A conference entitled "Chess in Education: Experiences, Solutions and Development Paths" was held at the "Chess" Scientific Research Institute of Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU).

The aim was to present and discuss best practices in chess teaching in schools and best practices in assessment.

The participants shared their experiences in chess teaching, had practical discussions and came up with new ideas and approaches.

The chess teachers were welcomed by Marian Ispiryan, Vice-Rector for Education and Science at ASPU, and Serob Khachatryan, an education expert and specialist at the "Chess" Scientific Research Institute.

“I am glad to welcome the participants of this very interesting and important workshop. Committed to the policy it has adopted, ASPU always keeps schools and our teachers in the center of attention and tries its best to support them in their difficult daily activity. We realize that teachers’ work, though complex and responsible, is equally interesting and enjoyable. We are glad that you have chosen teaching as your profession, and, remaining true to your calling, you participate in all processes that will contribute to the development of your knowledge and abilities,” the ASPU official said.

Mariam Ispiryan added that Armenian State Pedagogical University organized numerous events, including trainings, which are attended by educators. She also thanked educators, who participated in the event remotely, for their responsibility and trust in the University.  The vice-rector particularly emphasized the role of the University’s "Chess" Scientific Research Institute headed by Smbat Lputyan and the staff of the institute, who always stand by the side of chess teachers with their consistent work, help and support them enabling them to constantly develop their skills and abilities, and do their work with love.

Mariam Ispiryan expressed hope that more online conference will be organized in the future, and each of the participants will then continue their honourable work with new knowledge.

On behalf of all members of the "Chess" Scientific Research Institute, education expert Serob Khachatryan welcomed the participants and thanked them for their participation.

“It seems the times when we had to teach our educators teaching methods and techniques are gone, because significant work has been done in that direction in the past years, numerous manuals have been published, and, after all, today everything is available online. We believe that at this stage it is important to put all of this into practice, develop model lessons and forms of educational activities, and conduct an exchange of experience, which, I believe, is the best way to learn today, when teachers, on the basis of their inquiries, research and experience, create the best practices, the best lessons brining all of this to the attention of their colleagues. We are convinced that all of this will have a contagious effect; the 10 teachers presenting their reports today will be a driving force for everyone, inspiring another group of teachers to come forward and present their best practices," he said in his speech.

Serob Khachatryan emphasized the format of the conference stressing that it is very effective when teachers learn from each other, because they enter a classroom every day, see and feel pupils, their reflections, experiences, and research done, they are confident for and close to their colleagues.

One of our goals is the scientization of chess, the socialization of chess, and this platform is a great opportunity to learn from one another," he concluded.

The online conference continued in three directions: digital tools and modern technologies, effective chess teaching methods, successful examples of integrated chess lessons.

During the online meeting, there was also a Q&A session, and the results were summarized by Doctor of Psychology, Professor Vladimir Karapetyan and Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Associate Professor Vahan Sargsyan.