The FIDE Infinite Chess project marked its fifth anniversary not with a celebration of the past, but with a decisive look toward the future. On June 20, 2026, project leaders, handbook authors, and dedicated partners from across the world gathered online for a dynamic “Brainstorming Session,” focused on refining the methodology and expanding the reach of chess for individuals with autism and co-occurring conditions.
The session, moderated by Project Coordinator Maria Tamkovich, served as a collaborative workshop to discuss real-world challenges encountered during chess lessons and to gather direct feedback for the highly anticipated second edition of the Infinite Chess Handbook.
Anastasia Sorokina, Infinite Chess Project Leader and Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, opened the meeting with a warm welcome. She expressed profound gratitude to the initiative’s global partners and congratulated all attendees on the project’s five-year milestone, which has quietly revolutionized the concept of accessible chess education.
The sentiment of deep admiration was echoed by Andre Vogtlin, Chair of the FIDE Social Commission, who highlighted the project’s critical role in expanding the social impact of chess far beyond the competitive arena. He praised the dedication of partners who have turned the Infinite Chess vision into a tangible reality for hundreds of students.
A central component of the session was the presentation by handbook authors Natalia Popova and Ala Mishchanka. They shared a brief but compelling roadmap for the second part of the Handbook, which they are currently writing. Rather than working in isolation, the authors designed the session to be a live research forum, gathering testimony from the front lines of education.
The core of the event saw partners openly discussing the obstacles coaches and tutors have encountered and, crucially, the workable solutions they engineered to overcome them. This practical exchange of pedagogical strategies aimed to ensure the new Handbook is grounded in lived experience.
The meeting showcased the truly international fabric of Infinite Chess, with powerful contributions from project hubs worldwide:
– Kanthi Sarjoo from The Browns’ School (South Africa) celebrated the multiple achievements of her students, while honestly detailing the specific challenges they navigated during the academic year within the Infinite Chess program. Her insights provided a vital case study in adaptability.
– From Brazil, Plínio de Paiva of Clube Xadrez Rei delivered a heartfelt testimony on the emotional impact of the project. He reported that all his students found deep joy in the Infinite Chess lessons, asserting that these positive emotions represent the most profound achievement of their work.
– A major announcement came from Susana Gonsalves in Portugal, who revealed a landmark step in dissemination: the Infinite Chess Handbook has been fully translated into Portuguese. “Portuguese is spoken by approximately 265 million people worldwide, making it the fifth most spoken language globally and one of the most important languages for international educational outreach,” Gonsalves stated. “The Portuguese edition aims to support educators, families, therapists, and chess instructors working with autistic and non-verbal learners across the Lusophone world.”
– Pep Suarez from Olimpia Chess (Menorca) provided a crucial operational perspective, sharing valuable and practical suggestions on how to streamline the organizational processes of the project. His proposals aimed to make the system more efficient and lightweight for the volunteers, tutors, and coordinators who make the global sessions possible.
As the project turns five, the brainstorming session made clear that Infinite Chess is in a state of constant evolution. With a new Handbook in the works and a community dedicated to tearing down barriers, the project is set to bring the beauty of chess to even more learners who communicate without words.
The full recording of this milestone Brainstorming Session is available for the public on FIDE SOC YouTube channel