Zimbabwe Chess received international recognition after being honoured with the prestigious Kick starter Award at the 2026 FIDE Year of Chess in Education Awards, recognising the country’s progress and commitment to promoting and expanding Chess in Education (CIE).
The award was presented to Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) President Mr Todd Mapingire at the FIDE Chess in Education Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, by FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand and FIDE Management Board Chairperson Mrs Dana Reizniece Ozola on behalf of International Chess Federation（Fide）
Only eight Kick starter Awards were presented globally, making Zimbabwe’s recognition particularly significant. Zimbabwe was also the only African country to receive the award, underlining the international recognition of the country’s efforts to integrate chess into the education system.
The achievement follows growing collaboration between the Zimbabwe Chess Federation and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, whose joint efforts to expand chess in schools have attracted the attention of the international chess governing body.
KEY DRIVERS BEHIND ZIMBABWE’S RECOGNITION
National Curriculum Integration
Chess has been incorporated into Zimbabwe’s national curriculum framework, creating opportunities for learners to use the game as a tool for developing critical thinking, concentration, problem solving and other cognitive skills.
Teacher Training and Capacity Building
In collaboration with the FIDE Chess in Education Commission, Zimbabwe has undertaken teacher training initiatives aimed at equipping educators across all 10 provinces with the knowledge and skills required to introduce and teach chess in schools.
Grassroots Community Outreach
Programmes such as Chess Kumusha have taken the game beyond traditional urban centres and into rural and underserved communities.
Schools such as Sengwa Primary School have demonstrated the potential of these grassroots initiatives, progressing from community level participation to competing at continental level.
Government Federation Partnership
The ZCF and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education are working towards a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will formalise cooperation between the two institutions.
Under the proposed partnership, the Federation will provide technical chess expertise, training and development support, while the Ministry will provide the human capital and institutional structures necessary to facilitate the expansion of chess in schools nationwide.
GROWING INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Zimbabwe’s Chess in Education programme has attracted growing international attention.
The country previously hosted Mr Jerry Nash, Chairman of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission, during his first visit to Zimbabwe and Africa. His visit provided an opportunity to engage with the work being undertaken by the Federation and the Ministry to promote chess in schools.
Further demonstrating FIDE’s growing engagement with Zimbabwe, Mrs Dana Reizniece Ozola Chairperson of FIDE’s management body, visited the country in March and held meetings with the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Hon Torerai Moyo, and the Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation Arts, culture Hon Emily Jesaya.
With approximately 15,000 plus schools across Zimbabwe, the proposed Government Federation partnership has the potential to significantly expand access to chess while strengthening pathways for identifying and developing young talent.
ZCF PRESIDENT WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
ZCF President Mr Todd Mapingire welcomed the award, saying it provided encouragement to the Federation as it continues to develop chess across Zimbabwe.
“We are extremely excited and humbled to receive this recognition from FIDE. The Kick-starter Award gives us confidence that we are on the right path in fulfilling our mandate to develop and grow chess in Zimbabwe.
“This award is not only recognition of the Zimbabwe Chess Federation, but also recognition of the work being done by our partners, particularly the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, teachers, schools, parents, coaches and the wider chess community.
“We are particularly encouraged by the progress towards finalising the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry. This partnership can significantly strengthen school chess by creating a coordinated framework for training teachers, introducing chess to more schools and supporting the development of young players.
“With the reach of the education system, we believe this can create a much wider talent pool for Zimbabwe and provide a stronger pathway for future national team players.”
ZCF PATRON HAILS PROGRESS
ZCF Patron Mr Mucha Mkanganwi also welcomed the international recognition, describing the award as an important acknowledgement of the work being undertaken to develop chess across the country.
“I am very happy with the work being done by the Zimbabwe Chess Federation and with the progress that is being made in taking chess to communities and schools across the country.
“This recognition by FIDE reflects the commitment of the Federation and its partners to promoting and developing chess in Zimbabwe. It is particularly encouraging to see chess reaching young people in communities that have traditionally had limited access to the sport.
“The Kick starter Award should inspire us to continue supporting the development of chess, particularly in schools, where we can identify and nurture talent from an early age.
“We congratulate the Zimbabwe Chess Federation and everyone who has contributed to this achievement. It is an important milestone, but also an encouragement to do even more.”
A MILESTONE FOR ZIMBABWE CHESS
The FIDE Kick starter Award marks a significant milestone for Zimbabwe Chess and recognises the country’s growing efforts to make chess an integral part of education, youth development and national sporting development.
The Zimbabwe Chess Federation remains committed to working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, FIDE, schools, teachers, communities and other stakeholders to expand access to chess and create sustainable opportunities for the development of young players across the country.
Possibility is everything