World Chess PLC recognises St Teresa of Avila as patron saint of chess
World Chess PLC (), a global leader in chess innovation and cultural initiatives, today announces the formal introduction of St. Teresa of Avila as the official patron saint of chess.
This recognition places chess within a long-standing tradition of sports and cultural patronage and reinforces its historical and intellectual significance, particularly in Catholic-majority countries where the game has been deeply embedded in education and society for centuries.
St. Teresa was known for her strategic thinking, discipline, and problem-solving skills-qualities essential to chess at all levels.
She famously used chess as a metaphor for intellectual and spiritual growth, emphasising patience, foresight, and the calculated decision-making-principles that continue to define the game today.
Throughout history, various disciplines-including athletics, the arts, and academic fields-have had patron saints who embody their values and aspirations. Chess, despite its deep-rooted global influence, has not formally celebrated its historic patron saint.
World Chess has now restored this connection, officially recognising St. Teresa of Avila, the 16th-century Spanish mystic, intellectual, and strategist, as the guiding figure for the global chess community.
"Chess has shaped history-from royal courts to Cold War strategy-and remains one of the most respected intellectual disciplines in the world," said Ilya Merenzon, chief executive of World Chess.
"Restoring St. Teresa of Avila as the Patron Saint of Chess acknowledges the game's enduring cultural and philosophical importance, especially in countries where chess has been played for centuries as both a sport and a symbol of intellectual pursuit."
World Chess is accordingly launching a series of initiatives, including creating official iconography of St. Teresa of Avila as the patron saint of chess, launching a collector's edition chess set and first edition of the official icon, hosting a global tournament series in St. Teresa’s honour, bringing together top players and emerging talents and organising cultural and academic discussions on chess's role in philosophy, history, and education.
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World Chess continues to act creatively and proactively within the chess community, and this new initiative ought to generate plenty of attention.
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