about ISCF
Our mission
Unite national school chess associations and support the global integration of chess into school curriculum, so a broader range of children could have access to chess as an academic tool
Unite national school chess associations and support the global integration of chess into school curriculum, so a broader range of children could have access to chess as an academic tool
With the support of FIDE, a global leader with vast experience and a team of professionals,we aim to promote chess among schoolchildren. We will nurture youngtalent and make chess more accessible, contributing to education and personal growth
Our Tournaments
Our flagship event is the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship (WSTC), an international team competition for school chess players.
It started in 2023 in Aktau, Kazakhstan, and in 2025 it moved to Washington, D.C. In 2026, the championship grew into a full season with four Continental Stages: Asia (Almaty), Africa (Stellenbosch), the Americas (San José) and Europe (Tsaghkadzor). The best teams from each stage qualify for the Grand Final, held as part of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships.
More than a tournament
Each stage comes with an educational programme for teachers, coaches and school leaders, along with masterclasses, workshops and cultural activities for the players. Chess is the reason everyone comes. What they take home goes well beyond the board.
Our flagship event is the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship (WSTC), an international team competition for school chess players.
It started in 2023 in Aktau, Kazakhstan, and in 2025 it moved to Washington, D.C. In 2026, the championship grew into a full season with four Continental Stages: Asia (Almaty), Africa (Stellenbosch), the Americas (San José) and Europe (Tsaghkadzor). The best teams from each stage qualify for the Grand Final, held as part of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships.
More than a tournament
Each stage comes with an educational programme for teachers, coaches and school leaders, along with masterclasses, workshops and cultural activities for the players. Chess is the reason everyone comes. What they take home goes well beyond the board.
Timur Turlov is the President of the International School Chess Federation (ISCF). The ISCF was created as a subsidiary of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), and the initiative was presented at the FIDE General Assembly in Budapest during the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in September 2024.
Since then, the ISCF has hosted the World Schools Team Championship in Washington, D.C. in 2025. In 2026, the championship grew into a full season with four Continental Stages and a Grand Final.
In 2026, at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Timur Turlov was elected President of FIDE. He continues to lead the ISCF, and school chess is set to be one of FIDE’s main priorities during his presidency.
Since then, the ISCF has hosted the World Schools Team Championship in Washington, D.C. in 2025. In 2026, the championship grew into a full season with four Continental Stages and a Grand Final.
In 2026, at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Timur Turlov was elected President of FIDE. He continues to lead the ISCF, and school chess is set to be one of FIDE’s main priorities during his presidency.
info@ischoolchess.com
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