Teaching Through Chess with Maria Helle

Fifteen years ago, Maria Helle was a mathematics teacher with little knowledge of chess. Today, she is one of the Nordic region’s leading voices in school chess, known for showing how the game can become a powerful tool for learning, integration, and personal growth.

In this inspiring talk, Maria shares how she discovered chess as a teaching tool and how it has helped her students develop concentration, problem-solving skills, patience, and confidence — while also supporting learning in subjects such as mathematics.

She also explores how chess can support integration in schools where students come from different countries and may not yet share a common language. Through the game, children can connect, communicate, and build trust across language and cultural barriers — both with each other and with their teachers.

This session is designed for teachers, school staff, and anyone interested in how chess can create more engaging, meaningful, and inclusive learning experiences.

Category: Talk / Education
Who it’s for: Everyone, especially teachers and educators
Where: Black Knight Stage
When: Friday, 17:00