QCA, NU-Q hold joint ‘Chess and Strategic Thinking’ training course

QATAR Chess Association (QCA) and Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), a university partner of Qatar Foundation, organised a joint course ‘Chess and Strategic Thinking’ with the participation of 20 students from the university’s faculty of arts.

The course ‘Chess and Strategic Thinking’ was developed by Grandmaster and head coach of the Qatar national team Victor Bologan and Jairo Lugo-Ocando, who is a professor in residence at Northwestern University in Qatar as part of the Liberal Arts programme.

In his speech to the students via video communication technology, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Arkady Dvorkovich praised the efforts to develop the game of chess in Qatar, noting that the FIDE is closely following this experience in Qatar.

It is the first time that a chess course is offered and it combines strategic and critical thinking, he said, looking forward to visiting Doha soon in order to support the development of the game of chess in Qatar.

QCA President Mohamed Al Mudahka said that the cooperation between the QCA and Northwestern University in Qatar aims to achieve many goals, foremost of which is spreading and expanding the culture of chess in universities, especially as it is part of a full study programme.

He appreciated the great cooperation with the university’s board of directors. He expressed his aspiration for more cooperation and a continuous organisation of this type of courses that help the QCA

The course ‘Chess and Strategic Thinking’ was developed by Grandmaster and Head Coach of Qatar national team Victor Bologan and Jairo Lugo-Ocando, who is a professor in residence at Northwestern University in Qatar as part of the Liberal Arts programme

achieve its vision, develop the game of chess and build a large base for it, enable it to have a strong presence in international tournaments.

The course was held intensively for five weeks in a row with threehours daily lessons, lots of homework, chess tournaments, individual training and consultations.

The final grade will be composed of attendance, a chess tournament and a test, and the final essay, which should describe a

political, economic, social or historical situation using chess terms and strategic thinking taught during the course.