SOME 200 teachers will undergo a series of seminars and trainings this month at the recently launched National Chess Academy (NCA) in preparation for the inclusion of chess in the regular curriculum of elementary and high school students this coming school year.

NCA training director and grand master Buenaventura Villamayor said the teachers will undergo intensive training starting May 7 to 12 from local chess masters.

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"We wanted to do this right since this is the first project of its kind in the country," Villamayor said, adding that the training will be conducted in two phases-from May 7 to 9 and May 10 to 12.

Some P1 million has been allotted for the training, which included the transportation, lodging, and other expenses.

A three-day seminar workshop will also be given, after which a Certificate of Chess Competence will be awarded to those who successfully pass a Competency Test to be administered by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) through the NCA.

The program is part of the agreement signed Thursday by the Department of Education (DepEd) with NCFP represented by its president, former Surigao del Sur congressman Prospero Pichay, for the establishment of the NCA to serve as the training ground for chess teachers, coaches, and arbiters. It will also organize age-group tournaments in all regions.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the signing of the agreement held at the DepEd central office in Pasig City.

Also present during the signing ceremony was Filipino grand master Eugene Torre.

Earlier, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said chess will be included in the Edukasyon sa Pagpapalakas ng Katawan subject of Grade I to VI and in the Physical Education classes of those in high school.

The program, Lapus said, will help achieve 90 percent chess literacy and regain Philippine chess supremacy in Asia.

He said that global studies have shown that chess is a game that improves individual organization and analytical skills.

Children, when exposed to this game at an early age, achieve academically better or even faster than those who have not been engaged in the same game.

"It is because chess is considered a game that encourages a higher level of thinking that DepEd this year will start teaching it in elementary and high school," Lapus explained.

The education chief added that chess is one sporting event where Filipinos have a greater chance of producing super grand masters. "Just like Wesley So, our youngest and highest rated Filipino grandmaster who is just a few notches away from the elite club of world chess," he noted.

So ranks 89th in the world and 7th in the junior category.

The Philippines thus far has 11 grand masters, namely Villamayor, Torre, So, the late Rosendo Balinas, Rogelio Antonio Jr., Nelson Mariano Jr., Mark Paragua, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzalez, John Paul Gomez, and Joseph Sanchez. (AH/Sunnex)