Bhubaneswar, Jan 15: The International Conference on Social and Educational Chess, hosted by KIIT University, concluded on Wednesday with high-level deliberations focusing on the role of chess in education, character-building and social transformation.
The multi-day conference was inaugurated on Tuesday by legendary chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand.
Welcoming the delegates on the second and concluding day, Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE, stressed the importance of regular practice and discipline, advising young players to dedicate at least four hours a day to the game. He said chess instilled responsibility, decision-making skills and accountability, adding that it was never too late for individuals to take up or return to the sport. He also emphasised the need to expand chess to wider sections of society so that its benefits could reach more people.
Dvorkovich visited the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) campus, where he interacted with students and participated in friendly rugby and football matches. He also toured various KIIT and KISS campuses and engaged with faculty members and students.
Ms Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of FIDE and former Finance Minister of Latvia, shared her personal journey with chess, stating that she had taken up the game at the age of eight and practised almost six days a week. She attributed much of her professional success and personal resilience to the discipline, strategic thinking and mental strength she developed through chess from an early age.
Addressing the gathering next, Jerry Nash, Chair of the Educational Chess Commission of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), described chess as a powerful medium to help students navigate life’s complex decisions. Visiting Bhubaneswar for the second time, he said the conference represented a shared global vision to embed chess meaningfully within education systems and communities.
Founder of KIIT and KISS, Dr Achyuta Samanta underscored the intellectual and social value of the game, noting that chess sharpened mental abilities and nurtured knowledge-driven intelligence. He acknowledged the contribution of the Odisha Chess Association and reiterated KIIT’s commitment to promoting chess as a tool for education, inclusion and social upliftment.
KIIT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh said the university was working towards designing a unique diploma programme in chess in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He emphasised KIIT’s holistic approach to education, stating that chess could be effectively integrated with disciplines such as engineering, technology and management to strengthen analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities and innovation among students.
Prof. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar of KIIT Deemed to be University, proposed the vote of thanks.
