The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has launched a new Global Survey on Chess in Education to understand how different countries, schools and organisations are using chess as a learning tool. The survey aims to gather detailed information on the role of chess in classrooms, teacher training, student engagement and academic outcomes. By collecting feedback from various stakeholders, FIDE hopes to build a clear picture of how chess is being used across the world and what improvements are needed.

A consolidated study by FIDE can provide valuable insights for governments, educators and institutions planning to introduce or expand chess in their curriculum. This survey is important because it can help create standard guidelines, encourage collaboration among countries and highlight examples where chess has helped improve learning outcomes. With the right information, educational systems can make better decisions about how to integrate chess into their teaching methods.

What the FIDE Global Survey Aims to Achieve

The main goal of the survey is to understand how chess is being used in classrooms around the world. FIDE wants to collect clear, factual data on the size, reach and performance of various chess-in-education programmes. The survey will also explore:

• How teachers are trained to use chess as a teaching tool
• What methods schools are using to connect chess with academic subjects
• How students respond to chess-based activities
• What challenges institutions face while implementing chess in classrooms
• What kind of support schools expect from national federations and FIDE

This information will help FIDE design better resources, training materials and support systems for countries that want to promote chess in their education framework.

Why Chess in Education Matters

Chess has long been recognised as more than just a competitive sport. Many studies show that students who regularly play chess develop stronger concentration, logical reasoning and decision-making abilities. Some schools use chess to help children improve their maths skills, while others use it to build patience and discipline. In countries like Armenia and Spain, chess has already been introduced as a formal subject in certain grades.

Despite these efforts, the global picture is uneven. Some regions have well-structured programmes, while others only conduct occasional workshops. By gathering data on all these practices, FIDE can identify which approaches are the most effective and share them widely. This can help create a more organised and evidence-based model for using chess as an educational tool.

Who Can Participate in the Survey

FIDE has opened the survey to a wide group of participants because it wants to gather inputs from every level involved in chess education. The survey is designed for:

• School principals and administrators
• Teachers using chess in their classrooms
• Chess coaches and trainers working with educational institutions
• National chess federations
• NGOs working on education and skill development
• Researchers studying child development or learning methods

By inviting such a diverse group, FIDE hopes to capture a complete picture of how chess is being taught and what outcomes it is generating.

Expected Benefits of the Survey

Once the survey results are analysed, FIDE expects to use the findings in several ways. These include:

• Developing global standards for chess-based teaching
• Offering better training programmes for teachers
• Designing research-backed learning modules
• Helping governments and institutions create policy frameworks
• Encouraging countries to collaborate through shared best practices
• Supporting schools in starting or scaling up chess programmes

For many educators, this survey can also serve as a reference for funding proposals, curriculum redesign and long-term planning.

How Schools and Organisations Can Take Part

Schools, educational organisations and federations that want to participate can fill out the questionnaire shared by FIDE. Institutions are expected to provide:

• Basic information about their chess programmes
• Details of teacher training
• Student participation numbers
• Learning outcomes or observations
• Challenges faced during implementation

This information will be treated as part of FIDE’s global study and may contribute to future international discussions on education and skill development.