Georgia makes chess compulsory in schools

The Ministry of Education of Georgia on Thursday revealed its decision to make chess a compulsory subject in schools starting in September.

Students will study chess from the first grade in order to “develop analytical, logical, critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills,” the national body said.

The subject will be introduced in the curriculum starting in the 2022-2023 academic year, with the Ministry and the National Chess Federation set to develop a teaching method and train teachers until the launch.

Making chess a school subject was a part of the March 15, 2012 Declaration of the European Parliament, the Georgian Ministry added.