Government of India & AICF Launch ‘CHESS+’ to Bring Structured Chess Education into Schools
In a major step toward developing a grass-roots chess culture in India, Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary has officially launched CHESS+. The nationwide initiative is designed to introduce a structured chess curriculum into school education, bringing expert coaching, competition, and mentorship directly to classrooms. The initiative is being implemented jointly by the All India Chess Federation and the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.
The Pilot Rollout: 30 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas
The project begins with a pilot program across 30 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs):
13 JNVs in Haryana
15 JNVs in Uttar Pradesh
2 JNVs in Delhi
Learnings gathered from this pilot phase will pave the way for a phased rollout across all Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across the country.
Key Pillars of CHESS+
Structured Curriculum: Specially crafted by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) to suit school-age learners.
Mentorship & Coaching: Delivered through dedicated chess coaches and trained teacher-mentors.
Competitive Exposure: Regular school-level and inter-school tournaments to foster real match experience.
Evaluation Framework: A systematic tracking mechanism to measure both cognitive growth and chess skill progress.
Beyond over-the-board skills, the program aims to build essential life skills in young students, specifically critical thinking, problem-solving, deep concentration, decision-making, and emotional resilience.
Key Quotes from the Launch Video
Shri Jayant Chaudhary
"Chess teaches patience, humility, strategic thinking, and the ability to learn from both success and failure. CHESS+ will bring structured learning into schools, encouraging students to embrace chess not just as a game, but as a lifelong learning experience."
Shri Nitin Narang
"CHESS+ is a crucial step toward identifying and nurturing talent at the grassroots level. AICF is fully committed to offering structured exposure to chess across schools and creating a sustainable foundation for the future."
GM Srinath Narayanan
"Chess shaped my personal journey by teaching me decision-making, resilience, and confidence. I encourage young students to enjoy the game, stay curious, and make full use of this unique opportunity."
What Lies Ahead?
With India already establishing itself as a global chess powerhouse on the professional circuit, CHESS+ aims to solidify that success from the ground up. By embedding chess directly into the school ecosystem, the initiative ensures that every child, regardless of region, gets an equal opportunity to experience and excel at the game.