By Monojit Mandal
If you love chess, Tura is the place to be – you can play a friendly blitz and learn the ropes of the game from the top players of the West Garo Hills district, every Saturday and Sunday at the DC park, Tura, from 3 pm onwards.
Following an exclusive interview with Wilseng Garey, President of Garo Hills Chess Association (GHCA), I got an idea of how GHCA is trying to promote chess culture in Tura.
“We want everyone to experience how unique this game is compared to other board games. In Ludo, for instance, luck plays a major factor rather than skill and talent,” he says.
“Countries like Russia and America, to name a few, inspired us. They allow chess players to play the game with anyone in public spaces, free of cost. We want young players of the district to take up chess as a competitive sport and produce world-class players in the future. The present DC of our district, Swapnil Tembe, is a chess enthusiast himself. Through his encouragement and guidance, we now organise chess meets every weekend,” Garey adds.
The idea of creating a chess culture in Garo Hills is not a new one. Back in 2013, Garo Hills didn’t have a chess association, despite the presence of talented chess players. Nor were there tournaments or competitions for players to grow and develop their skills.
The scene changed when chess enthusiasts Wilseng Marak, Silseng Marak, and Silkam Sangma, among others, formed the GHCA, which is now affiliated with Meghalaya Chess Association (MCA), affiliated to All India Chess Federation (AICF).
Tembe helped them start open-air chess meets every weekend, giving players a platform. Game enthusiasts of any age can play and learn chess. It has led to a network of new friendships and is steadily gaining popularity.
Garey shared how they’ve planned to organise a chess workshop for school children in July, followed by an inter-school chess tournament in different categories – Under-16, Under-13 and Under-10. Also planned is a Fide-rated tournament later this year to mark 50 years of Meghalaya’s statehood, a blitz tournament and a chess academy for children.
He gave an interesting insight into why, out of all sports, in a football-dominated state, emphasis is on chess in particular. “Chess is an intellectual sport and associated with royalty. Sadly, it is also the most neglected sport here. We want people to get captivated by just 32 chess pieces on a 64-square board where the possibilities of the setup after the first 3 moves is a staggering 121 million!”
“This sport is truly diverse. Anyone can play with anyone regardless of their age and gender. Even visually impaired people can compete and play with a visually non-impaired player in the same tournament. An old person can play with a 6-year-old child too. There is no restriction in this game.”
Garey emphasised on studies that have shown chess players to be good problem solvers, planners and strategists, including how children who play this board game are better at calculation than the ones who don’t and possess excellent memory.
Garey says, “They will learn how to handle their emotions with their wins and defeats. Chess is one of the few sports where you find prodigies.”
Even though it is open for all, prominence is given mostly to children below 15 years, considered to be the right time for them to develop as potentially strong players.
In order to boost the game throughout the state, a similar approach will be taken in other towns and villages to spread chess culture all over Garo Hills. Following its adoption, GHCA will work with different district chess associations from different parts of Meghalaya. It is exploring various options to make the game accessible to all, irrespective of financial positions.
“Concessions in entry fees for financially constrained players exist. If some players can’t participate in a tournament organised by us, we consider giving them free entry. If any player shows potential, we support them fully through donations from the members of the association,” he said.
Talking about government support and managing funds for the sport, the GHCA president said, “The GHCA, since its inception, has mostly depended on donations from its members and well-wishers with limited support from the District Sports Office and District Administration.”
Drawing a comparison with the Tamil Nadu Government, he stressed on how why chess should be included in the scheduled Meghalaya Games for a start, adding, how the former, in association with AICF, is now ready to host the 44th Chess Olympiad at Chennai.
Garey says, “Some of the world’s top chess players and other Super Grandmasters will participate. If they can do it, why can’t Meghalaya?”
“Many of our talented players are unable to participate in national and rated tournaments because of their economic background and lack of support from the Government, so our dream is to organise a rated tournament at least once a year here in Garo Hills, with initiative from the Government.” The GHCA head says.