By Afiur
July 07, 2026
Every year, International Chess Day is observed on July 20, honouring one of the oldest and most intellectually stimulating game.
International Chess Day, proposed by UNESCO, started in 1966. The UN General Assembly officially recognised July 20 as World Chess Day in 2019.
Modern chess evolved from India`s Chaturanga, reached Persia as Shatranj around 600 CE, and spread via the Silk Road to Arabia and Byzantium.
Chess and politics have long been linked, with nations using the game for geopolitical influence as grandmasters and world leaders often crossed paths.
Generation Z has transformed chess from a rigid hobby into a trendy, social, and digital-first cultural phenomenon.