• Youth

Chess academy goes digital

Elizabeth Joseph

Tshoopara Tshoopara, better known as Chops, says chess has become one of the most relevant sports in the 21st century.

“We want to see it in schools as well as recreational centres,” Chops said, who was the master of ceremonies alongside El-Shaddai Aluteni at the launch of the Fianchetto Chess Academy last week.

The event was mainly used as a platform to introduce sponsors as well as parents to the academy’s website.

There was a brief demonstration on how to access the page and its different sections, presented by co-founders Jolly-Joyce Nepando and Lichen Mentile.

Mentile says she’s been playing chess for as far back as she can remember and has always been drawn by the valuable life lessons it has taught her.

“My partner and I founded this academy in 2017, and have seen it grow tremendously ever since. My chess journey started when I was eight, and it has now grown from a hobby to an entrepreneurial endeavour,” she said.

Among the guests was the president of the Namibia Chess Federation (NCF), Israel Shilongo, who had some encouraging words to say to the young entrepreneurs.

“I have seen drastic growth from this academy, among others. Although it has only been a year in, they have accomplished so much. The past few years has shown how undervalued chess has become in Namibia.

“In a time span of two years, it has gained its reputation and has earned its stripes,” Shilongo said.

He said the fact that women are starting to play their part in this phenomenal sport, makes him very proud.

“Fianchetto is the brainchild of two young Namibian women and renowned international chess representatives, who have made a move towards social entrepreneurship, and are eager to share the objective of inspiring and enabling tactical thinkers in Namibia, through offering comprehensive chess lessons,” said Shilongo.

Although the night started off at a slow pace, it was rounded off by the founders of the academy handing out pledging forms to the guests.

The funds raised at this event went solely to the efforts of the academy to become more established in schools, and to be able to afford the necessary equipment to accommodate each of their students.

The school project is only one of many programmes they offer. The academy also offers private lessons at N$600 per lesson per month.

“This programme is especially good for children who do not or cannot learn in a group and need extra attention,” Mentile said.

The aim of the website is to outline the aims and goals of the academy.

They also want to introduce their latest project called 'Chess Meets Underprivileged', where the less fortunate learn chess with the assistance of all the sponsors.

“I love the fact that women are using their voices to bring about a change in the mindsets of many. Our short-term goals are to not only reach many more schools in Namibia, but also outside. We want to bring more awareness around chess,” Nepando says.

“In one of the schools in Windhoek, we spent about four days with the children, and taught them how to play chess. They were able to name the pieces, such as the knights and pawns. It was a great success. We want to provoke discussion about the programme and raise awareness, which we hope will also raise funds and donations,” Mentile added.

Through more initiatives like this, the academy aims to “reach out to more schools in the near future, growing the chess community not only in schools, but in the country as a whole”.

With events such as the website launch, the academy's overall goal is to unite people from various sectors of the economy, and inspire them.

Jazz saxophonist Suzy Eises along with Mr Shines and several others graced the stage and delivered some amazing performances.

All in all, the event accomplished its objective and received a number of pledges towards the academy.