Saint Louis Chess Conference, an Innovative Educational Chess Event was held on 24-26 October and united the foremost voices in chess with educators, researchers, and enthusiasts. Hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club, US Chess, and the Kasparov Chess Foundation in Saint Louis, capital of the chess world.
The conference featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, including legendary World Champion Garry Kasparov, the strongest female chess player of all time Judit Polgar, and Maurice Ashley, the first African American to achieve the title of Grandmaster.
FIDE Women’s Commission’s Impactful Participation
We are proud to announce that the representatives from the FIDE Women’s Commission participated in the event as well and made a notable impact at the Conference by presenting three key initiatives: “Chess4Peace” and “Chess for Protection” , Girls Club in Kakuma, and a focus on gender equality in chess.
Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Women’s Commission and leader of FIDE social projects, delivered a compelling presentation on the FIDE Infinite Chess project, which benefits children on the autism spectrum. Sorokina emphasized the significance of acknowledging autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and shared international statistics highlighting the meaningful impact chess has made on children involved in the project over the past five years.
Dr. David Smerdon, a member of the FIDE Women’s Commission, also contributed to the conference, sharing his insights and valuable research perspectives in the projects and gender equality in chess. Together with Dr. Kenneth Regan he also presented Chess and Cheating topic during the conference.
Anastasia Karlovich further illuminated two remarkable initiatives: Chess4Peace and the Girls Club in Kakuma, both aimed at empowering disadvantaged groups through the game of chess.
The Girls Club “Chess for Protection,” launched in collaboration with UNHCR under the Chess for Refugees program, focuses on helping refugees in the Northwestern region of Kenya. The program teaches participants to play chess, equipping them with essential life skills, fostering social connections, and providing a constructive outlet for stress relief.
Chess4Peace, another groundbreaking project initiated by FIDE and the Women’s Chess Commission, was launched in Warsaw, Poland, in 2023. With support from the International Olympic Committee and the Polish Chess Federation, Chess4Peace aimed to assist young women aged 18-23 from Ukraine who have fled their homes and show them real possibilities of building a professional career within the chess world.
Commitment to Inclusivity and Empowerment
These presentations highlighted FIDE’s ongoing dedication to promoting inclusivity, empowerment, and using chess as a tool for positive change, particularly for those facing unique challenges. Through initiatives like these, chess continues to serve as a powerful vehicle for building skills, community, and hope.
