Chess in Schools and Communities
(CSC), a UK registered charity, and Newham Borough Council are working together
with East Village in an innovative project to deliver chess to all 64 primary
schools in Newham and teach 20,000 children to play the world's most enduring
game. The 'Urban Chess' program was launched on 13th March, just two days
ahead of the World Chess Candidates Tournament in London. East Village celebrated
by welcoming local schools to Stratford Library for a fun and educational
morning of chess games and classes on a giant board – led by British
Champion Grandmaster Gawain Jones.
The Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, with
British Champion Gawain Jones...
... and poses with chess kids in Stratford
Library (right: CSC director Malcolm Pein)
Spurred by celebrity advocates such as Jay Z, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jude Law,
Lily Cole and even fashion brand Prada, who used chess within their autumn/winter
2012 campaign, recent research has found the game to be played by over half
a billion people worldwide. However, this popularity has most importantly
been amplified by its proven educational benefits - encouraging greater
one-on-one interaction and the ability to think strategically – hence
why East Village, Newham BC and CSC are so determined to bring chess to
the younger generations.
CSC’s ‘Newham Chess Project’ began in the London Borough
of Newham in June 2010 when England women’s international Sabrina
Chevannes began teaching at Ravenscroft Primary School. The innovative
approach of teaching the game to an entire class in school time led to her
work being featured on Breakfast Television. As a result, five Newham schools
and over 500 children have already enjoyed the arrival of chess into their
classrooms, a programme of weekly chess lessons, and entry into national
tournaments – such as the Delancey UK School’s Chess Challenge.
The additional support from East Village will allow CSC and Newham Council
to extend this innovative programme to a further 10 schools, reaching thousands
more children across the local area.
Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: “Chess is a great way for
our young people to build their confidence, concentration and problem-solving
skills. I hope as many children as possible take up the opportunity to play
this wonderful game. This is a great example of how Newham Council works
with other organisations to innovate. Every child in Newham matters and
they should have the same chances as youngsters in wealthier parts of the
country.”
As well as promoting chess in schools, the partnership will develop chess
clubs and lessons in libraries, look at hosting a chess festival and provide
giant chess sets in the borough’s parks if there is a significant
take up of the scheme.
Morton's Club
In the evening a glamorous launch party was held at Morton's
Club in Mayfair. Olympians Beth
Tweddle and Dame
Kelly Holmes (flanking GM Gawain Jones in the picture above), along
with footballer Edgar Davids and a host of models and actors came to this
exclusive event.
Gawain plays a blindfold game against CSC coach
Robert Chandler...
... and against English actor, writer, producer
and director Nick Moran,
who played Scabior in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Dutch professional footballer Edgar
Davids plays for and coaches Barnet
The most serious game of the evening: against
former candidate for the
World Championship Jonathan Speelman
"You have to gain space" –
CSC director Malcolm Pein explains chess strategy to...
... singer Shingai
Shoniwa of the UK indie rock band Noisettes
Laura
Whitmore, Irish presenter on British television for MTV Europe
All pictures by Ray
Morris-Hill
Chess in Schools and Communities
Chess in Schools and Communities
is a charity established two years ago with the aim of introducing chess
into primary schools, with particular emphasis on areas of economic disadvantage.
The charity already delivers chess to over 180 schools in 35 boroughs across
England and Wales, teaching chess as a classroom subject. Participating
schools receive chess sets, software, training for teachers and 30 lessons
per year from a CSC chess tutor. This innovative approach was recognised
with an award from the Sports and Recreation Alliance.
East Village
Announced by Qatari Diar Delancey and Triathlon Homes, East Village will
initially deliver 2,818 new homes (a mixture of private rental and affordable),
to create a brand new E20 neighbourhood.
East Village will also
be home to Chobham Academy – a world-class education campus for 1,800
3-19 year olds (and part of the prestigious Harris Federation), a state-of-the-art
medical centre and over 30 independent cafes, shops and restaurants. It
will combine the vibrancy of city living with the best of green, sustainable
space – spanning over 27 hectares of land (the equivalent of St James’
Park) including landscaped gardens, park areas and courtyards.
