World Chess Day 2022 celebrates globally on 20 July

20 July is observed as World Chess Day. The idea to celebrate this day as international chess day was proposed by UNESCO, and it has been celebrated as such since 1966 after it was established by FIDE. The organization has now grown to encompass 199 countries in the form of National Chess Federations as affiliate members.

History of World Chess Day:

On 12 December 2019, the General Assembly proclaimed 20 July as World Chess Day to mark the date of the establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Paris in 1924. It is believed that the game of chess, which was once known as “Chaturanga”, dates back almost 1500 years and originated in India. It later made its way to Persia, where it flourished under Arab rule and eventually spread to Southern Europe. In Europe, chess evolved into its current form during the 15th century. It changed into a modern sport by the end of the 15th century.