Kasparov and Chess in Schools in Georgia
Report by Sophie Nikoladze
On February 18 World chess legend Garry Kasparov visited Georgia. He arrived
at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and held a press conference with
the first deputy of the minister, the all-time most successful chess player
of Georgia Zurab Azmaiparashvili.

The President of Georgian Chess Federation Giorgi Giorgadze, Garry Kasparov
and Georgia's most successful ever chess player Georgia Zurab Azmaiparashvili,
today Deputy Minister of Education and Science

The President of Georgian Chess Federation Giorgi Giorgadze and the deputies
of the minister Tamaz Tevzadze and Rati Bregadze also attended the press conference,
at which Kasparov talked about experimental school program of chess that will
be introduced in 100 public schools. The program has been translated to Georgian
and adapted to the existed school curriculum.

After the press conference at the ministry, Kasparov held a demon lesson according
to the program “Chess in School” in Tbilisi First Experimental School.
Students of 21st public school of Kutaisi and 2nd of Poti also joined this lesson
online via the Internet.


Garry Kasparov: “I am always glad to visit Georgia. At this time my visit
had sporting significance. It is very good that the program ‘chess in
school’ is being implemented and the government supports it. Introducing
‘chess in school’ in Georgian schools will make chess more popular
and help students with their further education and development of their thinking.”

Kasparov with GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili, First Deputy of the Ministry of
Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia...

... here in his office in the Minister of Education and Science
“It is good that a chess player of such caliber visits Georgia. With
Kasparov we are trying to establish a modern program of chess which will teach
students not only chess but also enhance their mental skills. It is very important
for young people’s cognition and education.”

Gary Kasparov, Giorgi Giorgadze, President of the Georgian Chess Federation,
David Zurabishsvili,
Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia and Zurab Azmaifarashvili
“The program ‘chess in school’ is very important for us.
It is good that Georgian regional schools will also be involved and schools
of Kutaisi and Poti will have a chance to listen to the world’s strongest
chess player’s lessons. We have a great beginning, so we hope that this
program will bring us big success.”

Georgian chess trainer George Khomeri, your report Sophie Nikoladze, who
is also
the press officer of the Georgian Chess Federation, and Garry

Kasparov, Khomeri and children participating in the Chess in Schools program

Old buddies: Kasparov and "Azmai", who seconded the World Champion
in the 1980s and 90s
Copyright
Nikoladze/ChessBase