The “Chess in Schools” project started as the idea of Past President Raymond Aaron of the Rotary Club of Point Fortin in Trinidad, West Indies (District 7030) and along with project co-coordinator Jo-Anne Sewlal and committee member Tessa Solomon (Secretary) was made a reality this year. This project mainly targets primary schools rather than secondary schools, as there are competing interests such as football, cricket and extra academic lessons at the secondary school level. Some benefits of introducing chess in schools include helping students with fundamental subjects like Mathematics and English. It also helps children recognize patterns. Chess also builds crucial social skills such as, respecting authority, rules and each other. Although all students will want to win, there is always a loser, but loss should be accepted with grace, thus cultivating sportsmanship. However, the value of chess in schools in terms of these advantages is not widely recognized in Trinidad and Tobago or in the Caribbean as it is perhaps in developed countries.
 
 
Implementation of the project was made possible through significant collaboration with Mr David Martin, founder of the Grants Memorial Presbyterian School Chess Club (GMPSCC). Mr Martin has many years of experience teaching students from age five up to the age of 18. With a membership of over 100 members, the GMPSCC has had members who have gone on to achieve great scholastic achievements including two students that placed first in the SEA (Secondary Entrance Assessment) examinations. His numerous positions include holding Executive positions in one of the two chess bodies in the country, the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Foundation (TTCF). He conducts training sessions in the following schools; Grant Memorial Presbyterian School, BienVenue Presbyterian School, Lakshmi Girls Hindu College and San Fernando TML.

The project has progressed rather rapidly much to the delight of the coordinators. This project was launched at a special meeting held at the Auditorium of the Point Fortin Borough Corporation on Tuesday 26th January. In attendance were the principals and representatives of the Egypt Government School, Point Fortin Anglican School, Point Fortin Seventh Day Adventist School, Point Fortin Roman Catholic School, Guapo Government School and the Holy Name Convent Secondary School. Also in attendance were the presidents of the respective Parent- Teachers Associations.

Approximately a month later with the help of the TTCF an “Introduction to Chess” session was held at the Holy Name Convent Secondary School on Saturday 27th February, 2016. This free session was attended by approximately 45 persons both parents and children. Trainers included: Mr David Martin, Mr. Edison Raphael and Mr. Carlyle Singh both of the TTCF.
 
Advertisement of the first round of training was quite successful with the posting and distribution of flyers, posters and brochures in the Point Fortin Public Library, participating schools and local businesses, attracting 40 participants both children and parents which started on Saturday 5th March, 2016. The programme is designed to last 16 weeks, with classes every Saturday morning for two hours. The programme structure includes two classes, one for students and a separate one for trainers. The members of TTCF have expressed their great support for the project and will continue to conduct the training sessions until trainers have been fully trained.

Currently preparations are being made for the first in-house tournament to be held on Saturday 16th April from 10am to 1pm.

We are in the process of introducing formal structure to the project, and the Point Fortin Chess Club (PFCC) has now been officially launched. A logo for the club designed by Rtn Jo-Anne is being finalized and will be used on Club correspondence, membership forms, t-shirts, and other forms of advertisement. The Point Fortin Chess Club has established a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter. These avenues along with the Club email and a weekly newsletter are used to communicate with participants and keep them updated of competitions, tournaments and training. Photos from the project have also been posted on the Rotary Showcase. The project has also received some media coverage through an article written by Mr. Carl Jacobs for his weekly column “Double Rooks” and was published on Thursday 17th March, 2016. This was also a vital step in our club receiving the Public Image Citation of Rotary International.

Another crucial factor in face of our changing economy is that chess is a very inexpensive sport. In terms of equipment, on the advice of David we are utilizing training boards which are cheaper and smaller so that a classroom can accommodate more students. Chess clocks are not required at this preliminary training stage. They are usually used when students are two years into their training. However, again on the advice of Mr. Martin, participants are charged a one-time registration to cover the cost of training materials, including photocopying of material. The handouts and exercises given during each session are being collated into a training manual which will then be available to all to participants in future rounds of training. A term fee is also charged to ensure continued attendance, since free classes would not guarantee commitment from students. This fee would be used to cover cost of tournaments (most of which are held in the north of the island) transport, food, jerseys. The project requires signif cant funding from local businesses and sponsorship letters have been sent out, responses to which we eagerly await.

This project has also allowed for collaboration between junior arms of Rotary International. Members of the Rotaract Club of Point Fortin assisted during the “Introduction to Chess” session and some of their members have volunteered as trainers.
 
It is hoped that the Rotaracters will also assist in other roles such as running social media etc. The project also hopes to involve members of the newly formed Interact Club in Holy Name Convent as trainers, thus involving members of all ages.
 
It is the aim of our committee to use the project at Point Fortin as a pilot and extend it to other Rotary Clubs in the country, making it a nationwide and hopefully a District initiative. We welcome any suggestions or collaborations that would help make this project a success.
 
Submitted by
Rotarian Jo-Anne Sewlal
Secretary of “Chess in Schools” project
Rotary Club of Point Fortin
District 7030
Email: ptfortinchessclub@gmail.com
 
Trainers and facilitators of the “Chess in Schools” project (Left to right): Carlyle Singh (TTCF), David Martin (GMPSCC), Rtn. Jo-Anne Sewal (Project Co-coordinator), Edison Raphael (TTCF), Sec. Tessa Solomon (committee member) and PP. Raymond Aaron (Project Coordinator)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PP Raymond Aaron (Project Coordinator) presenting a student with a prize of a Training chess set for successfully completing a puzzle. Prize supplied by TTCF
 
 
David Martin (GMPSCC) conducting a class
 
 
Carlyle Singh (TTCF) conducting a class
 
 
The start of chess notation
 
 
Mother and son playing chess