ECU Chess in Education Ambassador – Czech Republic

The European Chess Union has launched the ECU Chess in Education Partnership with National Chess Federations to help promote chess as an educational tool in schools and institutions across Europe and beyond, strengthening the connection amongst National Federations and the broader educational community.

ECU EDU’s goal is to increase the visibility of the National Chess in Education initiatives through our dedicated online platforms to create opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration to inspire each other.

As part of this initiative, the ECU Chess in Education Ambassadors will play a key role in supporting the ECU Education Commission’s mission to promote Chess in Education (CiE), empowering chess educators and supporting CiE initiatives.

The ECU Chess in Education Partnership Agreement was signed with the Czech Chess Federation

Background in Chess and in Education:
Graduate of the Faculty of Education at Jan Evangelista Purkyně University, holding a Master’s degree in Primary Education, with 14 years of teaching experience. Holds an MPA title in Sports Diplomacy (a program organised by the Czech Olympic Committee and the University of Economics in Prague), FIDE SI title School Instructor (FIDE online course, 2025), ECU School Teacher title (ECU Course Bratislava, 2019), Advocate for the Czech Republic (Women in Chess Foundation – advocacy training 2024 ). Coach 3^rd class CCF. Lecturer in training programs, Pedagogy and psychology for CCF coaches and for teachers within the Chess in Schools project. Safeguarding Officer of the Czech Chess Federation.

What inspired your involvement in Chess in Education?
The potential of chess as an educational tool for teaching in primary schools.

Chess in Education in Your Country

1. Does your National Chess Federation have an active Education Commission?	The CCF does not have a separate Chess in Education Commission; the Chess in Schools project operates under the Youth Commission. The CCF employs a permanent manager for this project.
2. How is chess currently integrated into your country’s education system?	Chess is not a mandatory part of the curriculum, but it is frequently offered as an extracurricular activity through after-school clubs and programs.
3. Is there government, institutional or National Chess Federation support for Chess in Education?	The Chess in Schools project is conducted by the Czech Chess Federation and funded from the CCF budget, whose main revenue comes from government sports grants provided by the National Sports Agency, with a smaller portion coming from membership fees.
4. What age groups or school levels are most involved in chess activities in schools?	Age groups 4-18 years.  (Kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools)
5. Are there particular regions, schools or cities with standout CiE initiatives?	Yes, some regions achieve higher participation rates in the number of schools involved in the Chess in Schools program.

Programs & Pedagogy

6. What are the key Chess in Education programs or projects currently running in your country?	Project “Šachy do škol” (Chess in Schools) is managed and funded by CCF.
7. What materials, tools or platforms are commonly used in these programs?	A Methodical Guide and Exercise Collection by Petr Herejk, and a seven-part series of workbooks for children by M. Beil. The official My-Chess educational website www.my-chess.com (based on contract with CCF)
8. Do schoolteachers and/or chess tutors follow any special curriculum for Chess in Education?	Teachers are advised to use the teaching plan from A Methodical Guide and Exercise by Petr Herejk, as it is comprehensive and well-tested.
9. Are there any training or certification programs for schoolteachers and/or chess tutors related to CiE in your country? (We want to make a clear distinction between schoolteachers and chess tutors.) What are the options, and what are the possibilities for each of them?	The official online course for coaches T4 operated by CCF and Trainers Commission CCF. Schoolteachers involved in the Chess in Schools project have the same opportunity to gain the same level of education and knowledge as coaches and chess tutors.
10. Any of these programs and training organised or supported by the National Chess Federation?	The official online course for coaches T4 operated by CCF and Trainers Commission CCF.
11. Are schoolteachers and/or chess tutors required to have specific qualifications, training, or certification -either by the education system or the National Chess Federation- to be eligible to teach chess in schools, whether as part of the curriculum or as an extracurricular activity?	The official online course for coaches T4, operated by CCF and Trainers Commission CCF, is an essential minimum.

Impact & Evaluation

12. How do you evaluate or measure the effectiveness of your CiE programs (if applicable)?	Schools participating in the Chess in Schools project complete an annual questionnaire to provide feedback.
13. Are there any studies or evidence showing the impact of CiE in your country (if applicable)?	The Federation’s youth membership base is increasing.
14. Can you share a success story or example of impact from a student or school?	It is difficult to choose one; many stories happen.

Vision & International Cooperation

15. What challenges do you face in expanding Chess in Education in your country, and what solutions are you exploring?	The biggest challenge is how to increase the number of teachers from schools who are able to teach chess. We try to provide more opportunities for them to obtain the necessary qualifications to teach chess.
16. How do you see collaboration among CiE Ambassadors enhancing your national work?	I would appreciate sharing best practices for organising training programs for school chess teachers.
17. Are there any cultural or educational factors that shape how chess is taught in your country?	Chess is generally recognised as a useful game with educational potential, but it is not generally considered a traditional sport. Nevertheless, the official status of chess in the Czech Republic is that of a sport.