ABSTRACT
In this article; I give an account of my 'Checkmating HIVetAIDS' action research project; which was an attempt to break the 'culture of silence' concerning HIVetAIDS and sex and sexuality in my classroom. In this project; I focused specifically on one code of sport; namely chess; and I point out and discuss the potential of using chess as an educational tool in addressing HIVetAIDS. It was found that learners enjoy playing chess and that it can be used in the Life Orientation classroom to promote HIVetAIDS awareness. This type of alternative awareness is relevant as learners in most schools were becoming fatigued by HIVetAIDS information overload. The project portrays the role of the teacher as a researcher and critical change agent in an HIVetAIDS-challenged society