About Beirut Chess Academy

BEIRUT CHESS ACADEMY (BCA), the first and only academy in Lebanon, provides its members with the proper tools and strategies to succeed at this complex and fascinating game; it employs the latest teaching methods in order to enhance enjoyment and success.

Founded by the current and 6 times Chess Champion of Lebanon Faisal Khairallah, BCA aspires to bring the many educational benefits of chess to children and adults throughout Lebanon by providing a complete chess curriculum with enrichment programs.

Main features of the Academy

• Groups of talented and enthusiastic children receive regular coaching from qualified trainers, using the latest teaching technologies (digital chess boards, LED screen, etc.)
• Opportunities for the children to attend organized tournaments and get prepared to compete on a national level
• Groups of adults being coached by the Lebanese chess champion Faysal Khairallah
• A lounge for parents offering them a place to wait for their children to finish their chess course while enjoying coffee and dessert, and for businessmen, providing them with a quiet environment to play chess in the evening, while enjoying a drink and a snack
• A shop selling chess materials (chess pieces, boards, clocks, and books)

Services

Faysal khairallah, founder and owner of Beirut Chess Academy, has been instrumental in the development of new teaching methods. He has founded the Academy, not only to provide its students with better playing techniques but also to offer both parents and children a nurturing environment in which to spend time together in the congenial atmosphere of the Academy enjoying the benefits of this fascinating game.

1- A nurturing environment for children and adults:

The Academy’s site is an old house in a quiet street in Gemayze, with a 100 m² garden. This location will grant both children and adults a relaxing environment, allowing them to concentrate while playing chess, as well as enjoy the calm and agreeable surrounding both inside and outside the house.

2- Latest teaching technologies:

The Academy employs the latest teaching methods to insure the best learning experience:

(a) In the main teaching room, digital chess boards will be placed at each table. These boards are connected to the teacher’s computer that registers the games in order to thoroughly analyze every move made by the players.

(b) The games played by the students will be projected on a wide LED screen during their analysis. This way, all students will have a clearer vision of the game; they will have equal opportunities to participate in the analysis process, and engage in a better learning experience.

(c) The LCD screen will be used to project chess puzzles for the students to resolve, in order to improve their visualization skills, and develop their tactical and strategical skills.

The children’s courses will be divided into 3 categories (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) depending on every student’s level and age group.

Personal and Social Benefits of Chess

1- Children who have followed a successful initiation in the game of chess have a higher performance level. Playing chess on regular basis actually helps develop skills involving logic, strategy, discipline, concentration and memory, which are all factors of success.

2- The practice of the game of chess, like other strategic and didactic games, also develops self-control, the power to challenge and face challenges, and to implement strategies and make decisions.

3- Being a universal intellectual sport, chess is accessible to everyone, regardless of their age group, gender, and social background. Therefore, chess has an immense social role in combating discrimination, and teaching the players primary principles such as equality, justice and respect for the rules and regulations.

Management summary

Having a master’s degree in economics and business administration from Freiburg University, Germany, Faysal Khairallah will be managing the academy.

Faysal was the youth chess master in Baden-Württemberg before coming to Lebanon 12 years ago. He is the current chess champion in Lebanon, where he has gained the championship for the record number of six times.

He has been a full-time chess teacher for over 12 years and has been instrumental in developing chess programs.

He is at present responsible for the chess education of more than 60 students in Beirut, and for chess tutoring at the “Institut de Gestion et des Entreprises” at the USJ.

Furthermore, Faysal Khairallah has been giving courses, as well as seminars, to companies and businessmen on how to apply chess strategies in business.