Checkmate!
BALAJI VITTAL
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There is nothing like a stimulating game of chess to satisfy the body, mind and soul.
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PHOTO: C.V. SUBHRAMANYAM
Pocketsized delight: The smallest chess set
Just imagine - you are the Supreme Commander of an army. It has elephants, horses, camels and soldiers. You also have a King and a Mantri (Minister). You are fighting a war with your opponent who also has a similar army.
The battlefield is square in shape and consists of little squares within a big square.
The battle starts. The pointed-nose camels run diagonally across, the stout elephants run straight. The little soldiers are slow in their gait. They can take only one step forward.
The tall Minister is the most powerful as he can run in any direction onward. The nimble horses can jump over anyone.
And can turn left or right even as they run. Your old King needs to be protected – so tell the elephant to have a castle erected. But the opponent’s King needs to be eliminated. If you want your victory to be celebrated.
But how? Do you weaken the opponent by knocking off its horses first? Do you sacrifice one of your camels in exchange for your opponent’s Minister? Or do you straightaway launch an attack on their King? What’s your game plan?
The beginning
Yes. This is the game of Chess, originated in India 1000 years ago. It is now played all over the world.
A game where quite a few Indians have achieved fame and glory – Vishwanathan Anand, Koneru Humpy, Parimarjan Negi.
You can play Chess with your parents or with a friend.
In fact you can play Chess with a computer as well as there are Chess games available in games software too.
Chess is fun and exciting! But that’s not all. While you play this game your mind needs to think and plan ahead all the time.
Therefore, Chess helps improve concentration power.
Playing Chess can help you get better with maths and computers.
So play Chess once a week. Every week.
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