The ICU is implementing a new Trainer Programme with the goal of providing those who currently teach chess or who would be interested in teaching chess with an opportunity to develop their skills. With this programme in place, those who complete the programme would have the opportunity to go on and obtain FIDE Trainer titles.

The ICU felt that a new comprehensive Trainer Programme was needed, not only to meet FIDE's future requirements, but also to provide those who are interested in teaching chess in clubs, schools or in the wider community with the knowledge and skills which would be of benefit to them.

The new Trainer Programme will have 3 titles to help reflect the developmental stages of new players, from teaching the basic moves and developing an enthusiasm and love of the game to preparations for national and international competitions. While this course is designed for those teaching junior players, many of the skills and topics discussed will be relevant to those who would primarily teach adult players. The ICU believes that this Trainer Programme will provide a solid basis for the implementation of a new coaching structure for chess in Ireland.

There will be 3 different types of courses and instructor titles:

School Instructor

This course is intended for those who will be teaching chess in the school environment and for those running school chess clubs. The title will be conferred on those who have attended a two-day seminar and have successfully passed an examination consisting of a written paper and a 5 minute practical.

Club Instructor

This course is intended for those running junior chess clubs and similar community chess structures outside of the school system. The title will be conferred on those who have attended a two-day seminar and successfully passed an examination consisting of a written paper and a 5 minute practical.

Academy Instructor

This course is intended for those who will be running large parts of the upper echelons of Irish chess training – the National Junior Squad and training for School Instructors. This title will be conferred on those who have attended a four-day seminar and who have successfully passed a written and practical exam. Those who have completed the CI course will be considered to have completed the first two days of the AI course and so would only be required to attend and successfully completed the remaining two days of the AI seminar.

An AI will be required to have a thorough knowledge of all of the topics covered in the Syllabus for the School Instructor and that for the Club Instructor. In addition, candidates must have practical experience (at least one year as a Club Instructor). Furthermore they are expected to gain (or gain during the seminar) some understanding of all the topics of the TRG (FIDE Trainers' Commission) syllabus, as covered in the FIDE Trainers' Commission Chess Syllabus (2010).

The Table below shows the requirements for each instructor title.

The first seminar for the new Trainer Programme will take place on the 5th & 6th June in Dublin for the Club Instructor course. Under the new system those who will successfully complete one of the above courses will be accredited as an ICU Instructor (School, Club or Academy) for 1 year. There will be a fee for this course which will cover the cost of materials and accreditation as an ICU Instructor for 1 year. A renewal fee for those who wish to maintain their status as an ICU accredited Instructor will be required after this year. The seminar is being provided by Kevin O’Connell (FIDE Senior Trainer). The ICU would like to thank Kevin for his work in developing the syllabi for the new Training Programme.