Chess: The Grandmaster arrives today

Gary  Kimovich  Kasparov, a renowned chess grandmaster,  arrives in the country today  for a three-day workshop on the game.

The visit by the 50-year-old  Russian chess genius is part of his tour of Africa which commenced in January this year, aimed at helping local chess federations to raise awareness about the sport and how to use it as an educational tool.

The visit by the chess ace  is being organised by the “ The Kaparov Chess Foundation”, a chess advocacy NGO founded by Kasparov in March 2012.

At a press briefing yesterday,  the president of the Ghana Chess Association, Group Captain George Arko-Dadzie, noted that the visit by the Grandmaster was expected to change the phase of the sport in the country.

“Kasparov will sponsor our chess players for international competitions while his visit will also enhance the organisation of the first international chess tournament in the country in the near future”, he stated.

According to Group Capt Arko Dadzie, the chess magician would unearth talents and groom them for the national cause.

The  Minister of Youth Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, expressed delight about the coming of the chess legend, saying that would propel the sport and create awareness, as well as generate sponsorship for the game.

Mr Afriyie-Ankrah noted that apart from being a sport, chess helped to improve the mental and emotional strength of the player. “ It is a game of mind”, he affirmed.

Kaparov is expected to visit some schools  in the  Greater Accra Region where chess is played.