I’m writing my August blog from Greece. A view of the sea and Thessaloniki’s White Tower in the distance. A rook steeped in history.

As I take in the view I refocus because today is a big day. It’s an honour to meet Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou the General Secretary of the European Chess Union.

Theodoros, a former player for Greece and Fide Master, is one of the most prominent members of the European Chess Community. A well respected organiser of the biggest chess events and president of AMO Galaxia Thessaloniki Chess Club.

A busy man indeed and a day before Greece’s biggest national holiday (we celebrate August 15th, the Feast of Dormition of the Virgin Mary) I’m truly lucky to have this time.

We spoke about life in Greece, London, teaching and the buzzing chess scene and talent here.

New ECU course

The main focus of our meeting was to find out about the new Chess in Primary Education course that provides a lifelong academic certificate from the University of the Aegean. Katerina Frantzi is the academic director and Jesper Hall is course director.

Theodoros, the new Chess in Primary Education course has launched. Can you tell me about the vision behind the course?

The ECU wanted to offer a course for primary school teachers that would could be accredited and recognised in different countries. Something transferable if a teacher was to move from school to school.

It’s unique in the sense that teachers can choose when to study rather than have a one or two day intensive course. This flexibility allows you to find a balance between work, study and home commitments.

I also like that it gives you time to process and apply what you’ve learnt. Learning theory and pedagogy and then time to put what you’ve learnt into the classroom.

Why has this course caught my attention?

Ofcourse I would love a qualification recognised at university level. Giving status to chess education and showing a teacher’s expertise.

I love the two options of study. Choice is always appealing to learners:

16 weeks = 20 hours study time

32 weeks = 10 hours study time

Teachers have quite a workload. It’s a job you take home with you. So having a course online with videos to watch at a time when I choose sounds great. There’s a variety of learning tasks, assessments and two live sessions.

Course Content

There are 6 modules but it’s modules 2 and 3 that have caught my eye in particular. Chess throughout History and Culture and What does research studies about Chess in Education? Preparation for a special project.

Children are fascinated by the history of each chess piece and the origins of the game. I think this could be a course on its own! 😉

The Six Modules:

Chess Research Database

The recently launched Chess Database is also exciting. A treasure trove of chess research studies from around the world at your finger tips!

Course experts

I know there are a high calibre of tutors and course creators. I have learnt from and worked with John Foley and Brigitta Peszleg. I’ve also attended an online seminar with Jesper Hall. There will be links to research, classroom practice and pedagogy showing you how chess is a tool for education.

Course Information

For more information check out the course flyer below:

Advice for a primary school teacher: You don’t have to be a professional chess player!

Theodoros agreed. This has been said to me by several experts in chess education.

You don’t have to be a great chess player but you must be a good teacher. He gave me two pieces of advice.

1. If you were here in Thessaloniki then I would suggest you join a club and play socially.
2. I would recommend that you try the course.

Well for those of you that read my blog you’ll know that finally I’m ready to visit one of London’s chess clubs. There’s no rush or pressure to play in clubs but it’s something I really want to do now.

Over the years I have done a range of great chess teaching courses including ECU 101 course The Smart Method to Teach Chess. (I was also the 1000th participant!)

However this new course sounds like it would give any primary teacher or tutor a solid foundation covering all areas to teach effectively. In order to reach more children and share the gift of chess we have to train school teachers. This is how we make the biggest impact.

Exciting news for Autumn

I think I will be taking Theodoros’ advice and signing up. I will also be a course creator this Autumn…

When I finally leave the beautiful Greek sea and sunshine I’ll be busy preparing a Maths and Chess Course for Chessplus. Full of problemsolving tasks for the primary maths classroom, I can’t wait!

The Chess World Welcomes You

If you’re in any doubt about adding chess to your teaching bow and arrow don’t be.

The chess world is truly welcoming. It’s the reason I’ve stayed in teaching for more than 20 years now. I need that something, that creative ownership and the need to be amongst passionate educators fighting for what they believe in! Chess can indeed change lives.

Before I go, I want to share the final question I asked Theodoro:

What are your favourite platforms for teaching chess?

Without hesitation, Theodoros chose ChessKid.com

I have to agree. I often use the videos when teaching chess concepts. Informative, visual and so much fun! Mike Klein adds magic to any classroom.

(I pause and give my big cheesy smile but not the teacher stare ofcourse)

Any other platforms?

Yes ofcourse LogiqBoard

http://logiqboard.com

We spend the final part of our drink looking at LogiqBoard. It is more than just a chessboard. It’s a learning platform that also features on the ECU course and many other great courses too! You will learn and play through LogiqBoard. Not only to be used by the teacher at the front of the classroom but also for students to use in independent and paired work on paper worksheets or online worksheets.

I shared my post of the day.

Balancing Life and Balancing Scales on LogiqBoard.

Each colour is a mystery chess piece. Can you identify the mystery pieces?

Creative Learning Zone

Theodoros also explained that many primary schools in Greece now offer a Flexible Creative Zone. A time when schools choose from 15/20 programmes to run. This could be robotics, gymnastics or chess, for example. Giving all children this inclusive approach to chess is wonderful! Materials and slides are all provided. This is a topic to return to…

Theodoros thank you for your time.

My holiday has been filled with magical moments and this is one of them.

Γειά σας!

Χαρικλεια 💙🤍💙🤍💙

My Greece