International Centre Goa, Dona Paula (ICG) has also come forward to promote chess as a learning tool. Taleigao Chess Academy Sports Club(TCA) and ICG signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote chess activities for nest five years.
I am pleased inform you the (TCA) and the International Centre Goa (ICG) will organize All Goa Primary School Chess Tournament on 26-27 January 2008 at the premises of ICG at Dona Paula. There are going to be a seminar on Pre Primary and Primary Schools in Goa and Chess as learning tool and many more on these days alsong with 500 childrens playing in chess tournament.

World under- 8 Champion Ivana Furtado, National Junior Girls Champion Bhakti Kulkarni, Goa State Champion 12 year old Anurag Mhamal, and other little masters like the 7 year olds - Harikrishnan Mohanan and Riya Sawant and the 11 year olds - Niraj Saripalli and Cyrus Pereira are some of the names which regularly figure in not only local newspapers but in the National media as well. They are making all Goans proud.

It is necessary that the momentum that has been built up by these youngsters should be sustained and Chess should keep gaining popularity. Not only will this bring further honour to the state, but this will help sharpen the minds of the youngsters, and take them away from the TV, the idiot box that many are glued to all day. This is what Taleigao Chess Academy Sports Club (TCA) has been doing. Incidentally World under- 8 Champion Ivana Furtado got her baptism in chess here.

Taleigao Chess Academy started its activities in 2004. To start with its main thrust was on coaching youngsters. In a short period of time its pupils achieved considerable success. The most notable of course has been World under-8 Champion Ivana Furtado. Others to have achieve laurels have been Gouri Hadkonkar under-9 Goa I No. 3 and India No16, Varshita Reddy under-9 Goa No. 4, Rohan Ahuja under - 9 Goa No. 5. All together 11 chess players of TCA played in National age category tournament this year in Under 7, Under 9 and Under 11 categories.
The reason why we are so keen on promoting chess is that it is being increasingly accepted that chess helps to improve the mental faculties of young children. Without even realizing it, the abilities of children at mathematics and logical thinking, reading comprehension and lateral thinking as well as the ability to concentrate improve dramatically. Value education is being given to children in a quiet way as they learn how to be disciplined and hard working.

International Centre Goa, Dona Paula (ICG) has also come forward to promote chess as a learning tool. TCA and ICG signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote chess activities for nest five years.

Hence TCA and ICG is organizing a All Goa Tournament for primary school students at International Centre Goa, Dona Paula on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 January, 2008. Over 500 children are expected to participate in the tournament. Over 240 children participated in our last tournament held in September 2007.

The parents who will accompany their children will get an opportunity to attend and participate in the following:
a) An interactive session with experienced educationists, officials from Sports Authority and Department, and chess federation officials who will interact on how chess can benefit children in different ways.

b) Award winning feature films 'The Knights of the South Bronx' and 'Searching for Bobby Fischer' will be screened for the parents at the International Center's AC auditorium.

c) A book with information about past and present pre primary/ primary school pattern/curriculum, importance of chess in primary school education, importance of sport for growing kids will be released.

We would also give opportunity to other privately run schools to present their Ideas of education at the venue.

The expenses for the tournament are estimated as follows:

1. Prizes for Children Rs. 35,000/-
(Prizes include 20 Original Imported DVD's of Grandmaster Roman Dzindzichashvili costing Rs. 1352/- each, Chess Books and Trophies).
2. Lunch & Refreshments for Participants Rs.70,000/-
3. Printing of Book "Education & Chess". Rs.75, 000/-
4. Printing & Publicity Rs.25,000/-
5. Other Administrative expenses Rs.25,000/-

We will also offer schools an opportunity to put up their stalls which can promote their ideas on education and other services offered by individual schools – both curricular and co-curricular. Schools will also be given an opportunity to showcase their achievements by audio visual means.

We look forward to your whole hearted contribution to promote the game of chess in Goa. Viva Goa! Viva Chess!

(Shrikant Vinayak Barve)
Secretary: Taleigao Chess Academy 2451143/9326132702