Local Authorities

As well as partnering with over 900 schools across the UK, we have also worked successfully at local authority level to empower whole communities through chess.

The game is an effective but affordable educational intervention that nurtures skills children will use throughout their lives. As well as promoting cognitive skills such as logical thinking and problem solving, it also aids their wider personal development by rewarding forward thinking and engenders the ability to cope with adversity. Despite this, chess in the classroom has long been confined to the private sector - we aim to change this, and give every child the chance to realise their full potential. But chess is not just a game for children. It knows no boundaries of age, gender, faith, ethnicity or disability, and can benefit every part of society. We recently worked with Bracknell Forest Council for their year of self-care, running a 10-week chess course for the elderly to tackle the increasing problem of loneliness.

The game finds a natural home in libraries, who we can support for no initial cost with equipment, training for staff and access to online chess. A library club can run throughout the day as a drop-in, or with scheduled sessions for adults and children separately, and is an ideal volunteering initiative.

Participating schools in your area also receive all of the equipment and training for staff free of charge. They also benefit from a 30-week curriculum delivered by one of our trained tutors (who all have full DBS clearance) and free entry to national events including the London Chess Classic. The 'Every Child a Chess Player' partnership with the London Borough of Newham was launched in 2013; since then it has expanded to reach 18 schools and eight libraries. Whilst not a primary objective of the scheme, Newham children have also enjoyed success in national and international competition, proving what those from disadvantaged backgrounds can achieve when given the same opportunities as their peers.

If you would like to discuss what chess can do for your area, please contact the Chief Executive, Malcolm Pein.