The BBC has recently published an interesting article on the role chess plays in Armenian culture.
Although chess is becoming a national obsession in several countries around the world at the moment, Armenia is leading the pack, with the population that loves nothing more that setting up their chess set and proving their critical thinking skills.
Despite only having a population of 3.2 million, Armenian chess players regularly beat the likes of Russia, the US and China in major tournaments around the world. This is to do with the fact that chess is incredibly revered in the country, so much so that the best players are treated like celebrities. Spain has matadors, the UK has boy bands and Armenia has chess players!
There has been no greater demonstration of Armenia’s commitment to chess as a national pastime than a new rule making it a compulsory subject for all school children. The BBC explained, “Every child aged six or over in Armenia is now destined to learn chess. The authorities there believe compulsory lessons will "foster school children's intellectual development.”
The plan to teach all children chess will cost the country some $1.5 million, but could help to encourage a whole new generation of Armenians to follow their dreams and become chess champs.
The national team won gold in the International Chess Olympiad in both 2006 and 2008 and the country’s president, Serzh Sargsyan, has recently been re-elected as the chairman of the Armenian Chess Federation.
