Adriana Pascu, 16 years old, of Roma ethnicity, is a skilled chess player.Thanks to the game, she has developed strong analysis and concentration skills that also help her in her studies. Playing chess was not a matter of course for her and the other children of the Roma community in the Romanian city of Satu Mare. They learnt through the 'Chess for change' project started in 2019 by the Stea association, active in the social integration of Roma children.These children made progress in all areas, especially at school. "I am much more reflective, more focused, and memorise lessons faster," Adriana explains. Chess activates memory, the ability to analyse and anticipate. "Chess teaches children fair-play; it is the only sport, I would say, where we are all equal, no matter if you are male or female, if you have a handicap" Alex Geiger Chess teacher For Alex Geiger, a chess teacher, it is one of the most democratic sports: "Chess teaches children fair-play; it is the only sport, I would say, where we are all equal, no matter if you are male or female, if you have a handicap."Chess against early school leavingThe first objective of the Stea association was precisely to combat early school leaving and motivate children to at least complete the compulsory school cycle. "Chess allows these youngsters to realise that if they put their mind to it and are persistent, they can achieve good results," explains Cristina Bala, the director of the Stea centre. "Children and teenagers," she says, "have managed to participate in competitions, even international ones, and have also won prizes; they have been able to gain positive experiences and gain the recognition and esteem of others. View Gallery 3 Photos EU cohesion policy behind the projectInitially, teachers at school were sceptical, not thinking that Roma children could ever succeed in chess: today they support the project because the children involved are more motivated and better at studying as well. As Delia Sabou, Adriana's teacher, says: "We have noticed in all the children involved in the project that there is an important cognitive progression, an increase in concentration and an improvement in social interaction with their peers and teachers. "We have noticed in all the children involved in the project that there is an important cognitive progression, an increase in concentration and an improvement in social interaction with their peers and teachers" Delia Sabou Teacher The director of the Stea centre, Cristina Bala, immediately realised the potential of chess and introduced the activity in 2019. The total cost of the project for the first year was EUR 70,000, with the European Union contributing EUR 60,000 thanks to Cohesion Policy funds.The chess piece that Adriana prefers is the queen, because it is the most powerful piece. She plans to be an accountant when she grows up. It is clear that her life has taken on a new impetus and she will be the real queen of her future.