There were
five very enjoyable days of free chess
coaching for schools at the London Chess
Classic - December 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th and
12th.
We welcomed
over 600 school children with their
teachers.
We had
professional chess coaches (CRB
certificated) on hand to give
individual or group lessons or to
answer questions about setting up a
chess club. There were lessons
prepared for all levels from
absolute beginners upwards.
Chess in
Schools and Communities was delighted that
the 3rd London Chess Classic was staged at
the Olympia Conference Centre.
The Classic
has already become one of the world’s most
prestigious tournaments and was bigger and
better than ever, with more children’s
events.
First birthday reception for the charity
Chess in Schools and Communities
18 October 2011
Rachel Reeves MP, Member
of Parliament for Leeds West, hosted our first birthday
reception in the Jubilee Room at Westminster on Tuesday.
A huge thank you to Rachel who recently
visited
one of our schools in her constituency to give a
simultaneous display. Despite not having played
competitively for many years, she remains a very good
player and even Garry was impressed.
Children from Teesside,
Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol,
Barnet, Hackney, Newham and Hammersmith and Fulham were
accompanied by their teachers and parents. Every child
got the chance to take on Nigel Short in a simultaneous
display. Rachel spoke about how learning chess at an
early age had helped her. CSC are also grateful to the
13th World Champion Garry Kasparov who came to London
and spoke at the event as well as making many media
appearances. Thanks also to Nigel Short who played the
children and a few MPs without losing a game!
Grandmaster Jonathan
Rowson and our Field Worker England international
Sabrina Chevannes, also made some moves. There was an
outstanding performance from Matteo Walls of William
Patten School in Hackney who nearly drew. I played a few
moves and came to his board to find the position
completely equal after about 30 moves – well done!
Rachel’s colleagues in
the Labour Shadow Cabinet; Angela and Maria Eagle also
attended the event. They, like Rachel, were strong
junior players but in my home city of Liverpool.
CSC is
running free lessons for schools at this
year's
London Chess Classic. All schools are
welcome. We are also organising the 2nd
English Junior Rapidplay on December 10th
also at Olympia.
22.09.11 -
I am
writing to tell you of an exciting
development in CSC’s campaign to promote
chess in UK schools. Following our
appearance on BBC Breakfast I was contacted
by Yasmin Qureshi MP who asked if she could
assist. She has kindly submitted an Early
Day Motion to Parliament.
How to get
involved, write to your MP!
The strength of
an EDM is measured by the number of MPs who
sign it so please write to your MP and ask
them to do so. MPs usually react positively
to such requests. You can find out who your
MP is by entering your postcode here
http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ and you
can write to your MP via this website.
http://www.writetothem.com/
Your own words
are best but you can use this text: As
your constituent, I am writing to ask you to
sign EDM 2158 on Chess. As a teacher / chess
coach / parent / chess player I am convinced
of the benefits of introducing the game of
chess to children at a young age.
19.12.11 -
The 2nd CSC Manchester Junior Congress took
place on Saturday 17 Dec at Ashton Bridge
Club with a record 53 entries. 12 local
schools were represented with the year group
prizes being well spread between 8 of the
schools.
04.07.11 - Chess in Schools and Communities
is delighted to announce that the 3rd London Chess Classic will be staged at the
Olympia Conference Centre in Kensington from Saturday 3rd December to Monday
12th December. The 3rd edition of what has already become one of the world’s
most prestigious tournaments will be bigger and better than its predecessors,
with more children’s events and an even stronger field, the composition of which
will be announced shortly.
There will be
two extra rounds, as the addition of one more top flight player to this year’s
main event will make it a nine player all play all. One player will sit out each
day and keep the spectators at Olympia and online, doubly entertained by joining
the commentary team. The field is almost complete and is absolutely stellar with
the world champion Vishy Anand aiming to unseat Magnus Carlsen, the winner of
the first two London Chess Classic tournaments.
The English
players will again be led by the UK number one Michael Adams and former world
title challenger Nigel Short. David Howell, who surprised everyone including
perhaps himself with his stunning debut in 2009 when he came third, will be
aiming to repeat this success.
• Schools can visit the Classic for free
coaching.
See times and dates.
Interested? Let us know
.
• To see the full schedule for this year's
Classic, including details for schools, click
here.
In 2010, 500 children came to the London
Classic for free chess lessons from GMs IMs
and top chess coaches. This year we will be
doubling the number of invitations to
schools and free lessons will be available
on five days. See details about this
exciting opportunity and photos from 2010
here.
CSC activities in Newham were featured in
The Times
This initiative is tremendously powerful in
terms of raising our pupils' confidence and
aspirations. We are very grateful to CSC for
including us in their programme. I am proud
of our pupils - they are so enthusiastic and
dedicated. It is a privilege to be able to
see the impact it is having on them.
Anabela Monteiro
As a
mother of one of these marvellous kids I can
assure you that they really do love it. I am
tremendously proud of my son being one of
the selected to be part of the 'chess in
schools' programme and representing this
amazing school.
Whizzkids from two Stoke Newington primary
schools have emerged at the London Classic.
Pupils from William Patten in Stoke
Newington Church Street won the under 10s
category at the London Chess Classic Junior
tournament held in Kensington’s Olympia.
[see more]
First Manchester CSC Congress
The
first CSC Manchester Junior Congress took
play on Saturday 18th December. Despite the
heavy snow that had fallen the night before
there were 34 entries between ages 7-11.
The TV personality and music presenter Alex
Zane (pictured left) will be presenting the
prizes at the CSC Junior Chess Tournament
taking place on December 9th as part of the
London Chess Classic at Olympia.
Do you love playing chess and want to help
others improve their game? Then become a
chess coach! There will be a great
opportunity to take part in an introductory
course for chess trainers at this year’s
London Chess Classic –
www.londonchessclassic.com. There will
be two courses available:
1)
An Introductory Course for Teachers- this is aimed at teachers, teaching
assistants or those planning on becoming
professional chess trainers.
2) A
Skills Development Course for Chess
Tutors – this is for existing
chess teachers who want to further develop
their general teaching skills.
John Foley (left) is the person responsible
for running the CISC training courses at
this year's
London Classic. He will be working with
a team of new coaches
who's profiles you can see
here.
John first started coaching in
a primary school in 2000 and continues to
teach in schools in the London boroughs of
Merton and Kingston. John first learned to
play chess when he was aged 10 in hospital
from the boy in the next bed.
[more]
Objectives
To encourage teaching and
playing chess in state schools
and inner city communities.
To organise and promote world
class chess events as a catalyst
for mass participation.
To raise the profile of chess
and highlight its educational
and social benefits.
Featured testimonial
Dear Malcolm,
May I thank you for the efforts you have
gone to to make us feel welcome at the Chess
Classic. It was everything that we hoped
for. Charlie Chess was phenomenal and has
given us plenty of food for thought as we
ponder taking chess forward at LJS. From
start to finish you have accommodated us and
made us feel very welcome.
Mr T
Dear Malcolm,
Thank you so much for such an excellent day
out today! The children all had a superb
time, loved the thrill of the auditorium and
Dan King's generous lesson, not to mention
the free mugs and T-shirts!
Your organisation made the whole day a real
pleasure, so many thanks indeed.
Mark
Our next move
2010-11: To run
a pilot program in 60 UK schools to reach
6000 children of primary school age from
Year 2: Completed.
2011-12: To use the best methods divined
from year one in the pilot area and prepare
to scale up.
Introduce chess to 13,000 primary
schools in England and Wales and have 1
million children playing by 2015.
To establish a long-term partnership with
public or private partners.
