Strategy Meets Spectacle: World School Games Event Series Announces Landmark Launch of WSG Chess

The World School Games (WSG) Event Series has officially made its next move. After months of meticulous planning and a growing demand from the global school community, the series is proud to announce the launch of WSG Chess—the first dedicated “Mind Sport” to join the prestigious international circuit.

Known for its world-class multi-sport events in Qatar, London, and beyond, the expansion into Chess marks a significant evolution for the WSG brand. By bringing the “Sport of Kings” into the fold, the series now offers a platform for student-athletes whose primary arena is the 64 squares of the chessboard.

A Vision Months in the Making

The launch is the result of nearly a year of behind-the-scenes development to ensure the tournament carries the same “professional-grade” experience as the flagship athletics and football events.

Rhys Gorman, Project Manager for WSG Chess, expressed his excitement at the milestone:

“We have been working on this for many months, and to finally see WSG Chess become a reality is incredibly rewarding. Our goal has always been to provide students with a stage that feels truly global, and Chess was the natural next step. It’s a sport of intense pressure, precision, and strategy—values that sit at the core of everything the World School Games represents. We aren’t just launching a tournament; we are creating a new home for the world’s brightest young strategic minds.”

Expanding the Dimension: The Rise of Mind Sports

The introduction of Chess adds a new dimension to the WSG Series, bridging the gap between physical athleticism and intellectual competition. This “Mind Sports” category is designed to engage a broader demographic of students, ensuring that every type of talent has a path to represent their school on the world stage.

But Chess is only the beginning. Insiders suggest that the WSG Event Series is looking to further diversify its portfolio. While details remain under wraps, a potential Academic Olympiad is being teased for the 2027 season, promising a multisport-style atmosphere for STEM, debating, and creative problem-solving.

What to Expect from WSG Chess

The inaugural tournament will follow the signature WSG format with a few variations due to its online nature:

• • Global Field: Schools from over 20 countries are already expected to register.
  • The “WSG Experience”: While this will be a virtual event initially, participants can expect to be immersed into the WSG athlete experience with media interviews and live game coverage
  • Maximum participation: With a very low entry fee, expect participation numbers to be very high!

To register your interest, you have until 30 April – click here.

Read about our last post from the World School Games series, when during WSG Golf, Brighton College Al Ain took home the trophy!