Chess, traveling companion

As a father and teacher I am actively concerned about the education of the new generations.

In a world in continuous technological evolution, we can not be sure of what jobs our children will have in a few years: experts talk about destruction of millions of jobs, and also the creation of new ones.

How to prepare our students for that drastic change?

It seems logical to think that they will need a strong base in the knowledge and development of programming, deep knowledge of other languages, mathematical and scientific language… etc. But, above all, they will need great doses of creativity and sociability.

Creativity is an inherent quality of the human being that develops and learns. What artistic challenges with no pre-established and unique solutions can we present to our students? The answer goes through something as simple as a thousand-year-old table game: chess.

Chess endows people who practice it with patience when making decisions, enhances creativity and location in time and space, develops concentration and planning ability… Everything is in the next movement!

We are beginning a new schoolyear with this essential activity. We will continue learning through the analysis of exemplary games by the hand of Leontxo García and following the methodology of the Kasparov Foundation.

Last year Viaró students we able to talk to Francisco Vallejo as another activity in the curriculum. The best chess player in Spanish history told us he would love to answer our students’ questions.

He was preparing for a major international chess tournament that was held in Moscow. The 5 times Spanish champion took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to some of the students from Viaró Chess Club.

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Why did you choose chess?

R: I started to play because my family played. I continued to play and improve because of passion for the game.

Who taught you to play?

R: I initially learned by watching other people play. I later joined the chess school in Es Castell.

How old were you when you won your first tournament?

R: I was talented from a young age and started winning quickly!

Is it possible to earn good money playing chess?

R: It is possible if you are one of the top players.

Do you still get nervous when you are playing in finals?

R: Yes, even though have been competing for 30 years the nerves are still there, at some tournaments more than others.

Do you like football?

R: I love football. I love playing more than anything, but will happily watch a good match aswell.

What is your favourite team?

R: Real Madrid, although I do not consider myself a fanatic.

What can we do to make chess have a more prominent position in the media?

R: To be aware of its lack of prominence is a good start.

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We also organized a championship. The competition was strong and after a lot of effort, the winner was Joan Castelló (4th Primary A). He also decided to enhance his talent by taking chess lessons.