Chess remains one of the world’s most popular board games. Chess is played at the following tournaments: the Chess Olympiad, the Continental Championships, the World Championships, national chess tournaments, regional tournaments, chess club tournaments, school tournaments, and other tournaments. Chess Federations serve the chess community by promoting chess and organizing chess tournaments worldwide. There are hundreds of chess tournaments each year globally: open, closed, men, women and youth events.

There are about 170 chess federations globally. While there are hundreds of millions of chess fans who understand and enjoy chess, based on Internet publications, there are up to 5 million chess players worldwide who are members of federations. Tournament participation statistics demonstrate that interest in chess in growing. In 1924 less than 20 countries participated, while in 2006, 147 countries participated in the Chess Olympiad.

Chess popularity is growing due to the education value of chess in schools. Recognizing the value of chess as a fun way to help children develop these skills, educators around the world gradually began to introduce the game in their classrooms.  The game is now part of the regular primary school curriculum of over 30 countries around the world.

Chess Benefits