What happened
The conference brought together government representatives, education leaders, chess institutions and international experts to explore how Chess in Education can move from vision and commitment to sustainable national action. Three high-level panels examined national implementation, long-term sustainability and how to reach classrooms across the region.
More than 20 distinguished official guests attended — ministers, ambassadors, diplomatic representatives, senior government officials and leaders of national chess federations from across the Americas. Among them were three ambassadors, including H.E. Ms. Diana Vanegas, Ambassador of El Salvador to Costa Rica, along with minister-counselors, consular officials and representatives of vice-presidential and educational authorities from the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Mexico.
Three panels, three different questions
The three high level panels did not cover the same ground. Each took up a different stage of the same problem, in sequence.
- 01How a commitment becomes a national programme.
- 02How that programme survives a change of government.
- 03How it finally reaches every classroom.
Between the first and second panels came the School Awards and the signing of the memorandums, in the order the day actually ran.
“From Vision to National Action”
How governments and institutions can turn commitments into concrete national programmes.
Almost 80 years ago, Costa Rica abolished its army and sent that money to schools. Today we ask: what should we teach so a child grows up thinking? Our answer is right here.
Timur Turlov · President, International School Chess Federation
On the panel
- María Fernanda Durán LópezVice Minister of Institutional Planning and Regional Coordination
- Timur TurlovPresident, International School Chess Federation (ISCF) and CEO, Freedom Holding Corp.
- Donald Rojas FernándezNational Director, ICODER
- José Antonio Carrillo PujolPresident, FIDE Americas (CCA)
- Mendy Aráuz SilvaMinister of Education of the Republic of Nicaragua
- Dalila Beatriz Beltrán de MenjívarNational Director of School Coexistence, MINEDUCYT, El Salvador
The panel underlined that coordinated action between governments, ministries of education, national federations and international organizations is what turns Chess in Education from an initiative into a sustainable national strategy.
“Chess in Education” School Awards
Three schools were recognised for leading the way in bringing chess into the classroom.
GSD International School Costa Rica
La Guácima, Alajuela
Escuela Lepanto
Peninsular Regional Education Directorate
Escuela Las Lagunas
Pérez Zeledón
The awards were presented by Luis Eduardo Quirós Rojas, President of the Costa Rican Chess Federation, and Timur Turlov, President of the International School Chess Federation.
The memorandums
A key outcome of the conference: commitments to advance Chess in Education across the region, formalised on paper.
Costa Rica
Signed by Donald Rojas Fernández, National Director of ICODER, with Marlon Andrés Navarro Álvarez, Vice Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy, as Honorary Witness — together with Timur Turlov and José Antonio Carrillo Pujol.
Nicaragua
Signed by Mendy Aráuz Silva, Minister of Education. The signing took place online, in the presence of Daniel Pérez Sequeira and Maykeline Rostran, co-directors of the Nicaraguan Institute of Sports (IND); Javier Jirón, head of school and university sport; and Tania Rubio, delegate for Nicaraguan chess. For Nicaragua the memorandum formalises work already well underway: 2,503 chess clubs reopened, teachers trained nationwide and 41,688 students reached.
El Salvador
Signed by Dalila Beatriz Beltrán de Menjívar, National Director of School Coexistence at MINEDUCYT. The country positions chess not only as an educational activity but as a tool for respect, empathy and peaceful conflict resolution. The memorandum begins its expansion to more schools.
“Beacons of Chess”
Signed by Timur Turlov and José Antonio Carrillo Pujol, this regional memorandum establishes a shared framework to:
- Jointly establish and operate the Beacons of Chess school certification programme, recognising schools that successfully implement Chess in Education;
- Coordinate with national chess federations, ministries of education and other local partners in each participating country;
- Exchange information, expertise, research and best practices relating to Chess in Education;
- Support the training and professional development of teachers, educators and instructors involved in Chess in Education.
“Playing the Long Game”
What it takes to build Chess in Education programmes that keep growing and deliver impact beyond a single administration.
On the panel
- Robert McLellanInterim Executive Director, National Scholastic Chess Foundation
- Andrea Harris-MarshallInternational Director, Barbados Chess Federation
- Milagros IbañezGeneral Director of Complementary Education, Municipality of Vicente López, Argentina
- Dilda NauryzbayevaDirector of Educational Projects, International School Chess Federation
The discussion addressed the long-term structures, partnerships, expertise and institutional commitment needed for Chess in Education to become an enduring part of educational development rather than a short-term initiative.
“One Board. Millions of Classrooms”
Expanding access to high-quality Chess in Education so that every classroom can become a place where thinking, learning and opportunity grow.
On the panel
- Natalia LoboPresident of the Education Commission, Costa Rican Chess Federation
- Marta Amigo VilaltaCoordinator of the Chess in School Project in Catalonia
- Ceballos Rodriguez Mery Lizbeth Del CarmenCo-founder, Chess Logistic
Speakers shared practical approaches from different countries and contexts, and examined how programmes can reach more schools while keeping quality, teacher capacity and real educational impact.
Scaling impact across the Americas
Held alongside the World Schools Team Championship 2026 · American Continental Stage, this ministerial dialogue brought together decision-makers from across the continent to share successful experiences, foster cross-border collaboration and expand access to impactful Chess in Education initiatives.
Across the world, Chess in Education is moving from pilot projects to national policy. Governments are embedding chess into school systems to develop the cognitive, executive and socio-emotional skills that define success in the 21st century. With FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) declaring 2026 the Year of Chess in Education, the Americas have a unique opportunity to shape the next chapter together.
The ISCF-CCA conference «Smart Moves Americas: Governments That Think Ahead» brought that conversation to Costa Rica.
Who attends
Ministers of Education and Sports, government officials, chess delegations, federations, schools, and international organizations.
Format
One day of keynote addresses, ministerial dialogue and institutional exchange focused on practical implementation, policy leadership and regional cooperation.
Outcome
A shared roadmap for expanding Chess in Education across the Americas, supported by new partnerships, practical priorities and coordinated regional action.
The Americas at one table
International organizations represented
Part of the World Schools Team Championship 2026
While the region's strongest school teams competed in the American Continental Stage in Costa Rica, governments and institutions gathered alongside the boards — turning the energy of the championship into education policy for the continent.
About the WSTC →How the day ran
WSTC 2026 Opening Ceremony
Opening remarks and the first move of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 — American Continental Stage.
DoubleTree by Hilton CariariRegistration & coffee break
Accreditation for the ISCF CCA Conference. Welcome coffee and networking.
“From Vision to National Action”
High Level Panel Session. Ministers and institutions on turning commitments into national programs.
School Awardings Ceremony
Recognition of the schools leading chess in education in Costa Rica.
“Beacons of Chess” Agreement Signing Ceremony
Formal signing of the Beacons of Chess agreement.
Memorandum Signing Ceremony
Signing of the memorandum between the participating institutions.
Lunch
Networking lunch for delegations and speakers.
“Playing the Long Game: Building Sustainable Chess in Education”
Round Table Session. What it takes for a national program to last beyond a single administration.
Coffee break
Coffee break and informal networking.
“One Board. Millions of Classrooms”
Panel Session. Expanding access to high-quality Chess in Education so every classroom can become a place where thinking, learning and opportunity grow.
Conference Closing
Closing remarks and key takeaways.
This movement has a track record
Government, federations and educators at the Smart Moves Summit 2025.
Cariari Country Club
A landmark club in Ciudad Cariari, minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and San José — the stage for both the conference and the World Schools Team Championship 2026 American Continental Stage.
The interactive map loads on demand.
Who was at the table
Ministers, institutions and education leaders from across the Americas took part in the conference.
Ministerial & institutional
Government delegations, education authorities, and international organizations.
Federations, schools & press
Chess federations, academic institutions, partners, and accredited media.
12 August 2026 · Cariari Country Club, Heredia
Questions and delegations: info@chessedusummit.com
Moved by a shared vision
International School Chess Federation
The global federation integrating chess into school systems — organizer of the World Schools Team Championship.
Confederation of Chess for Americas
The continental body uniting the national chess federations of the Americas.
