Following the two Education Ministry Decrees in 2014 for chess in schools introduction, along with the numerous sessions for preparing teachers on how to teach chess, supported by the Romanian Chess Federation, there is an increasing interest among sports students to specialize in chess.
Currently, two Romanian Universities already launched the chess studying programs, while the third one, one of the largest Universities in Romania, will develop the chess courses in the Sports College from 2018-2019 studying year.
The kick-off in this long term plan on introducing chess in educational system was the “Education through chess” conference, hosted by the Romanian Academy in 2013.
The National Sports University (UNEFS) in Bucharest, founded in 1922, is one of the few Universities in the world exclusively dedicated to sports matters. UNEFS has been awarded with Erasmus Universities Charte and with “A” degree according to the European Union classification.
The National Sports University in Bucharest had opened the chess courses for the 3rd year of bachelor studies in 2014. The classes were held by GM Mihail Marin was completing his PhD in sports and was the first Invited Professor to teach chess on the University. Today, the classes are held by Teodora Velea (Vasile), who is completing her PhD licence in sports with a chess theme, after the graduation on Economics studies.
There are about 120 students attending this compulsory matter of 7 sessions of seminaries in two languages: Romanian and French. The course is completed with a written exam which comprises the questions from all chess aspects, from laws of chess, tactics, to openings and endings.
The Sports College of the “Lower Danube” University in the city of Galati comprises 15 faculties which are attended by 9200 students. Located on the Danube’s shore, the city of Galati, together with the neighbor city of Braila (only 15 km away), form the second largest metropolitan area in the country with around 500,000 inhabitants.
Among the 9200 student, 135 are attending the chess classes in the first study year. The chess course, opened in 2017-2018 studying year, is led by Prof. Univ. PhD Ing. Lucian Oprea, a Candidate Master and big chess enthusiast.
Additionally to the chess courses, the Sports College is organizing a 2 year chess study module for primary and secondary school teachers for professional conversion, thus enabling them to graduate as sports teachers with chess specialty.
“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University in Iasi , one of the largest Universities in Romania, founded in 1860, with more than 23.000 students, is preparing to start chess courses in the Sports College from the 2018-2019 studying year.
The chess courses will be led by Romanian Chess Federation Vice-President and Board member for many years, Mr. Vasile Manole, FIDE Master and Prof. Univ. PhD. Ing.
