FIDE Infinite Chess Project aims to increase knowledge and awareness of chess for children with autism spectrum, give practical advice to teachers and parents, study the benefits of introducing to chess and develop various teaching methods.
The pilot project of chess classes for children with autism spectrum is a follow-up of a successful initiative implemented in 2019 in Belarus for 4 groups of 4 kids in each.
In January 2021 a pilot project was supported by FIDE and went global by launching in 5 partner-countries: Spain, Turkey, France, Gibraltar, South Africa.
It became obvious that teaching chess to children with autism spectrum has a positive impact on their social, communication, and cognitive skills. Lessons were held in 1–3 groups once a week in the equipped classrooms according to the FIDE guidelines.
Having the support of the International Olympic Committee, the first educational program was written: Handbook for teachers to conduct chess classes for children with autism spectrum”. The program is available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese for free download at project’s website.
Each year Infinite Chess team organizes Educational Seminars “Chess for children with an autism spectrum. Learn and teach”. The main goal of this seminar is to provide core knowledge and practical advice for teachers, trainers, and parents who wish to teach chess to kids with Autistic Spectrum. Eight online and offline seminars have already helped more than 250 participants from 95 countries to explore the ways of teaching chess to kids with autism and co-occurring conditions, studied our unique training program and got practical advice on how autistic kids can benefit from chess.
In 2023 FIDE, the Asian Chess Federation and Zayed Higher organization signed the MOU, a significant step forward to the further cooperation and expansion of partnership within the Infinite Chess project.
The project thrives in 28 countries for more than 270 children with autism and co-occurring conditions and is coming soon to 4 new more.
We have started the 7th stage of the project in February 2025 and with support from the International Olympic Committee are planning to expand the project to Tunisia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Maldives.
