Tennessee Tech University says professor George Chitiyo recently presented research at the International Chess Federation’s Summit on Chess in Education in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The university published the announcement Oct. 21, 2026.
The summit, held alongside the FIDE Chess Olympiad and Congress, focused on the theme “Every Lesson Counts,” according to Tennessee Tech. Chitiyo, a professor of educational research and evaluation, presented findings on how educational chess programs are organized, implemented and developed around the world.
Tennessee Tech said Chitiyo introduced the Chitiyo-Atkins Model of Chess Program Development, created with Rita Atkins, an educator and secretary of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission. The model is designed to help countries, chess federations and local programs assess development, set priorities and establish milestones, the university said.
Chitiyo said he hopes emerging programs can adapt lessons from initiatives in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, India and Armenia to local needs, according to the announcement.
