International Chess Day is celebrated annually on 20 July, the day the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded, in 1924.
The idea to celebrate this day as the international chess day was proposed by UNESCO, and it has been celebrated as such since 1966, after it was established by FIDE.
FIDE, which has 181 chess federations as its members, organizes chess events and competitions around the world on this day.
As recently in 2013, the international chess day was celebrated in 178 countries, according to FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
ON 12 December, 2019, the UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the day.
Chess itself has a long history dating back over a millennium, originating in ancient India around the 6th century.
From India, the game spread to Persia and subsequently to the Arab world and Europe during the medieval period.
Today, chess is played by millions of people worldwide, transcending language and cultural barriers, and International Chess Day serves to highlight its enduring appeal and educational benefits.