1st AICF assisted Eco Chess Camp on the Himalayas

17 students from Himachal Pradesh participated in a 7 days life changing Residential Camp on the Himalayas from 17th to 23rd March 2017.Conceptualized by noted chess tra,the players were subjected to uninterrupted educative sessions on chess, meditation, motivation, physical training and enviournmental awareness in the lap of snow clad Himalayas.

Sudarshan Sharma,Secretary Himachal Pradesh Chess Association made all the necessary arrangements in Hotel Treebo Celebrity,Old Manali which is located in an apple orchard overlooking the River Beas. One of the foremost Sports mental trainers of the country,Mr.Mrinal Chakraborty captivated the students and guardians with his mesmerizing presentations and meditation sessions.Noted enviournmentalist and social worker Mr. Budhha Ram Sharma helped the participants connect with nature. This was in addition to the chess classes which focused on lessons from the Classical games.

The highlight of the Camp was when the children trekked three Kilometers on the slope of a mountain to plant sapling of Akhnoor tree with the help from the local community.It was preceded by lessons in enviournment and benefits of plantation by Buddha Ram Sharma. The previous day,the participants were taken for an excursion to the heritage village of Naggar,about 40 Kilometers from Manali where the students visited the Museum of Nicholas Roerich the famous Russian painter,writer,archaeologist and philosopher who settled in the valley in the last century.

For most participants,this camp is likely to be a life changing experience. Whether such holistic approach to chess training will produce future champions is to be seen, but for sure, such approach is likely to help the participants grow up to be successful in their personal life.