The International Chess in Schools seminar was held in Tirana from 11th to 13th November 2016, in organization of Chess Federation of Albania, the ECU and FIDE.
Albanian Chess Federation provided excellent conditions for the event, making it very successful and fruitful.
Chess in Schools program in Albania made the first steps: very important cooperation agreements with the Ministry of National Education and the Sports Department were signed and teachers’ manuals for beginners are written and published.
The first day of the seminar started with a press conference in order to present the taken steps of the Chess in Schools project to the ministry representatives.
After the press conference, the seminar with more than 40 students of different levels of chess understanding started. The attendees of the seminar were in the range of advanced players, as well as the teachers with minimal knowledge of chess. Therefore, the seminar was focused on chess teaching methodology for children, and positive examples of organizing a school chess club or chess clubs in general.
The lecturer of the seminar was Mr. Vlad Ungureanu from Romania, member of FIDE CiS Commission.
The seminar was held in a very lively atmosphere, with Q&A session on various unresolved issues and barriers the participants were facing in practical situations.
On the second day the exam was sustained, while on the third day several workshops between teachers and chess players were held, with interesting discussions, which were very constructive and helpful for both sides.
The organizing team worked hard to ensure all conditions for the event and we would like to express special thanks to the General Secretary of the Chess Federation of Albania Mrs. Majlinda Pilinci and Mrs. Rozana Gjergji for collaboration.
