In August 2026, partners of the NordPlus-funded project CHESS – Chess as an Educational Tool for Social Inclusion gathered in Iceland for a transnational project meeting focused on strengthening cooperation, exchanging knowledge and exploring new ways to use chess as an educational tool.
Hosted by Island Panorama Center, the meeting brought together project partners from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Iceland to review ongoing activities and discuss how classical and non-classical chess can support soft-skill development and social inclusion across different educational settings.
Strengthening Cooperation and Sharing Expertise
The meeting began with a welcome from the host organisation, followed by a session led by CEIR, the project coordinator, focusing on project management, dissemination and communication. Partners discussed the promotion of project activities and results through social media, the EPALE platform, partner websites and relevant conferences, ensuring that the project’s outcomes reach educators, trainers and organisations across Europe.
An important part of the programme was a visit and exchange with the Icelandic Chess Federation. This provided an opportunity to learn more about the Icelandic chess context and explore how chess-related expertise can contribute to educational initiatives and inclusive learning practices.
Learning Through Chess
The meeting also included a dedicated chess seminar organised with contributions from the Riga Chess Federation and Island Panorama Center. The seminar offered an opportunity to exchange experiences and consider how chess activities can be adapted to different learners and educational environments.
Beyond its competitive dimension, chess can encourage critical thinking, strategic planning, problem-solving, patience and emotional self-regulation. When integrated into inclusive learning activities, it can also create opportunities for communication, cooperation and participation among people from diverse backgrounds.
These principles are central to the CHESS project, which aims to connect school, vocational, higher and adult education while promoting innovative approaches to soft-skill development.
Connecting Chess, Culture and Inclusion
The programme also included a visit to the Bobby Fischer Center in Selfoss, offering partners an opportunity to explore the cultural and historical significance of chess. This visit complemented the project’s educational focus by connecting the international chess tradition with discussions about its potential in contemporary learning.
The Iceland meeting represented an important step in strengthening the partnership and advancing the project’s shared objectives. By combining collaboration, practical learning and cultural exchange, CHESS continues to promote chess as more than a game: a flexible educational resource that can help learners develop valuable life skills and participate more actively in society.
Through continued international cooperation, the project aims to equip educators and trainers with approaches that make learning more engaging, accessible and inclusive.
CHESS – Strategy That Builds Inclusion.
Learn more about the project: https://www.chessnordplus.eu/
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