200 children benefitting from Introduction to Chess programme

The Chess in Schools programme, an initiative by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), commenced its planned training schedule to introduce chess to 200 children at two secondary schools.

This initial phase of the programme seeks to introduce chess to children, who have no prior exposure to the game. Queen’s College and St. Stanislaus College will benefit from the Chess in Schools Programme, which began on Monday (December 6).

The programme sees students and teachers in Grades Eight and Nine benefitting from 10 hours of training over four days; Monday to Thursday.

“This introductory course was established by the GCF in close collaboration with Queen’s College Chess Coordinator Dianne Henry, and St. Stanislaus College Games Master Robert Fernandes, as well as the respective school administrations,” the GCF said in a press release.

“The programme will be supervised and conducted by the Guyana Chess Federation Chess in Schools team. So far the Federation has been successful with its Introduction to Chess Programme at the School of Nations where over 150 children were introduced to the game. There are also chess classes on Sundays for children where the GCF has successfully guided over 100 children past the beginner level to more advanced classes and instruction.”

The Federation is now enrolling for the January and February classes, which will span six weeks. This will also be for the beginner level.

“Despite the pandemic, the growth of chess in the 7-12 age group has been significant and the Guyana Chess Federation remains committed to investing in the development of youths in the sport. The Guyana Chess Federation can be followed on Facebook and on their webpage www.guyanachess.org.,” the GCF concluded.