Popular Russian chess player Sergey Karjakin has met with journalists on the sidelines of the International Festival of Youth – 2026 (IFY – 2026). He spoke about how to draw the younger generation into the sport, and how chess can become a means of connection between people from different countries.

“At the Festival, we have two main areas of activity: our work at the Rossotrudnichestvo stand, and the chess lounge. Both formats are built around a simple idea: a person can walk up, play a game, learn about the projects run by the Sergey Karjakin Chess Club (SKCC), and understand how they can stay involved after the forum ends,” said Sergey Karjakin.

The SKCC is a large professional community that runs a network of children’s and adult chess schools and clubs in Russia and abroad. The project hosts tournaments, and its instruction follows the renowned chess player’s own original methodology. Sergey Karjakin noted that it is important for chess at the Festival not to be a one-off activity for its participants. After the IFY, the engagement, interest from the Russian Houses in different countries, online tournaments, and new international events should all continue.

The grandmaster explained that the Rossotrudnichestvo stand at the Festival features the project “Chess Diplomacy in Russian Houses” – an initiative that is already up and running.

“Right now, Sergey Karjakin chess clubs are open in 17 Russian Houses. They run tournaments, online sessions, master classes, and meetings with children, young people, compatriots, and local chess communities,” reported Sergey Karjakin.

He noted that the project is expanding across the CIS, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The school already cooperates with international chess federations, with agreements signed with the federations of Colombia, Togo, South Africa, Mali, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos and Nepal. At the Festival, this work is shown in a live format: a game, a master class, a conversation with a participant, and a link to further events.

The chess lounge is a separate SKCC venue at the Festival, likewise focused on genuine, in-person interaction. “In the lounge, you can play a game, talk with other participants, run a short master class, meet with partners, and discuss tournaments, online formats, clubs in the Russian Houses, and youth chess programs. This kind of format works well for a youth forum. Not every participant is ready to jump straight into a business session, but plenty are ready to play five minutes of chess. That’s how the conversation starts,” shared Sergey Karjakin.

The grandmaster is convinced chess resonates with young people because it is a clear, fast-paced format. There is no need for lengthy explanations of the rules – you just sit down at the board and start playing.

“At the same time, chess develops genuinely practical qualities: focus, discipline, the ability to make decisions, staying calm in the face of mistakes, analyzing the outcome, and moving forward. For schools, universities, forums and youth centers, it’s a convenient format. It can be run almost anywhere – all you need is a table, a board, a clock, and someone to organize it,” emphasized Sergey Karjakin.

He added that this sport is understandable to people all over the world, even if they speak different languages – because after playing together, they can start discussing their game.

Overview:

The International Festival of Youth, held as part of the Youth and Children national project, is taking place in Ekaterinburg from September 11 to 17, 2026. The decree establishing the event was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 29, 2025. The Festival is being held under the motto “Follow Your Dream”.

Participants of the IFY – 2026 include 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries, including 5,000 Russians and 5,000 international citizens. Among them are leading representatives of creative industries and the arts, public administration, science and education, sport, entrepreneurship, media, digitalization and IT, and civic engagement – people who are already shaping the future of their countries and the world. Continuing the successful practice established at the World Youth Festival 2024, those invited include 1,000 teenagers aged 14 to 17 – 500 from Russia and 500 from abroad. The Children’s Program is organized by the Movement of the First.

The World Youth Festival took place from March 1 to 7, 2024, in Sirius, in accordance with a decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at developing international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.

In line with instructions from Russia’s President on preserving and building on the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events are now held annually across Russia. The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and build a community of young people who care about the future of the world.