International Day of Applied Chess 2026
Online Event - 8 October 2026, 6:00 pm CEST
On 8 October 2026, the International Society of Applied Chess (ISAC) warmly invites you to join the International Day of Applied Chess! We are offering a free online event dedicated to the science and practice of therapeutic and applied chess.
Under the title “An introduction to therapeutic chess – background, methods and applications”, this event brings together clinicians, researchers, educators, practitioners, interested chess players, and also all interested non‑chess‑players who want to learn how chess can be used as a tool to support well-being, mental health, cognitive functioning and personal development.
Across a series of talks and discussions, our speakers will present:
- The scientific and clinical background of therapeutic chess
- Cognitive training approaches using chess‑based exercises
- A chess‑based cognitive remediation manual, developed for group interventions in clinical and educational practice
- Case examples, clinical studies, and outcome data from applied chess programs
Program
6:00 pm – 6:15 pm Sabine Vollstädt-Klein: Welcome & introduction, scientific background
6:15 pm – 6:30 pm Nadezhda Kuzerman: Chess Therapy Program at the Rehabilitation Center Chovekolubie"
6:30 pm – 6:55 pm Juan Antonio & Rodrigo Barbeito: Entrenamiento Cognitivo a través del Ajedrez o Cognitive Training through Chess (ECAM), Introduction, exercises, experiences and applications
6:55 pm - 7:05 pm Asier Rufino: GYMCHESS®, introduction and overview
7:05 pm – 7:20 pm Roland Schmitt: Chess-Based Cognitive Remediation Therapy - Manual for group interventions, introduction & exercises
7:20 pm - 7:40 pm Àlvar Farré-Colomés: clinical studies, results and conclusions
7:40 pm - 7:55 pm: Q&A session
7:55 – 8:00 pm Sabine Vollstädt-Klein: wrap-up and farewell
The event is open to everyone who is interested in how chess can contribute to cognitive health, mental well-being and personal growth – including mental health professionals, educators, researchers, chess trainers, chess enthusiasts, and people who are simply curious about the therapeutic potential of the game.
Participation is free of charge and takes place via Zoom.
Download event flyer: International_Day_of_Applied_Chess_Flyer_2026.pdf
Feel free to distribute the flyer!
Registration link: https://bit.ly/ISAC_Reg2026
We look forward to welcoming you to the International Day of Applied Chess and to exploring together how chess can be used as a powerful instrument at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, education, and social inclusion.