ECU 101 – Course

ECU101 – The SMART Method to Teach Chess

Develop Your Skills as a Professional Chess Educator

Chess is much more than a game. When used as an educational tool, it becomes a powerful medium for developing learners’ cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Effective chess teaching requires a well-defined set of professional competencies, combining subject expertise with pedagogical knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate learners over time.

Chess educators play a crucial role in creating meaningful learning experiences. Beyond teaching moves and strategies, they are responsible for fostering inclusive, structured, and learner-centred environments where students can grow, think critically, and develop confidence through chess.

To support educators in this important mission, the European Chess Union (ECU) Education Commission presents ECU101 – The SMART Method to Teach Chess, a professional training course designed to strengthen instructional competence in educational chess.

The course focuses on:

• Lesson planning and effective lesson structure
• Learner-centred teaching approaches
• Feedback techniques that enhance learning
• Motivation and engagement strategies
• Classroom management skills
• Practical teaching methods for educational chess
• Improving learning outcomes and educational impact

Participants will gain valuable tools and insights to design and deliver high-quality chess lessons that go beyond the board and contribute to learners’ overall development.

Course Information

Date: Saturday, 13 June 2026

Schedule:

• 09:00 – 12:00 | Session 1 (including a break)
• 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break
• 13:00 – 18:00 | Session 2 (including breaks)

Language: English (but if problems, help can be given in Dutch, French and German)

Venue: Pardoes, Ontvoeringsplein 12, 2800 Mechelen (Malines), Belgium

Fee: 60 EUR

Trainer: Philippe Vukojevic

Contact: philippe.vukojevic@chessconsult.be

Registration: https://ecuhub.eu/course/the-smart-method-to-teach-chess/

This initiative has been made possible through the commitment and vision of Cédric Comhaire and the organisation Chess&Mates, in cooperation with the ECU Education Commission.

Whether you are an experienced chess teacher, an educator looking to integrate chess into your teaching practice, or a chess enthusiast interested in educational methodologies, ECU101 offers a unique opportunity to enhance your professional skills and contribute to the growing field of educational chess.

Join us in Mechelen and discover how the SMART Method can transform the way chess is taught and learned.