Chess at the SCG? Lofty ambitions touted as world champion visits

[ad_1] With a thriving scene in faculties and a wealth of gorgeous places to host occasions, one of many best chess gamers to ever grace the chequered board believes the game is poised to blow up in Australia.

That's the hope of Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, who believes Australia has the suitable foundations to turn into a distinguished chess nation within the close to future.

And the five-time Chess World Champion believes considered one of Sydney's most well-known venues might be a future host of the game's latest franchise league.

Chatting with ABC Sport whereas in Australia, Anand, 56, stated he was "amazed" to see the excessive engagement in chess, particularly amongst youthful gamers.

"We had the Netflix, Queen's Gambit and pandemic growth, and there's one other growth occurring in Australia, which is chess in faculties," Anand stated.

"I used to be sort of ready for the truth that extra folks can be following chess on their telephones, however I used to be amazed to see the chess in faculties scene that's occurring right here.

"Usually, Australia hasn't been a chess nation, however I feel that is about to alter."

Greater than 2,000 grandmaster titles have been awarded by the game's governing physique, FIDE, since 1950.

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Simply 10 of these grandmasters had been Australian (excluding Walter S Browne, who was born in Australia however recognized as American), with Ian Rogers the primary to attain the title in 1985.

However after seeing a blooming chess neighborhood throughout his Sydney tour, Anand believes Australia is poised so as to add extra grandmasters to its record of 10.

"There are very, very passionate communities. Children are doing it, and getting their elders to comply with the sport a bit," he stated.

"I feel this might be a really promising second for Australian chess."

A brand new enterprise that Anand believes may assist chess attain new heights, not simply in Australia, is the game's maiden franchise league — World Chess League.

Launched in 2023, the competitors has had three seasons with most of the world's prime gamers taking part within the six-team competitors.

Staff-based chess has historically been restricted to representing your nation in tournaments just like the Chess Olympiad.

However the World Chess League, a three way partnership between FIDE and Indian multinational firm Tech Mahindra, is taking loads of inspiration from cricket's Indian Premier League.

Anand has been the lead participant for the Ganges Grandmasters in all three seasons, and can also be the present deputy president of FIDE.

Buoyed by the success of GCL's three seasons to date, Anand believes the match has the power to proceed to develop into new markets and attain a wider viewers, particularly in Australia.

"They immediately began with the concept, identical to IPL, they need to deal with making it leisure and deal with attracting new audiences," he stated.

"All the pieces has been redesigned to make it packageable for tv.

"Chess has accomplished nicely on the web, however the secret's to succeed in out to new audiences that do not naturally encounter chess.

"I might say each in India and Australia, there's a tradition of being open to those new codecs and displays."

The GCL is performed in a single location throughout two weeks.

Viswanathan Anand believes the Sydney Cricket Floor can be an important location for chess. ( Getty Pictures: AFL Photographs/Matt King )

To date, Dubai, London and Mumbai have hosted the franchise league.

After visiting the historic Sydney Cricket Floor, Anand believes Sydney might be a super spot to deliver the booming chess competitors sooner or later.

"Most venues need to host a number of totally different video games, to point out they aren't restricted to 1 sport," Anand stated.

"We have now the pleasure of visiting the Sydney Cricket Floor … we're hopeful we are able to discover some space of collaboration there."

Additionally talking with ABC Sport, Tech Mahindra's Harshvendra Soin was upbeat about the way forward for Australian chess, and the prospect of a historic venue just like the SCG internet hosting chess tournaments.

"I have already got an creativeness. In the midst of the SCG, you might have the finals of the World Chess League."

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Chess at the SCG? Lofty ambitions touted as world champion visits

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