Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Chess Boosts Academic Performance, Says Anand
Viswanathan Anand, a famous chess player, said that playing chess for just four hours a week can help students think better and do well in school.
He talked about this at a big chess conference in Bhubaneswar.
Anand and other important people in chess said that chess is not just for royalty but for everyone, and it can help people learn important skills.
They also said that chess can be used to help people in prisons and in rural areas.
The conference had people from over 40 countries and launched a new chess academy and hall at KIIT University.
They want more children to play chess to help them learn and grow.
Playing chess for four hours a week can improve students' academic performance and structured thinking.
Chess is a versatile learning tool that benefits diverse sections of society, not just the elite.
Technology, especially mobile phones, has helped popularize chess in rural and remote areas.
The International Conference on Social and Educational Chess was held at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, with over 5,200 participants from 40+ countries.
The event launched the International Chess Hall and the Viswanathan Anand Chess Academy, emphasizing the university's commitment to promoting chess.
- Who
- Viswanathan Anand, Arkady Dvorkovich, Dana Reizniece, Dr Achyuta Samanta
- What
- International Conference on Social and Educational Chess
- When
- January 14-16
- Where
- KIIT University, Bhubaneswar
- Why
- To promote chess as a tool for structured thinking and academic improvement
- Event
- International Conference on Social and Educational Chess
- Location
- KIIT University, Bhubaneswar
- Participants
- 5,200+
- Countries Represented
- 40+
- Chess Academy Launched
- Viswanathan Anand Chess Academy
- Chess Hall Launched
- International Chess Hall
- Chess Players Worldwide
- 25 million children
