The Project Checkmate 2.0 program was jointly conducted by the All India Chess Federation of the Blind (AICFB) and the DR Foundation from June-August, 2020. The aim was to bring a more holistic approach to learning chess and improving as an all-rounded individual through a series of motivational speakers and Grandmaster chess sessions virtually. Fifteen players were given high quality training, while a few additional students appeared for a session or two.
The program brought forward speakers from the fields of nutrition, sports psychology, winter sports, entrepreneurship, social service, swimming, amongst others. The chess sessions saw the likes of super GM Pentala Harikrishna and top Indian trainers IM Vishal Sareen and R.B. Ramesh besides other titled players. Checkmate 2.0 was a proud host of Arjuna Awardees, Olympians, and other medalists. The participants of the project gained immense knowledge from the experts and master players, adding to their development process in the mind sport. The players were even rewarded with premium memberships from Chess24, which is one of the popular online chess playing portals. Overall, the program was a huge learning experience for all those who were involved and gave a tremendous opportunity to take the blind chess community forward in the country. |