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Key Points

Viswanathan Anand has praised the Chola Chess Initiative, calling it a great platform for young chess talents. Praggnanandhaa shared his positive experience with the free training camps. India’s chess stars like Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa continue to make waves internationally. The initiative, backed by Cholamandalam Finance, aims to nurture future chess champions.

Key Points: Viswanathan Anand Praises Chola Chess Initiative for Young Talents

  • Viswanathan Anand endorses Chola Chess as a strong platform for young talents
  • Praggnanandhaa highlights free training camps with grandmasters
  • India’s rising chess stars like Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa shine globally
  • CSR initiative by Cholamandalam Finance boosts chess infrastructure
2 min read

I hope chess players from all over the country will be able to take advantage': Viswanathan Anand on Chola Chess Initiative

Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand lauds Chola Chess Initiative, calling it a valuable resource for budding chess players across India.

"It is an excellent resource that I hope chess players from all over the country will be able to take advantage of. – Viswanathan Anand"

Chennai, July 10

Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand has praised the Chola Chess Initiative in Chennai, stating that the facility provides a solid platform for young talents to rise and shine in the international chess arena.

The Chola Chess facility is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Cholamandalam Investment and Finance in association with Chess Gurukul.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Viswanathan Anand said, "It is a very healthy development, a CSR initiative, very nice facilities. There will be very good coaches, and people can apply to attend the camps. It is an excellent resource that I hope chess players from all over the country will be able to take advantage of."

Indian chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa also highlighted the facility's free-of-cost facilities, and also pointed out the growing popularity of the game.

"I myself have attended a Chola Chess camp three months ago. There are regular camps every month, and we go to train with grandmasters. There are so many facilities here that you can play blitz. It is all free of cost. It is an ecosystem where you feel chess everywhere. It is a great initiative, and I am happy to be at the inauguration event. Thirty-six camps have happened, and many more to come."

He said that chess is gaining popularity and "young kids are getting inspired to play chess"."The key is to have fun with the game... I take every tournament as it comes, and for me right now, my focus will be on the next tournament, which is a freestyle competition," he added.

India has been doing really well at the international level in chess as of late.

D Gukesh, the reigning World Champion and recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, secured a third-place position in the Norway Chess tournament, which concluded early in June.

One of his standout moments during the competition was a win over world number one Magnus Carlsen, which was his first classical game win over him. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi also finished fifth.

Also, Aravindh Chithambaram clinched first place in the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, and R. Praggnanandhaa secured second place in the same tournament. The tournament was held from May 28 to June 6.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the initiative is commendable, I wonder how accessible it really is for players from rural areas. Travel and stay costs to Chennai could be prohibitive. Hope they consider regional centers too.
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Priya S
Chess is becoming India's new cricket! 🎉 With talents like Pragg and Gukesh making waves internationally, this facility will nurture the next generation. My 10-year-old is already begging me to take him to Chennai for these camps!
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Rohit P
Corporate India needs more CSR projects like this instead of just token donations. Cholamandalam is setting a great example by investing in sports infrastructure. More companies should follow suit!
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Kavya N
As a school chess coach in Bangalore, I've seen how lack of facilities holds back talent. Hope they implement online components too - not everyone can travel to Chennai. The chess revolution should be pan-India!
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Michael C
India's chess dominance is no accident - it's the result of initiatives like this combined with homegrown legends like Anand. The pipeline of young GMs is incredible. Western chess federations should take notes!

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