Development
On behalf of the Board of Directors of The Gift of Chess, we are thrilled to announce that Erick Takawira has been named our Global Director of Development.
Erick brings extensive experience as a player, coach and organizer spanning the global chess community. We are confident under his leadership, we can continue to explore new opportunities across our global network to continue to build not only on our distribution efforts but continue to explore new and innovative ways to develop our ambassadors to enhance educational programs along with building out our competitive ecosystem and landscape with greater access to trained arbiters and tournament directors.
Susan Namangale, The Global Head of The Gift of Chess had this to say..
“Erick has demonstrated great passion to help others develop important skills in arbitration and training and empowering our volunteers to achieve titles in chess. It's simple; if you cannot achieve a Grandmaster title then consider an Arbiter Title and Erick has been at the center helping our ambassadors achieve these titles. Well done and congratulations Erick.”
About Erick Takawira:
Erick Takawira, a Zimbabwean-born chess player, coach, and leader who has dedicated his life to using chess to create opportunities for others. A National Master (NM) and Zimbabwe’s first FIDE Trainer, Erick has built a career at the intersection of competitive chess, education, and social impact.
As the founder of the KZN Chess Academy in South Africa, Erick has nurtured provincial, national, and continental champions while running educational programs that develop life skills and uplift communities. Beyond the Academy, he serves as coordinator for The Infinite Project, designing chess programs for children with autistic spectrum disorder, and is an ambassador for The Gift of Chess, helping bring the game to underprivileged communities.
He also continues to lead and support community initiatives such as Checkmate Hunger, Chess for Hope (for street children), and Her Move Africa, promoting women’s chess across the continent.
Erick has held key leadership roles in international chess, including Head of Delegation for South Africa teams and team captain for Zimbabwe at the World Chess Olympiad (2018 and 2022). He holds the titles of FIDE Trainer, International Organizer, National Arbiter, Lead School Instructor, and serves as a Councillor of the FIDE Social Commission, championing inclusion, equity, and social development through chess.
A multi-award-winning administrator, Erick was recognized with the FIDE HeForShe Award in 2022 for his outstanding work promoting women’s chess.
As Director of Development, Erick will focus on building partnerships, creating opportunities, and leading programs that harness chess to inspire learning, growth, and positive change in communities around the world.
Contact: development@thegiftofchess.org
