Why are chess world champions not encouraged like other world title winners?

By Jaswant Claudius (Senior Sports Writer/Commentator)

After independence on 15 August 1947, India had the distinction of becoming world champion in four team sports events in the world of sports, including cricket, kabaddi and chess. First of all, in hockey in 1975, in a one-day cricket match in 1983, then in standard style kabaddi in 2004, this feat was achieved by the male players of our country. After this, the Indian men’s team won the World Cup nine times in standard style kabaddi in 2007, 2016 and then in circle style kabaddi from 2010 to 2014 and then in 2016. Similarly, the Indian women’s team became world champions in circle style kabaddi in 2013, 2014, 2016. In cricket, the Indian men’s team became world champions for the first time in T-20 in 2007 and then for the second time in 2024. After this, the Indian men’s team became the world champion in the one-day event in 2011 and now in September 2024, both the Indian women’s and men’s teams, that is, both the teams became the chess world champions together. It is unforgettable that the above four teams of Indian players became world champions in the game. Players of all the games deserve congratulations, but now we will see in which game how many countries participated and got the opportunity to become world champions.
In 1975, India was the winner of the third Hockey World Cup under the leadership of Captain Ajit Pal Singh. In this tournament, 39 countries of the world competed to become the champion. The Indian cricket team became the world champion for the first time in 1983 in the one-day format under the leadership of Kapil Dev, then only 8 teams participated in this event. Apart from this, after 28 years again in 2011, the Indian team became the champion under the leadership of Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Indian cricket team won the T20 World Cup in 2007 under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, when teams from 113 countries participated in the qualifiers. Similarly, in 2024, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team became the world champion among 81 teams in the qualifiers.

Similarly, in the standard style of Kabaddi, India won the first World Cup in 2004 under the leadership of Indian captain Sanjeev Kumar. In this, 12 teams of the world competed. In 2007, 16 countries tried to become champions in the standard style of Kabaddi but India won the second consecutive World Cup under the leadership of Rakesh Kumar. In 2016, under the leadership of captain Anup Kumar, India became the world champion among the teams of 12 countries. Similarly, in the first Circle Style World Cup Kabaddi competition held in 2010, India became the winner among the teams of 9 countries under the leadership of captain Mangal Singh Manga. In 2011, 14, in 2012, 16, in 2013, 11 men’s and 08 women’s teams participated and became champions. In 2014, out of 11 men’s and 08 women’s teams, India became the world champion in both the categories. Similarly, in 2016, in the Circle Style Kabaddi World Cup competition, India once again became the world leader in 12 men’s and 08 women’s teams.

On the other hand, in the 45th Chess Olympiad 2024, India’s men’s team has become the world champion among 188 countries of the world, while the women’s team has become the world champion among 169 countries. Thus, from a comparative point of view, success in chess is more important than hockey, cricket, kabaddi. Even before this, India has won bronze medals in the men’s chess team in 2014 and in both men’s and women’s categories in 2022.

The reason for the historic success in chess in 2024 is our players who dedicated their childhood, adolescence, youth for this country through chess. Winning the gold medal by getting the first place in 188 countries for men as well as 169 countries for women has been possible only through the hard work, continuous practice, disciplined life and intensive training of our players.

Every sport has its own importance in sports. It is a big thing for India to become world champion in any sport but to become world champion in the open category (men’s category) among players from 188 countries and in the women’s team from 169 countries after a very tough competition in the game of chess is an extraordinary achievement. In the recent past, compared to other sports, there was no wave of happiness or enthusiasm in our country regarding this achievement of chess. This situation forces us to think whether we are neglecting the sport born in our own country? Does sport now mean only earning money or promoting foreign sports that take products to consumers? The benefit of taking the achievement of chess to every home in India will not only benefit chess but will help in creating a positive environment for sports in our country