Asia is taking to the game of chess in a big way while India and China have a very big presence, especially in women's chess,
Former World Champion and Super Grandmaster Viswanthan Anand said, at
Bangalore, here today.
"Earlier the gap between the Soviet Union and the rest of the world as far as chess is concerned was huge. It is now narrowing. However, the Russians are still dominant," Anand who visited the city as NIIT's brand ambassador for launch of the 'Mind Champion Academy', told reporters.
"There is nothing like a close second in the game. Well, Hungary is in pretty good shape," he said.
In the last ten to 15 years, the chess scenario has grown rapidly and changed a lot, thanks to computers. A lot of young players are doing very well and the Indian scene "looks very positive and bright", he said.
"At the World Cup in Hyderbad, Koneru Hampy did very well, while Viji (Vijayalakshmi) was in good form. Players like Sasikiran and Ganguly are steadily picking up," Anand said.
Computers
revolutionized the game with the coming in of the first databases in 1986. "The game could be completed in one go with no adjournments and by 1992 every single player needed a laptop," he said.
The real potential of the game can be
realized today through IT literacy. "Chess seems to be made for the Indian context with a large potential audience for the game," he said.
Agencies
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