Chess Reflection of Strategic Depth & Philosophical Wisdom: Anurag Thakur

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th Feb. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur, marked a significant moment on Wednesday as he handed over the Chess Olympiad Torch to Budapest, Hungary, the esteemed host of the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad. The ceremonial handoff was held at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium in New Delhi.

Accompanied by Indian Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand, Minister Thakur engaged in a friendly game of chess against FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Hungarian Grand Master Judit Polgár before transferring the Olympiad torch to the FIDE President and representatives from Budapest.

Expressing his delight at the occasion, Minister Thakur stated, “I am delighted that what we decided a few years back (to have Chess Olympiad Torch Relay) actually happened and that I am here at the handoff ceremony of the Torch for the Chess Olympiad.”

He emphasized the intellectual legacy of chess, noting its significance beyond just a sport. “Chess is an intellectual legacy that India probably offers to the world, and it is not merely a sport, but a reflection of strategic depth and philosophical wisdom,” Minister Thakur remarked, highlighting the mental acuity and resilience fostered by the game.

The 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad, held in Chennai in 2022, witnessed participation from over 2500 players and 7000 individuals. The upcoming FIDE Chess Olympiad is scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, with the official announcement made earlier this year.

The initiation of the Chess Olympiad Torch Relay was commemorated in a ceremony by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Stadium on June 19, 2022, marking a historic milestone in the global celebration of chess.