With the support of Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr., the Filipino European Migrants International Chess Academy or FEMICA conducted a chess clinic/seminar at the Philippine Embassy in Rome on 15 June 2014 for Filipino children.

FEMICA President and International Chess Master Virgilio Vuelban conducted the seminar which highlighted the academic and social benefits of chess to children as proven by many scientific studies and research.

The children present were taught the basic opening principles of chess, the importance of controlling the center, and the development of pieces.

The Philippine Embassy encourages all the youth and second-generation Filipinos as well as their parents to continue devoting time to educational and worthwhile activities which promote analytical thinking in children.

FEMICA, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, is promoting the game of chess as a tool for children education for them discover their individual talent with the hope of someday producing the next Chess International/Grand Master from the Filipino community in Italy.

International Chess Master Vuelban (right) is assisted by Italian Candidate Master Daniele Marta in conducting the chess clinic.

Mr. Jimmy Valete, one of the Filipino chess afficionados in Rome, conducted simultaneous games with the participating children.

(Photos courtesy of FEMICA)