Viswanathan Anand Lauds Chola Chess Initiative for Nurturing Young Talent
Chola Chess Initiative: A Platform for Future Champions
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) - Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand has expressed his admiration for the Chola Chess Initiative in Chennai, emphasizing its role in fostering young talent for the global chess scene.
This initiative is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project by Cholamandalam Investment and Finance, in collaboration with Chess Gurukul.
In a recent interview, Anand remarked, “This is a positive development, a CSR effort with excellent facilities. There will be top-notch coaches available, and individuals can apply to join the camps. It’s a fantastic resource that I hope chess enthusiasts from across the nation will utilize.”
Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa also praised the initiative for its complimentary offerings and noted the increasing interest in chess.
“I attended a Chola Chess camp three months ago. They host regular camps each month where we train alongside grandmasters. The facilities are abundant, including options for blitz games, all at no cost. It creates an environment where chess is omnipresent. I’m thrilled to be part of the inauguration. So far, thirty-six camps have been conducted, with many more planned,” he stated.
He added that chess is becoming more popular, inspiring younger generations to engage with the game. “The key is to enjoy the game... I approach each tournament individually, and my current focus is on the upcoming freestyle competition,” he mentioned.
India has been excelling on the international chess stage recently.
D Gukesh, the current World Champion and recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, achieved third place in the Norway Chess tournament that concluded in early June. A highlight of his performance was defeating world number one Magnus Carlsen, marking his first classical victory against him. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi also secured fifth place.
Additionally, Aravindh Chithambaram won first place at the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, while R Praggnanandhaa finished second in the same event, which took place from May 28 to June 6.