Time constraints obstacle in setting up chess academy: Anand

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Coimbatore, Jun 22: World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand today (Jun 22) said that he has not yet given up his idea of setting up a chess academy but admitted that he could not do it because of the time constraints.

"Definitely, it is there in my mind. However, preoccupation and time constraints have become impediment to the venture," Anand, who was here to attend a function of NIIT, told reporters.

On whether he would prefer to set up an academy in Chennai, Anand said, "We will see. It is there in my mind. However, there are no immediate plans for this."

Asked why chess was not becoming popular in the country despite his exploits, Anand said that the game was not a traditional one and had not reached every nook and corner of the country.

He also said that he is trying to popularise the game through the initiative of NIIT MyChamp.

NIIT MyChamp scheme has helped more than one million students to learn chess, even reaching to some non-traditional areas in North.

Anand said a recent study had revealed that by playing chess, students can improve their academic performance, particularly in subjects like Mathematics and Science.

The legend also added that he would visit several cities, including Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Nagpur in the next 10 days to motivate more people to take up chess.

PTI