With a degree in both English and Psychology, she is passionate about promoting mental health. Dolly is an avid reader, particularly of classic literature, and enjoys writing book reviews. Additionally, she maintains a food blog and is active on social media.

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