Chess is a sport that calls for immense focus, perseverance and commitment to make it to the top. While you wish for your child to excel in the game and make a name for herself/himself in the world of chess, there’s also the perennial parental concern:
Is it possible for your child to juggle the brain game and the studies with ace?
This is a question G. Akash, India’s 66th chess Grandmaster and the record-holder of the youngest senior chess champion can answer with ease.
Balancing Chess and Education: The story of GM Akash.G
Akash started playing chess relatively late: at the age of 9. As a young teen at 13, he won the U-25 state championship at his school and at the age of 16 he won his maiden Grandmaster. He received his maiden norm at the 2012 National Championship event in Kolkata that made him the youngest-ever player to bag the senior Nationals. He was 16 years and 14 days when he set the record that still stands strong.
By 12th grade, Akash was the National Senior champion and Commonwealth Junior gold medallist.
Soon the turning point came where he had to choose between academics and competitive chess. He decided to take up a professional course and joined Electronics & Engineering at the CEG college of Engineering.
The struggle to get Corporate sponsorships or monetary benefits from the government made Akash consider financial security through professional qualification to support his chess dreams.
From 2014 to 2018, Akash took a back seat in competitive chess as he successfully completed his engineering course.
While in college, Akash never gave up on his passion and was actively involved in promoting and coordinating chess events both at national and college level. He also meticulously curated the tournaments that he had wanted to play within the available time.
In 2018, Akash finished his graduation and focused on taking up the challenges in the Commonwealth Championships. Early in 2019, things looked dull for the pragmatic player, as his rating dropped from 2453 to 2394. However, grit, determination and hard work paid off and Akash became the 66th grandmaster in 2020.
Chess and studies: On not losing focus and prioritizing
Many parents and students worry over taking up, or committing to chess, fearing a cut down on grades and academic proficiency. Akash’s story teaches us how one can pursue one’s dreams and succeed without compromising on one’s academics.
It might have looked like a long winding path - and a tough one for that - for Akash to make his mark in chess. Getting back to chess after a 4 years gap would mean starting from scratch. It was especially tough to taper his focus to studies and watch one’s peers climb up the FIDE ratings and triumph in tournaments.
But he stood firm on his decision to take a break from active chess and pursue studies. The GM doesn’t regret his choices. Akash believes that his phase with studies made him who he is now, giving an overall experience of learning, organizing and participating in chess events throughout his college period.
Akash is also thankful to his parents who never buckled the expectations tight around him, giving him sufficient space and freedom to choose his paths; at times fail, and to win again. The young GM believes that the significance of being a sportsperson is to confront and handle failures gracefully. He never worried over the results but took his time to learn, wait and win, enjoying the game and growing his skills.
With a grand comeback, Akash has decided to take another break - this time with studies. Though he’s considering post graduation, he has stalled it for the time being, opting to focus on chess at present.
To quote Akash’s words, “time is the key”. All you need to do is identify your passion, take decisions that are prudent and brave and stick with them. A failure, or a gap is always temporary. You can bridge it anytime with determination and hardwork.
The impact of learning chess on academic excellence
How you balance chess and studies is a decision that you need to make. Learning and mastering the game, however, is proven to be advantageous to developing one’s cognitive skills and mental stamina.
As a student, there are ample reasons why learning to play the game can add better momentum to your academic skills and character development:
Enhances Problem Solving
Chess is known to improve concentration and problem-solving skills. Playing chess sharpens critical thinking and verbal development, boosts emotional intelligence, as well as mathematicals skills, and increases IQ. Teaching kids how to recognize, analyse, and solve problems is the best way to impart in them independence, self-confidence, and maturity.
Develops Abstract thinking
Abstract thinking is vital for students in every stage. Chess, with its complex strategies, builds analytical skills and abstract thinking in kids.
Exercises Brain
Chess is the best brain game that utilises both lobes of the brain, strengthening the cognitive behaviour and capabilities in children.
Improves Spatial skills
Spatial skills means the ability to think in advance and act accordingly. Children develop the ability to foresee results and calculate and visualise their moves and those of the opponents. .
Increases IQ Level
A previous study from Venezuela proves that a child who plays chess has double the IQ than that of a kid who doesn't play the game.
Teaches Self Discipline
One quality that chess brings is discipline. The mind game creates a structured thought process. Self discipline is a vital quality one must practise throughout life.
Improves memory
Chess teaches the brain to remember and retain information. As it is a game of strategy children have to memorise the patterns. That inturn improves their memory. That is crucial in academics and gaining knowledge as a whole.
Helps to focus and stay cool
Most of the students are tense about the examinations. Practising chess helps to easily handle the pressure.
Improves Creativity
The left side of the brain is responsible for analytical and methodical thinking, while the right side is responsible for creative and artistic thinking. A study done by Karunya University with the help of the Indian Government proves that students who play chess are creative in many ways.
Improves Mathematical ability
Chess and maths go together well. Cognitive skills enhanced by chess improves mathematical skills. Chess is a mentally taxing activity like mathematics. Improvement in spatial skills, IQ and brain development increase your problem-solving skills. That in turn helps the students to excel in mathematics.
TAKEAWAY
At Mind Mentorz, we help students find and sustain a healthy balance between studies and their passion for chess. Heavily leaning on the basics of cognitive skill development, we use chess to improve the overall personal skills of every student who enrols with us. While your child gets access to some of the most prestigious platforms of competitive chess and take part in tournaments nationwide, with Mind Mentorz, they also learn to stay rooted to their priorities and goals in life. To know more about the coaching process in Mind Mentorz, reach us at +91-960 68 47428.