Chess in Education Discussion Groups are organised every last Wednesday of each month by the Chess in Education Commission of the European Chess Union. These meetings aim to create a space for chess educators to share experiences and discuss their ideas as well as knowledge on various topics related to chess in education. Discussion Group Meetings also allow participants to learn from each other and gain new insights through different perspectives.
My participation as a host:
Last Wednesday, 27th November 2024 I was invited to the December discussion group to conduct a live interview with the author Kyla Zhao, with whom I’ve already met several times and have always had very pleasant conversations. Unexpectedly, I was also asked to moderate the session besides participating and sharing my expertise. After one and a half hours of intense and rich word exchanges, I realized that I enjoyed the online meeting more than I thought I would. To be honest, I was very excited for it because it’s always fulfilling to work with people like Brigitta Peszleg and John Folley from the ECU EDU Commission on (to me) important topics like chess in education. With following introduction Kyla Zhao and I were introduced:
A story can change the game for your students!
This month we invite you for a public meeting with Kyla Zhao, the author of the newly published book May the Best Player Win and Tatiana Flores, a chess journalist, 2021 World Chess Champion for People with Disabilities. Together, we will discuss the various themes presented in the book and how they relate to chess in education. Since stories inspire and educate children on many different levels, chess educators should bring this story to their students’ attention. Its themes can generate discussion topics that are worth talking about in the classroom.
“A fierce yet tender narrative [that is] rich in emotions and facts. It will enlighten the young audiences’ minds with the usage of a smart and educative language. A top recommendation for young readers.”
Tatiana Flores, book review.
– Chess in Education Commission
It is meanwhile well-known that from a historical perspective, chess has been a male-dominated sport. Fortunately for the chess world, the number of women playing the game continues to rise. May the Best Player Win, with its STEM-inist story examines the gender bias that surrounds chess as well as competitive chess and celebrates the female players who, like May, are changing the game.
A short overview:
The meeting started with Zhao giving a presentation of herself, her book(s) and her own chess journey. Then, I conducted an interview with her. I asked questions about the educational value of her book and the role of the different educators who appear in the book. I also was interested in knowing how the journey with her newest book had been since the last time we spoke. After this, the spectators took the chance to ask Zhao a variety of questions about her opinions on educational topics as well as general chess issues.
In the open discussion round we started collecting opinions and ideas sorrounding the following questions:
- What can the chess world do to address gender stereotypes?
- What advice do you have for children struggling with performance anxiety?
- Do you think it’s possible to get to the top of chess, or any activity, with an entirely healthy attitude towards competition?
- What can educators, parents and coaches do to help foster a more inclusive and empowering environment for chess learners and players?
The group was a very diverse and interesting one. People from all over Europe and from different ages took part in it. I enjoyed reading the comments in the chat as well as interacting with the people talking and asking questions. The best part was, though, when many of them thanked me personally for my good moderation throughout the evening, as well as for the friendly and supportive ambience I managed to create. One Spectator even send me a very supportive email afterwards. All this feedback cheered me up immensely. It also reminded me of why I chose the profession I did in the field I did and is extremely appreciated.
Now that the holidays aren’t even around the corner anymore, but already knocking on our doors begging us to let them in, allow me to take a moment to thank you, dear readers, for spending another year alongside me on my blog and all the other sites my work is featured on. I hope you’ll stay with me during many years to come and that together we can keep nurturing a positive, supporting and fun community in the chess world. Happy holidays, happy new year and good games! See you again in 2025…
