Two young chess players from Guwahati, Vihaan Upadhyay (15) and Viraj Upadhyay (13), have received the Outstanding FIDE Social Award for their significant contributions to promoting social inclusion, education, and emotional well-being among underprivileged children through chess. This accolade was conferred during the FIDE Global Conference on Chess in Society and Education, held at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Their grassroots initiative, “Pawns to Kings,” aims to make chess accessible to children in underserved and marginalized communities. Both siblings are established chess players, with FIDE ratings of 2101 for Vihaan and 1983 for Viraj. Through their initiative, they have successfully conducted numerous chess workshops in various locations across Assam, including Guwahati, Silchar, Pamohi, and Borkhola, impacting hundreds of children in remote villages, orphanages, child-care institutions, and other disadvantaged communities. Their programs emphasize introducing chess to children regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, while also instilling values such as discipline, focus, confidence, and emotional resilience.
A key component of their outreach is Project CHILD, which was executed in flood-affected regions of Cachar district, using chess as a tool to help children manage stress, restore their confidence, and regain normalcy following natural disasters. The conference itself, commencing on January 14, engaged chess administrators, educators, researchers, and social impact practitioners from around the globe. Additionally, the event highlighted the launch of the FIDE Year of Chess in Education 2026, an initiative focused on integrating chess into educational systems worldwide to enhance cognitive development, critical thinking, and essential life skills. Senior members of the International Chess Federation underscored the significance of inclusion and community-driven efforts, as well as the broader educational potential that chess holds. This recognition of the two youths from Guwahati is indicative of the evolving global acknowledgment of chess as a valuable social and educational tool and showcases the international appreciation of locally inspired initiatives from the Northeast region of India.