Chess for Protection Programme Brings Hope to Rohingya Children in Cox’s Bazar

Magnus Wolfe-Murray and Nepal’s first women’s chess champion, Monalisha Khamboo, have launched the Chess for Protection Programme at Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, bringing the game to Rohingya children displaced by conflict. The initiative, introduced in August, is run in partnership with FIDE, the International Chess Federation, and Wolfe-Murray’s grassroots charity Movement in Refuge.

Programme Aims and Impact

The Chess for Protection Programme uses chess as a tool for engagement, confidence-building, and emotional development among children living in one of the world’s largest refugee settlements. Wolfe-Murray, a seasoned Scottish aid worker, has emphasised that the initiative extends beyond chess itself, incorporating sports and activities such as roundnet and football to foster broader participation. He noted that the response from the children has been remarkable, with the game generating genuine excitement and a measurable sense of empowerment among participants.

The programme currently employs thirty chess trainers drawn from within the refugee community, a model designed to create sustainable local capacity. Wolfe-Murray has expressed hope that additional funding will allow the project to expand its reach to more of the thousands of children across the camps.

A Personal Mission for Khamboo

Monalisha Khamboo brings deep personal experience to the initiative. As the first women’s chess champion of Nepal and a recipient of the FIDE Woman Candidate Master title awarded in 2015, she has spoken about how chess transformed her own trajectory. Khamboo, who overcame significant challenges in her early life, now dedicates her time to promoting the game internationally. She described the project as close to her heart, noting that chess can serve as an agent of change by building self-esteem and resilience — qualities she believes are essential for young people navigating difficult circumstances.

Scale of Need

Cox’s Bazar is home to an estimated 540,000 children according to figures from the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Chess for Protection Programme aims to address the needs of a significant portion of this population through structured coaching and community-based engagement.

Looking Ahead

• The programme is expanding its network of trainers within the refugee community
• Wolfe-Murray is scheduled to attend the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 15 to 27 September 2026, to seek additional funding
• Movement in Refuge continues to develop partnerships to support long-term growth

Source

This report is based on information published by FIDE — International Chess Federation.

Official source: https://www.fide.com/chess-for-refugee-children-a-winning-move/