Our objectives include:
• To attract and manage donor funding for the purpose of
supporting chess activities as a tool for education and social
development across the African continent;
• To support "Elite" players from African countries with a
focus on promising juniors with the potential to become
international masters and grandmasters;
• To facilitate co-operation between international partners
who are willing to assist with the development of the game
of chess across the African continent; and
• To assist with the establishment of chess centres of
excellence across the African continent. Our Operations
In order to fulfil our objectives we seek to
• Source financial support for chess development activities
from individuals, private foundations, corporate sponsors
and local government;
• Enter into strategic partnerships with operational chess
development organizations to further chess based
development activities across the African continent; and
• Co-operate with global KCF affiliates to benefit from, and
contribute towards, the establishment of best practices
across geographic boundaries. The numerous benefits of chess for children have been well
researched and documented. By playing chess, children develop or sharpen:
• The ability to visualize moves and patterns in their minds;
• The ability to create plans;
• The ability to focus their thoughts and energies;
• The ability to solve problems as they occur,
• The ability to apply knowledge in dynamic and creative ways. Over the last 50 years empirical research has demonstrated
the existence of a direct relationship between cognitive ability
and chess playing. Chess education is extremely effective with
children because chess:
• Involves all aspects of critical thinking
• Demands children to take responsibility for their own
thinking
• Improves problem-solving skills;
• Is shared and learned on a peer level;
• Inculcates a positive competitive attitude;
• Makes learning how to think fun! But chess is also beneficial in many other important ways in
that it:
• Raises self-esteem;
• Teaches determination, self-motivation and sportsmanship;
• Occupies time in a positive manner; and
• Can be enjoyed by children from all social backgrounds,
ages, races and genders. What we can offer
The Foundation wants to bring chess to as many schools in
Africa as possible. We want as many schools as possible to
make a start with promoting, introducing and implementing a
chess curriculum in the classroom. Therefore we will seek to
support schools by
• providing guidance in deciding on a chess learning
program,
• provide communication materials to promote chess,
• provide contacts of chess teachers in the region,
• provide chess materials (in a reasonable way) and
• convey research about the effect of chess in schools. In the coming months we will continue to add support
material to our website.
