FIDE Chess in Education Commission Unveils New Course Schedule for Spring 2026

FIDE’s Chess in Education Commission (EDU) is aiming to further expand educational chess worldwide through a new set of online and in-person courses scheduled for spring 2026. The announced programs are designed not merely to teach chess, but to help bring chess into the classroom as a pedagogical tool through sound instructional methods. This approach has become increasingly important in recent years as school chess initiatives continue to gain momentum across many countries.

One of the headline offerings is the Preparation of Lecturers (PoL) course. Successfully completing this program leads toward the FIDE title of Lead School Instructor (LSI). The course is intended primarily for those who will go on to train chess teachers themselves. In this way, FIDE is seeking not only to increase the number of instructors, but also to build a qualified network of experts capable of raising standards in educational chess across different regions. Such a structure carries strategic value for the long-term development of chess in education.

Another key program is the Preparation of Teachers (PoT) course, which opens the path to the FIDE title of School Instructor (SI). This three-day, 15-hour training provides participants with pedagogical methods, digital tools, and practical classroom strategies. The central idea is that chess is not only a sport or a competitive discipline; it is also a powerful educational component that can support attention, problem-solving, planning, patience, and decision-making skills. For that reason, PoT courses represent an important professional development opportunity for educators working with a wide range of age groups, from preschool to secondary education.

In the FIDE EDU calendar for April 2026, one of the first highlighted events is the 3rd Arabic PoT online course, scheduled for April 3-5, with registration available through the official FIDE link. Shortly afterward, the 7th Russian PoT course will be held in person in Astana, Kazakhstan, from April 7-9, with registration managed via WhatsApp. By offering programs in different languages and formats, FIDE is making the educational dimension of chess more inclusive while also building a flexible model that responds to regional needs. Stronger institutional support for teacher training may ultimately help schools implement chess in a more systematic way, with clearer educational outcomes.