To mark International Women’s Day, the Greek Chess Federation, through its Committee for Women’s Chess & Gender Equality, is organising a nationwide, simultaneous chess event on Sunday, 8 March 2026, titled ‘Women’s Moves, Lively Squares: Chess Unites Greece ‘. This open event is dedicated to strengthening the presence of women in chess and actively promoting the sport in public spaces. The action is supported by ECU and ECU Women’s Chess Commission.
The event will take place simultaneously in 11 regions of Greece, in central squares and iconic public spaces, transforming cities into vibrant chess meeting points.
With nationwide reach and the participation of women and girls of all ages, the event highlights the open, participatory, and symbolic nature of chess as a mental sport that unites, inspires, and empowers. The title “Queens of Chess” is intentional: it directly associates the most powerful piece on the chessboard with strength, strategic thinking, and the enduring contribution of women to society.
Goals of the initiative:
The initiative forms part of the Greek Chess Federation’s strategy to increase women’s participation in chess and serves multiple social and sporting objectives:
Empowerment of girls and women through a sport that fosters self-confidence, critical thinking, strategic planning, and responsibility in decision-making.
Promotion of female role models in chess, with an active and visible presence in the public sphere.
Showcasing chess to the general public as a cultural and educational tool, beyond narrow competitive boundaries.
Event Description – Simultaneous in an open space
The event is non-competitive and festive, emphasising mass participation and the joy of playing.
Form of conduct: Simultaneous (concurrent games).
Participants: Women and girls of all ages and competitive levels.
In each region, an experienced female chess player will simultaneously face multiple participants, creating an impressive and spectacular chess event that will attract public interest. The choice of simultaneous play brings dynamism, spectacle, and symbolism, as a female role model stands at the centre of the chessboard, inspiring and guiding the new generation.
Souvenirs – Participation with symbolic value
All participants will receive:
Commemorative participation certificates (in electronic form).
Participation medals.
The emphasis is on participation, inclusion, and the festive character of the day, rather than competition.
Every girl and woman who sits at the chessboard is part of a collective image of equality, presence, and creative expression. A message from squares across Greece: on Sunday, 8 March 2026, the country’s squares will be filled with chessboards, smiles, and powerful messages. The ‘Queens of Chess’ will not only be on the chessboard – they will be at the centre of society.