Costa Rica will host the American Continental Stage of the FIDE-ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 from 11 to 16 August, marking the first time the competition has been held in Central America.
Freedom Holding Corp., the parent company of Freedom24, will serve as General Partner of the event, which will bring leading school chess teams from across the Americas to San José.
Teams compete for Grand Final places
The championship is organised by FIDE and the International Schools Chess Federation, in cooperation with the Costa Rican Chess Federation and the Confederation of Chess for the Americas.
Participating school teams will compete for places in the WSTC 2026 Grand Final, where they will face the winners of the other continental stages.
Ministerial conference on chess in education
A central event of the week will be Smart Moves Americas: Governments That Think Ahead, a ministerial conference scheduled for 12 August.
Government representatives, education authorities, curriculum specialists and international partners will discuss practical ways to expand Chess in Education programmes across the Americas.
Held within the framework of the Year of Chess in Education 2026, the conference will focus on national policy, teacher development, curriculum integration and regional cooperation.
Its programme will include a memorandum-signing ceremony, the launch of the Beacons League School Certification Programme for Costa Rican schools and recognition of leadership in Chess in Education.
Activities for students and teachers
The championship week will also feature masterclasses, classroom-focused sessions, girls’ leadership initiatives and interactive activities for students, teachers, parents and coaches.
Freedom Holding Corp. said its support reflects the company’s continued commitment to chess development, youth education and the creation of long-term opportunities for future generations.
