Melodi Dinçel M.D., a specialized Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with primary area of focus within the realm of neurodevelopmental disorders, is working with the Turkish branch of FIDE’s Infinite Chess Project since 2022.
This endeavor, run by Anastasia Sorokina, aims to bridge the gap between the world of chess and children diagnosed with autism. The core mission is threefold: to introduce these children to the world of chess, foster love and appreciation for the game, and to equip them with the skills to play it proficiently.
Since the start of the project, the team in Turkey has made remarkable strides. For roughly a year and a half, it has been meticulously guiding the group of seven dedicated students, who have successfully mastered the foundational rules of chess. The feedback from this initiative has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating the effectiveness of the approach.
In an effort to further the project and share the invaluable experience, Melodi Dinçel prepared and presented their findings at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress 2023. Held in the picturesque city of Barcelona, Spain, this Congress stands as one of Europe’s pinnacle academic events. It serves as a melting pot for innovative ideas and discussions, encompassing topics as varied as pharmacology, psychiatric diseases, neuroscientifical research studies, and preventative mental health strategies. With over 5,000 attendees, ranging from esteemed psychiatrists and neurologists to neuroscientists and psychologists, the event offers a global stage to showcase our work.
The presentation, titled “Chess for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder”, shed light on the unique challenges and differences encountered when teaching chess to children with autism. The project team also highlighted the overwhelmingly positive feedback they‘ve garnered, affirming the transformative impact of the project. Moreover, for those interested in a detailed study, the work will soon find its place in the pages of the open-access journal «Neuroscience Applied».
«Over the years, I’ve come to understand the myriad of challenges faced by children with autism spectrum disorder, which further fuels my passion and dedication to this cause. I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to FIDE for their unwavering support. Their belief in the project’s vision has been instrumental in its success.» – says Melodi Dinçel.