Chess in Education Discussion Group
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
18:00 - 19:30 London Time (BST)
19:00 - 20:30 Central European Time (CET)
Registration closes 15 minutes before the start of the event.
Chess in Education
Join the Global Conversation!
Every last Wednesday of the month, the ECU Education Commission holds a Discussion Group Meeting for chess educators to share knowledge and discuss ideas on various topics related to Chess in Education.
Discussion Group Meetings allow participants to learn from one another and gain new insights through diverse perspectives.
This month's topic:
Designing Chess Lessons Where Children Want to Think
Engaging students in meaningful learning can be challenging, especially in an age of constant distraction. In this session, Chess4Life CEO Elliott Neff will explore how chess can be intentionally designed as a learning environment where children genuinely want to think. Drawing from his experience, Elliott will share practical strategies that help educators create lessons that are both fun and purposeful, even for teachers with limited chess experience.
The session will highlight simple tools such as the “Engaging Check-In,” tone-setting routines, and lesson structures that increase student motivation while supporting both chess progress and life skills. Participants will also be invited to discuss how engagement can be designed intentionally to help students carry stronger thinking habits beyond the board.
Speaker
Elliott Neff (USA)
Elliott Neff is a USCF (United States Chess Federation) titled National Master in Chess, author of *A Pawn’s Journey*, and CEO of Chess4Life, an organisation dedicated to developing life skills in children through chess. What began as a childhood passion has grown into programs that now impact tens of thousands of students each week across schools and communities.
A USCF Level V Certified Coach — a distinction held by a small number of individuals — Elliott has trained educators and built systems that empower even non-chess teachers to deliver engaging, purpose-driven chess programs confidently. His work emphasises character development, EQ, not just IQ expansion, and joyful engagement alongside chess progress.
Elliott’s approach has earned many endorsements, including from Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian, Mary Miller, co-creator of *The Dream Manager*, and Robert Katende, founder of SOM Chess Academy and coach to Phiona Mutesi of *Queen of Katwe* fame.
Beyond his Chess4Life work, Elliott is a husband, father, entrepreneur, and speaker.
Register and join the Discussion Group Meeting to learn more!
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
Don`t forget to check your time zone here!
The event is managed by ChessPlus.
