The International Conference entitled “Theoretical and Practical Issues of Chess Education in Schools” took place this weekend in Tsaghkadzor/Armenia, at Russia Hotel.
The Minister of Education and Science of Republic of Armenia Mr. Levon Mkrchyan, Vice-President of the Armenian Chess Federation and President of the Chess Academy of Armenia Mr. Smbat Lputian, ECU President Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili, FIDE CiS Chairman Mr. Kevin O’Connell, a number of honorary guests along with the audience of 50 people from over 20 countries were present at the opening session of the conference, which was held on the 1st October.
The above mentioned officials had their speeches welcoming all the attendees and wishing them an effective outcome and productive exchange of new ideas.
Beside the President Azmaiparashvili, the European Chess Union was represented by Mr. Martin Huba, the ECU Treasurer, Mr. Alexander Kostyev, ECU Educational Commission Secretary and Mr. Piotr Murdzia, member of the ECU EDU Commission.
During the first day of the conference the researches of Armenian psychologists, sociologists, methodists and mathematicians as well as chess textbooks’ authors were presented on the following main directions:
- Chess education and personal development,
- Social-psychological issues of chess education,
- Training and retraining issues of chess teacher’s
- Technological and methodological aspects of chess education,
- Inclusive educational practices and chess
The presentations were followed by a QA session which passed in a tensed atmosphere accompanied by active discussions that lead to fruitful cooperation creating a good platform for further mutual endeavors and great new beginnings.
On the second day of the Conference the speakers from both Armenia and abroad presented their reports after which all the participants took part in a round table discussion and shared their views about the main problems and obstacles that should be overcome by joint efforts. The discussions proved that all the specialists had the same vision about the development of “Chess in Schools” program.
The second day was full of tensed discussions and exchange of ideas that were followed by a sightseeing tour to Kecharis Monastery situated in the heart of Tsaghkadzor. Finally the last day of the Conference ended with gala dinner during which the Mayor of Tsaghkadzor city distributed souvenirs to all the guests from abroad and congratulated both the organizers and attendees for the successful accomplishment of the conference.
All the participants expressed hope that soon Armenia will gather specialists from all over the world again to discuss “Chess in Schools” program and to do its best to promote the international cooperation in this field. Thus, this conference is surely considered to be among highly successful conferences from the viewpoint of its effectiveness and worldwide coverage.
The Conference was organized from 30th September to 3rd October, 2016 under the auspices of Chess Academy of Armenia and Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia, cooperating with FIDE, ECU, Armenian Chess Federation, and Armenian State Pedagogical University.
More info at the Official Website of the Conference
