Astana Hosts International Chess Education Conference
The second international conference dedicated to chess in education took place in Astana, bringing together over 200 participants, including global chess experts and educators from Kazakhstan. The conference, which commenced on Aug. 21, focused on the integration of chess into educational systems, particularly in the digital age and the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Experts from Spain, Türkiye, and Armenia, where chess is effectively integrated into educational curricula, shared their insights and best practices at the conference. They emphasized the importance of chess in fostering 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, and strategic analysis.
Jerry Nash, the chair of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission, praised Kazakhstan for recognizing the value of chess as an educational tool and highlighted the ongoing project across the country. Darmen Sadvakasov, the First Vice President of KazChess, discussed plans to expand the project based on valuable insights gained from the conference and a study visit to Spain.
Marta Amigo Vilalta, the coordinator of the Spanish Chess in School project in Catalonia, highlighted the cognitive benefits of chess for students and emphasized the importance of teachers leading the chess program. The conference also addressed challenges in education and chess integration, including engaging disinterested students and misconceptions about the expertise required to teach chess.
Sadvakasov discussed Kazakhstan’s achievements in integrating chess into schools and the Comprehensive Chess Development Plan for 2023-2027. The federation aims to introduce chess as an elective in more schools, with a specific curriculum for grades 1-4 and advanced training courses for teachers in all regions.
Overall, the conference provided valuable information and inspiration for further developing chess education in Kazakhstan and other countries. It showcased the transformative impact of chess on students’ cognitive abilities and emphasized the importance of incorporating chess into educational systems to foster critical thinking and strategic skills.
