Chess is king to these Indian villagers. The game led them out of 鈥榮o much darkness.鈥�
In Marottichal, every home has a chessboard 鈥� and two-thirds of residents play the game.聽
In Marottichal, every home has a chessboard 鈥� and two-thirds of residents play the game.聽
In Marottichal, a quaint village in the lush hills of southwestern India, chess is more than a game. It is the quiet heartbeat of a community that found its future in 64 squares.
For a long time, Marottichal was known for its scenic hiking routes and waterfalls. But a few decades ago, the village fell into a spiral of alcohol addiction and gambling. It took the actions of a soft-spoken tea stall owner, Charaliyil Unnikrishnan, to turn around this community of 6,000 people. Today, chessboards are found in every home, on porches, under trees, and, of course, in the unassuming tea shop where it all started.
With a gentle smile creasing his face, Mr. Unnikrishnan reflects on the village鈥檚 transformation. 鈥淭here was so much darkness,鈥� he says quietly. 鈥淏ut chess. ... It brought us together.鈥�
As he patiently taught the game to curious villagers, the sound of clinking bottles gave way to the soft clack of chess pieces. The pastime gave people purpose 鈥� and challenged them.
鈥淲here other villages might have 50 chess players, we have 4,500,鈥� says the president of Marottichal鈥檚 chess association, Baby John, his voice tinged with pride.聽
Now, the village is pushing to integrate chess into the school curriculum. Several young players from Marottichal already compete internationally and within India.
Mr. John, sipping tea as he moves a pawn across the board, says that Mr. Unnikrishnan 鈥済ave us our life back. We owe him everything.鈥�
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