Twenty-two teachers and students from four Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) schools came together at the David Rose Special School to take part in a mini chess tournament hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Needs & Disability Department.
While the tournament celebrated competition and camaraderie, it also highlighted the transformative role chess can play in the lives of students with special educational needs and disabilities.
Emerging as the Best Student was Micah Courtman of Diamond Special Needs & Disabilities School, whose achievement reflected the determination and talent fostered through initiatives such as these.
Far more than a recreational activity, chess has proven to be a powerful educational tool within special education settings. The game strengthens executive functioning skills by encouraging students to plan, consider consequences, and improve concentration and impulse control. It also promotes problem-solving in a low-pressure environment where mistakes become opportunities for learning rather than indicators of failure. Through structured interactions such as turn-taking, handshakes, and expressions of sportsmanship, students practise communication and relationship-building in ways that are predictable and supportive.
Educators have increasingly embraced chess as an innovative teaching resource. Adaptations, including the use of larger boards and alternative methods of communicating moves, ensure that students with varying needs can participate meaningfully. Within the SEND community, the impact can be profound, with educators sharing powerful stories of students discovering new ways to express themselves, connect with others, and believe in their own capabilities.
The Guyana Chess Federation sponsored the trophies for the tournament, while the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Needs & Disabilities Department provided meals and transportation for participants. The initiative forms part of a broader effort to expand access to chess across SEND schools, with the GCF continuing to provide training for teachers to equip them with the skills needed to introduce and sustain chess programmes within their classrooms.
The Ministry of Education extends sincere appreciation to Ms Sabine McIntosh for organising the tournament; Marcia and John Lee, who served as arbiters with assistance from Anaya Lall; and Karlina Prakash Phillips, Anita Lall, and the staff of the David Rose Special School for their invaluable support in ensuring the success of the event.