In a primary school corridor in remote Goa, a young Class III student takes a thoughtful pause before making her first move on the chessboard. Her opponent, surrounded by intently watching peers, responds swiftly, seizing an advantageous position. This is not a break from learning but an integral part of it.
More Than a Game: Chess as an Educational Tool
This scene unfolded at Vivekanand Vidya Mandir Primary School in Keri, located in Goa's Sattari taluka. The students playing were not being punished or skipping class. They were among the "brighter" ones who had made progress, and their reward was a game of chess. Meanwhile, inside a packed classroom of about 70 students, others listened attentively to their chess teacher, Nilesh Dhargalkar.
This is a snapshot of a growing movement across Goa. From Pernem in the north to Canacona in the south, schools are introducing chess not merely to create future grandmasters but to deploy the sport as a powerful antidote to mounting educational pressure. The Goa Chess Association's 'Chess in Schools' programme has been adopted by at least two schools each in eight of the state's twelve talukas, targeting students in Classes III and IV.
"The programme is inspired by a similar initiative started by FIDE, the world governing body for chess," explained Ashesh Keni, Secretary of the Goa Chess Association. He emphasized that while some children may become champions, the broader gains are crucial. "It has been established that once chess is taught, students' IQ levels, reasoning, logic, and overall abilities improve."
A Rich Legacy and a Pandemic Boost
Goa's connection with chess runs deep, with records of tournaments pre-dating Liberation from Portuguese rule. A formal association was established in 1973. The sport gained significant momentum in the early 2000s with prodigies like Ivana Furtado, a double world youth champion, and Bhakti Kulkarni, who became state champion in the open category at just 11.
The recent FIDE Chess World Cup in Arpora, North Goa, showcased global talent, including homegrown grandmaster Leon Mendonca (19) and IM Ethan Vaz (14), the national junior champion. Keni notes that the Covid-19 pandemic further popularized chess, with an estimated 25,000-30,000 players in Goa, about 2,000 of whom are registered.
Transforming Classrooms and Minds
The 'Chess in Schools' initiative strategically capitalizes on this craze. The association deploys qualified coaches at its own cost, ensuring students receive proper foundational training. Nowhere is this commitment more evident than in Keri, where coach Dhargalkar uses projectors, holds late-night online classes, and has helped produce 12 rated players, including U-7 and U-12 champions.
Gopinath Gawas, the school's headmaster, observes profound changes. "Chess is more than just a sport. Since its introduction, we've seen increased positivity. It teaches future planning, management, patience, and concentration," he said, noting remarkable progress in one child with special needs. In Sattari, where football and kabaddi traditionally reign, chess is making strong inroads.
Closer to Panaji, at Mushtifund High School in Cujira, FIDE-rated player Snehal Naik coaches 32 selected students weekly. While definitive studies on immediate benefits are scarce, educators see clear evidence. "Children are showing positivity and thinking ahead," says Dhargalkar. "Generally, mobiles and TV hook children. Now, it's chess. Ask them what gift they want, they'll say a chess board."
The program represents a strategic move to harness a classic game for modern educational challenges, building cognitive resilience one move at a time.
