In an effort to help school children with the development of problem-solving skills, planning, patience focus of thought and self-discipline, two chess teams have been formed by primary school students. This was revealed by ‘Mangoako Tsunyane, Lesotho Schools Music Association (LSMA) Public Relations Officer and Executive Member of Chess Federation of Lesotho, on Monday. According to Mrs. Tsunyane, two teams have been formed at Katlehong and Paray primary schools and “are progressing very well.” She said they first started introducing school children to the ‘genius’ game during the school hours on how it is played and later the children progressed and formed their own teams. “We have recruited and taught students from Grade three upwards and hope to form more teams as the game helps keep children from loitering in the streets,” she said, adding that they also want children to be introduced to the sport countrywide. She said the teams have been borrowed the chess boards sets while Katlehong they got a donation of chess boards. Mrs. Tsunyane said chess was first introduced at Katlehong in March 2019. Chess educators indicate that chess is a competitive activity, but, good sportsmanship and fair play are taught as essential elements of the game. Chess in schools and communities, states its proponents, “knows no boundaries of age, gender, faith, ethnicity or disability and it is a game that promotes key intellectual skills such as problem solving, logical thinking, pattern recognition amongst others.” Besides the school teams, a team for other people interested in playing chess has also been formed and it currently comprises public servants, teachers, Thaba Tseka Technical Institute (TTI) and Lesotho College of Education (LCE) students. Lena