Recently, the following news hogged the limelight that teenaged Indian chess superstar R. Praggnanandhaa defeated the world champion Ding Liren of China in the fourth round of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. It was a victory that helped him surpass the legendary Viswanathan Anand as the top-rated Indian player. The 18-year-old Praggnanandhaa has 2748.3 points as against 2748 of five-time world champion Anand in the FIDE live ratings, the world chess body that publishes the ratings at the start of each month. With the 62-move win with black pieces, Praggnanandhaa became the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to defeat a reigning world champion in classical chess. He had also beaten Liren at the 2023 Tata Steel tournament. He is only the third youngest player after Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen to qualify for the Candidates tournament.
A brief investigation into the evolution of the game of chess is worth considering in the given context.
Chess – A Game of Strategy and Wits
Chess is a classical game of strategy, wits, and endurance. It involves simple rules and infinite complexity that has made it an enduring symbol of intelligence and strategic thinking. It has captivated players worldwide for millenia.
Origin
The origin of chess is shrouded in mystery. However, it is believed to have originated in India around the 6th century with its roots emanating from Northern India.
The earliest version of chess,’chaturanga’, represented four divisions of the Indian military:
- Infantry
- Cavalry
- Elephants
- Chariots
The game spread along the trade routes to Persia, where it got transformed into ‘shatranj’. Gaining popularity, it progressively disseminated across the globe through the routes of Islamic invasions, trade, and cultural exchanges and eventually reached the boundaries of Europe.
The game evolved into a more recognisable form. The pieces took on their modern roles and movements. The rules underwent several refinements, introducing the concepts such as castling and pawn promotion.
The 19th century witnessed a transformative phase, when the Romantic Era of chess, saw players emphasising daring attacks and bold sacrifices. One of the earliest rivalries between Howard Staunton and Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant captured the imagination of chess enthusiasts. This ultimately led to the standardisation of the rules of playing chess. First international chess tournament was held in London in the year 1851. This marked a pivotal moment in honouring global recognition to the game of chess.
The 20th century brought about another significant turn around in the dynamics of the game of chess. Rise of players like Mikhail Botvinnik, Anatoly Karpov, and Garry Kasparov from Soviet Chess School dominated the chess world. It showcased meticulous preparation, deep strategic understanding, and innovative tactics. The rigorous training methods of the Soviet Chess School made significant contributions to chess theory. This had a lasting impact on the evolution of the game of chess.
As the 20th century gave way to the 21st, a new dimension was appended to the evolution of chess: the rise of chess engines. Prolific use of computers had begun to challenge human players. Deep Blue computer of the IBM defeated the world champion Garry Kasparov in a historic match in the year 1997. This proved to be a pivotal moment in the history of chess. It illustrated the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping the evolutionary trend in the game.
Since then, chess engines have only evolved using advanced algorithms, deep neural networks, and immense processing power. Modern chess engines, such as Stockfish and AlphaZero, have analysed positions with incredible depth. It has been providing insights that were once beyond the comprehension of humans . These engines have not only transformed competitive chess but have also enriched the study of the game by uncovering hidden nuances and novel strategies. In recent years, the popular Netflix series ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ has brought it to the forefront of mainstream culture.
Modern chess landscape is witnessing the trend of chess streaming. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube have become hubs for chess enthusiasts and players to connect, learn, and share their passion. Grandmasters and skilled players now stream their games live. This offers educational content, and engages with their audiences in real-time. This interactive format has literally democratised the game of chess through education and entertainment, and thus making it accessible to people of all ages and skill levels.
Learning Chess Online
Are you curious about the game of chess? Do you want to be the next grandmaster? Are you looking at the multiple options to avail the benefits of online chess learning programmes? In the given context, this article will explore all that is relevant for you.
It is important that you know and compare the available options to begin your earnest quest for a chess learning programme today. Several academies and organisations have started offering training programmes through online tutorials and videos, customised courses with the support of eminent coaches, and real life games. Some of the relevant courses, scholarship programmes and platforms for learning the art of playing chess are listed as under:
- The nurtr Nurturing Minds with Chess Program 2023-24
- The Lichess Learn Chess by Playing
- The Learn.Chess by ChessBase
- The Kaabil Kids Online Chess Training
- Streaming Platforms like Twitch and YouTube
- Netflix series ‘The Queen’s Gambit’
Learn Chess Online: Knowing the Game
Chess is a strategy-based board game. It is played by moving pieces and executing the moves uniquely applicable to the individual pieces. The goal of the game is to overcome the adversary by exhausting all the possible moves and delivering the final blow to the opponent by forcing a checkmate.
A charecteristic feature of the game of chess comes from the fact that it has more than a billion conceivable outcomes and moves that can play out on the board. In fact, new moves, strategies, openings are being revealed by the players as the modern game continues to evolve the way it is played now.
Contrary to physical sports, chess can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their age, from the comfort of their home. However, the ever-enduring popularity of chess can be attributed to applied aspects of the game. They are as under:
- Intellectual Competency
- Knowing the Strategy
- Tactical Skills
- Wits and Endurance
- Critical Thinking
- Strategy Building
- Problem Solving
All of these are the essential factors required to master the art and craft involved in the game.
Learn Chess Online – nurtr Nurturing Minds with Chess Program 2023-24
The online platform of nurtr provides chess enthusiasts with detailed information and training imparted from active prodigies and professionals. The subsidised subscription-based programme, nurtr NeoNurturing Minds with Chess provides the opportunity to avail the benefits offered by the programme along with additional supplementary materials.
Important Features of Nurturing Minds with Chess Program 2023-24 are as follows:
- Dream Room – A collection of over 40 hours of cinematised comprehensive courses designed in collaboration with chess prodigies like R.B. Ramesh, parents, coaches, and mental skill trainers of the Olympic standard. The course is meant for everyone, the beginner learning the basics or proficient players polishing and honing their skills.
- Boot Camps – Nurturing Minds with Chess Program organises Boot Camps and strives to create enablers. It ensures that their trainees become the best chess players that they can be. It is an intense cohort-based training program to learn chess online from some of the most sought-after coaches. This programme provides doubt clearance, access to recorded sessions, mental training and expert support. Participants get homework and regular tests. Upon successful clearance, a certificate is provided.
Chess Bootcamp: Mastering Material Imbalance has been recently launched by nurtr on February 10, 2024.
- Live Camps – Over 50 hours of live learning experience from grandmaster coaches can be availed by becoming a part of the live camps.
- Video on Demand – This provision of 500+ hours of professionally edited videos are offered from celebrated chess coaches. It is of typical 60-120 minutes duration and they are added progressively.
nurtr provides all of those features mentioned above along with other perks like supplementary material, puzzles, and quizzes to the subscribers of the nurtr Neo Nurturing Minds with Chess programme. Individuals can avail the following with the subsidised subscription to the nurtr Neo Course:
- nurtr Nurturing Minds with Chess Program 2023-24 (90% Fee Waiver)
- nurtr Nurturing Minds with Chess Program 2023-24 (50% Fee Waiver)
The eligibility criteria are listed hereafter:
- Applicant should be an Indian resident in 5 to 25 years age group
- He or she should be a student pursuing his or her studies in a school or college
- Annual family income of the applicant should be as follows:
- Less than ₹8 lakh for 90% fee waiver
- From ₹8 to ₹15 lakh for 50% fee waiver
Availability of discounts on this course is an outcome of the collaborative effort between nurtr and Buddy4Study. The candidate can avail 50% fee waiver in case the annual income of their family ranges between ₹8 to ₹15 lakh. For 90% fee waiver, the annual family income of the applicant should be less than ₹8 lakh. This effectively reduces the original price to a much more affordable limit of ₹4,999 and ₹1,000 respectively.
The applicant needs to present the following documents for the application process:
- Student ID Proof of the School/College
- Passport-sized Photo of the Applicant
- Family income proof if applying for fee waiver (Salary Slip, Form 16, Income Certificate, ITR, etc.)
- ID proof such as the Aadhar Card etc.
- Self-declaration
Once the provided documents are verified, the course becomes activated and the selected applicants are provided required access. If it is found otherwise, the amount is refunded to the applicant.
A Brief Introduction of nurtr!
nurtr is a data-driven mentoring and skilling platform. Launched in June 2018, today nurtr has become one of the fastest growing Online Skilling Academies in the world. It is dedicated towards solving the problem of access vis-a-vis access to credible, best in class, deep course content and world-class mentors and trainers in ‘extra-curriculars’ such as chess, music, cricket, etc. nutr launched its first chess learning course in June 2018 and today they have thousands of paying customers from countries across all continents. While ‘Chess’ is their first vertical, nurtr represent a vision of becoming the most comprehensive, data-driven career skilling and mentoring company in the world.
Lichess – Learn Chess Online by Playing!
Lichess is an organisation that provides users with free audio-visual learning content for playing the game of chess. It is an interactive learning platform that makes the users learn chess online with fun and excitement while getting rewarded with bite-sized lessons.
Along with actively playing and learning the game, users can request an analysis from ‘Stockfish,’ a latest chess engine software which reveals the mistakes and lets one compare their game against a database of games made available by the chess masters. The website hosts live games played by the World Champions and provides real time collaborative studies from the hired coaches. There are other options available to share games, positions, including annotated variations and chatting. The only paid portion available on this website is coaching.
ChessBase: Learn Chess – Learning Chess Online
ChessBase offers detailed information about individual pieces of the chess game along with small manageable exercises with every one of them. It explains the themes, rules and other necessary information while also providing users the ability to play chess online against real leaderboard players or chess bots. There are free courses on individual pieces on the board explaining their properties, movement, strength and weaknesses. A special feature of the ChessBase is their free to use, adaptive chess bot named ‘Fritz.’ It lets a player reverse their moves and it commits mistakes like a human. The free course programme includes three beginner courses and a fourth practice course where one gets to test their skills on the playground.
Kaabil Kids Online Chess Training
The online chess training programme offered by Kaabil Kids provides learners with easy, accessible and affordable knowledge of chess learning programmes. Their coaches are rated by FIDE and backed by pedagogy on paid courses with extensive curriculum. Their curriculums are designed by the grandmasters with robust performance measurement tools. They have FIDE certified trainers who have a good grasp on child psychology to understand and implement the best learning approaches. Kaabil Kids provide detailed lessons on critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and communication and offer free demo sessions for the newcomers.
Interested learners can freely explore the world of chess learning on popular streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube, where enthusiasts and experts alike share valuable insights, strategies, and tutorials. They can dive into the gripping world of chess with the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit,” which follows the journey of a young chess prodigy as she navigates the complexities of the game and her personal life. However, subsidised best-selling chess learning programmes, the outcome of collaboration of Buddy4Study and nurtr offer unique opportunity in the form of a ‘Dream Room Neo Course’ for students who are passionate about the game. The initiative extends substantial support by providing a discount unlike other online learning platforms.
It would be appropriate to conclude here that online chess learning programs offer an accessible and convenient way for enthusiasts at all levels to sharpen their skills, broaden their horizon, and by diving into the fascinating world of chess. Learning the basics like a beginner or seeking to refine the strategies like an advanced player, these programmes provide a wealth of resources, tutorials, and interactive platforms to support your journey. Embrace the opportunity on offer and enhance your chess prowess by enjoying the thrill of this intellectual competition in this timeless game of art and craft called ‘Chess.’
FAQs
How can one learn chess online?
A: In this age of the internet, one can easily access detailed information on how to learn the art and craft of playing chess online from the comfort of their own home. There are several companies, platforms and organisations that offer paid and free courses to learn, play and compete.
Does learning the art and craft of playing the game of chess have any day-to-day benefits?
A: Yes, learning the art of playing chess offers several day-to-day benefits. It leads to the following:
- Improved decision-making skills
- Enhanced cognitive abilities such as memory, concentration, problem-solving, and spatial awareness
- Stress reduction
- Increased patience and persistence
- Improved social skills such as communication, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
How is nurtr different from other websites offering chess learning programmes?
A: nurtr is a prominent chess skilling academy focused on a singular mission of making the learner a better chess player. They have partnered with some of the best trainers in the world. They facilitate provisions of live and on demand content to help the learners achieve their chess goals. However, many other popular chess websites have their focus concentrated on playzone, chess events, tournament broadcasts etc.and some of these features are included on the nurtr platform as well. Therefore, this makes nurtr stand out from the rest.
What is the ideal age to learn chess?
A: There is no age barrier when it comes to learning the art and craft of this wonderful board game of chess. It is subjective and depends on individual preferences, commitments, and goals. However, many experts recommend starting at a young age, as children tend to grasp new concepts quickly and can develop strong cognitive skills through chess.
If a learner is interested in pursuing one-to-one learning courses, what should they do?
A: One-to-one learning courses can prove to be expensive, given the time and resources it requires. It is this context chess learning programmes offered by nurtr focuses on maximising the impact and sphere of influence of their mentors. They work with a select few students and mentors since that allows them to keep their ears to the ground and experiment with pedagogical tools before making it available for wider use. Interested learners can also get in touch with nurtr for more details on one-to-one coaching.
Can anybody avail of the chess program by nurtr?
A: One has to meet the eligibility criteria in order to avail the benefits offered by the aforementioned program. To check the eligibility criteria, applicants are advised to visit the official site or read the article by Buddy4Study for detailed information.
How many students are permitted in a Live Camp organised by nurtr ?
A: Live Camps organised by nurtr have one to many interactive group lessons. There are no restrictions on the number of students in the live camps.
Do online platforms like ChessBase, Kaabil Kids, Lichess provide free courses?
A: These online learning platforms offer paid as well free curriculums. They offer the option to book a free demo session through their official website.
Who is R. Praggnanandhaa?
A: India’s latest chess sensation, the 18-year-old prodigy R Praggnanandhaa is the third youngest player after Bobby Fischer and Carlsen to qualify for the Candidates tournament. The Teenage Indian chess superstar defeated world champion Ding Liren of China in the fourth round of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament held recently, a win which also helped him surpass the legendary Viswanathan Anand as the top-rated Indian player.