A new African push for chess in education
A fresh push to bring chess into classrooms across Africa took shape in Cape Town during the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026.The African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 currently takes place in Cape Town. What began as a school competition became a working forum for federations, education officials and chess leaders from the region. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and ISCF President Timur Turlov attended the event where meetings focused on teacher training, school leagues, national coordination and the role chess can play in giving more children access to structured learning opportunities. During the event, meetings were held with chess officials from several countries, including South Africa, Eswatini and Namibia. The key focus of the discussion was how chess can have a more prominent role in societies across the African continent. Chess as a tool for social development In South Africa, chess officials, national Olympic Committee representatives, and sports officials met with FIDE, highlighting the importance the country is giving to chess. Officials highlighted that Cape Town was the first place in Africa where a chess club was established, in 1885. During the discussions, chess was presented as a way to address social and educational inequalities in South Africa. Dr. Lyndon Bouah is the chief director for sport and recreation in the Western Cape pointed out official data showing chess has risen among the sports schools offer to their pupils. This has led to increased government funding, with the ambition to build a school chess league. Highlighting the important role chess can play in bringing communities together, FIDE and South African officials agreed to work more closely on providing support and staging more international events in the country. South Africa is also being considered as one of the regional centers for chess education and training, FIDE noted. During the meeting with representatives of Eswatini, FIDE and ISCF discussed an international framework that would help countries in Africa build connected national chess systems. FIDE emphasized the importance of better organisation of national federations and closer coordination between them, moving from ad hoc to structured, continuous projects. More structured support for African chess Representatives from Namibia were particularly interested on projects focused on training primary school teachers who could then teach chess to children. Namibia wants chess included across the national education system, with possible support from its strong e-education experience, where FIDE can offer considerate support. Namibia also expressed interest in holding an international chess event in Africa, noting that the country has the means and infrastructure to support that. “Education and chess go hand in hand. Here in South Africa we have seen the true spirit of this – with players, teachers, federation and state officials eagerly discussing how chess can be institutionalised in education systems across the continent to help bridge gaps between communities,” said ISCF President Timur Turlov. “FIDE has offered structured support, and we have laid foundation pillars that will lead to more support for chess across Africa, which means more players and more opportunities, which is our main goal,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said. The discussions in Cape Town now give FIDE, ISCF and African federations a clearer route to turn chess in education from local initiatives into a coordinated continental programme.
Race tightens as Day 3 tests leaders in Stellenbosch
Day three of the African Continental Stage of the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship 2026 brought rounds five and six to the Coetzenburg Center, pushing the tournament into its decisive phase. With only two rounds remaining after today’s play, every match carried greater weight. The leading teams were looking to protect their positions, while those close behind still had an opportunity to join the race for the title and qualification places. The championship’s wide-ranging programme reflects the support behind it. Freedom Holding Corp., the main sponsor of the African Continental Stage and General Partner of the International School Chess Federation, has helped create a week that combines serious competition with education, personal development, and opportunities for young players to connect beyond the board. Rounds 5 and 6 Round 5 narrowed the race at the top, with Kenya and Uganda both securing important victories. Kenya’s Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School produced the strongest result among the leading teams, defeating Madagascar’s Lycée Privé Hibiscus by 3½-½. Uganda’s Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School also kept pace with a 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe’s Budiriro 4 Primary School. With Kenya and Uganda both moving to nine match points, the afternoon round was set to play a major role in potentially separating the leaders. In Round 6, Angola’s Instituto Industrial held Uganda to a 2-2 draw, and the shock of the day came on board one, where unrated Melquesideque Paulo defeated Ronald Wabwire, the highest-rated player in the field. Manuel Carlos added a second Angolan win against 1727-rated Trevor Tumukunde before Daniel Odokonyero and WCM Juliet Asaba rescued the match point for the top seeds. Kenya fared no better: Welgemoed’s AFM Wolf van der Merwe beat Davidson Waweru on board one, and though Trevor Waweru and Irwin Ndegwa kept up their form in the middle, both winning their games, Adiaan Vlok leveled the match at 2-2 on board four. Heading into the final day, Uganda and Kenya share the lead on 10 match points, with five teams closely behind them: Madagascar, Angola, Welgemoed, Holy Cross, and Namibia, all on eight. With two rounds to play, nothing is settled. Player spotlight: Ronald Wabwire At just 12 years old, Uganda’s Ronald Wabwire is already regarded as one of his country’s brightest young chess talents. Rated 2174 and competing on board one for Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School, he entered the championship as its highest-rated player. Wabwire’s achievements include winning the Under-12 title at the 2026 African Youth Chess Championship with eight points. At the age of nine, he also recorded a perfect 7/7 score to win the 2023 Jumuiya Africa Mashariki Chess Championship. Despite the expectations surrounding him, Wabwire’s strongest impression of the week was not about ratings or results. Asked about his experience in Stellenbosch, he summed it up in one sentence: “This is the best event I have ever been to.” Team spotlight: Zimbabwe At the other end of the starting ranks sits one of the tournament’s best stories. Sengwa Primary School from rural Gokwe, in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province, arrived in Stellenbosch as the 29th seed and as the only all-girls team in the field: Grade Seven pupils Vimbai Bhamu, Makanaka Chirefu, and Rebecca Siposo, and Grade Five learner Dorcas Gwariro. For several of them, the flight to Cape Town was their first time on an airplane, or in an airport at all. “I used to see other children leaving and returning with medals, and I told myself that I should also give it a try,” Siposo told Zimbabwe’s Herald before departure. Their journey carries weight back home. Days before the team left, Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, whose support along with the ISCF helped secure the team’s place here, was appointed patron of the Zimbabwe Chess Federation juniors. “We promised the First Lady that we will show other nations that a girl can do it. It starts in Zimbabwe and spreads to others,” federation president Todd Mapingire said. The girls have taken that promise seriously: unfazed by the seeding, they have already collected match wins this week, including a 3-1 victory over Malawi’s Bwaila Secondary School in Round 5. Chirefu, who only started playing in 2024, put the bigger picture best: “Chess has helped me improve my mathematics because it has strengthened my problem-solving skills. When I come back, I want to teach other children.” Side events: Raising champions While the tournament continued at the boards, the educational programme returned to the Lectorium of Stellenbosch University. Dr. Denise Bouah presented a session titled “Raising Champions,” continuing the championship’s focus on the development of young players beyond their results. The programme has created space throughout the week for conversations about guidance, growth, and the role that parents, coaches, and communities play in helping children thrive. Breaking barriers through chess The final workshop of the day, “Breaking Barriers: Challenging Stereotypes Through Chess,” was held in collaboration with Teach The Nation and brought players, parents, coaches, captains, and supporters together in the playing hall. Through interactive activities and discussion, participants explored how experiences from the chessboard can support personal development beyond the game. The session looked at challenging stereotypes, building confidence and resilience, and strengthening communication between young players and the parents and coaches supporting them. Participants also reflected on the importance of teamwork and encouragement, as well as the character developed through both victories and defeats. The workshop encouraged those in attendance to view chess not only as a competition but as a way to build stronger relationships, meaningful connections, and skills that extend into everyday life. Away from the formal programme, the activity spaces were once again filled with players looking to relax after two demanding rounds. National and activity games took place in Activity Room 2, while Activity Room 1 hosted a handcraft masterclass. After six rounds of competition, these shared spaces have become an important part of the championship experience. They give players the chance to meet opponents from other countries, spend time with teammates, and enjoy the event without the pressure
Chess, concentration, and community: An interview with Timur Turlov
The FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Championship has grown rapidly since its pilot edition in Aktau in 2023, developing into a global cycle spanning four continents. During the African Continental Stage in Stellenbosch, South Africa, ISCF President Timur Turlov reflected on the championship’s expansion, the importance of school teams, and the broader role chess can play in education. He also discussed the recently launched Chess in Education grant programme and the value of chess in helping young people develop concentration, strategic thinking, and stronger decision-making skills in an increasingly fast-paced digital world. The World Schools Team Championship began with a pilot event in Aktau in 2023 and has now developed into a four-continent cycle. Did you imagine it growing this quickly? Timur Turlov: That was our dream: to build a great competition for schools. It has now become a reality, and I am very proud of what we have achieved together. One of the most striking aspects of the championship is the camaraderie among the teams. Why was it important to focus on school teams rather than individual players? What can a team format teach that individual chess cannot? I think it is very human to come together as a team. It is only as a community that we can build great things. All major institutions and enterprises are made up of teams of people. When you have a strong team, you can achieve great results, build something meaningful and create something special. That is why I believe it is important to develop communities. It is not only about having one outstanding individual. When the whole team, and even the whole school, is strong, it creates much greater opportunities for development. You can rely on your teammates, and together you can create something truly unique. Chess remains an individual game at the board, but we are seeing a great deal of teamwork and mutual support away from it. Have you noticed that during the championship? Absolutely. The event itself is a wonderful opportunity to make friends, discover new countries and find new opportunities. When you have a strong team, you know that you can rely on it. Even when you lose your own game, the team can still succeed because your teammates may win theirs. You can also help one another through advice, encouragement and your own performance. You do not have to rely only on yourself. You can rely on your teammates, and together you are much stronger than when you stand alone. FIDE has designated 2026 as the Year of Chess in Education. What is your vision for this initiative? Chess in schools is one of the most impactful educational initiatives, while remaining relatively affordable and accessible to almost everyone. It does not only help children play chess better. It can help them learn more effectively, improve their concentration, develop strategic thinking and navigate a rapidly changing digital world. You have spoken about the speed of modern life and the constant presence of phones and digital content. Can chess help children slow down and think more carefully? Absolutely. I truly believe chess is a way to understand more clearly how you think, what influences your decisions and how you can improve the quality of your decision-making. It also trains the ability to concentrate for long periods of time. In today’s world, I think chess is one of the few enjoyable ways for young people to develop that level of focus. ISCF recently launched its Chess in Education grant programme. What is the idea behind it? We know how impactful chess in education can be. Through these grants, we can help create more equal access to development and give more countries the opportunity to experience its benefits. Sometimes, we simply need to provide an example and help a programme take its first steps. I am confident that these projects can become sustainable and continue under the leadership of national federations even after the initial grant period has ended, because they will see the impact for themselves. As President of the ISCF, what are you most proud of achieving? I am proud that we have brought together such a large and dedicated organising team. We work closely with FIDE and many national federations, and we have built a strong network of people who support this initiative. The programme has also received support from government representatives, and thousands of young players from countries around the world are already taking part. That growing community is something we can all be proud of. Photos: Arlan Olzhabai