What does chess mean to you?

by Sagar Shah - 20/07/2024

20th of July is celebrated across the world as the international chess day. And this is the 100th chess day and the 100th anniversary of the International Chess Federation - FIDE. On this wonderful day, Sagar Shah shares with us as to what chess means to him. He tells us about how in the journey of 24 years of chess being part of his life, it has meant different things at different junctures. At the end of the article is a google form, where you can submit your story of what chess means to you. The best ones will be published on ChessBase India.

Celebrating the International Chess Day

Today is the international chess day - 20th of July. It was the day when FIDE was formed in 1924. So today is the 100th anniversary of International Chess Day. Happy birthday FIDE!

The Logo of FIDE along with its motto - Gens Una Sumus

I often think, what does chess mean to me? Bobby Fischer said "Chess is Life" and I borrowed this quote from him for quite some time. But now when I sit down and think about it, I realize that at different moments of my life chess has meant different things for me.

1. (10-12 years)

Playing chess with my dad with Swiss Alps in the background!

I learnt chess when I was around 10 years old. At that point, the main aim of playing chess was to beat my dad! So as he went to the office, I plotted how should I beat him when he came back! It became a very big way of bonding with my dad.

2. (13-18 years)

With the legend Vishy Anand when I was 15 years old

This was the phase where I saw a different world beyond Ghatkopar where I lived. I travelled across the country, playing rating tournaments, wanting to increase my rating. In my bid to become better I met so many new people, made so many friends and most importantly learnt how to manage my finances and live with limited means. It helped me grow as an individual without me actually thinking about it. Another important thing I remember is that I never really had the time to hang out with my friends during the days of junior college. The famous Podar ka Katta was non-existent in my life, because I was travelling to places like Saharanpur, Sangli, Dindigul etc. to play tournaments.

3. (19-24 years)

While improving at chess was important, something truly spectacular happened through chess. I met the love of my life - Amruta Mokal. Just randomly, out of the blue, we started talking. The talk converted into liking, liking in loving and the love brought new dimensions to my life. I eventually married Amruta at the age of 24 and I could not be more grateful to the sport. I must point out to this very tough phase in my life (at least for a few months) where I was unsure about the relationship. I felt that it was impacting my chess. But I am glad I persisted. As on today we are together (most of the times happily!) for 16 years.

4. (25-27 years)

When I scored my 2nd GM norm in Lucopen Lille in 2015

The phase of trying to become a GM. A phase where you spend almost every single moment of your life thinking about your chess improvement. Why did I play that move, or what is my weapon against Grunfeld or how can I increase my stamina to grind better in an endgame! It was all about focus! In this phase chess gave me the greatest of joy in life and also humbled me every time arrogance set in.

5. (27-28 years)

Packing things is always painful. But sometimes letting the old go, makes space for the new to enter!

A unique year in the life of Amruta and me where we packed everything in a box and led a nomadic homeless life for 1 year travelling from 1 place to another for chess. In one year we covered 44 cities in India and 5 countries. This was the phase where chess transcended as a sport. I started looking at it as a social tool. Be it fighting the issues of alcohol in Marottichal or the drug issues in Punjab, chess was used as a part of the solution. I started to understand that chess could become a tool to bring about change and equality in the society.

6. (28-32 years)

The first ever outing of the ChessBase India team in 2019 in Goa. It gives me immense happiness that each person in this picture is involved with the organization in some way or the other till date!

Building a chess company took over the major part of my life here. I did my CA but I had very little clue how to run a businness. I read books - 100s of them on entrepreneurship and self improvement. I had sleepless nights, I found it hard to work together with a team. But I kept at it. From a team of 4-5 people we grew to 20! I saw chess transforming society and success stories from scratch. India becoming a super power at chess no longer was slowly becoming a reality. My life was dedicated to the aim of powering chess in India and world in this phase.

7. (32-34 years)

On the banks of river Narmada in Gujarat!

The last two years chess has made me look within. It has become my spiritual journey. It has taught me that I will create in the outside world whatever I am from within. How I do things has assumed more importance than what and why of doing things! The goal to power chess still exists but the one that shines brighter is to change myself - to become a better version of myself each day! And I have no doubt that as I embark on this inner journey I will be able to create the best impact in the outer world!

So this is where we are right now! Chess meant different things at different points of my life and I am sure it will evolve even in the years to come! I still go back to the time in my life when my dad called me and said "Sagar, come here I will show you a new game!" Little did I know that 24 years later that chess and I would be like Siamese twins! Thank you chess for being in my life. For helping me evolve and for giving meaning to my life! - Sagar Shah.

What does chess mean in your life?

What does chess mean in your life? If you could share that with us by filling the Google form, we will try and feature the best ones on the ChessBase India newspage.