 If you are reading this blog then you are probably searching for information or activities that will assist your child with developing or enhancing their learning skills.
Although there are many other reasons, here are three reasons why your child should learn how to play chess:
Alexander Alekhine was born in Moscow in 1892 and is known throughout the chess world for his brilliant attacking style of chess play. Alekhine defeated Jose Capablanca in 1927 to become the World Chess Champion. He successfully defended his title in 1929 and 1934 before losing it to Max Euwe of The Netherlands. Alekhine won the rematch against Max Euwe in 1937 and remained champion until his death in 1946. One of Alekhine's well known chess games was Efim Bogojubov v Alexander Alekhine in 1922. This game had a total of three queen sacrifices! For more information click here to see a short biography of Alexander Alekhine. 6/3/2021 0 Comments New Online Chess Regulations Example of electronic device used to play chess online. On 11 March, 2020, the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This pandemic has changed the way we work, live and play. Chess events has also been impacted resulting in an increase of virtual chess events.
The World Chess Federation has developed a new set of rules for official online chess competitions. Part II of the said rules addresses specific rules for online competition which is divided into two: a) Online competitions with supervision; and b) Hybrid competitions. I believe these new rules are a must read for Tournament Directors, Arbiters and Players. See Annex 6.4 FIDE Online Chess Regulations  Originally published on 12 February, 2021 Paragraphs below taken from United Nations website - https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day/ 2021 Theme: Women scientist at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 "On 22 December 2015, the General Assembly adopted a resolution to establish an annual International Day to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology communities. In welcoming the efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other relevant organizations that support and promote the access of women and girls and their participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, training and research activities at all levels decided to proclaim 11 February of each year the International Day of Women and Girls in Science." "Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science." "At present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 - 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent)." Are we underutilising human resources by having so few women and female students in STEM-related field industries and higher education? STEM related fields are for anyone with an interest. So let us encourage female students in schools and embrace the contribution that women can make and are making in this field. Originally published 26 January, 2021
Paul Morphy was a celebrated chess player, who was considered the first unofficial World Chess Champion. He was born in New Orleans, The United States of America in 1837. He learnt chess when he was 8 years old and by the time he was 13, he was one of the strongest chess players in The United States of America. In 1858 Paris, Morphy played Duke Karl and Count Isouard in the famous "Opera Game". Morphy played the white pieces and his opponents were allowed to consult with each other as they played the black side jointly. Yes, it was one player versus two players! For more information see this short biography of Paul Morphy and the Opera Game.  Children in classroom during pre-COVID-19 period Originally published 25 January, 2021 As we observe this year’s International Day of Education, we should not only remind ourselves that education is a human right and about the challenges to achieving universal education, we should also look forward and start preparing our communities and countries for a post COVID-19 pandemic world. Education will need our focus, commitment and support. “Education is a human right The right to education is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration calls for free and compulsory elementary education. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, goes further to stipulate that countries shall make higher education accessible to all." (https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day) “Challenges to achieving universal education Education offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future. But about 265 million children and adolescents around the world do not have the opportunity to enter or complete school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable.” (https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day) Below is a link to a Blog published by Kean Smith on 12 January, 2021 entitled "How can we reverse the COVID-19 slide in education?". - hyper link The information in this blog should be useful or interesting to parents with school age children, educators and policymakers.  Student's pencil  Originally published on 3 January, 2021 Last year, 2020, Nimble Minds Chess had a productive year delivering online chess classes and training. During that time the following chess related programmes were delivered: 1. Introduction to Beginner's Chess for Teachers - This pilot programme was organised and funded by The Bahamas Chess Federation during the first lock down imposed in The Bahamas pursuant to its Emergency Orders. Topics to be covered included the benefits of learning chess, and introductory chess topics (e.g. the chessboard, pieces and pawns, castling, checkmate, draw and opening principles); 2. Introduction to Beginner's Chess for Teachers Continued - Additional classes were needed to supplement the initial pilot programme and to introduce essentials of starting chess clubs and organising chess play. These supplemental classes were organised by Nimble Minds Chess and substantially funded by Penelope Nottage; 3. Building Capacity for Teachers in support of establishing Chess Clubs - This programme was a follow-up to the Introductory Classes and focused on Administration of Chess Clubs, Organisation of chess play and club activities and chess training resources. This course was organised and funded by The Bahamas Chess Federation and delivered by Nimble Minds Chess; and 4. Individual Chess Instruction for School-age student players - Nimble Minds Chess offered additional virtual chess classes during the new school year in 2020. Its students ranged from ages 7 to 16, and from absolute beginners to tournament players. Besides an end of term virtual chess play event Nimble Minds Chess organised a Virtual Chess Simultaneous which was hosted by NM Kendrick Knowles, current Bahamas National Chess Champion. During the remainder of this school year, we encourage parents to consider enrolling their children in our online chess classes which guarantees social distance and keeping them engaged. As the COVID-19 vaccine become available and more face to face activities return to our daily lives, we recommend that parents, coaches and chess club organisers read FIDE's Protocol for upcoming over-the-board events. Last year, 2020, Nimble Minds Chess had a productive year delivering online chess classes and training. During that time the following chess related programmes were delivered: 1. Introduction to Beginner's Chess for Teachers - This pilot programme was organised and funded by The Bahamas Chess Federation during the first lock down imposed in The Bahamas pursuant to its Emergency Orders. Topics to be covered included the benefits of learning chess, and introductory chess topics (e.g. the chessboard, pieces and pawns, castling, checkmate, draw and opening principles); 2. Introduction to Beginner's Chess for Teachers Continued - Additional classes were needed to supplement the initial pilot programme and to introduce essentials of starting chess clubs and organising chess play. These supplemental classes were organised by Nimble Minds Chess and substantially funded by Penelope Nottage; 3. Building Capacity for Teachers in support of establishing Chess Clubs - This programme was a follow-up to the Introductory Classes and focused on Administration of Chess Clubs, Organisation of chess play and club activities and chess training resources. This course was organised and funded by The Bahamas Chess Federation and delivered by Nimble Minds Chess; and 4. Individual Chess Instruction for School-age student players - Nimble Minds Chess offered additional virtual chess classes during the new school year in 2020. Its students ranged from ages 7 to 16, and from absolute beginners to tournament players. Besides an end of term virtual chess play event Nimble Minds Chess organised a Virtual Chess Simultaneous which was hosted by NM Kendrick Knowles, current Bahamas National Chess Champion. During the remainder of this school year, we encourage parents to consider enrolling their children in our online chess classes which guarantees social distance and keeping them engaged. As the COVID-19 vaccine become available and more face to face activities return to our daily lives, we recommend that parents, coaches and chess club organisers read FIDE's Protocol for upcoming over-the-board events. |
AuthorKean Smith is a qualified FIDE National Chess Instructor and former member of FIDE's Chess in School Commission. Archives
January 2025
CategoriesAll Benefits Of Chess Chess Classes Chess Club At School COVID-19 And Education International Day Online Chess Regulations Protocol For Over-the-board Events Spotlight On Student Players Students Tactics Teachers And Chess World Chess Champion Bio World Chess Champion - Bio |
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