Chess, concentration, and community: An interview with Timur Turlov

The FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship has grown rapidly since its pilot edition in Aktau in 2023, developing into a global cycle spanning four continents. During the African Continental Stage in Stellenbosch, South Africa, ISCF President Timur Turlov reflected on the championship’s expansion, the importance of school teams, and the broader role chess can play in education. He also discussed the recently launched Chess in Education grant programme and the value of chess in helping young people develop concentration, strategic thinking, and stronger decision-making skills in an increasingly fast-paced digital world. The World Schools Team Championship began with a pilot event in Aktau in 2023 and has now developed into a four-continent cycle. Did you imagine it growing this quickly? Timur Turlov: That was our dream: to build a great competition for schools. It has now become a reality, and I am very proud of what we have achieved together. One of the most striking aspects of the championship is the camaraderie among the teams. Why was it important to focus on school teams rather than individual players? What can a team format teach that individual chess cannot? I think it is