Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC) is a UK charity whose mission is to improve children’s educational outcomes and social development by introducing them to the game of chess. Founded in 2009, CSC now teach in over 300 schools and support 500 more nationwide. CSC also organise a world-class tournament, the ‘London Chess Classic’ (LCC).
Purling London has been supporting the Chess in Schools and Communities charity since our establishment in 2012. We have regularly contributed to their LCC tournament, creating artistic pop-up spaces for school children and spectators to play chess in a unique and fun atmosphere with our colourful boards.
Over the years, we have been very pleased to donate many chess sets and games to CSC for their schools and charity fundraising through galas and auctions. Purling has even specially created and donated a hand-painted London Chess Classic trophy, which was won by World Champion, Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen!
Chess in Schools & Communities is a charity which does incredible work and touches the lives of so many in profound ways. We really believe in the mission of CSC – using chess to benefit young and disadvantaged people in their life skills, social interaction, cognitive development, creative thinking, decision making, communication, amongst others.
“Chess is a universal game, knowing no boundaries of age, gender, faith, ethnicity or disability, that promotes key intellectual skills such as problem solving, logical thinking, pattern recognition and concentration. Playing chess also fosters intellectual character. Its cerebral reputation boosts self-esteem and gives children ‘grit’ – the tenacity to cope with adversity – which helps them grow into rounded and employable individuals. It does this by teaching children how to lose and how to win gracefully, to think ahead and foresee the consequences of their actions.” Chess in Schools and Communities
“Chess is a powerful educational intervention, but that doesn’t mean that it has to stop at the classroom door. Our mission is to make chess available to everyone regardless of their circumstances, and we work with communities throughout the UK to ensure that everyone can benefit from the game, providing support such as free chess sets, training in how to teach chess and access to our curriculum and other teaching materials.” Chess in Schools and Communities
Read more about the benefits of Chess HERE.
