Schoolchildren playing chess at Glen Waverley Secondary College, Australia

Do you know which country has integrated chess into its primary school curriculum with huge success? Or can you guess how many underprivileged children in New York City have been taught chess since 1986? And which famous chess player designed an educational program for China? Read on to discover more!

While chess has been popular for centuries, it has become much more than just a game, with its potential applied in various fields. Moreover, chess is a powerful educational tool that can help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Therefore, many countries worldwide have been successfully promoting chess in schools.

Photo: Hayk Baghdasaryan | PHOTOLURE

One of the best examples is Armenia, which has had a mandatory chess education program for second, third, and fourth graders since 2011. This program has been a huge success, with even world champion Magnus Carlsen stating that Armenia's experience of teaching chess in schools is a great example for the whole world. During the program's first years, research was conducted into its effectiveness. The results show that teaching chess promotes the development of creativity, intellect, memory, watchfulness, emotional stability, logical thinking, and willed qualities.

In the United States, the "Chess in the Schools" association has been promoting chess education since 1986. The program provides chess instruction to students in New York City public schools, with a focus on underserved communities. The program has been a tremendous success, with over half a million students learning the game and improving their academic and life skills, paving the way for their greatest achievements.

Photo: chessintheschools.org/

China is another country that has recognized the benefits of chess education. The Chinese Chess Association has been promoting chess in schools since the 1990s. Moreover, in 2018, the best female chess player in history, Judit Polgar, designed an educational program for China. Her innovative educational chess programs, Chess Palace and Chess Playground, have been introduced into Chinese schools to help the younger generation prepare for the challenges of the future.

These are just a few examples of the many countries that have embraced chess in schools as a way to promote education and personal development. The benefits of chess education are clear, and more and more schools around the world are starting to recognize them.

If you're interested in joining the scholastic chess community, we encourage you to participate in the FIDE-ISF World School Teams Online Chess Cup 2023. This tournament is a unique opportunity for students to participate in a global tournament and represent their schools on an international stage.

The tournament will be held in Swiss format in two categories: Under-15 and Under-18, giving young players of all skill levels a chance to compete and test their abilities against their peers. The qualification tournaments will take place on April 29th and 30th, and the online finals on May 6th and 7th.

To learn more, please visit the official website of the event at https://isf.fide.com/.