19.01.2012
The Minister, Dimitri Shashkini and chess grandmaster, Garry Kasparov, signed a cooperation agreement that envisages popularization of the Chess among the youngsters. Before the signing ceremony, the Minister and the former world chess champion played a friendly chess game.

The chess grandmaster has developed a special program for chess. The program implies teaching chess via computer; Georgian schools have modern IT infrastructure and necessary equipments and Georgia will be the first country that will use the new methodology in the process of teaching chess.

The chess grandmaster is convinced that introduction of Chess at schools will increase the quality of learning at general educational institutions; “ Playing chess  requires analytical skills ; at the same time, chess rules contribute to developing the sense of responsibility and prudence among the children; learning of the Chess at schools will also reveal many talented adults”, says Mr. Garry Kasparov. He also thinks that Chess is not only a sport; rather, it is a tool of improving the education.

From 2010-2011 academic year, sports classes have been introduced at schools; the schools are free to opt among different kinds of sports, more than 800 schools have chosen Chess among other kinds of sports.