Sunday, August 06, 2006

Diploma in Chess Mastery

No joke! Yes, the country where chess originated is now creating a formal university qualification in chess. Would-be grandmasters can earn their diploma in chess at the Symbiosis University, in India.

Dr Satish Thigale, faculty head at the university:

The game originated in India, but over the years the West has left its mark on the game due to persistent efforts and systematic coaching. It’s time we change that and the best way to go about it would be developing it in school.

The idea certainly contributes to India's very high ambitions of notching up 100 grandmasters by the year 2012. So far, they have 14 - a long way to go!

The idea of chess being part of some kind of tertiary study is probably nothing new. I'm pretty sure the Russians have been doing it for years. But I'm not certain if they had a stand-alone qualification like a "diploma in chess". Perhaps our more learned readers can clarify.

4 comments:

Malejewicz said...

If we in Australia had a Diploma in chess some of the component subjects might be:-
Living with your parents into middle age 101
Not shaving, not showering 101
Advanced body odour 101
How to stay on the 'dole' for years at a time 101
Life without a girlfriend 101

Milan Lee said...

China has chess school for extremely talented kids. It is located in Peking and head coach is GM Ye Yiangchuan. The system is very strict; kids can see their parents only once a year etc

DeNovoMeme said...

goran, that is not a diploma course, it's a 10 year sentence in solitary confinement with hard labour. If that is was they do to the their best, imagine what they do to their drongos ;-)

JM said...

Symbiosis is at 3 locations in Pune. What is the address of the location from where this course is being offered. What are the days and the timings. I have heard private coaching is also available for that. Does anyone have details of these. Plz. mail me at mehtajayk@yahoo.com