It is good to end the year by winning London Chess Classic

Little masters clash with chess champion
S. P. SARAVANAN

For each and every of his move, there is a huge applause from hundreds of students and parents gathered at Vriksha Global School at Tiruchengode here on Wednesday.

It is a rare opportunity for 10 students of the same school and 16 students from other schools to clash with the five time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand during the rapid chess competition amid the presence of anxious parents who eagerly waited for their children’s turn to play with the renowned chess genius. But the master was quick enough to knock the young opponents with his brilliant moves.

Yet, he congratulated them.

“It is great playing with the champion,” said the students.

“Though it is nervous to play with him, I learnt about confidence move,” they added.

The students were from different categories, Under 8, 11, 13 and 16, selected through competitions conducted in the school.

The elegancy and simplicity of the champion was greatly admired by the parents. Earlier, he inaugurated the NIIT Nguru MathLab and Mind Champion’s Academy in the school that enable students to explore mathematical concepts and theorems using technology tools as well as hands-on-activities using mathematical models. Chairman of the school R. Rajasekaran, correspondent R. Harinivas, Territorial Manager of NIIT Aravind Sadhasivam and faculties were present. In his interaction with reporters, Mr. Anand complimented the State Government’s initiative of introducing chess in schools as it would encourage more students to play chess.

“The infrastructure in schools in villages needs to be improved,” he added.

He said that the game has grown in the last 10 years and said that online instruction for playing chess is easily available and asked enthusiasts to actively participate in all tournaments.

A relaxed Anand felt that the year was positive with three big wins and expressed hopeful for winning in coming years.

“It is good to end the year by winning London Chess Classic.

It energises me as there are about seven to eight tournaments in 2015,” the grand master said with a smile.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com