Eritrea has launched a teacher training programme aimed at strengthening the development of chess through education and laying solid foundations for the emergence of future talent. Supported by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the initiative focuses on equipping teachers with the skills needed to introduce chess in a structured and sustainable way within schools across the country.
The project represents a long-term strategic approach in which education becomes the central driver of national chess development, combining educational, social and sporting objectives.
Chess as an educational tool within the school system
The programme is built on the view of chess as a cross-curricular educational tool capable of delivering benefits beyond competitive play. Integrating chess into the school environment allows students to develop key cognitive skills while encouraging active learning in the classroom.
By placing chess at the heart of the education system, Eritrea aims to normalise its practice among children and young people, ensuring early and continuous exposure to the game from the first stages of academic formation.
Teacher training as the core pillar of the project
The central element of the initiative is the specialised training of teachers, identified as the most effective way to expand chess evenly throughout the country. Teachers receive instruction both in chess fundamentals and in teaching methodologies adapted to the school context.
This approach enables chess to be taught by regular school staff, facilitating its integration into daily school routines and ensuring consistency and continuity in its delivery.
Training content tailored to the classroom environment
The training programme is designed to meet the specific needs of the education sector. Its content combines basic chess knowledge with pedagogical strategies that help teachers introduce the game to students of different ages and levels.
The focus goes beyond technical instruction, emphasising how chess can be used as an educational resource to promote participation, logical reasoning and interaction in the classroom.
FIDE support and alignment with international initiatives
The programme benefits from the support of FIDE, which contributes its experience gained from educational chess projects implemented in various countries. This backing ensures that the training aligns with international standards and draws on proven models.
The collaboration also allows best practices from other regions to be adapted to Eritrea’s local context, strengthening the overall quality and relevance of the programme.
Expanding the player base from an early age
One of the strategic aims of the initiative is to broaden the base of young chess players. By introducing chess into schools through trained teachers, a far greater number of students gain regular access to the game.
This expansion of the player base is essential for long-term chess development, increasing the likelihood of identifying students with particular aptitude and supporting their progress in a structured way.
Gradual identification and development of talent
Early exposure to chess facilitates the gradual identification of talent without the need for premature competitive pressure. Teachers, through their daily interaction with students, become well placed to observe progress and individual abilities.
This model supports a more natural development pathway, based on continuity and progressive learning rather than early competitive results alone.
Beyond its sporting dimension, the programme highlights the broader educational and social value of chess. Regular practice contributes to the development of concentration, discipline, critical thinking and decision-making, skills that are particularly valuable in a school setting.
By training teachers, these benefits can reach a wide range of students, regardless of whether they pursue competitive chess, reinforcing the game’s role as an inclusive educational tool.
A sustainable model built on local resources
The teacher-focused approach also reflects a commitment to sustainability. By relying on existing educational personnel, the programme reduces dependence on external resources and supports long-term continuity.
Embedding chess within established school structures allows the initiative to remain active with relatively low cost while achieving a high educational impact.
School chess as a pillar of national development
The initiative forms part of a broader vision for chess development in Eritrea, with schools acting as the main foundation. Creating a network of trained teachers opens the door to future activities such as school competitions, follow-up programmes and more advanced training structures.
This gradual growth strategy helps build a solid chess system from the grassroots level, aligned with the country’s educational and social objectives.
A firm step towards the future of chess in Eritrea
With the implementation of this teacher training programme, Eritrea takes a firm step towards establishing chess as an integral part of its education system. The initiative reflects a clear commitment to long-term planning, education and inclusion as key drivers of chess development.
The project lays the groundwork for sustainable national growth in chess, strengthening both its educational role and its potential competitive impact in the years ahead.
