Good things have been happening for Chess in Schools (CIS) in recent months. You will recall that ACF started this organization to administer the Alabama Chess in Schools (ACIS) program in 2015. When the program ended in 2019, CIS turned its attention to national and international work. Due to the change in geographical focus, CIS was spun off from ACF in 2020. Former ACF President and current Managing Director of CIS, Neil Dietsch offers this update on recent activities.

1)  Chess in Schools continues to work with the international Chess in Education (CIE) community. On July 26 a press release announced a cooperative agreement between CIS and the European Chess Union to develop CIE in the US. The agreement includes an educator certification program.

2) CIS is working with a second state department of education to offer a statewide program similar to ACIS. An announcement is expected in early August.

3) CIS continues to promote its non-profit services within Alabama. National Chess Education Consultant Jerry Nash attended the MEGA Conference in Mobile two weeks ago, drawing an enthusiastic set of educators looking to start using chess in their schools. Assistant State Superintendent Terry Roller and a former participant in the Alabama Chess in Schools program, introduced Jerry and was highly supportive. CIS hopes to see Chess in Schools active again in Alabama soon.

4) Jerry Nash currently heads the Strategie Planning Committee of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission.

5) Through the chessineducation.org website and Connections newsletter, educators gain access to information about CIE benefits, pedagogy, and practical advice on how CIE can be implemented in schools. (It’s not about just teaching chess; it’s about using chess as an educational tool.)

Submitted by:

Neil Dietsch – Managing Director for the CIE and former president of the ACF