Chess is like a Camellia - Shenzhen Fuxin Primary School
This video is from a gigantic chess country, China! Camellias are native to Shenzhen in South China, where the Fuxin Primary School prepared this video about chess in their school, their neighbourhood, their city and their country.
But why is chess like a Camellia? The most famous member of the Camellia family is the tea plant and chess, like tea, has health benefits. Chess, as praticed in this school, notably introduces friendly parent-child competition and serves to promote social harmony in the neighbourhood. [that is just the view of a Westerner after watching this 10mn video]
The FIDE President promoted the Chess in Schools programme in four countries during May:
Abuja, Nigeria Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with Mr. Asishana Okauru, General Director of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). Kirsan said: "In my opinion, along with economic problems and poverty reduction in Africa, no less important attention should be paid to the programmes developing children's intelligence. The inclusion of chess into the school curriculum will certainly have a positive and lasting effect." Following the meeting, the leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding, under which FIDE and NGF will hold a preparatory event for the signing of the Agreement to promote chess in all 36 provinces of Nigeria. The Agreement should be signed in July.
Kiev, Ukraine Kirsan met NOC President (& IOC member) Sergey Bubka and Viktor Kapustin (President of Ukraine Chess Federation). Particular attention during the meeting was given to the Chess in Schools programme.
Chess is like a globe by WIM Alexey Root, Ph.D. (Empowering educators and librarians to use chess to teach academic subjects without relying on outside chess experts)
As an author with ABC-CLIO, I work at my publisher’s booth at conferences for educators and librarians. To attract customers, I used to ask conference attendees, “Are you interested in chess?” My question got responses ranging from “no” to scared expressions to walking away. Most educators and librarians are not tournament chess players. Chess may even intimidate them. Therefore, I changed my question to, “Are your students or library patrons interested in chess?” Educators and librarians said yes, and many bought my books.
I think my discovery is more than a sales trick. Educators and librarians are the most qualified people to interact with their students and patrons. That is, in the United States, educators and librarians earn certifications before being put in charge of classrooms and libraries. Outside chess experts may not have those certifications. My books enable educators and librarians to use chess to teach academic subjects without relying on outside chess experts.
Italian National Scholastic Team Championship set a new record on 2011!
(Video of Spoleto)
The qualified teams from each region came together to the big final held from May 12-15 in the beautiful city of Spoleto and attracted 1480 players representing 286 different teams from schools all over Italy. The event was held in the Palatenda and visitors had the chance to tour around one of the most beautiful cities of " Umbria". Spoleto has many attractions like il Duomo , Ponte delle Torri ,Teatro Lirico, Rocca Albornoziana and more ! (Report by Martha Fierro, some comments by Ali Nihat YAZICI)
Let's Chess Again - 62500 children in British Land UK Chess Challange
Monday, 16 May 2011 18:58
For some years the British Land UK Chess Challenge has been (probably) the biggest chess competition in the world. Each year some 70,000 children throughout the U.K. take part, a large percentage of them receiving their first introduction to the game thanks to this creation of Mike Basman. It has been running since 1996, attracting 23,000 children in that first year.
Two of the young competitiors produced this amusing video: "Lets Chess Again" courtesy of Alex & Marcus of St Andrew's Primary School, Much Hadham, Herts, UK and the British Land UK Chess Challenge. Very nice, even though you will no doubt notice that 4.b2xa3 is far from the best move in the position!
As an author with 
