About
André VÖGTLIN

The entrepreneur and chess expert

André Vögtlin (born 1963) is an entrepreneur, educator, international expert in social chess, and, since 2021, president of the Swiss Chess Federation. As chairman of the Social Commission of the World Chess Federation (FIDE), he works globally to promote projects that use chess as a tool to improve quality of life.

He teaches successfully at the adult education centers in Basel and Zurich, and visits social chess projects around the world – from Malawi to India, from Armenia to Kenya.

Multilingual and with years of leadership experience, he combines economics, pedagogy, social impact and chess into a unique profile.

Starting in 2026, he will dedicate himself to his passion project: exploring the positive impact of chess on people of all ages and in a wide variety of life situations.

Social Chess Presentation

André Vögtlin gave a presentation on Social Chess at the “Intervento all'European Chess for Freedom Workshop” in Teramo.

Move by Move
Around the World

Since March 1, 2023, André Vögtlin has served as Chairman of the FIDE Social Commission (soc.fide.com). During his first years in office, he has personally represented the commission’s work on several continents.

Here are the most important locations he has visited:

"Chess gave my mother structure and joy in life again. We had moments together that we otherwise would never have had."

Feedback from the senior citizens' sector

"Our managers learned more about themselves in just a few hours than in many previous seminars."

Feedback aus einem Management-Workshop

"The children became calmer, more focused, and more respectful. They didn't have to understand the whole game of chess at the beginning; instead, they started with exciting and entertaining mini-games."

About André VÖGTLIN