In continuing its drive to bring chess to persons with disabilities, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) Special Needs Committee in an unprecedented initiative, hosted a training session catering to teachers and students from eight Special Education Needs schools.
Held last Friday at the David Rose Special School, nine teachers and over 20 students from St. Barnabas Special School, Linden School for Special Children, New Amsterdam Special Needs School, David Rose Special School, Diamond Special Needs School, and Schoonord Learning Centre all benefitted from the session.
Sabine McIntosh, head of the GCF Special Needs Committee spearheaded the session. As the training sessions continue, the goal of the GCF is to have the special needs students being able to compete at the 2024 National Special Education Needs (SEN) Championship which is slated for later this year.
While several of the students were familiar with the game, the GCF volunteers were able to assist in correcting and demonstrating the rules of the game.
Following the instructions from the GCF officials, the students were able to demonstrate their new-found knowledge as they played against each other.
According to a release from the GCF, the students were highly competitive “as they expressed joy and enthusiasm after winning a game or capturing their opponent’s pieces. They found ways to communicate when their king was in check or when a checkmate occurred”.
The teachers who were present at the training session are the core trainers for chess in their respective schools.
The GCF thanked the David Rose Special School for “providing the venue and the McDonald family, who provided meals for the participants and staff”.
