When the FIDE Infinite Chess Program was introduced in Kenya, it came with a simple yet powerful vision, to make chess accessible to children of all abilities and learning differences. Coordinated by The Gift of Chess Kenya, the program focuses on using the game not merely as competition, but as a bridge, a way to nurture focus, patience, and inclusion in learning spaces where every child’s potential deserves to be seen.
In February 2025, one of the schools that embraced this initiative was Autism School International in Nairobi, Kenya. What started as a small club of four curious learners has now grown to nearly ten enthusiastic chess players , each discovering the joy of the game in their own unique way.
Among them is Nathan Githu, a bright and determined learner on the autism spectrum who also lives with cerebral palsy (CP). Despite these challenges, Nathan continues to inspire many through his resilience, focus, and love for learning. He has grown in confidence and motivation, and now takes pride in teaching other kids chess whenever they have free time. Nathan has also adapted to online tools, using ChessKid and other apps to learn and practice chess on his own. His teachers describe him as a “warrior of calm concentration” , a child who finds peace and pride in every move he makes on the board.
According to Tr. Winnie, who oversees operations at the school, chess has transformed the children in many unexplainable ways ,from improving attention spans and emotional regulation to encouraging social interaction and confidence. “It’s amazing,” she says, “how something as simple as chess has brought so much joy, growth, and connection to our children. For Nathan, being able to attend his first tournament outside school was a huge milestone ,one that filled all of us with pride and happiness.”
The FIDE Infinite Chess Program is a global initiative that aims to make chess accessible and inclusive for individuals with neurodiverse conditions such as autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and other developmental challenges. Its philosophy is that chess is more than a game, it’s a universal language of logic, focus, and connection that can be adapted for every learner. Through sensory-friendly environments, adaptive teaching, and compassion-centered mentorship, Infinite Chess nurtures both the mind and the heart, helping children build skills for life beyond the board.
As the club continues to grow, so too does its impact. Each week, more children are joining the board , laughing, competing, and learning together. And with every move, they remind us that inclusion is not a policy, but a practice, one that begins when we see ability before limitation.
With continued support and collaboration, The Gift of Chess Kenya hopes to expand Infinite Chess to more schools across the country, ensuring that every child , regardless of ability, has the opportunity to discover the power of play, purpose, and possibility. Now, with new collaborations coming in , such as Kindness on the Board foundation the movement is opening up even more opportunities for shared learning, empathy, and community connection across Kenya and beyond.
Written by Phylis Ngigi, the Director of our Global Outreach, the FIDE Infinite Chess project partner in Nairobi, Kenya