Generation Z gets on board: These teenagers are driving change through chess

Every generation thinks that the one that follows them is not good enough Generation X said it about the millennials and the millennials say it about Gen Z Yet a quick conversation with the quartet that heads the initiative Chess4Change and you might realise that the kids are alright Since 2023 four teenagers mdash Aaditya Anand Nehan Mehta Krish Kapur and Vivaan Verma mdash are quietly seeking to use chess as a platform for change in the cityldquoWe love chessrdquo is the common clarion as we log into the video call on a busy weekday afternoon For 14yearold Aaditya Anand a founding member of Chess4Change it was the first game his father taught him This was not limited to learning the game ldquoWe started out as rivals in tournamentsrdquo reveals another member of the quartet Nehan MehtaAll on boardIt was one such competition that brought the friends together ldquoWe had met each other on and off but it was during a tournament in Aurangabad now Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in 2019 that something clicked Krish Kapur and Vivaan Verma joined the initiative in 2024rdquo shares AnandNehan Mehta Krish Kapur Vivaan Verma and Aaditya AnandDid the rivalry come in the way we wonder ldquoNot at allrdquo shares Verma adding ldquoWe realised that we enjoyed playing with each other Somehow competing with each other was more funrdquo Like all teens the quartet turned to social media to get their love for the game outldquoThe game gave us so many friends we wanted to give something back to itrdquo shares Anand They certainly find fun ways to do it In July this year the quartet picked up spots like railway stations autorickshaws to get people talking about the gameSpreading the loveStarting in 2023 the quartet began by looking to teach classes to children in their neighbourhood as part of the initiative Not exactly an easy task in a country where cricket rules the roost ldquoWe get that cricket is the most popular sport but the interest is growingrdquo suggests Kapur a ninthgrade student at the Hill Spring International School TardeoThe teenagers set out on a campaign to publicise the sport by playing it with rickshaw drivers and even at railway stations Pics Courtesychess4changeindiaThe teens chanced upon an opportunity with the NGO Angel Xpress Foundation As of 2025 close to 50 students turn up to be taught the game of chess every weekend Between their own homework assignments school and chess practice the quartet take turns to hold these sessions at BMC gardens in Mahalaxmi and SewrildquoChess is more than just a gamerdquo Mehta points out trying to explain ldquoWhen we explain to the children we have to teach them a completely new way of thinking It is not just about the pawns on the board This was a learning experience for us toordquo The solution was simple mdash to have fun while playing the gameSometimes itrsquos easy to forget the quartet is still in their teens Recalling a moment during the workshop with cancer survivors of the Access Life Foundation Mehta says ldquoIt was humbling It made me realise my privilege and I was proud when they wonrdquo The quiet and shy Kapur admits ldquoIt improved my communication skills I learned how to simplify the basics and help them understand every detailrdquoChess for allAaditya Anand plays with a dabbawala on his breakThe workshops and lessons are only the beginning The teens reveal that their next initiative Queens of the Board is a digital series that profiles women who have conquered the board ldquoFIDE has marked out August as Women Chess Month and we are hoping to spark a conversation through this initiativerdquo shares Anand The initiative has also tied up with the Animedh Charitable Trust ACT to create merchandise crafted by women artisans ldquoWe plan to sell these online and offline to help raise funds for themrdquo shares Mehta It looks like the pieces are in place for a new takeover in the city Good moves we sayLog on to chess4changeindia on Instagram for details