In 2025, friends of the game of chess celebrated 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 regular Annual General Assembly in 2025.
On the occasion of International Applied Chess Day, a Chess Festival was held on October 7 at the Social Services Complex "Chovekolubie", Bulgaria. It attended by Prabita Urweiler Ph. D. - member of the FIDE Social Commission. The guest learned about the application of the Chess model in the rehabilitation and integration of people with mental health problems. The Festival included a Demonstration of checkmate etudes, a Discussion about the Similarities between Chess and Life, a Quiz with prizes, and Chess with Live Pieces. The Chess Festival ended with a delicious chess cake, which marked the 20th anniversary of the Center for Social ehabilitation and Integration "Chovekolubie".
The event was attended by Dr. Radislav Atanasov - Chairman of the Board of the ISAC; Dr. Prabita Urweiler 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 were presented.
