The International Chess Federation (FIDE), together with the Asian Chess Federation and Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, with the support of the International Olympic Committee, FIDE Planning and Development Commission, and FIDE Social Commission, hold the first offline Asian Educational Seminar “Chess for children with ASD. Learn & Teach”. The event took place at the Al Ain Convention Center, UAE, from December 18 to 19.
Twenty-one chess teachers and coaches from 14 countries (Bangladesh, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, UAE, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Philippines, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and others) explored the ways of teaching chess to children with autism spectrum disorder, studied a unique training program developed in 2021 and got practical advice on how to work with kids with ASD.
The following prominent figures participated in the seminar:
- Hisham al Taher, General Secretary of the Asian Chess Federation
- Abdulla Ismail Alkamali, Executive Director of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (UAE)
- Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Project Supervisor, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board
- Anastasia Sorokina, Leader of the project, FIDE WOM Chair, Chairperson of Asian Chess Federation Social Commission
Speakers at the seminar:
- Ala Mishchanka – Special needs educational assistant, more than 17 years of experience (Canada);
- Natalia Popova – WIM, FIDE Trainer, leader of the two-year-long project teaching chess to children with autistic spectrum disorder (FIDE);
- Melodi Dincel – MD, child and adolescent psychiatry specialist at Istanbul University, Infinite Chess project partner (Turkey)
- Viesturs Kapce – FIDE Instructor, chess coach, Infinite Chess project partner (Latvia)
All participants were honoured to visit the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination in Al Ain and exchange teaching experiences with local experts. We thank Abdulla Ismail Alkamali for the hospitality and inspiring tour he provided personally for all the participants and the project team.
On December 19, FIDE, the Asian Chess Federation and Zayed Higher organization signed the MOU, a significant step forward to the further cooperation and expansion of partnership within the Infinite Chess project.
Presentations (pdf):
Chess for Children with Autism and Spectrum Disorder by Natalia Popova – Part 1
Chess for Children with Autism and Spectrum Disorder by Natalia Popova – Part 2
Classroom Organization by Natalia Popova
FIDE Infinite Chess Project by Ala Mischanka – Day 1
FIDE Infinite Chess Project by Ala Mischanka – Day 2
