Today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to pull children away from their phones. Parents, teachers and educators who see changes in students’ behavior every day are noticing the same thing: short videos, games, social media and endless streams of content capture a child’s attention much faster than a textbook, an assignment or a long text.
As a result, one of the most important skills for real learning is weakening - the ability to concentrate. Children are finding it harder to understand new information deeply, hold a thought for a long time, analyze it and finish what they have started.
According to grandmaster Darmen Sadvakasov, first vice-president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation KazChess, this is exactly why today’s school must not only provide knowledge, but also teach children how to think.
Why chess is becoming an important answer in the age of smartphones
According to Darmen Sadvakasov, clip thinking has become a real challenge for the education system. Children are getting used to fast content, where everything changes every few seconds. But life, learning and a future profession require something different - attention, patience and the ability to make decisions.
In this sense, chess is not just a game. It is a workout for the mind.
“Chess is not just about the game. It is about the ability to think, concentrate and make decisions. And these are exactly the skills that are becoming essential today,” says Darmen Sadvakasov.
KazChess
At the chessboard, a child cannot simply scroll on. They have to stop, assess the position on the board, calculate possible risks, anticipate consequences and make a move. Then they have to accept the outcome of their decision.
Today, this skill is especially important.
Kazakhstan has already exceeded its school chess target
In 2023, on the instructions of the Head of State, Kazakhstan developed and approved by government resolution a Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Chess. One of its key areas was the introduction of chess in schools.
The initial goal was to cover 1,400 schools by 2027. But interest turned out to be higher than expected.
More than 1,500 schools are already participating in the program. Most of them are rural schools.
For Darmen Sadvakasov, this is a matter of principle. In his view, quality chess education should be available to every child in Kazakhstan, regardless of whether they live in a large city or a small village.
Teachers themselves are showing growing interest
Developing chess in schools requires teachers who know not only the rules of the game, but also understand its educational value.
According to Darmen Sadvakasov, interest among teachers is growing significantly. More than 3,500 teachers have already completed advanced training courses, and the number of those willing to join is increasing every year.
This year, another 2,000 teachers are expected to be trained.
This is an important sign: chess is increasingly being seen not as an additional formal workload, but as a tool that can genuinely help children.
KazChess
Universities are training certified chess teachers
Another important step is the launch of a program to train certified chess teachers under the Minor program at five pedagogical universities.
More than 200 students are already studying in this field. By 2028, Kazakhstan is expected to have at least 1,000 graduates with diplomas.
This shows that chess is not a temporary initiative, but is gradually becoming part of the education system.
The program will be strengthened
Darmen Sadvakasov discussed the further development of chess education with Minister of Education Zhuldyz Suleimenova.
KazChess
Following the meeting, the initiative received full support. Together with the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, a working group will be established under the Ministry of Education to further develop the program.
This is an important signal: the state views chess not merely as a sport, but as a tool for shaping an intellectual nation.
Chess is an investment in the future
We often talk about the skills of the future - critical thinking, analytical ability, concentration and decision-making. But these qualities cannot be developed through slogans alone.
They need to be trained.
Chess provides exactly that opportunity. It teaches children not to rush, to think several moves ahead, to see alternatives and to understand consequences.
At a time when screens are increasingly capturing children’s attention, this ability becomes especially valuable.
KazChess
“Chess is becoming a truly necessary tool in education. This is our contribution to building an intellectual nation,” says Darmen Sadvakasov.
