NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND

CHESS DEVELOPMENT WORKER POST

by David Leslie

CS Council meeting progress report on The New Opportunities Funded chess development project, Feb 2002

I am sorry that I could not be with you today to report to in person, and answer questions on the exciting new opportunities before us.

Numerous like-minded ‘activists’ connected with the (former) SJCA and SCA, and latterly Chess Scotland, have strived for a long time now to obtain support for chess development, exploring all possibilities of obtaining public and/or private funding.

There has not always been unanimity of thought as to the best way forward for chess in Scotland, and even now some differences of emphasis remain. However, we do know that it is not a level playing field out there, where the great god, football, reigns supreme in terms of commercial sponsorship, and the arts are given huge grants of public money, sometimes to the detriment of many other good causes. There can be no doubt that for a successful Chess Scotland to evolve, it is imperative that 1) we must have publicly funded financial support, and 2) we must introduce children to chess at the earliest possible moment.

For the most part, because of the geographical location of Aberdeen, I have been working independently from other regions in my efforts to raise standards, increase numbers, and gain support for chess. To this end I have come into contact with many people who agree with us that chess is good for youngsters.

One such person is Dod Forrest, senior community officer in Mastrick, Aberdeen. Dod drafted bids for grants in 1999 and 2000, in which he nominated me as the person who would run any successful project bid. Despite the passage of seemingly endless periods of time, Dod never gave up hope that we would be successful, and made numerous follow up enquiries. His persistence finally paid off in August 2001, when the NOF bid was approved.

John Glendinning, and others, have put some kind words in print, giving me credit for the breakthrough in presenting a successful bid. I’d like to point out that without the drafts, loyalty, and quiet background support and patience of Dod Forrest, the bid might never have been successful.

Additionally, I’d like to place on record my thanks to Projects Coordinator Kate Kasprowicz for her confidence in approving the bid, as one of eight projects she felt merited support. I understand that Kate took a considerable gamble in the face of some very sceptical comments and expressions of disapproval. I’m delighted to report that her confidence has not been misplaced, as the chess project is currently her most successful of all.

This project, the first of its kind in Scotland, will be a milestone for our nations junior chess development programme. If others (Rod Tweedie in particular) can make bids, pointing to the ongoing success of an existing project, this would surely act as a lever in opening new doors.

I am all too aware that a great responsibility lies with me, and the outcomes of this project. I do not believe that moderate success will be enough to satisfy some doubters, and have set standards accordingly.

I will not fail.

David Leslie

This is an edited version of a report presented at a meeting of project leaders on Friday 1st Feb. 2001.

The aims of the NOF Chess Development Project are as follows: - 1) to teach children to play chess 2) to set up after school and evening chess clubs for children 3) to encourage parents to participate, and help run the clubs 4) to monitor the extent to which children benefit from chess training 5) to include chess in the school curriculum.

When preparations of strategies and timetables were at an advanced stage, letters of introduction were sent to head teachers in the Northfield Associated (Primary) Schools Group, inviting them to take part in the chess development project. Subsequently, all seven primary schools declared an interest. P4 pupils are taught to play chess during school hours, after school clubs are open to all pupils who play chess (I now run five after school clubs, Monday-Friday, 3.15pm –4.45pm, plus three evening clubs unconnected with the project).

At the earliest practical stage, interested P5-P7 non-players will be given lessons at lunchtime.

Currently, there are more than 320 pupils engaged in the project on a weekly basis.

Chess has had a positive effect on many youngsters. Even in the early stages of this project, numerous children have been identified as showing signs of benefiting from chess, adding to the growing dossier of evidence that chess does indeed help children in many different ways. Class teachers, and head teachers, have noted significant improvement in some pupils since in-school chess tuition began.

The project has had a very encouraging start. There is enthusiastic support from teachers, with an excellent atmosphere prevailing during lessons, as pupils thoroughly enjoy learning chess. All pupils have been given home study packs comprising of a ring binder containing colourful notes. In addition, classroom computers are to have chess programmes installed. Students will develop at their own pace, while being encouraged to involve family members in the learning process. Every pupil, who masters the basics of chess, is to be presented with a national certificate, signed and endorsed by Scotland’s Chess Grandmasters.

A regular newsletter is to be produced, acting as a further form of communication between the seven schools. Weekly progress reports on P4 in-class tuition are being kept, as well as individual attendance records for after school chess clubs.

NOF Projects supremo, Kate Kasprowicz (Co-Director for Children and Communities), managed to obtain a workshop slot in the Scottish Study Support Network National Conference in Perth on December 7th 2001. Perhaps as a vote of confidence, she chose the chess project in preference to the other seven in her remit. Kate and I felt we had put together a very interesting display, and the presentation was, indeed, well received by delegates. There was very positive feedback on the workshop, some describing it as ‘inspiring’.

The next stage is to run tournaments for P4 pupils who have completed their beginner’s course, for P5-P7 novices, and, given the number of girls involved, girl’s tournaments. I then hope to identify enthusiastic students and/or emerging talent, and offer them places at Quarryhill Junior Chess Club, who are currently responsible for almost half the Scottish Junior U12/U14 teams.

In May, around 60 of the pupils involved in the project will be treated to a session with GM Paul Motwani at a prestigious Aberdeen venue.

As new ideas are added to the pre-planned strategy of the project, there are exciting months ahead.

I look forward with great confidence in the project.

This report has been compiled for CHESS SCOTLAND by David Leslie, NOF Chess Development Worker.