Vishawnathan Anand: Four hours of chess a week develops critical thinking in young minds

Global chess leaders hail the game as a tool for education, inclusion and social change as ‘Chess Mahakumbh’ opens at KIIT

By B. Swagatika
Bhubaneswar, Jan. 14: Playing chess for just four hours a week can significantly sharpen young minds, helping students organise their thoughts and improve academic performance, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand said here on Wednesday, underscoring the game’s growing relevance beyond competitive sport.

Inaugurating the International Conference on Social and Educational Chess—aptly titled Chess Mahakumbh—at KIIT University, Anand described chess as a powerful, low-cost learning tool with wide social applicability. “Chess promotes structured thinking,” he told mediapersons, dispelling the long-held notion of the game as a pursuit of elites. “It is no longer a ‘royal game’; it is increasingly a game of the masses.”

Anand noted that students who play chess regularly often show improved academic outcomes, particularly in areas requiring logic, concentration and decision-making. While acknowledging that chess has traditionally been urban-centric, he said technology—especially smartphones and online platforms—has enabled its spread to rural and remote areas. “With organised efforts and statewide tournaments, chess can be taken to the grassroots,” he said, pointing to innovative initiatives that use the game for social development, including in correctional institutions.

International Chess Federation (FIDE) President Arkady Dvorkovich highlighted chess’s role in nurturing cognitive abilities and life skills that are difficult to cultivate through conventional disciplines. “Chess is a powerful instrument for building knowledge, character and personal growth,” he said.

FIDE Deputy Chair Dana Reizniece stressed that the aim of chess education was not merely to produce future grandmasters. “The goal is to help children become champions of their own lives,” she said, adding that chess supports early learning in logic, mathematics and language skills. Citing a 2021 global survey, she said more than 25 million children worldwide are engaged in chess-based education and called for doubling that number. She also proposed the development of a university-level academic programme centred on chess, with KIIT playing a leading role.

Terming the event historic, KIIT and KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta said this was the first time Odisha was hosting such a high-profile global chess conclave. He highlighted chess’s ability to transcend social barriers, noting that thousands of tribal students at KISS actively play the game.

The three-day conference, being held from January 14 to 16 with the support of FIDE and the All India Chess Federation, has attracted eminent chess personalities from over 40 countries and more than 5,200 participants. The inaugural day also witnessed the launch of the International Chess Hall and the Viswanathan Anand Chess Academy at KIIT, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to promoting chess from the grassroots to the global stage.