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The Queen of Chess (2026 - PG - Documentary) covers the "Chess phenom Judith Polgar [as she] battles sexism, skepticism and champion Garry Kasparov to claim her place among the game's all-time greats in this documentary." - Netflix
The documentary is "Outstanding and a welcome positive human story". I recommend it to parents, students, chess players and anyone whose profession or vocation involves children (knowledge of chess not required). If you are intellectually curios then this documentary is for you! GM Judith Polgar's final quote in the documentary was as follows: "I think the most important thing is that from today you have to be better than yesterday and tomorrow you try to get better. Never give up and always fight until the very end." This quote blends well with the documentary. What's your view? Judith Polgar experienced and the chess world witnessed her meteoric rise during the 1980s and 1990s. She climbed as high as eighth place in the world open rankings, not women's ranking list. It is this same Judith Polgar who would defeat Garry Kasparov, and break "the glass ceiling" that existed above women in the chess world.
A documentary on Judith Polgar's professional chess life, Queen of Chess, will appear on the streaming platform Netflix this February. I am recommending this documentary to all our chess students and chess lovers. (see Chessbase - Chess News - https://en.chessbase.com/) Nimble Minds Chess is excited to announce its participation in The Scholastic Chess Pilot Programme organised by The Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF). The eight-week pilot programme was launched last Monday on 6th October, 2025.
6/8/2025 0 Comments Unlocking the Benefits of Chess for School-Age Students - Reserve a Free Introductory Class!Chess is more than just a game—it’s a powerful educational tool that can help school-age children build life skills.
Playing chess improves concentration, memory, and logical thinking. This makes chess a great complement to academic learning. It encourages strategic planning, patience, and resilience—skills that are valuable both in the classroom and beyond. Some studies suggest that students who play chess regularly often perform better in math and reading, thanks to the game’s focus on analysis, problem-solving and pattern recognition. It also fosters creativity and boosts self-confidence as children learn to make decisions and see improvement from their work. Chess is also fun and rewarding. It teaches children how to win with grace and lose with dignity. This helps them develop emotional maturity and sportsmanship. To help your child experience the benefits of chess first-hand, we’re offering online chess classes for players from beginners level to U1400. These classes will be taught by an experienced FIDE National Instructor. The sessions will introduce the basics of the game in an engaging way focusing on developing learning skills. Spaces are limited, so sign up today for a free introductory class and give your child a head start in thinking smart! 👉 Register your interest now at [email protected] 10/5/2025 0 Comments Women in Chess FIDE Initiative ChessMom: Supporting women on and off the board
"Following overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants during the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Hungary, the ChessMom project will not only continue but expand, ensuring that more players can pursue their chess ambitions without having to choose between career and motherhood." [Several players participated in the 2024 Chess] ... Olympiad with the support of the ChessMom initiative, which covered the cost of an accompanying caregiver, allowing the players to focus on their games while ensuring their children were cared for. "The idea for ChessMom was conceived during the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai. Reflecting on its origins, Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Women’s Commission, shared: “The idea for this project was born during the Olympiad in Chennai. While discussing with commission member Francisco Cruz, we spoke about the clear need for such support. For many women chess players who are planning to become mothers, the fear of pausing or ending their professional careers is very real. ChessMom addresses that directly — showing that it is possible to be both a mother and a competitive chess professional. This initiative is more than logistical support; it is a message that women do not have to choose between motherhood and ambition. It gives hope, security, and dignity to women at a critical moment in their lives.”" "This announcement [which was posted on the FIDE Commission on Women Chess on 10 May, 2025.] [It] is a message to all players who are new or expecting mothers: your place in the chess world is secure and celebrated. FIDE encourages you to prepare for participation in your national teams for the 2026 Chess Olympiad. Application details for the next edition of ChessMom will be shared in the coming months." Source: https://www.fide.com/balancing-moves-and-motherhood-chessmom-initiative-continues/ IBM Deep Blue was a groundbreaking supercomputer that revolutionized both chess and artificial intelligence.
In 1997, it became the first computer to defeat a reigning world champion, GM Garry Kasparov, in a six-game match. It was said that this victory demonstrated the power of brute-force computing, as Deep Blue could analys e millions of positions per second. Its success marked a turning point in chess, influencing the rise of AI-driven chess engines. Beyond chess, Deep Blue showcased the potential of machine learning and computational power, paving the way for other AI advancements in various fields. As a result of these advancements in computing power, professional chess players and amateurs alike have used computers to help prepare for chess tournaments and matches. Please see the link that follows for additional information - IBM Deep Blue - https://www.ibm.com/history/deep-blue The chess world is saddened by the passing of the 10th World Chess Champion, Boris Spassky at the age of 88. Please see an article by FIDE in the link below. Go to FIDE's article: Boris Spassky passes 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 |
AuthorKean Smith is a qualified FIDE National Chess Instructor and former member of FIDE's Chess in School Commission. Archives
February 2026
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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