Playing chess could make you smarter; versus the notion that solely the good can play chess. A bunch of international chess players from Kerala, additionally childhood buddies, have been dispelling myths about chess and serving to children discover pleasure within the sport.
Eight Times Eight (8X8), a Kochi-based online world chess academy they based in 2021, has to date educated over 3,000 college students between 5 and 15 years of age from over 30 nations (together with the US, the UK and Canada).
Athul Krishna S, Adesh Joshi, Arijith M, Abhijith M, Manu Manikandan and Chandar Raju met at a children’s chess event in 2005 and have been buddies ever since.
The thought of beginning a training platform started when a relative approached Athul with a request throughout Covid-19 (in 2020). “A relative asked me if I could teach her child chess because he was addicted to social media,” Athul says.
This led to a dialogue among the many buddies and they launched an online chess training programme for children, whereas they have been nonetheless in faculty, in 2021. They have been stunned by the optimistic suggestions from the dad and mom. Some of the dad and mom even identified how the teachings had helped their children enhance their focus and consideration. “Especially in this age of online gaming and social media, parents feel that this is a great way to engage children creatively,” says Adesh.
(From left) Athul Krishna, Adesh Joshi, Manu Manikandan, Abhijith M, Arijith M, and Chandar Raju
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They quickly had over 50 college students studying underneath them and they determined to formalise their efforts.
By March 2022, the staff raised ₹35 lakhpre-seed funding at a ₹1.6 crore valuation from Artem Art of Consulting, an funding consulting agency (led by IIM graduates Shamin Sahar and Zubin Kabeer). While the buyers helped them construction their enterprise for scaling, setting strategic objectives, and enhancing operations, together with defining roles and duties, the six-member staff formulated the course that coated newbie, intermediate and superior ranges. Eight Times Eight grew to become a personal restricted firm in August 2022.
A newbie’s chess package by Eight Times Eight
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While Adesh, Arijith, Abhijith and Chandar are attorneys, Athul is an architect and Manu did his Msc in Mathematics. However, they’re totally invested within the firm now.
“The idea is not just to mould chess players for tournaments, but also to instil in them a genuine love for the game,” says Adesh. Chess facilitates holistic growth of a kid. From enhancing reminiscence to focus and sample recognition, it helps in total character growth, he provides.
Arijith, who began enjoying on the age of eight, says he has been on a journey with chess for 18 years and is now blissful having the ability to prepare. “India has earned a reputation in chess internationally. Among the top 10 in the world, at least four are from India,” Arijith provides. Especially with grandmasters Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh Dommaraju and Arjun Erigaisi, there’s an elevated curiosity amongst dad and mom and children to be taught and grasp chess, Arijith says.
An offline meetup organised by the staff in Kochi
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Eight Times eight operates with a staff of over 45 FIDE (International Chess Federation)-rated trainers, providing group and particular person lessons.
At the rookies’ stage, the scholars are launched to the sport. “To the really young students, the rules of the game are laid out in the form of stories. This is one way to get the children interested in the game,” says Adesh. In 5 to 6 months, the coed could be inspired to participate in tournaments. The academy would direct the scholars to the tournaments which are going down of their areas.
Many of their college students have received laurels too. Advait Sankar from Florida earned the title of National Master within the USA, whereas Aaranya R from Tamil Nadu grew to become the National Under-7 Chess Champion in 2024.
The programs aren’t time-bound. “There is no end to learning, the more you learn, the better you become. There are students who have been with us for over one year,” provides Adesh.
Eight Times Eight additionally affords particular person lessons for adults. “There is no age limit to learning chess. Just as it helps children, learning chess is beneficial for adults, too,” says Arijith.
Published – February 20, 2025 09:33 pm IST
