A two-day international online conference entitled “Chess in Education” and organized jointly by FIDE Chess in Education Commission (EDU) and ”Chess” Scientific Research Institute of ASPU started on June 25.
The main courses of the conference are the social and psychological aspects of chess, methodology of Chess teaching and learning, chess and pedagogical training issues, chess and inclusive education, chess and the issues of gender-sensitive education.
The conference features 40 participants from 20 countries, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, etc. Three hundred representatives from almost 70 countries had the opportunity to participate in the two-day conference as listeners and ask questions.
“The conference, which has already become a tradition, has a good beginning and prehistory. Many of the participants who have joined us today participated in the previous conferences as well. I am glad that in these two days we have yet another opportunity to share experience, practical skills and activities and discuss the latest developments in chess in education. I think in addition to traditional issues on the methodology of chess teaching and learning, other important issues will be discussed as well, including involvement of children with special needs in the project, peculiarities of teaching girls and boys to play chess, etc.,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said in his opening remarks and thanked his colleagues for continuing the important mission.
FIDE President notes that in recent years many countries of the world have used chess in education at the state level, and in some cases, it is an integral part of education. In this regard, he underscored the experience of Armenia which is the first country where chess is a compulsory subject in schools.
Accumulation and availability of best practices, review of methodology, organization of trainings and seminars… Arkady Dvorkovich assures everyone that the activity of the structure he heads is best seen in the countries where there is a systemic approach.
Summing up his speech, the FIDE president expressed hope that children interested in chess will later become competent and professional chess players.
“For a child, chess is important not only in terms of self-growth, overall development, development of critical thinking or mathematical skills, but also in terms of developing concentration, sense of responsibility, and ability to lose,” Vladimir Kramnik, the 14th World Chess Champion said when sharing his perception of the role of chess in children’s lives.
Is “Chess” a compulsory or an optional subject? Vladimir Kramnik thinks the best approach to solving the problem is considering the importance of chess in the country.
The latter emphasized the need to popularize chess, assuring the conference participants that today’s investment and efforts will be justified over time.
Dana Ozola, WGM, FIDE Managing Director, Deputy Chair of FIDE Management Board, spoke about the structure’s important role as an international organization in terms of introducing “Chess” in the educational systems.

The latter is convinced that the use of new technologies will increase interest in chess not only as a sport, but also in terms of solving issues of social importance.
Who is supposed to teach “Chess” in schools – practical players or teachers? Dana Ozola thinks this is an important question in chess politics. “We also teach those who teach teachers to be more experienced. “FIDE should be a center that develops new methods and knowledge, and everyone strives for,” she said.
In her welcome address to the participants of the international two-day international conference ASPU Rector, Professor Srbuhi Gevorgyan said it was a great honor and pleasure that the structure she heads is one of the organizers of the traditional conference.