The game of chess greatly benefits society, as it offers people the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background, by gaining self-confidence, experiencing social integration and learning valuable life skills. It is the primary aim of the Chess for Protection project, implemented in collaboration with the International Chess Federation, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the Kenya Chess Federation and the Kakuma Chess Club. The program, launched in August 2021, consolidates and develops chess-related activities in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. It is now entering its third year of running.

A chance to heal, develop and grow

"In FIDE, we really believe that chess is more than a game; it is a tool to improve the so-cial environment for millions of people. Kenya has the second biggest refugee camp and the third biggest slum in the world. Over 55% of the refugee population here are children and adolescents. Chess as a part of the extra-curricular activities will undoubtedly contribute to the well-being of youth, their psychological needs and their development. FIDE thanks UNHCR, LWC and Chess Kenya for their support in carrying out this very important social project," says FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

Forced to flee their homes, the refugees are exposed to extreme stress that may impact their psychosocial well-being. Most of them are not engaged in any income-generating activities, which leaves them vulnerable to risks of being involved in dangerous behaviour – crime, violence, drugs, and gang activities – as a means for coping with the situation. That is why it is critical to ensure youth are engaged in meaningful activities where they have a chance to heal, develop and grow. And chess can help with this.

"This is not just about chess; it's about giving dreams to children and youth. This is particularly important when it comes to the lives of people in vulnerable situations. There's strong evidence that chess increases analytical skills, self-esteem and the understanding between the cause and the consequence. Besides, it teaches not only how to win but also how to cope with defeat. Pupils attending chess classes are not only experiencing self-improvement and self-growth, they also bring enthusiasm and inspiration to their communities, acting as agents of positive changes there," says Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board.

Over the last two years, more than 2,000 refugees were introduced to chess, 36 chess clubs were established in Kakuma refugee camp and Kaloboyei settlement, over 350 chessboards were bought for these clubs, 21 facilitators were trained and are now teach-ing chess in the region, as part of the Chess for Protection project. Besides, FIDE provided fourteen bicycles and one motorbike for the mobility of those trainers.

It did not take long to see the results of such efforts. "I've supported the project since August 2021, and it's been such a rewarding experience for me. The chess program is having such a positive impact on the lives of the students – they are concentrated and focused at school, and they are competent problem solvers – all of them are becoming better students because of their participation in the chess group," says Ina Guya, Protection Associate in Kakuma refugee camp. "Through the series of games and tournaments, the players have learned to manage their emotions, handle wins and losses gracefully, and cope with frustration when things don't go as planned."

Women's empowerment through chess

In parallel with training the youth and kids in Kenyan schools, FIDE focuses on empowering young females and girls. Many of them find it difficult to meaningfully engage in education and extra-curricular activities due to negative cultural norms that often prevent them from equal access to opportunities. Chess for Protection project includes activities of the Girls Club, where, apart from playing chess, club members are meeting and communicating with successful women, reading and discussing books, attending painting workshops and many other classes.

Spearheaded by Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE WOM Commission, the project was first launched in 2021 in Angelina Jolie Primary School in Kakuma with an attendance of 40 students. After two years of running, it now includes three girls' boarding schools in the region - Angelina Jolie Primary School, Morneau Shepell Secondary School and Bhar-El-Naam Primary School - with 250 refugee schoolgirls having chess classes twice a week. "When we embarked on this adventure, our goals were clear: to introduce chess to young girls and foster their creative development. And we are on the way to achieving that and so much more," says Anastasia Sorokina.

Female students attend online lessons by WGM Anastasiya Karlovich (UKR) and IM Salome Melia (GEO). They also study and play chess with a local tutor.

"We started with groups of girls who may not have known what chess was, but they embraced the opportunity to learn with open hearts and minds. Week by week, they learnt little by little, from how to move pieces and set up the board to the more complex strategies. Their determination to improve their personal chess skills was truly inspiring," says IM Salome Melia, chess trainer of the Girl Club Project.

"We have had the pleasure of getting to know these girls and seeing their progress and growth of self-esteem and confidence. Their determination and positive attitude demonstrate that chess is not just a game; it's a powerful instrument of transformation, a gate-way to a world of endless possibilities. The progress these girls have made fills us with happiness, and we can't wait to see them in Kakuma in person one day," adds another chess trainer, WGM Anastasiya Karlovich.

For some of these girls, chess is just a tool to improve their school performance, problem-solving, and analytical skills; others wish to become professional chess players.

"I have learned how to play chess in my school club, and I really like the game. It helps me a lot in my everyday life, improving my thinking and behaviour.

It is not so easy to learn the game, but I see the progress all the time. I like to play with my schoolmates and to win! It is great to be a part of the chess community, and I am sure, one day, I will be a big chess player known all around the world," says Akech, a student of Morneau Shepell Secondary School.

As part of the Girl Club initiative, WGM Anastasiya Karlovich and WFM Martina Skogvall created a Curriculum  that can be used to teach chess in refugee camps. FIDE believes this is an essential step to scale the Chess for Protection project to a larger audience.

Refugee team at the 2024 Chess Olympiad

All people need goals to strive for, so chess life in the Kakuma and Kaloboyei regions of Kenya is not limited to chess classes only. Refugee camp students participate in various competitions, including their schools' tournaments and regional chess events. In July 2023, the Girls Club students also participated in the Queens' Online Chess Festival, a series of continental women's online blitz tournaments organized by the FIDE Commission for Women's Chess.

But the biggest event is yet to come. "We hope to see the first refugee team being part of the World Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. FIDE will seek advice from the International Olympic Committee on how to set up a team like they did for the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Hopefully, some of the team members, who will be participating in this event along with players from 200 other national federations, will be representing Kakuma and Kaloboyei," says FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

Photos: Stev Bonhage