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ARMENIA MAKES CHESS COMPULSORY FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN
The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/chess/8893205/Armenia-makes-chess-compulsory-for-school-children.html
Nov 16 2011
UK
Armenia, one of the world players in chess, has made it mandatory in
school for ages seven to nine.
Chess is a national obsession in the country of three million.
The passion was fostered in modern times by the exploits of chess
champion Tigran Petrosian, who won the world championship in 1963
and then successfully defended his title three years later.
In July, a six-person national squad came first at the World Team
Chess Championship in Ningbo, China. The returning players and
their coach were greeted as heroes and collectively awarded $20,000
(£12,600). That group included up-and-coming player Levon Aronian, 28,
who is currently rated third in the World Chess Federation's rankings.
Armenian authorities say teaching chess in school is about building
character, not breeding chess champs.
The education minister says taking the pastime into classrooms
will help nurture a sense of responsibility and organization among
schoolchildren, as well as serving as an example to the rest of
the world.
The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/chess/8893205/Armenia-makes-chess-compulsory-for-school-children.html
Nov 16 2011
UK
Armenia, one of the world players in chess, has made it mandatory in
school for ages seven to nine.
Chess is a national obsession in the country of three million.
The passion was fostered in modern times by the exploits of chess
champion Tigran Petrosian, who won the world championship in 1963
and then successfully defended his title three years later.
In July, a six-person national squad came first at the World Team
Chess Championship in Ningbo, China. The returning players and
their coach were greeted as heroes and collectively awarded $20,000
(£12,600). That group included up-and-coming player Levon Aronian, 28,
who is currently rated third in the World Chess Federation's rankings.
Armenian authorities say teaching chess in school is about building
character, not breeding chess champs.
The education minister says taking the pastime into classrooms
will help nurture a sense of responsibility and organization among
schoolchildren, as well as serving as an example to the rest of
the world.