This autumn, the first-fourth graders will have a new optional subject – chess. The subject will be included in the curriculum under an agreement signed by the Ministry of Education and the Chess Academy of Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. The agreement envisions cooperation in popularizing chess in Moldova and the teaching of chess in all the settlements of the country. There will be organized a series of competitions and tournaments and other chess-related activities at local and national levels. In order to impalement the agreement, the Chess Academy will provide the chess divisions with the necessary outfit and textbooks. The Ministry of Education will monitor how the chess courses are held in education institutions and will organize re-qualification courses for teachers. The agreement was signed by Minister of Education Mihail Sleahtitski and the representative of the National Chess Academy, champion Viorel Iordachescu. Mihail Sleahtitski has told Info-Prim Neo that this project will allow teaching the children chess from an early age. Viorel Iordachescu said he is proud that chess will be studies in Moldova and the Ministry of Education accepted the Chess Academy’s initiative. The agreement is valid for a three-year period. All the costs for printing the textbooks and purchasing the necessary supplies will be covered by the Chess Academy.