Israel is introducing chess to the school curriculum

On 18 December Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with Mr. Natan Sharansky, well-known politician of Israel, Head of the governmental organization on support of Jewish diaspora, public and cultural organizations all around the world.

On 19 December FIDE President discussed the questions of the implementation of chess to the curriculum of general schools with Dr. Shimshon Shoshani, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Education. In according to the results of the meeting Dr. Shoshani made a decision on granting the necessary funds and on preparation the necessary documents for introducing chess to the obligatory program of Israeli schools. Dr. Shoshani mentioned that the agreement between Ministry of Education of Israel and Israeli chess federation will be signed in the nearest future. Besides, it was added that it is planned to introduce chess not only to the school curriculum but to the program of education of children in preschool institutions. The agreement between FIDE and Israeli chess federation of the joint realization of the program “Chess in Schools” in Israel was signed earlier.

During the meeting Kirsan Ilyumzhinov told of the experience of chess implementation to schools and invited Dr. Shoshani to the Republic of Kalmykia to know the kalmyk experience. Mr. Israel Gelfer, FIDE Vice President, Mr. Yigal Lotan, Israeli chess federation, Mr. Emil Sutovsky, Chief Executive Officer of Israeli chess federation and key specialists of the Ministry of Education of Israel also took part in the meeting.

At the same day Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had the meeting with Mr. Varshavyak, Head of the National Olympic Committee of Israel. The main topic of the meeting was the introduction of chess to the program of Winter Olympic Games. Mr. Varshavyak supported the offer and efforts of Kirsan Ilyumzhonov and noted that he will discuss this question with Jacques Rogge, President of International Olympic Committee during the forthcoming meeting in January 2011.