Since 1966, International Chess Day is celebrated on July 20, with theme events and tournaments organized worldwide to mark the event.

The initiative belongs to the World Chess Federation (FIDE), international non-governmental organization that connects various national chess associations.

Chess is commonly believed to have originated in northwest India during the Gupta empire, where its early form in the 6th century was known as caturanga (Sanskrit: four divisions [of the military] – infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariotry, represented by the pieces that would evolve into the modern pawn, knight, bishop, and rook, respectively).