Chess in schools in England could be given a boost under reported government plans to help nurture the grandmasters of the future.
It has been widely reported that the government is expected to give £500,000 to the English Chess Federation, alongside plans to expand chess in schools and public parks.
An announcement on the plans is expected later this month. Malcolm Pein, from the federation, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that it was in talks with the government over how to best invest in the game.
Mr Pein, who founded the charity Chess in Schools and Communities, said there had been discussions about installing chess tables in parks and expanding chess in schools.
He said the money will also support younger talent.
“Chess is increasingly a young person’s game because of the vast amount of energy and stamina required,” he said.
Supporting chess in schools
Mr Pein added that there were plans to invest in training camps, top coaches and cutting-edge computer analysis to support up-and-coming players.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak expressed his desire to see more chess played in schools when he visited a school in Washington DC in June. He has already said he wants all pupils in England to study maths to the age of 18.
One science teacher who has worked in a series of London secondary schools in areas of high deprivation told Tes that he was “pleasantly surprised” by students’ enthusiasm for chess clubs, and welcomed any help government might offer.
He added: “I’ve worked in very deprived schools with many low-attaining pupils but the chess clubs have always been very well-attended. There doesn’t seem to be a sense that it is ‘uncool’ at all.
“It’s a great opportunity for children to come and use their brains in a different way and to socialise away from screens.”
However, not everyone is happy about the plan to promote chess in schools. One Twitter user dismissed Mr Sunak’s plan, saying the government should “nationalise Warhammer” instead.
