The Directorate of Education, in collaboration with the Andaman Nicobar Chess Association (ANCA), is set to host the Bal Chess Utsav 2025 – School Chess Championship on November 14 and 15 at the Marine Workshop Hall, ITI, Dollygunj. The event, organized as part of the Children’s Day celebrations, aims to promote logical thinking, concentration, and sportsmanship among school students across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The two-day championship will feature matches under six categories, Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, Under 15, and Under 19, with age limits defined to ensure fair competition. Students born on or after January 1, 2019, will compete in the Under 7 group; those born on or after January 1, 2017, in the Under 9 group; and similarly for higher categories up to Under 19, which includes players born on or after January 1, 2009.
Organizers have announced that there will be no entry fee for participation in the tournament, making it accessible to students from both government and private schools. However, registration with the All India Chess Federation (AICF) for the year 2025–26 is mandatory for all players. This requirement ensures that the championship maintains national-level standards and provides a structured pathway for local players aspiring to compete at higher levels.
Apart from promoting intellectual sports, the event also serves as a selection platform for the upcoming National Junior (Under 19) Chess Championship 2025. This adds a competitive edge to the local event, giving talented young players from the islands an opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage.
Interested schools and individual players have been invited to submit entries through a Google Form available online until November 12. As entries are limited, registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers have advised early submission to secure participation, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for chess among island students.
The Directorate of Education has been increasingly integrating mind sports such as chess into its co-curricular framework, recognizing their role in enhancing students’ cognitive and analytical abilities. Chess has long been known to improve decision-making and memory, and local educators believe that structured tournaments like Bal Chess Utsav can help students develop patience and strategic thinking, qualities that extend beyond the game into academics and life.
Officials from ANCA and the Directorate are coordinating to ensure smooth conduct of the event, with proper arrangements for tournament tables, chess clocks, and supervision by certified arbiters. The competition is expected to draw participation from schools across multiple regions of the islands, bringing together young talents in a friendly yet intellectually stimulating environment.
The choice of November 14 for the event aligns with the celebration of Children’s Day, making it a fitting occasion to celebrate both learning and play. The initiative underscores the Administration’s commitment to holistic education, encouraging students not only in academics but also in mental sports that foster discipline and focus.
Chess has been steadily gaining popularity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with several schools introducing chess clubs and extracurricular training sessions over the past few years. Events like the Bal Chess Utsav are seen as important milestones in this journey, providing a structured platform for emerging players to test their skills and gain recognition.
The Education Department and ANCA expect that the success of this championship will pave the way for more frequent and larger inter-school tournaments, strengthening the competitive chess circuit in the islands. With increasing participation and growing institutional support, the game is poised to become a regular feature in the educational and sporting calendar of the islands.
By combining competition with learning, the Bal Chess Utsav 2025 not only honours the spirit of Children’s Day but also reinforces the idea that sports, especially those that engage the mind, are essential to shaping well-rounded, confident, and capable young individuals.
