Educational partnerships
Together for education through chess
We work with the national federation, international chess academies and dozens of kindergartens, schools and associations in Iași. This is how chess reaches as many children as possible, from their first steps to competitive play.
Kasparov Chess Foundation Academy
The academy of the foundation created by Garry Kasparov, world champion from 1985 to 2000 and considered by many the greatest chess player of all time.
KCF Academy is the Kasparov Foundation’s training programme, launched in January 2024. Its pilot stage alone brought together about 500 participants from 100 countries, and in 2026 it reached its third season.
Its lessons are built on the training system of the Botvinnik School, the chess school that produced world champions such as Karpov, Kasparov and Kramnik. The academy also works with federations and junior teams through group packages.
For many years the Kasparov Foundation has promoted chess as an educational tool in European schools, in lessons and in after-school activities.
What it means for our children
- access to one of the best-known training methods in the world
- international standards in club training
- extra motivation for players who want to compete at a high level
- a direct link to the “chess in schools” movement in Europe
European Chess Academy
An institute for developing creative thinking, based in Maribor (Slovenia).
The academy was founded by two Slovenian grandmasters and friends, Adrian Mikhalchishin and Georg Mohr, both FIDE Senior Trainers and among the most respected trainers of coaches in Europe. Their vision is simple: to show everyone why chess is the most beautiful game in the world, the best educational tool and a wonderful way to socialise.
The academy runs chess schools, tournaments for all levels and training programmes for teachers and coaches, and publishes training materials. Together with the European Chess Union (ECU) and the Kasparov Foundation it has organised international summer camps in Maribor with participants from more than 14 countries, and with the ECU it has run annual online training programmes.
What it means for our children
- access to the experience of top European coaches
- modern methods of teaching chess to children
- ongoing training for the club’s coaches
- a path to international camps and competitions
Romanian Chess Federation – National Programme “Educație prin Șah” (Education through Chess)
“Educație prin Șah” is the national programme of the Romanian Chess Federation, run in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Approved at the end of 2022 and launched in 2023, it brings chess into state schools as an optional subject, especially in grades 3 and 4.
It has three strands: teacher training (an accredited 50-hour course), introducing chess as an optional subject and organising tournaments for pupils.
Our role in the programme
- we organise “Educație prin Șah” tournaments for children in Iași, for example at the Felicia shopping centre
- we host “Educație prin Șah” Grand Prix rounds in Iași
- we support schools and kindergartens that want to introduce chess
Partner kindergartens
Centrul Educațional Hopscotch Iași
An educational centre in Iași that puts “Learn through play!” into practice, offering children education and care in a safe and harmonious environment, following the British model of personalised education. Its philosophy fits naturally with chess, through which children learn while playing.
Grădinița cu Program Prelungit nr. 4 Iași
A state kindergarten in Iași that aims to be an educational resource centre for the community and a solid first step in education. Through our partnership, children take their first steps in chess right at kindergarten.
Grădinița cu Program Prelungit nr. 25 Iași
A full-day kindergarten in the Alexandru cel Bun district, guided by the motto “We grow, play and learn together!”. The perseverance nurtured here is the same value children discover at the chessboard.
Partner schools and high schools
Școala Primară „Elite” Iași
A prestigious primary school in Iași that offers every child a personalised educational path in a warm and stimulating environment. Year after year its pupils are admitted to the city’s centres of excellence, and its young chess players have often reached the podium, including at the European Championships. The International Chess Club room is under the same roof, at 54 Aurel Vlaicu Street.
Liceul „Varlaam Mitropolitul” Iași
A school under the patronage of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina, where pupils discover and develop their talents for personal, professional and social life in the light of Christian teaching. Chess completes their education through thinking, patience and respect.
Liceul Internațional Spectrum Iași
A private international school, part of the Spectrum schools network, known for its modern curriculum. Together we organise the Spectrum International High School Cup, a tournament for pupils from schools across Iași.
Școala Gimnazială „B.P. Hasdeu” Iași
One of the largest and most respected middle schools in Iași, with more than 1,300 pupils and many European Erasmus+ projects, with which we bring chess closer to pupils.
Școala Gimnazială „Brătianu” Iași
A middle school with a remarkable tradition in Iași, known as “School 10, a top-marks school”, with which we organise chess classes and tournaments for pupils.
Școala Gimnazială „Ionel Teodoreanu” Iași
A middle school in the Tătărași district that proudly bears the name of the writer Ionel Teodoreanu and runs European projects on culture, heritage and technology. With us, its pupils discover chess and its benefits for developing their thinking.
Școala Gimnazială „Ion Ghica” Iași
A long-established middle school in Iași, valued for the quality of its teaching and its pupils’ results in school competitions, and a trusted partner in chess activities for children.
Școala Primară „Junior” Iași
The first primary school in Romania to operate within a university, part of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, where children discover chess from the very first grades.
Partner associations
Asociația Bravo Events
A non-governmental organisation that brings European-inspired cultural and educational ideas into schools. Together with the Iași County School Inspectorate, it develops non-formal and extracurricular activities and supports teachers and parents.
Asociația Asnatura
The Iași Outdoor Sports Association, dedicated to education through movement and sport, with which we run educational projects for children and young people.
Would you like to bring chess to your kindergarten, school or association? We organise classes, tournaments and demonstration workshops adapted to the children’s age. Write to us or call +40 742 985 233.