World Chess Day: Read About India’s Chess Village, Marottichal!

Written By Gopika VC Image Credits: Gettyimages

The Marottichal village is in Kerala. It is in the Thrissur district and is often called a quiet village. It is about 15 km away from the town of Thrissur.

[{"selector":"#anim-41075dea-a31e-4f44-8208-baa47228b0f9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(29.756097134738337%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":17000,"fill":"forwards"}] Image Credits: Gettyimages

Even though this place is best known for its big and small waterfalls, there is another reason to go there.

[{"selector":"#anim-58237ab9-2e61-4c45-b21c-80bd22d691ed [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(62.472656610049626%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":15000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credits: Google

In this town, people drank, gambled, and fought. No matter what, folks couldn't break these terrible habits. Chess rescued this village.

[{"selector":"#anim-707fc6d0-ee1b-43c0-bbd4-c249830dc197 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(57.81249974400788%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":17000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credits: Google

Fire-Boltt Phoenix Smart Watch with Bluetooth Calling Just at ₹1,398

Village tea store owner Mr. Unnikrishnan adored this Indian game. He loved it and wanted to teach his town how to do it.

[{"selector":"#anim-2e552d58-2927-4827-9a84-6c807b050771 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(62.51704522710033%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":15000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credits: Google

He taught the people how to play chess for free after he had learned it himself. His teashop has turned into a place where anyone can come at any time and play chess.

[{"selector":"#anim-968955cc-1346-46be-b42c-f06c2be7c0ef [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(61.98730445684044%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":15000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credits: Gettyimages

This is the only village in India where thousands of people learn to play chess. Over time, they got so used to it that they gave up all their bad habits.

[{"selector":"#anim-327e7213-ea16-4b51-885b-140aef5883bf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(62.53662086642366%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":15000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credits: Gettyimages

At the moment, about 90% of the people in this village, regardless of age or gender, play chess.

[{"selector":"#anim-2b77d452-3c2f-4d69-872c-feac39d6520b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(57.86458307765726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":15000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credits: Google