[Watch]India’s Velammal MHS School Wins Gold In Alexandria, Smart Moves Summit Connects Minds

Alexandria, Virginia : Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School from India delivered a flawless performance to clinch the gold medal at the 2025 FIDE World Schools Team Championship, held from August 3–6 at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. The team achieved a perfect 8/8 score, dominating the tournament from start to finish.

Kazakhstan’s National School of Physics and Mathematics earned the silver medal with a 6/8 score, while the Harker School from the United States claimed bronze with 5/8, edging out other strong contenders in a tightly contested event.

🇮🇳 Velammal MHS School makes India proud with gold at the 2025 World Schools Team Championship!@ischoolchess 🔝 pic.twitter.com/ddmfNF2trA

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 7, 2025

Chess Excellence Meets Educational Innovation

Running alongside the championship, the Smart Moves Summit (August 4–5) brought together over 50 global speakers including educators, researchers, and chess grandmasters—to explore the educational and cognitive benefits of chess.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich lauded Velammal’s victory, emphasizing the discipline and strategic thinking required to win at such a high level. Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding and President of the International School Chess Federation, highlighted the role of chess in developing life skills that extend beyond the board.

U.S. Congressman Jamie Raskin, addressing the summit via video, spoke about chess as a tool for non-violent conflict resolution and cross-cultural understanding.

Commitment To Inclusive Chess Education

The summit concluded with a strong commitment to integrating chess into diverse learning environments, from public school curricula to after-school programs and online platforms. Organizers stressed inclusivity, ensuring access to chess for students regardless of nationality, gender, or ability.

With the championship’s resounding success and the summit’s ambitious vision, Alexandria became a global hub for both competitive excellence and educational innovation in chess during the first week of August.

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