In 2025, friends of the game of chess will celebrate the International Applied Chess Day for the first time – October 8. The initiative is from the International Society for Applied Chess, which was established on this day eight years ago in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria. The idea of declaring October 8 as International Applied Chess Day was adopted by the members of the organization at the last regular Annual General Assembly.
On the occasion of International Applied Chess Day, a Chess Festival will be held on October 7 at the Social Services Complex "Chovekolubie", Bulgaria. It will be attended by Prabita Urweiler Ph. D. - member of the FIDE Social Commission. The guest will learn about the application of the Chess model in the rehabilitation and integration of people with mental health problems. The Festival will feature a Demonstration of checkmate etudes, a Discussion about the Similarities between Chess and Life, a Quiz with prizes, and Chess with Live Pieces.
On October 8, a Press conference will be held at Bulgarian News Agency, Sofia. The event will be attended by Radislav Atanasov, Ph. D. - Chairman of the Board of the ISAC; Prabita Urweiler, Ph. D. from the FIDE Social Commission, Nadezhda Kuzermanova - Psychologist at the Social Services Complex. The goals and mission of the ISAC, various aspects of applied chess, perspectives and cooperation with FIDE will be presented.