International Chess Day: All you need to know - date, origins, significance, 2025 theme
International Chess Day is an occasion that is designed to both commemorate important moments in the history of chess, and continue to grow and promote the game.
Here's all you need to know about International Chess Day
When is International Chess Day?
International Chess Day is celebrated on July 20 every year, and is sponsored by FIDE, the International Chess Federation. The date for this was selected to coincide with the day on which FIDE was founded in 1924.
Happy International Chess Day! ♟️🔥
Today, we celebrate the game that connects millions across borders, languages, and generations. From casual players to world champions – chess is for everyone. ❤️#InternationalChessDaypic.twitter.com/7gSaFFZgvE — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 20, 2025
How was International Chess Day started?
The initial idea for International Chess Day came from UNESCO, and was first officially celebrated by FIDE in 1966. This was further strengthened when the United Nations General Assembly recognised the date as International Chess Day in 2019.
How is International Chess Day celebrated?
International Chess Day is celebrated with a theme every year, and the theme for 2025 is 'Every Move Counts.' According to FIDE, this theme 'reminds us that, on the board and in life, every decision shapes our journey.'
FIDE also has a number of initiatives designed to encourage more people to play chess.
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The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
After UNESCO recognition, Maharashtra to train locals as guides at Maratha Forts
Following the historic inscription of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Government of Maharashtra is taking concrete steps to ensure that the recognition translates into long-term conservation, public engagement, and community involvement. One of the most significant initiatives now underway is the proposed certification programme to train local residents as heritage guides at the 12 inscribed forts. On July 11, 2025, 11 forts in Maharashtra —Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg—and one in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu—Gingee, have been granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The proposal for this recognition was prepared by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra. These forts were selected for their Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) under UNESCO's cultural criteria (iv) and (vi) and represent the military innovation, ecological adaptation, and architectural excellence of the Maratha Empire, particularly under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's vision of Swarajya. Criteria iv defines be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape, whereas criteria vi define, be directly or tangibly associated with events, traditions, ideas, beliefs, or artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. According to Hemant N. Dalavi, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums (DoAM), Government of Maharashtra, the next phase will focus on improving conservation, creating tourism amenities, developing site management plans, and launching public education programmes. A major part of this plan is to train and certify local residents as guides. 'It took us almost two years of executing and planning to pitch the names of these forts. We are proposing a guide certification programme for the local residents who have more knowledge of the area,' Mr. Dalavi said. 'The tourism department will announce this programme this year itself. We are still deciding on the minimum education qualification,' he added. The initiative aims to involve people living near the forts in tourism and heritage promotion, providing them with employment opportunities while also enhancing the visitor experience through locally rooted knowledge. These certified guides will be equipped to explain the historical, cultural, and strategic significance of each fort. In February 2025, a delegation led by Maharashtra Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar was present at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris for a technical presentation. Vikas Kharge, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Additional Chief Secretary, Culture Department, Government of Maharashtra along with Hemant Dalavi, Deputy Director, Directorate of Archaeology and Musuems, Government of Maharashtra were a part of the delegation. Mr. Kharge, who played a pivotal role in facilitating diplomatic engagements and coordinating international meetings with member countries, led the delegation during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris in July 2025. Dr. Tejas Garge, Director, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra, played a crucial role in the preparation of the nomination dossier. District collectors from Nashik, Raigad, Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg from Maharashtra and Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, played a significant role in the management of the forts under their jurisdiction, said Mr. Dalavi and emphasised that many of these forts are already open to tourists, but the UNESCO tag brings new responsibility. The State now plans to upgrade visitor facilities, improve site management, and conduct further excavation and public outreach activities, alongside the guide training programme. 'From the beginning we have worked with multiple stakeholders such as the local residents, NGOs working towards conservation of the historical forts,' he added. The listing process was a result of an elaborate and rigorous effort by the DoAM, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and DRONAH (Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage), a Gurgaon-based heritage consultancy appointed by the State. Maharashtra has a complex network of over 390 forts which were surveyed, studied, and analysed. These forts were shortlisted down to 60 primary and secondary forts and further through comparative analysis of 29 primary forts, the current 12 anchor forts were shortlisted as best representative of the Maratha Defence Network. Additionally, 53 buffer forts—forts that were controlled by the Marathas but not included in the final inscription— were also documented and explained to UNESCO evaluators, Mr. Dalavi said. 'These buffer forts are spread across Maharashtra and include three in the buffer region of Gingee fort in Tamil Nadu. The forts in the buffer zone may be considered for inclusion in future extensions of the inscription. For example: buffer forts in Salher-Salota Fort, covers the primary defense lines around the property with northern front of Baglan range and Bhilai Fort on southern spur range. Mulher being the capital to its East, there are seven such forts in this premises: Dhamnya Fort, Nhavigad Fort, Tambolya Fort, Mangi-Tungi Fort, Mulher-Moragad Fort, Hargad Fort and Bhilai Fort.' Mr. Dalavi explained. Similarly, in Shivneri Fort, the buffer covers the Shivneri cluster with forts that majorly evolved due to the Nane Ghat trade route with ancient Junnar town; forming the network that surrounds the trade route till Shivneri and there are five such forts there: Chavand Fort, Jivdhan Fort, Bhairavgad Fort, Nimgiri Fort and Hadsar Fort. In Lohagad Fort, there are 10 buffer forts, in Khanderi Fort there are four, in Raigad and Rajgad Fort collectively have eight buffer forts, in Pratapgad Fort there are seven, in Suvarnadurg Fort there are three, Panhala-Pawangad Fort there is one Vishalgad Fort, Vijaydurg Fort has two, Sindhudurg Fort has three and Gingee Fort has three. 'The anchor forts were selected because they are major forts that played a crucial role in the Maratha Empire's history. The buffer forts are those close by, which were under the territory of the anchor forts,' Mr. Dalavi explained. The plan moving forward includes setting up tourist amenities, information centres, and conservation infrastructure, with various government departments involved in implementation, including local gram panchayats, municipal corporations, the forest department, and MRSAC (Maharashtra Remote Sensing Applications Centre). The guided training programme, Mr. Dalavi said, will be a key step in involving the local population in the heritage economy and conservation. The guides will not only help interpret the forts for visitors but also serve as crucial stakeholders in protecting and preserving them.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
The US decision to leave UNESCO again puts a spotlight on what the agency does and why it matters
World Heritage Sites UNESCO names World Heritage sites, including landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the Egyptian pyramids, the Taj Mahal and the Statue of Liberty, and gives them special protection under its World Heritage Sites program. Its World Heritage Committee each year designates sites considered 'of outstanding value to humanity' and intervenes when sites are in danger of destruction or damage. The program provides countries with technical assistance and professional training to preserve the sites. It now also includes 'intangible' heritage such as folk songs and traditional dances, crafts and cooking in its lists. A World Heritage site designation is coveted and seen as a boost to tourism. Holocaust Education Like the rest of the U.N., UNESCO was created in response to the horrors of World War II, and particularly Nazi crimes. Amid concerns that the agency's Arab members have used UNESCO to pass anti-Israel resolutions, UNESCO has worked in recent years on Holocaust awareness projects. That includes educational materials and organizing visits to former Nazi concentration camps. Empowering Girls UNESCO works to improve literacy, with a special focus on girls in countries hit by war or disasters who get little or no schooling though programs such as the Malala Fund for Girls' Right to Education. In Tanzania, for instance, over 2,500 girls benefited from the creation of safe spaces in 40 secondary schools, The agency provides teacher training and materials and encourages programs for girls to pursue careers in science. Climate Change One of the agency's goals is coordinating climate knowledge and improving international education about how global warming occurs and affects people around the world. Over 30 UNESCO programs are designed to help its members adapt to climate change and favor sustainable development.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Why is UAE releasing its most treasured Falcons thousands of miles away from home?
Since 1995, the UAE's Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme has released over 2,300 falcons to restore endangered populations globally/ Image: WAM TL;DR: The UAE 's Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme has released over 2,300 falcons since 1995. In May 2025, 81 falcons were released in Kazakhstan, continuing a 9-year consecutive effort there. Falcons undergo health checks, training, and tracking before release to ensure survival and data collection. In a remote stretch of Kazakhstan's vast steppes, 81 falcons soared into the sky this May , strong, healthy, and finally free. For the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this was no ordinary wildlife release. It was a carefully orchestrated, symbolic gesture that bridges thousands of years of cultural tradition with one of the most advanced conservation programmes in the world. These birds,53 Peregrine falcons and 28 Saker falcons , were released as part of the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme, now entering its 30th year. More than a conservation milestone, the release reflects the UAE's deep and complex relationship with falcons , creatures that are not only national symbols but sacred threads in the country's cultural and ecological fabric. Why, then, is a country that reveres falcons so deeply releasing them into the wild, especially in a place thousands of kilometers away? The answer lies in the UAE's unique approach to honoring heritage through protection. Falconry in the UAE: A Living Heritage Falconry in the UAE is not merely a sport or tradition , it is a national institution. Historical Roots: Dating back over 2,000 years, falconry began as a Bedouin hunting method for survival in the harsh desert. Cultural Significance: Falcons symbolize strength, nobility, courage, and resilience, values that remain core to the Emirati identity. National Symbol: Falcons are so revered they are featured on the UAE's national emblem, and appear in Emirati poetry, stories, and songs. UNESCO Recognition: In recognition of its significance, falconry was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Today, falconry remains a vibrant part of Emirati life , seen in National Day celebrations, desert tourism experiences, and the day-to-day life of modern falconers. At the same time, the UAE has evolved falconry into a model of responsible stewardship, ensuring that the practice is not only preserved but sustainable for future generations. Why Release Falcons Into the Wild? The answer is rooted in the same values that made falcons beloved in the first place: respect for nature, balance, and legacy. Over the decades, wild falcon populations have faced increasing threats: Encroachment on natural habitats from expanding human activities Unsustainable breeding and capture practices Climate change, which affects food chains and migration routes Rather than contribute to the decline of wild populations, the UAE has chosen a different path , one of rehabilitation, reintegration, and global cooperation. Through the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme, the UAE is actively returning strong, healthy falcons to their natural ecosystems. Since the programme's inception in 1995, a total of 2,355 falcons , including both Saker and Peregrine falcons , have been released. The 2025 Release in Kazakhstan: A Strategic Return to the Wild In May 2025, the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme marked another significant milestone with the release of 81 falcons into the wild in Kazakhstan. This effort not only continues a growing legacy but also reinforces the UAE's commitment to science-led wildlife restoration. This year's release represents: The ninth consecutive year that the programme has operated in Kazakhstan A key initiative as the programme moves further into its fourth decade of conservation work Falcon Composition: 53 Peregrine falcons 28 Saker falcons Kazakhstan was strategically chosen for its critical role in the falcons' natural migratory range, which extends across: Kazakhstan Russia China Mongolia Other neighboring countries in Central Asia The region's rugged mountains, vast steppe, and prey-rich ecosystems provide ideal conditions for the birds to reintegrate and survive in the wild. Pre-Release Preparation Before taking flight, each falcon underwent a rigorous preparation process designed to ensure they were healthy, fit, and capable of thriving independently: Comprehensive veterinary assessments to confirm physical health Intensive physical training to rebuild strength and hunting skills Fitting with identification leg bands for field recognition Implantation of electronic microchips for secure individual tracking In addition, 10 falcons, five Saker and five Peregrine w,ere fitted with solar-powered satellite-tracking devices. These trackers provide scientists and conservationists with real-time data used to: Monitor survival rates post-release Track migration routes across international borders Study dispersal behavior and how the birds adapt in the wild The information collected from these devices plays a vital role in refining rehabilitation, training, and release methods, ensuring each cycle of the programme is better informed and more effective than the last. Leadership and Partnerships Behind the Programme The Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme operates under the patronage and support of key figures and institutions in the UAE: Leadership: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan , Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) Board of Directors, has offered consistent and long-term support. Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi , Vice Chairman of the EAD and Vice Chairman of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, praised the programme, noting that it has become one of the world's leading efforts in wildlife restoration. He said it reflects the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father and demonstrates Abu Dhabi's and the UAE's leadership in global conservation and biodiversity protection, both vital to the wellbeing of the environment and humanity. Strategic Partners: Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment – guiding national environmental policy Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund – supporting research and raptor conservation International Fund for Houbara Conservation – focused on protecting houbara bustards, which share habitats and ecosystems with falcons Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital – the world's largest facility of its kind, handling health checks, treatment, and rehabilitation Institutional Support: Office of the Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the Republic of Kazakhstan Al Bowardi expressed his deep appreciation for the Committee on Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan and other Kazakhstani authorities, who helped ensure seamless coordination in the field. A Tradition That Evolves: Falconry in the Modern UAE The UAE continues to modernize falconry while protecting its essence: Training & Technique: Falconers use feathered decoys or drones to simulate prey, training falcons in agility and focus. Breeding & Regulation: Falcon passports help track birds and ensure legal, ethical trade and ownership. Tourism & Education: Desert safari operators and heritage resorts offer falconry demonstrations; the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is open to visitors and offers educational tours. By supporting falconry as a living, regulated heritage, the UAE ensures that the tradition thrives , not just in private majlis or at national festivals, but in public understanding and global conservation circles. FAQs: Q. What is the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme? It's a UAE-led initiative to protect and restore endangered falcon populations by releasing them back into the wild. Q. Why are falcons released in Kazakhstan? Kazakhstan lies within the natural migratory range of falcons and offers ideal habitats for their survival. Q. How does the programme track released falcons? Some falcons are fitted with satellite trackers to monitor their migration and survival. Q. Why is falconry important to the UAE? Falconry is a 2,000-year-old cultural tradition, symbolizing national pride and identity in the UAE.
