EDU – Transforming chess education
Aiming to promote chess as a powerful education tool, the Chess in Education Commission has reviewed the existing Preparation of Teachers course this year and announced new initiatives . Understanding the transformative impact of chess within education, the EDU Commission has embarked on a mission to equip educators worldwide with the necessary skills through the Preparation of Teachers (PoT) course. Headed by a team including Jerry Nash, Rita Atkins, Anzel Laubscher, Tamara Sargsyan, and Boris Bruhn, this initiative aims to revolutionize the teaching landscape. The revised PoT course aligns with the concept of educational chess, emphasizing its role as not just a game but a pedagogical tool. Beyond imparting chess basics, the course integrates chess-like minigames, pedagogic elements, and interdisciplinary uses, catering to diverse learning styles and fostering emotional and social skills through chess. In 2023, the EDU Commission conducted a series of online and in-person courses in 79 countries. A total of 18 PoT courses – half in person and half online – engaged 473 participants, empowering 284 new School Instructors with the skills to improve chess education in the classroom. Participants hailed the courses as transformative, citing enriched teaching strategies and a nuanced understanding of the balance between competitive and educational aspects of chess. Some of the testimonies from the program participants: “I am more equipped with this intensive-informative course and encouraged to create my own guidebook for my students. My mind is clearer on which direction I should go to. I am looking forward to implementing what I have learnt.” “Through this course, we can truly impact the next generation in education.” “Good atmosphere, group dynamics, and captivating training. A very enriching experience.” “High-level training, rich, and of excellent quality. The content changes the man.” Their feedback reflects the profound impact on their teaching approach and the potential to shape future generations. During 2023, a pivotal collaboration unfolded between FIDE EDU, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and national federations in Zimbabwe and Nigeria, aiming to introduce chess in education in these two countries. Championed by EDU Commission Chairman Jerry Nash and Commission member Anzel Laubscher, this initiative introduced chess as an educational tool, training teachers and coaches and setting the stage for an estimated 5000+ new students to embrace chess in Africa. Looking ahead, the EDU Commission sets ambitious goals for 2024, aiming to expand its reach to 100 countries and train 1000 PoT participants. Plans include nurturing 20 Lecturers and supporting conferences and initiatives promoting chess in education worldwide.
FIDE Development Director Nigel Short visits Lesotho
FIDE Director for Chess Development GM Nigel Short visited over half of the African countries to promote the game during his career. From November 21-24, 2023, the Chess Federation of Lesotho (CFL) was delighted to welcome back the 1993 World Championship challenger to the kingdom of Lesotho for the third and final stop on his recent tour over Africa. He had previously visited Lesotho in 2017. GM Nigel Short arrived in Lesotho on the morning of November 21 and was welcomed by the Chess Federation of Lesotho (CFL) President and Vice President of Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission, Tšeliso Motloheloa. Right away, he met with the CFL Executive members to discuss and finalize the schedule for the next two days. Lesotho Correctional Services Following a meeting with the CFL Executive Committee, the FIDE Director for Chess Development met with the officials of Lesotho Correctional Services. The meeting was attended by the President and Secretary General of the Lesotho Chess Federation, the Deputy Commissioners of the LCS, Mr Phomane, Ms Maseeiso and Advocate Mopa. Nigel Short with LCS Officials and CFL President The main topic of the discussion was Lesotho’s possible joining the Chess for Freedom programme, the initiative by FIDE, which aims to give inmates hope for the future beyond prisons. The LCS was very impressed with the Chess for Freedom and showed a great interest in participating in the upcoming Chess for Freedom competition. It suggested that both LSC and CFL should start making necessary preparations for the 2024 tournament and consider holding the inter-prison tournament or having the inmates participate in the local tournaments. Meeting Lesotho Sports Leadership LNOC and LSRC Nigel Short, together with CFL President Tšeliso Motloheloa and Secretary General Tlhoriso Morienyane, proceeded to meet with the leadership of both the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) and Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission (LSRC) at LNOC offices. Present at the meeting were Morake Raleaka, CEO of LNOC; Lebohang Khomari, LNOC member- Chess Attaché; Litšitso Motšeremeli, LSRC President; and Thabo Tsiki, LSRC CEO. The discussion revolved around the future of chess in Lesotho and its contribution to the sports fraternity. Nigel Short with the Leadership of CFL, LNOC and LSRC The CEO of LNOC appreciated and congratulated Lesotho chess for being part of the school curriculum since 2015. The options on how chess can be improved were also discussed, with the main issues being higher-level coaching for the local players and increasing the number of tournaments in the country to attract stronger players from neighbouring countries like South Africa, Zambia, and Angola. Trip to Maletsunyane Falls, meet-and-greet with local players. On November 22, the local chess federation gave Nigel a brief tour of the country to show him not only the tourist attractions but also other parts of Lesotho that are not easy to reach. Visiting Maletsunyane Falls in Semonkong, Maseru Following his trip to the highest single-drop waterfall in Africa, some local players had a chance to meet and greet Nigel. Of course, it would be incomplete without some blitz games. Several players and the Executive Committee members played blitz with GM Nigel Short and had an opportunity to network with potential sponsors. During the meet, greet and blitz at Avani Maseru. Seen with some of the Executive Members Coaching clinic and simul On the last day, GM Short offered training to about 13 local coaches and players at the Lesotho National Olympic Committee. He gave the players and coaches some pointers on the approaches to better chess development and improvement and shared his experiences of the 1993 World Championship Match. Offering training to local coaches and players and LNOC Nigel Short then went on to the British High Commissioner to Lesotho, where he had 22 players eagerly waiting to battle with him in a simul. The British High Commissioner himself also faced the renowned GM. Giving simul to 22 players including the British High Commissioner to Lesotho, His Excellency Harry McDonald After completing his mission to Lesotho, FIDE Director for Chess Development, Nigel Short had a dinner meeting with the CFL executive and His Excellency Harry McDonald to discuss the future of Lesotho’s chess. Having a diner meeting with CFl Executive Committee and His Excellency Harry McDonald, the British High Commissioner to Lesotho The visit by Nigel Short was very important to the Chess Federation of Lesotho and local chess. He has not only inspired the local players and administrators; all stakeholders he met showed interest and appreciated the efforts by FIDE in Lesotho through his visit. We believe that going forward, we will see positive change among players and potential sponsors. Written by Tlhoriso T.J. Morienyane, Secretary General Chess Federation of Lesotho
“Chess for Children with ASD. Learn and Teach” seminar announced
The International Chess Federation (FIDE), together with the Asian Chess Federation and Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, with the support of the International Olympic Committee, FIDE Planning and Development Commission, and FIDE Social Commission, pleased to announce the Asian Educational Seminar “Chess for children with ASD. Learn & teach”. It will be held offline from December 18-19 in Al Ain, UAE, at 14:00 – 17:00 (UAE time). Teaching chess to children with autism spectrum disorder positively impacts their communication abilities, speech, thinking, self-esteem and confidence. Speakers will present a unique training program they developed in 2021 and provide practical advice. The seminar aims to deliver core knowledge to potential chess teachers and coaches starting to work with children within our Infinite Chess project. Participation is free of charge, please fill out the registration form to save the place: forms.gle/4QLBWHDqsXPN1W2j7 Speakers of the seminar will talk about the ways of teaching chess to children with autism spectrum disorder and explain their methodology covering the following topics: • What is autism spectrum disorder? • How to teach chess to children with autism? • How to prepare the classroom? What else to pay attention to? The list of speakers includes: Natalia Popova – WIM, FIDE Trainer, leader of the two-year-long project teaching chess to children with autistic spectrum disorder (FIDE); Ala Mishchanka – Special needs educational assistant, more than 17 years of experience (Canada); Melodi Dincel – MD, child and adolescent psychiatry specialist at Istanbul University, Infinite Chess project partner (Turkey) Case study Turkey: lessons learned & recommendations on the efficiency of the training process Viesturs Kapce – FIDE Instructor, chess coach, Infinite Chess project partner (Latvia) Case study Latvia: lessons learned & recommendations on the efficiency of the training process Detailed seminar program: Day 1 14:00 – welcome speech by Hisham al Taher, General Secretary of Asian Chess Federation 14:05 – welcome speech by Abdulla Ismail Alkamali, Executive Director for People of Determination (UAE) 14:10 – welcome speech by Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Project supervisor, FIDE Deputy Chair 14:15 – welcome speech by the Anastasia Sorokina, Leader of the project, FIDE WOM Chair, Chairperson of Asian Chess Federation Social Commission 14:20 – Mishchanka Ala (co-author of the program, Canada) Introduction to Autism. Statistics. Treatment and early intervention. 14:50 – Coffee break 15:00 – Popova Natalia (co-author of the program, FIDE) Basic principles of the Chess programme for children with an autism spectrum disorder. Chess classes – Main ideas. Methodological guidelines for teachers. Topics 1 – 3 of the methodological guide. 15:40 – Coffee break 15:50 – Mishchanka Ala (co-author of the program, Canada) Challenges children with Autism face. How to set up Autism classroom. 16:20 – Popova Natalia (co-author of the program, FIDE) How I organised a chess space for children with ASD. Methodological guidelines for teachers. Topic 4 of the methodological guide. 17:00 – Questions Day 2 11:00 – Visi to Al Ain Autism Centre Zayed higher organisation for people of determination 14:00 – Mishchanka Ala (co-author of the program, Canada) How to teach children with ASD. Strategies. Lessons 1,2,3 of the methodological guide. Lesson16 of the methodological guide. 14:30 – Coffee break 14:40 – Popova Natalia (co-author of the program, FIDE) Methodological guidelines for teachers. Topics 5 – 16 of the methodological guide. Practical exercises. 15:10 – Melodi Dincel (MD, child and adolescent psychiatry specialist in Istanbul University, Infinite Chess project partner, Turkey) 15:30 – Viesturs Kapce (FIDE Instructor, chess coach, Infinite Chess project partner, Latvia) 16:00 – Coffee break 16:10 – Questions 16:20 – Final test for participants All participants successfully passed a final test will receive a Certificate of Attendance. Registration is open until 11 December 2023. Registration form https://forms.gle/4QLBWHDqsXPN1W2j7 For further inquiries, please contact: infinitechess@fide.com Maria Tamkovich, Project Coordinator