Mysuru: Chess, they say is a mind game that hones upon the thinking ability of the player. Keeping the positive aspects of playing the chess in mind, first Grand Master from Karnataka MS Thej Kumar is now focusing on bringing the game into every school in the state.
Chess has been mandatory in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat and working on these lines, Kumar wants to impress upon the Karnataka State government the need to make this game mandatory in schools.
Though former primary and secondary education Minister Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri had attempted to introduce the plan in 2012 citing that the game would improve the cognitive skills of the children while popularising the game, the plan did not materialise for reasons unknown.
However, Kumar is now sure that he wants to go further working in this direction.
“Chess has been part of the curriculum in most of Russian schools for more than five decades. It also increases problem solving and reasoning skills. The game of chess is a terrific way for young people to learn skills of strategy, planning and other important intellectual disciplines in a fun, friendly and mildly competitive environment. It inculcates logical thinking in students. It develops strategies to tackle a situation, learn to control pressure and develop focusing skills, says Kumar while talking to newskarnataka.com
The united Karnataka Chess Association is joining hands with Kumar.
R Hanumantha, Vice President, United Karnataka Chess Association mentioned that along with Thej Kumar they will also be approaching Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and submiting memorandum to make chess mandatory in all schools so that children’s overall development is achieved and their IQ level improves.
