Artificial Intelligence
for Chess Education
Seminar by Andrea Manzo — Montesilvano, June 2026
The Seminar
A dedicated seminar will take place during the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2026 in Montesilvano. Open to players, coaches, federation officials, and chess educators. No prior technical background required.
Current AI in chess is largely used in a primitive way — focused solely on raw engine evaluation rather than human comprehension. This seminar bridges that gap, presenting a new generation of tools designed to explain, teach, and empower rather than simply outplay.
Andrea Manzo will present his research on human-centric AI engines, the concept of the "Software Coach" as proposed by Susan Polgar for FIDE and national federations, and practical demonstrations of AI tools tailored for chess education.
Andrea Manzo
Watch the Presentation
The Tools
A virtual trainer designed for learning, not for defeating.
- Realistic Handicap Mode — scales depth based on Soviet school levels (Beginner to Expert)
- Player Avatars — replicates a user's style and typical mistakes
- Natural language explanations of errors with immediate pedagogical feedback
Merges Stockfish's architecture with the chess theory of Alexander Shashin.
- Validated at the World Computer Chess Championship (WCCC), Santiago
- "GoldDigger" Mode — uncovers deep Tal-like sacrifices dismissed by standard engines
- Classifies positions into Shashin Zones; identifies the "Worst Unit" for improvement
Academic Awards
"Fewer Draws, More Fun: Searching for Unbalanced Positions in Chess" — awarded first prize at the International Conference on AI and Computer Science, Tokyo. Published by Springer.
Latest research mathematically demonstrating that the true computational limit (Absolute Strategic Indecision) lies in dynamic middlegames with a Delta CP close to zero — not in tactical blunders or endgames.
GM Le Quang Liem (Technical Director, Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence) officially reviewed and endorsed "The Computer Chess World." Susan Polgar advocated for the creation of the "Software Coach" institutional role within FIDE.
Montesilvano, Italy · Open to players, coaches & federation officials · Dates TBA