Chess - Our Culture, Our Pride~

In honour of the 44^th chess Olympiad [Also today’s leave :)], I’ve decided to explore the most intelligent, strategic and clever game ever invented- Chess. A game I’ve never been able to grasp because I’m dumb. But I certainly do enjoy the vigour of chess competitions. Tensions run high and you are left looking out for each move every player makes. You have to watch the competitor’s every move like a hawk. Because if you fail to notice that one game-changing move you will lose the whole game. So yes, it is a very high-stakes game. Chess is like every Indian’s bragging right. You think you know real wrath? Try saying “Chess is not an Indian game” to an Indian. (Dangerous stunts are not to be tried at home). Chess fever has gripped India especially Chennai. We all know that chess is the pride of India but how is India intertwined with the history of chess? Let’s find out.

History and Evolution of Chess

There have been many disputes on the origin of chess but the one thing we can all collectively agree about is the fact that the chess we play now is the modernized version of a very ancient game with long roots. What is that ancient game, you ask?

It was Chaturanga an ancient Indian game which closely resembles chess as we know it today. It was a game representing the kingdom itself, the king, his queen, rooks, bishops, knights, and pawns, all of which were important. Each have a specific way of moving across the board. And like many aspects of Indian culture, chess spread all over the western world and slowly lost its Indian culture. I’m very happy that we are bringing Chess’s Indian side on the table again by hosting the international chess Olympiad in the Indian hub of chess, Chennai. Which brings us to the next topic.

Why is Chennai the chess capital of India?

The reason is quite simple. Many great players have originated from Tamil Nadu. Of the 64 grandmasters, West Bengal has produced 8, Maharashtra 7, New Delhi 6, Andhra Pradesh 4, Kerala, Telangana and Karnataka 3 each. But a whopping 23 GMs have come from Tamil Nadu.

The country’s first International Master, Manuel Aaron, grew up in Tamil Nadu. The first grandmaster (Viswanathan Anand), the first female grandmaster (Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi), and the first International Arbiter are all from Chennai. Now more recently Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has also joined the club of chess prodigies from Chennai. He recently became a grandmaster at the shocking age of 12.

The 44th Chess Olympiad: The world’s biggest chess event

Usually, the Olympiad is held in Moscow but this year its coming to our Chennai. And let me say, the government of Tamil Nadu has done a great job of making people aware and interested in this event.

The official mascot of this event is ‘Thambi’ a horse adorned in traditional Tamilian clothes like veshti-sattai. Posters with ‘Thambi’ and the tagline “Namma Chennai, Namma Chess” is everywhere. From bus stops to banners over tea shops in Kerala it is quite literally everywhere. The “Mozart of Madras” AR Rahman himself has released an official chess anthem featuring Honourable Chief Minister MK Stalin. With all these extravagant and pompous celebrations, this event is starting to feel like a national holiday!

All the best to our players who will carry our Indian legacy in the great world of chess.

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