These days in Bulgaria’s Pazardzhik an international association for applied chess was established. Experts from the United States, Germany, Spain, Poland and the UK joined the initiators from Bulgaria. The association will operate in three main directions: research, treatment and education. The aim is to exchange experience at international level and to inform the general public about previously unsuspected applications of chess without the competition element. Radislav Atanasov, Chairperson of the Management Board of the organisationand lecturer at the Vassil Levski National Sports Academy told us more:

"The ‘Chovekolubie’ municipal center for people with mental disorders is situated in the city of Pazardzhik. It is the only one in Bulgaria where psychiatrist Emil Markov successfully combines methods of treatment and socialization with chess. This was the subjective component of the initiative. The objective need is related to the fact that chess have not been defined unambiguously for centuries. For some it is a game, for others – art. There are different approaches that cannot be covered by sports federations. Sports federations are engaged in organizing and conducting competitions. Many people, however, enjoy playing chess without being interested in competing. It turns out that there are specialists who manage to use chess in various areas, thus improving the effect of their activities."

Such area for example is training of athletes, as chess teaches strategy, tactics and consistency. Chess is successfully used in medical treatment - for example in the treatment of dementia and addictions; chess is used in psychological therapy - in overcoming depression, when working with prisoners, etc. In the “Chovekolubie” center the chess game is also used in the treatment of people with mental problems as the method helps penetrate the censorship of the mind that governs our behavior, Mr. Atanasov says.

Psychiatrist Emil Markov shares his professional experience

"In addition to psychotherapy, all over the world chess is also used to stimulate educational processes. In the field of education, the issue of school readiness has recently been updated, namely that ‘school readiness’ does not mean that you are seven years old, but that you have acquired certain social and educational skills; skills to work in a structured environment. In this sense chess has a very useful application, as it is a rule-based game. These rules lead to a gaming situation and a positive experience."

In France, the Social Ministry there subsidizes development of correspondence chess among pensioners, which helps them overcome their social exclusion. This way clubs are created and meetings are organized. There is no such practice existing in Bulgaria.

"The Correspondent Chess Federation has asked for support the Ministry of Sports but the ministry does not recognize it as a sports federation. Therefore, following the advice of the International Correspondence Chess Federation, we would address the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy," Mr. Atanasov added.

A chess site in the kindergarten

There are other areas of application of chess, which are overlooked by sports federations and remain unnoticed by the public. How many of you have heard of aqua-chess or chess-boxing? According to experts, from the National Sports Academy, aqua-chess as a game with floating chess figures can make healing water procedures much more interesting. It can also be used during swimming lessons for children who, by diving, can play chess at a small depth underwater. More from Radislav Atanasov:

"Chessboxing has been practiced for over 20 years with European and World Championships being organized. Bulgarian Tihomir Dovramadzhiev, is among the first chess-boxing champions. In chess-boxing there are 11 rounds. A 4-minute chess round is followed by a 3-minute boxing round. To participate in such a match, you have to be very well prepared: one needs a chess rate of at least 2000 and they should have played in at least one amateur three-round boxing match. It is something really spectacular."

English: Alexander Markov