From left: Evguenia Charomova. Top right: A child learning how to play chess. Bottom right: Students at Parkside School taking part in the Infinite Chess programme. Photo: Evgenia Charamova
This year marks the Year of Social Chess, as it's been designated by the International Chess Federation or FIDE.
Evguenia Charomova is someone who's championing the cause - running programmes in her community for those who want to play and also teaching autistic children how to play the game.
Evguenia was born in Russia, and ended up in New Zealand after her parents took her on a round-the-world sailing trip.
She became an under-16 champ, later the New Zealand Women's Chess Champion.
Although she studied science with genetic engineering and environmental science specialisations, she ended up teaching English in Russia, and later speech therapy upon her return to New Zealand.
She's seen great results from her involvement in the international Infinite Chess programme, which she's taught to students at Auckland's Parkside School.
It's inspired her to try to set up a chess competition, along with Paul Spiller who's vice president of the New Zealand Chess Federation, for both children and adults to help foster inclusion and enjoyment of chess.
Evguenia is also on the New Zealand Chess Federation council as a social lead, and a National trainer and arbiter - she's also on the World Trainer's Commission.
She joins Kathryn to talk about why chess can be beneficial for children with autism, as well as her own love for the game.
