A Game of War

A Game of War, a Tool for Peace


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‍Teaching Chess to Children in Ukraine During the War

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A game born of war has become a symbol of peace. In Ukraine, where children grow up amid explosions, air raid sirens, and power outages, chess—a centuries-old battle of strategy—is teaching resilience, focus, and hope. It’s a paradox that resonates deeply: a game of calculated attacks and sacrifices is helping young minds find calm amidst chaos. On the chessboard, they confront challenges, make bold moves, and learn to persevere—skills that echo far beyond the game, into a reality shaped by conflict.

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Every move comes with sacrifices, and every victory requires struggle

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Chess has always been more than a pastime. It’s a contest of wits, where two sides maneuver their armies, anticipate attacks, and protect their king at all costs. It teaches strategy and patience, but it also reflects the harsh realities of war: every move comes with sacrifices, and every victory requires struggle. Living in Ukraine today feels eerily similar. For the children I teach, the chessboard becomes a rare sanctuary, a safe space to process the chaos of their world. They’ve learned too early about sacrifice and uncertainty; this ancient game offers them a way to understand and navigate their reality.
 
In the midst of chaos, children crave structure. Chess provides that—a space where rules are clear, decisions have consequences, and strategy can overcome adversity. It’s more than a distraction; it’s a tool for teaching critical thinking, patience, and problem-solving. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, there’s always another move to make.

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Fully in control of their choices

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For an hour or two, the game allows these children to step out of their turbulent lives. They’re no longer just kids living through a war—they’re kings, queens, and strategists, fully in control of their choices. It’s a brief but meaningful escape, one that strengthens them for the realities they face when the game is over.
 
Teaching chess in Ukraine today is anything but conventional. Lessons are interrupted by air raid sirens, forcing us to gather in bomb shelters. Power outages plunge classrooms into darkness, leaving us to rely on candlelight or flashlights to continue. Resources are scarce; we play without clocks and some of our sets are missing pieces. Yet, the children return day after day, eager to play, to learn, to focus on something beyond the war.
 
One day, during a lesson, the electricity cut out mid-game. I braced for frustration, but instead, one child ran to grab a flashlight and said, “We can still play.” That moment captured the spirit of these children and the Ukrainian people as a whole: no matter the circumstances, they adapt, endure, and keep moving forward.

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Even when things seem bleak, there’s always a way to keep moving forward

In many ways, the game of chess reflects life in Ukraine at war. Every move is deliberate, every setback requires adaptation, and every small victory is a step forward. On the board, as in life, the children are learning to navigate challenges with courage and ingenuity. Teaching chess isn’t just about strategy or skill—it’s about resilience. It’s about showing these children that even when things seem bleak, there’s always a way to keep moving forward. It’s about teaching them to think critically, to plan their next steps, and to remain steadfast in the face of uncertainty.

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As I sit across from these children, watching them strategize and smile over their games, I see more than budding chess players. I see hope. I see determination. I see a generation of Ukrainians who, despite everything, are learning to think deeply, adapt quickly, and never give up. Chess may have been born as a game of war, but here in Ukraine, it is becoming a tool for peace, for growth, and for survival. Like the Ukrainian people, these children will keep moving forward—one careful, deliberate move at a time.

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Preston Button is currently working as a volunteer with Novi in Kyiv. He is an American and German citizen who has grown up in the Bruderhof community. Preston loves sports, soccer in particular, and computers. Most of all he loves playing with children.