The Chess School is a free nationwide offline chess program organized by the NGO “Vy.Mova” with the support of British International Master Malcolm Pein. The pilot stage has launched in two cities — Kobeliaky (Poltava region) and Derhachi (Kharkiv region). In the future, the project will expand to other communities where the organization’s educational hubs operate.
In many regions where the NGO’s hubs are active, children have limited access to quality extracurricular activities. That is why the team decided to start in smaller towns, where such initiatives are needed the most. Within the school, children learn to think strategically, stay focused, analyze situations, and make decisions — all through a game that combines logic, discipline, and creativity.
“We are launching this chess school because we see it not only as an intellectual sport but as a tool for children’s development. Chess builds the ability to think several steps ahead, teaches concentration, perseverance, and logic. It is also a wonderful way to bring children together within their communities,” — notes Oleksii Potapskyi, Head of the NGO Vy.Mova.
The course offers regular offline classes for children aged 7 to 16. The program includes learning the rules of the game, basic combinations, principles of tactics and strategy, development of logical thinking, and participation in mini-tournaments. All sessions are conducted by an experienced coach following a methodology developed in cooperation with Malcolm Pein, a long-time international tournament participant, trainer, and author of several chess manuals.
Training is held completely free of charge at the NGO’s local educational hubs. In Kobeliaky, classes take place every Monday and Wednesday at 14:30 at 2 Yuriivska Street. In Derhachi, classes are held every Wednesday at 17:30 and Saturday at 14:45 at 10 Sadova Street.
