At first glance, a chess match might look like just a quiet competition between two players — but for the students at Wan Smol Bag, it’s becoming much more than that. It’s a tool for focus, discipline, and confidence.

Vanuatu is among the countries reviving interest in chess by reintroducing the game through outreach programs in schools and youth centres, including a dedicated chess school now based at Wan Smol Bag in Port Vila.

VBTC Sports visited a training session this morning, where four young players were deep in concentration, guided by Vanuatu Chess Federation President, Lesley Nompavos, who coached from the sidelines.

“Chess teaches more than strategy — it sharpens focus and helps young people stay calm under pressure,” Nompavos said.

The quiet, intense atmosphere of the matches is a key part of the sport’s appeal, drawing in spectators who respect the silence needed for the players to concentrate.

Currently, over 200 members are registered with the Vanuatu Chess Federation — many of them students from schools reached through the federation’s outreach program.

In addition to regular chess classes, the federation runs local competitions every Saturday at Retreat Seaside. It is also working to expand its program to include people with disabilities and to recruit more girls and women into the sport.

“We want chess to be inclusive and available to everyone in Vanuatu,” said Nompavos.