— Ralph Marston
Chess Today
Long seen as a niche game, chess has experienced a remarkable resurgence of interest in recent years, both in Switzerland and internationally.
Its growing presence in schools, clubs, junior competitions and the media reflects a new recognition : that of a demanding intellectual discipline that builds structure and character.
This shift comes with a rise in the overall level of play, more professional coaching, and an increasingly packed competition calendar — including for young players.
Committing to an ambitious path today means operating in an environment that is richer, but also more competitive — one where support, stability and resources make all the difference.
In 2025, chess made its official debut at the Esports World Cup (EWC), one of the most-watched events in the world of competitive gaming. The tournament offered a prize pool of USD 1.5 million and brought together the world's best players. The final saw Magnus Carlsen defeat Alireza Firouzja, confirming chess's definitive place on the global esports scene. This event marked a turning point : chess is now recognized as a discipline at the crossroads of tradition and digital modernity, capable of attracting an international audience and generating unprecedented media visibility.
The global chess market was worth USD 3.45 billion in 2025. It is expected to double by 2034.
Chess.com now has 250 million members, up from 35 million in 2020. More than 20 million games are played there every day.
TV series and documentaries have accelerated this trend : Netflix's « The Queen's Gambit, » followed by profiles of Judit Polgár and Magnus Carlsen, introduced chess to an entirely new audience.
In Switzerland, the federation counts 225 clubs and more than 5,500 members. The canton of Vaud, where Projet 64 is based, already accounts for more than 500 of them. Swiss junior competitions are breaking participation records year after year.
Supporting Ilios means investing in a discipline enjoying unprecedented institutional and media recognition, and associating your image with a rapidly growing sport that carries universal values : intelligence, strategy, youth and innovation.
An Educational Lever
The benefits of chess on cognitive abilities are not just intuition — several studies have measured them.
A 2002 study conducted in Lyon showed a 50 % improvement in concentration among children who played chess regularly.
In Italy, a study of 4,000 students measured a 17 % improvement in working memory after a single school year — an effect that persisted two years later.
Another study, involving more than 2,000 Italian schoolchildren, recorded a 17 % improvement in math problem-solving among students who followed a chess program.
These benefits are not automatic : a 2017 meta-analysis notes that skill transfer depends on the regularity and quality of coaching. Chess is not a miracle solution, but one educational lever among others — particularly effective when integrated into a structured program.
Elo Ratings and Titles
What is an Elo Rating ?
The Elo rating is chess's thermometer. A win makes it rise, a loss makes it fall, depending on the opponent's rating.
2882 — all-time record, Magnus Carlsen
2500 — International Grandmaster, a lifetime title
2400 — International Master
2300 — FIDE Master
1600 — average adult club player
Chess Titles
The Elo rating measures strength; titles crown it. Four ranks awarded by the International Federation, held for life once earned.
GM — International Grandmaster, the summit : Elo 2500 and three norms — three outstanding tournament performances against other Grandmasters
IM — International Master, Elo 2400 and three norms
FM — FIDE Master, Elo 2300
About 2,000 GMs worldwide, out of more than 500,000 rated players. The title is held for life. Earning it usually takes a whole childhood.
Tournaments
A tournament typically consists of at least nine rounds, often one per day — nearly ten days of competition. There are two formats : rapid games and the slower classical games. Every tournament matters enormously for a player's progress : it's where learning truly happens.
When he was 6, I took him to his first tournament in Geneva, the 4 Saisons tournament. I knew nothing about it. I watched this room buzzing with people — children, young adults, parents. And my son, right in the middle of it all, like a fish in water, already pointing out to me the trophy he was going to win. Being an anxious mom, I warned him he wouldn't win — it was his first tournament, it's difficult... He plays his rounds, and the day ends with the prize ceremony. He starts pointing again at a big golden knight sitting on the stage. I start again: but Ilios, sweetheart, you know it's difficult, look at all these children... At that very moment, the tournament organizer calls Ilios up to collect his trophy for first place in the U8 category. Ilios turns around and says to me, « See ?! I told you so. »
Anna
