Smart Moves Summit 2025: A Catalyst for Educational Transformation Through Chess
In August 2025, Washington, D.C. and its neighboring city of Alexandria will be at the center of a global educational revolution. On August 4–5 the Smart Moves Summit 2025 will unfold, offering a unique opportunity to explore how chess can reshape education for the 21st century. This summit, a groundbreaking gathering of global thought leaders, educators, policymakers, and tech innovators, will focus on one transformative idea: leveraging chess as a powerful tool to reimagine education.
The event promises to ignite a global conversation on the role of chess in fostering cognitive development and driving educational innovation. With a diverse range of speakers, including experts from education, technology, and policy, the Smart Moves Summit 2025 will explore practical strategies for integrating chess into the learning process, emphasizing its potential to bridge academic gaps and equip students with skills for the future.
Key Themes of the Smart Moves Summit 2025
Meet the Speakers: A Global Panel of Thought Leaders
The Smart Moves Summit 2025 will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, each contributing their unique perspective and expertise to the summit’s themes.
• Timur Turlov (Kazakhstan)
President of the ISCF and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., Timur brings a wealth of experience in educational and social development, particularly in Central Asia. Under his leadership, Freedom Holding has been a key partner in large-scale educational initiatives like the Smart Moves Summit and the World Schools Team Chess Championship.
• Jerry Nash (USA)
Chairman of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission, Jerry is an internationally recognized expert in integrating chess into educational strategies. He has led the development of global standards, teacher training programs, and certification schemes that support the inclusion of chess in general education systems.
• Rita Atkins (United Kingdom)
Rita is an educational consultant for ChessPlus and a former mathematics teacher. Her expertise in integrating EdTech into school curricula and developing educational programs using chess as a cognitive tool will be a focal point of the summit.
• Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Latvia)
A former Minister of Finance and Economics and a Woman International Master, Dana brings a rare combination of political leadership and chess expertise to the summit. As the Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, she advocates for the integration of chess into education systems worldwide.
• Jenny Ingber (USA)
President of Chess in the Schools, Jenny oversees a U.S.-based nonprofit that provides chess education and academic support to thousands of students. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing effective chess programs that not only teach chess but also provide students with college preparation and academic enrichment.
Why It Matters
Smart Moves Summit 2025 invites you to engage with ideas that could redefine classrooms for generations to come.
Whether you're an educator, policymaker, startup founder, or student advocate, this summit will challenge what you think you know about both chess and education.
Join us August 4–5, 2025.
The event promises to ignite a global conversation on the role of chess in fostering cognitive development and driving educational innovation. With a diverse range of speakers, including experts from education, technology, and policy, the Smart Moves Summit 2025 will explore practical strategies for integrating chess into the learning process, emphasizing its potential to bridge academic gaps and equip students with skills for the future.
Key Themes of the Smart Moves Summit 2025
- Rethink the Classroom: Reimagining Learning with Chess. The summit will begin by exploring the transformative potential of chess in the classroom. Can a centuries-old game hold the key to modern education? Chess is emerging as a dynamic tool for enhancing concentration, promoting critical thinking, and encouraging metacognition. Sessions will showcase how this timeless game can revolutionize the way subjects are taught and how students engage with learning.
- More Than Equal: Leveling the Board. Chess is a universal game that knows no boundaries of gender, socioeconomic status, or background. This theme will focus on how chess can be an inclusive tool to create equitable educational opportunities. Attendees will learn how chess-based programs are helping to empower underrepresented students and close learning gaps across diverse communities, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
- Tech on the Board: The Digital Shift. Technology is at the forefront of the education sector, and chess is no exception. With the rise of AI-powered platforms and immersive learning tools, chess is becoming a cutting-edge tool for modern learning. Sessions will highlight the integration of EdTech and cognitive games in education, showing how technology can open new doors for both learners and educators.
- Chess + Math: Building Brains Early. The summit will explore how chess-based learning environments are particularly effective in developing logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and early math skills. Educators will discuss proven methods and programs that foster a lifelong love of mathematics and analytical thinking in young students.
- From Game to Strategy: Leadership in Chess Education. This theme will explore policy and leadership models from around the world. Sessions will showcase successful curriculum implementations, government initiatives, and leadership strategies that can create scalable, impactful chess-in-education programs.
- Training the Trainers: Supporting Educators. For chess to thrive in education, teachers must receive ongoing support. This theme will focus on professional development and scalable models for training educators—both those already familiar with chess and those new to the game. Best practices for integrating chess into daily instruction will be explored, ensuring that educators are empowered to deliver high-quality, engaging chess lessons.
- From Classroom to Cashflow: The Economics of School Chess Programs. Beyond pedagogy, the summit will delve into the economics of school-based chess programs. Topics will include innovative funding models, sponsorship strategies, and the growing ecosystem of chess-based learning enterprises. This theme will provide insights on how schools can create sustainable chess programs, ensuring that financial resources are available to support their long-term success.
Meet the Speakers: A Global Panel of Thought Leaders
The Smart Moves Summit 2025 will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, each contributing their unique perspective and expertise to the summit’s themes.
• Timur Turlov (Kazakhstan)
President of the ISCF and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., Timur brings a wealth of experience in educational and social development, particularly in Central Asia. Under his leadership, Freedom Holding has been a key partner in large-scale educational initiatives like the Smart Moves Summit and the World Schools Team Chess Championship.
• Jerry Nash (USA)
Chairman of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission, Jerry is an internationally recognized expert in integrating chess into educational strategies. He has led the development of global standards, teacher training programs, and certification schemes that support the inclusion of chess in general education systems.
• Rita Atkins (United Kingdom)
Rita is an educational consultant for ChessPlus and a former mathematics teacher. Her expertise in integrating EdTech into school curricula and developing educational programs using chess as a cognitive tool will be a focal point of the summit.
• Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Latvia)
A former Minister of Finance and Economics and a Woman International Master, Dana brings a rare combination of political leadership and chess expertise to the summit. As the Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, she advocates for the integration of chess into education systems worldwide.
• Jenny Ingber (USA)
President of Chess in the Schools, Jenny oversees a U.S.-based nonprofit that provides chess education and academic support to thousands of students. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing effective chess programs that not only teach chess but also provide students with college preparation and academic enrichment.
Why It Matters
Smart Moves Summit 2025 invites you to engage with ideas that could redefine classrooms for generations to come.
Whether you're an educator, policymaker, startup founder, or student advocate, this summit will challenge what you think you know about both chess and education.
Join us August 4–5, 2025.
