Life Lessons Derived from Chessboard Experiences
The Happy Chess Project, a venture initiated by the Việt Nam Chess Federation (VCF) in 2023 under the leadership of Dr. Jane Nguyen, is revolutionizing education for underprivileged children in Vietnam. This innovative project combines chess education with advanced technology, using the ChessUp smart chess set version 2, to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to modern learning methods and technology.
Launched in 2023, the Happy Chess Project has already provided hundreds of chess sets and trained hundreds of volunteer chess and sports coaches for shelters, social welfare centres, and disadvantaged communities. The project's goal is ambitious: to provide 100,000 chess sets and train 1,000 volunteer coaches for underprivileged children by 2028.
The ChessUp smart chess sets, sponsored by The Grand Hồ Tràm, incorporate artificial intelligence to help children learn and practice chess effectively. These sets offer features that guide each move, analyze tactics in real-time, and offer high interactivity. This technology not only helps children improve their chess skills but also ignites their enthusiasm for learning.
The Happy Chess & Friendship 2025 tournament, organized by the VCF, took place last weekend at the Mother's Love Shelter 2 in Thuận An Ward, HCM City. About 50 children from the RoyalChess Khang Điền Centre participated in the tournament, competing and interacting in a supportive environment that fostered friendship, sportsmanship, self-confidence, and lifelong skills beyond chess itself.
The tournament featured innovative approaches such as AI-powered smart chessboards connected to global platforms like Chess.com, providing real-time move analysis and tactical guidance. This exposure connects Vietnamese children to global chess trends and communities, fostering a sense of unity and shared passion.
The proceeds from tournament participation fees are reinvested into the Happy Chess initiative, supporting the ongoing goal of extending intelligence, joy, and educational resources to children facing socio-economic hardships. Besides chess, events often include holistic activities like Zumba sessions to promote physical health, cognitive skill development, and overall well-being.
The Happy Chess Project emphasizes equal opportunity, helping children dream and develop just like their peers. By instilling in children the belief that they have the right to dream and develop, the project aims to empower a new generation of Vietnamese children, providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
[1] Việt Nam Chess Federation (VCF) Press Release, "Happy Chess Project: Bringing Chess to Underprivileged Children in Vietnam", 2023. [2] Jane Nguyen, "The Power of Chess in Education: The Happy Chess Project", TEDxHoChiMinhCity, 2024.
- The Happy Chess Project, collaborating with advanced technology, seeks to expand education-and-self-development for underprivileged children in Vietnam through the use of the ChessUp smart chess set version 2, as well as sports coaching.
- In 2023, the project was launched by the Việt Nam Chess Federation (VCF), led by Dr. Jane Nguyen, providing hundreds of chess sets and training volunteer coaches in shelters, centers, and disadvantaged communities, aiming to distribute 100,000 sets and train 1,000 coaches by 2028.
- The AI-integrated ChessUp smart chess sets, sponsored by The Grand Hồ Tràm, assist children in enhancing their chess skills while fostering their enthusiasm for learning and technology.
- During the Happy Chess & Friendship 2025 tournament, organized by the VCF, children competed and interacted in a supportive environment, engaging in sportsmanship, self-confidence building, and lifelong skills.
- Recognizing the importance of overall well-being, Happy Chess Project events often include additional activities like Zumba sessions for cognitive skill development, physical health improvement, and a balanced holistic approach.
