Chess will soon be a part of the academic curriculum in schools 
Rahul Ramakrishna | February 20, 2013


Good news for chess aficionados. With the visit of world chess federation FIDE’s vice president Ali Nihat Yazici to the City, chess may soon be made a subject in AP’s academic curriculum.

 As part of the Chess Curriculum Comm-ission’s work with over 200 countries in the world, India too will hopefully make chess a part of the academic curriculum in schools. The sport might also be made mandatory in AP, following Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Karnataka might implement the move in its State-run schools.

Speaking to parents, students and chess players at Suchitra Academy, the first school in Hyderabad to make chess a part of its academic structure, Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) vice president Ali Nihat Yazici expressed confidence at lobbying with the education ministry to implement the rule. Speaking to Postnoon, Yazici said, “The decision had already been implemented in Turkey and we see a lot more potential in India to take advantage of this (opportunity). Over three and a half million students in Turkey have learnt chess in the last four years after the sport has been inducted into the academic structure.”

Yazici expressed joy over the contribution of Indian players to the chess scene, especially the unrecognised players waiting in the wings. “Everybody loves Vishwanathan Anand all over the world. He is like an angel who has made some of the greatest contributions to the game. However, I assure you, India is waiting to see some of the best gem players in the coming few years,” said Ali Yazici. The efforts to induct chess and promote the board game in the State and the City must be credited to the local chess clubs, especially the Cyber Chess Academy initiative. “We all know that chess is a game that taps the brains’ potential and we must take this game back to the youngest generation where it can be put to maximum use,” Lanka Ravi, Andhra Pradesh’s first FIDE rated international master said.
After the intense dry spell that this City has seen over the past few years, the decision and the initiative by FIDE and the State government might give the forgotten game the much needed support and patronage.
“This is going to be a pilot project which is expected to take off by the end of 2013 in the City, and if all goes well, entire AP and other cities, including Mumbai and Pune, might follow suit in 2014,” Yazici said.
While the current happenings are noteworthy, some continue to criticise the Sports Authority of AP for its apathy towards the game. “If the game receives all said support and recognition from the State government and FIDE, well and good. But at the same time, I would like the SAAP and the sports ministry to explain why not a single rupee was allocated in its budget for sport in the State,” said Lakshi­mnarayana, chess player and teacher. Vice chairman of SAAP TRK Rao was unavailable for comments.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Susan Polgar February 20, 2013 College Chess, Scholastic Chess 3 Comments
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