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Established by FIDE (World Chess Federation) and recognized by the United Nations, World Chess Day is celebrated on July 20. It is an international day dedicated to celebrating the game of chess and its cultural, educational and social benefits.
Ryan Bergen, founder of the Vertelt Chess Foundation in Suriname, told GFC News that the education sector offers chess courses to encourage active development among young and old people. According to him, chess is becoming increasingly popular in Suriname.
Last year, Bergen taught the basics of chess to a group of young people. Last month, some of his students participated in the National Youth Chess Championship. The students are affiliated with the “De Ondernemertjes” school in the CCS (Cultural Center of Suriname) complex.
Bergen looks back with satisfaction: “One of my U8 players came in third, while another just missed out on the top 5. Two weeks ago, one student even became the women’s champion in the beginners’ tournament. It’s all about motivation and making sure the games stay interesting.”
He explains that chess promotes systems thinking, trade-offs and prioritization. “To beat your opponent, you have to have a plan. That requires you to analyze and assess risks. You have to have insight into strategy and tactics.”
“So you learn to set short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. Because chess is dynamic, you have to constantly adjust your plans.”
Bergen said young people generally take to this intellectual sport very positively because it is a new game for them. “It comes with a lot of enthusiasm because it stimulates the brain. People who watch a chess match for the first time are fascinated by the movement of the pieces because each one moves differently.”
“It’s very enriching for the kids because they keep discovering new possibilities. A lot of people really like that you can also capture your opponent’s pieces.”
“Capturing pieces at the beginning of someone’s chess career is called the material phase. As you progress, your spatial insight increases, and you learn about weak and strong fields. The third phase is the timing phase, where you learn to play with the clock and make decisions within a certain time frame.”
Bergen said raising awareness of chess could start in schools, where he recently visited two schools and found that the children found it very interesting.
“Once young people realise that chess helps them do well in school, they become interested, and it attracts other kids too. Parents take notice, too. If they see chess having a positive impact on the kids around them, they’ll be inclined to let their kids play chess.”
He also said that chess could be better known through various channels in the media and neighborhood communities.
Jennifer Atmo is the Editor-in-Chief of GFC News. She describes herself as a true Surinamese expert, passionate about lifestyle and entertainment topics. In addition to her role in the media, Atmo is also the President of KIVC, an organization that promotes social affairs.
Contact: jennifer@gfcnieuws.com
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