It was an exhilarating and rewarding experience to engage with 39 students from the community of August Town, St Andrew who recently concluded their sports summer camp. The camp targeted students aged 11-17 and featured an exciting chess component with a competition and awards ceremony at its pinnacle. Since its commencement in 2024, the JSIF Chess in School Programme, has engaged just over 110 students from the community of August Town in activities including summer camps and clinics, schools sensitizations sessions and registration of students with FIDE – The International Chess Federation.

Chess has the power to transform lives and offers numerous benefits to students on and off the chess board including the building of a range of skills including critical thinking, decision making,  problem solving, sportsmanship, and focus. It can also be integrated into the curriculum to boost academic performance in Math and other subjects.

The Chess in School Programme is funded under the Government of Jamaica, Integrated Community Development Project 11. Kudos to Mr. Gregory Prince, Social Officer, JSIF and City Knights Chess Club for their ongoing support to the Programme.