Anand Chess Simul for Kids Spreads Holiday Cheer

Hello chess blog friends, former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand held a simul for school kids to spread the Christmas cheer. It was a rare opportunity for 10 students of Vriksha Global School at Tiruchengode and 16 students from other schools to take on the five-time world chess champion.

Needless to add, Anand won all the rapid games. “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.

Earlier, Anand inaugurated the NIIT Nguru MathLab and Mind Champion’s Academy in the school that will 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 Grandmaster said with a smile.(Excerpted from a report by S. P. SARAVANAN in The Hindu)

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