A Big Chess Event in Gujarat: A Personal Recollection by Narendra Modi

When I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I once organized a big chess event that brought together 20 thousand people from all over the state. It was an incredible experience that not only showcased the love for chess in our community but also highlighted the power of sports to bring people together. The event was a huge success, and it remains one of my most cherished memories as Chief Minister.

As I looked around at the sea of faces, I saw many people who were new to chess, while others were seasoned players. At that time, many people did not even play chess, and yet they had gathered to watch this event. This only reinforced my belief in the transformative power of sports. Even then, if there was a need for a place to accommodate 200 Haj pilgrims, I would have been happy to make an extra-large pendal to accommodate them.

The organizers told me that our officers were skeptical about the expense involved in organizing such a large event. But I said, "What will I spend for this? Shouldn't we invest in something that can bring people together and create memories?" When you encouraged me to take on this challenge, I became so happy that I said, now I have to give my all. I am in chess and now I have to win medals all the time for India.

As I reflect on those days, I remember being in the same group of young players who had organized the simal and many girls were also a part of it. It was an incredible feeling to be among friends who shared my passion for the game. How did you guys get brought together at that time? Well, someone told my mother about a big event being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, so I was invited then.

Looking back, it's amazing to think about how far we've come since those days. Even now, if there is a need for a place to accommodate 200 Haj pilgrims, I can ensure that they have an unforgettable experience. This event has become a cherished memory for me, and whether I have kept it for a year or not, yes, I have treasured it forever.

I must say that this event was a turning point in my life, as it encouraged me to pursue my passion for chess even further. It's a great feeling to know that I can look back on this moment and remember the love and support of so many people who believed in me. My very best wishes for your progress, and I hope that you too find moments like these in your life where sports bring people together.

This event was not just about chess; it was about creating memories that would last a lifetime. And as I look around today, I am filled with pride knowing that the spirit of unity and love that we showed during those days is still alive and well.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enThis time we have to come back after winning for our countryThis time we have to come back after winning for our countryThis time we have to come back after winning for our countryand there was no second, this is the mood,and there was no second, this is the mood,and there was no second, this is the mood,only then we get victory.Your vision that IndiaYour vision that IndiaYour vision that Indiashould be number one has come, this changeis coming to the youth of our country. If you have the power,is coming to the youth of our country. If you have the power,is coming to the youth of our country. If you have the power,what will you do on your birthday? What will youwhat will you do on your birthday? What will youwhat will you do on your birthday? What will youdo on the 28th? What will you do?do on the 28th? What will you do?do on the 28th? What will you do?Where is this?Where is this?Where is this?Yes, time is behind me, timeYes, time is behind me, timeYes, time is behind me, timetook out your valuable time to meet us,took out your valuable time to meet us,took out your valuable time to meet us,youare my only value sir, this is the first time Indiaare my only value sir, this is the first time Indiaare my only value sir, this is the first time Indiawon both the gold medals and The way the teamwon both the gold medals and The way the teamwon both the gold medals and The way the teamperformed was very good, that is,performed was very good, that is,performed was very good, that is,21 points out of 22 were given by the boys and21 points out of 22 were given by the boys and21 points out of 22 were given by the boys and19 points out of 22 were given by the girls, so in total19 points out of 22 were given by the girls, so in total19 points out of 22 were given by the girls, so in totalwe took 40 points out of 44. Such a great performance haswe took 40 points out of 44. Such a great performance haswe took 40 points out of 44. Such a great performance hasnever happened before till date. Butnever happened before till date. Butnever happened before till date. Butwhat an atmosphere it was, for the first time we won, everyone became verywhat an atmosphere it was, for the first time we won, everyone became verywhat an atmosphere it was, for the first time we won, everyone became veryhappy for us because wehappy for us because wehappy for us because wecelebrated so much, everyone actuallycelebrated so much, everyone actuallycelebrated so much, everyone actuallycame and congratulated us andcame and congratulated us andcame and congratulated us andactually became happy for us, even ouractually became happy for us, even ouractually became happy for us, even ouropponents also sir, we have seen thatopponents also sir, we have seen thatopponents also sir, we have seen thatIn the last few years, there are manyIn the last few years, there are manyIn the last few years, there are manyspectators who were rooting that they hadspectators who were rooting that they hadspectators who were rooting that they hadcome there from far and wide just to watch thiscome there from far and wide just to watch thiscome there from far and wide just to watch thismatch, which according to me earlier was not so popular, so I think that ifmatch, which according to me earlier was not so popular, so I think that ifmatch, which according to me earlier was not so popular, so I think that ifChess also became very popular, thenChess also became very popular, thenChess also became very popular, thenwe It felt very good to see that everyone waswe It felt very good to see that everyone waswe It felt very good to see that everyone wasrooting, there was a little pressurerooting, there was a little pressurerooting, there was a little pressurebut they are supporting us so much, it was abut they are supporting us so much, it was abut they are supporting us so much, it was agood feeling and when we won, Indiagood feeling and when we won, Indiagood feeling and when we won, IndiaIndia was rooting like this, this time 180India was rooting like this, this time 180India was rooting like this, this time 180countries were participating but whencountries were participating but whencountries were participating but whenChennai There was an Olympiad in 2007. We both were IndiaChennai There was an Olympiad in 2007. We both were IndiaChennai There was an Olympiad in 2007. We both were Indiateam and won bronze. The last match of the other team wasteam and won bronze. The last match of the other team wasteam and won bronze. The last match of the other team wasagainst USA, which we lost andagainst USA, which we lost andagainst USA, which we lost andwe lost the gold. At that time,we lost the gold. At that time,we lost the gold. At that time,we played with them again this time. Then thiswe played with them again this time. Then thiswe played with them again this time. Then thistime we won a lot. We were more motivated that thistime we won a lot. We were more motivated that thistime we won a lot. We were more motivated that thistime India has to score goals, we have to defeattime India has to score goals, we have to defeattime India has to score goals, we have to defeatthem, we have to defeat them, that match was ultimately verythem, we have to defeat them, that match was ultimately verythem, we have to defeat them, that match was ultimately veryclose and ended in a draw butclose and ended in a draw butclose and ended in a draw butwe went on to win the gold sir, but this time wewe went on to win the gold sir, but this time wewe went on to win the gold sir, but this time wewon for our country. They were about to come backwon for our country. They were about to come backwon for our country. They were about to come backand there was not even another second, no,and there was not even another second, no,and there was not even another second, no,this is the mood, only then victory is achieved,this is the mood, only then victory is achieved,this is the mood, only then victory is achieved,but when these numbers came, 21 out of 22 andbut when these numbers came, 21 out of 22 andbut when these numbers came, 21 out of 22 and19 out of 22, then the rest of the players or the19 out of 22, then the rest of the players or the19 out of 22, then the rest of the players or therest of the people who organize this game.rest of the people who organize this game.rest of the people who organize this game.What was his reaction Sir I think GukeshWhat was his reaction Sir I think GukeshWhat was his reaction Sir I think Gukeshwants to answer that I just want to say onewants to answer that I just want to say onewants to answer that I just want to say onething that in that we won so convincinglything that in that we won so convincinglything that in that we won so convincinglyespecially in the open team it felt like noespecially in the open team it felt like noespecially in the open team it felt like noone could even come close andone could even come close andone could even come close andin our Vman team we won the first seven matches. We kept winning,in our Vman team we won the first seven matches. We kept winning,in our Vman team we won the first seven matches. We kept winning,then a small set back came, wethen a small set back came, wethen a small set back came, weshowed resilience, we came back but our openshowed resilience, we came back but our openshowed resilience, we came back but our openteam sir, what can I tell you, Iteam sir, what can I tell you, Iteam sir, what can I tell you, Ithink Gukesh being on board was the one better to answer that butthink Gukesh being on board was the one better to answer that butthink Gukesh being on board was the one better to answer that butthey tookthey tookthey tookus away or this experience was Was really aus away or this experience was Was really aus away or this experience was Was really agreat team effort, every single one of usgreat team effort, every single one of usgreat team effort, every single one of uswas in like excellent form and we were allwas in like excellent form and we were allwas in like excellent form and we were allsuper motivated because in the 2022super motivated because in the 2022super motivated because in the 2022Olympiad we were very close to winning theOlympiad we were very close to winning theOlympiad we were very close to winning thegold medal but then there was one game whichgold medal but then there was one game whichgold medal but then there was one game whichwhich a which I I Had played and I could havewhich a which I I Had played and I could havewhich a which I I Had played and I could haveone which would have guaranteed gold medalone which would have guaranteed gold medalone which would have guaranteed gold medalunfortunately lost that game and it wasunfortunately lost that game and it wasunfortunately lost that game and it washeart breaking for everyone so this time weheart breaking for everyone so this time weheart breaking for everyone so this time wewere all super motivated and from thewere all super motivated and from thewere all super motivated and from thestart we were like we are going to winstart we were like we are going to winstart we were like we are going to winthis for the team and or Really glad, havethis for the team and or Really glad, havethis for the team and or Really glad, haveyou ever thought thatyou ever thought thatyou ever thought thatby using AIby using AIby using AIyou can correct your game oryou can correct your game oryou can correct your game orunderstand the game of others? Yes Sir, with the chessunderstand the game of others? Yes Sir, with the chessunderstand the game of others? Yes Sir, with the chessworld there has been new technology and theworld there has been new technology and theworld there has been new technology and thecomputers have become much stronger now andcomputers have become much stronger now andcomputers have become much stronger now andIt is showing a lot of new ideas in chess andIt is showing a lot of new ideas in chess andIt is showing a lot of new ideas in chess andwe are still learning from it andwe are still learning from it andwe are still learning from it andI think there is a lot to learn from it sir II think there is a lot to learn from it sir II think there is a lot to learn from it sir Ithink it has happened now that the tools of AI have becomethink it has happened now that the tools of AI have becomethink it has happened now that the tools of AI have becomeavailable to everyone because it has been democratizedavailable to everyone because it has been democratizedavailable to everyone because it has been democratizedand now We definitelyand now We definitelyand now We definitelyuse it in preparation,use it in preparation,use it in preparation,tell me nothing sir, the experience istell me nothing sir, the experience istell me nothing sir, the experience isnot much, we won like this, thenot much, we won like this, thenot much, we won like this, thegoal came like this, no sir, it did not come like this, we havegoal came like this, no sir, it did not come like this, we havegoal came like this, no sir, it did not come like this, we haveworked very hard, I thinkworked very hard, I thinkworked very hard, I thinkall my team mates, even men, haveall my team mates, even men, haveall my team mates, even men, haveworked very hard.worked very hard.worked very hard.I have seen that many of you haveI have seen that many of you haveI have seen that many of you havefathers and mothers who are doctorsfathers and mothers who are doctorsfathers and mothers who are doctorsand my sister is also a doctor, so when I used toand my sister is also a doctor, so when I used toand my sister is also a doctor, so when I used towatch them in my childhood, they sometimes got a call at 2 o'clock in the night that thewatch them in my childhood, they sometimes got a call at 2 o'clock in the night that thewatch them in my childhood, they sometimes got a call at 2 o'clock in the night that thepatient was about to leave.patient was about to leave.patient was about to leave.I thought that the career I will take will be a little moreI thought that the career I will take will be a little moreI thought that the career I will take will be a little morestable but I did not think that I will have tostable but I did not think that I will have tostable but I did not think that I will have torun more in sports.run more in sports.run more in sports.Sir, I have always seen that you encourage and support everySir, I have always seen that you encourage and support everySir, I have always seen that you encourage and support everysport and every sports person so much,sport and every sports person so much,I feel that You have aI feel that You have aI feel that You have agreat love for sports and every sport andgreat love for sports and every sport andgreat love for sports and every sport andI want to know its story.I want to know its story.I want to know its story.I am telling you that I understandI am telling you that I understandI am telling you that I understandthat if a countrythat if a countrythat if a countrybecomes developed then it is not just about the treasury,becomes developed then it is not just about the treasury,becomes developed then it is not just about the treasury,how much money it has, how manyhow much money it has, how manyhow much money it has, how manyindustries it has. How much GDP is made is not based on this. There should beindustries it has. How much GDP is made is not based on this. There should beexpertise in every field in the world. If itexpertise in every field in the world. If itexpertise in every field in the world. If itis a film industry, thenis a film industry, thenis a film industry, thenhow do we get maximumhow do we get maximumOscars. If we are scientists or in any other field, then how do we get maximum Nobels?Oscars. If we are scientists or in any other field, then how do we get maximum Nobels?Oscars. If we are scientists or in any other field, then how do we get maximum Nobels?Similarly, in sports too, maximum.Similarly, in sports too, maximum.Similarly, in sports too, maximum.How do our children score goals? When there are so manyHow do our children score goals? When there are so manyHow do our children score goals? When there are so manyverticals, then the country becomes great. Even when Iverticals, then the country becomes great. Even when Iverticals, then the country becomes great. Even when Iwas in Gujarat,was in Gujarat,was in Gujarat,I used to run a game called Mahakumbh.I used to run a game called Mahakumbh.I used to run a game called Mahakumbh.Lakhs of children used to play in it. I used toLakhs of children used to play in it. I used toinspire even older people to play. Out of this, good childreninspire even older people to play. Out of this, good childreninspire even older people to play. Out of this, good childrenstarted coming forward. I believe that thestarted coming forward. I believe that theyouth of our country have the potential. Secondly,youth of our country have the potential. Secondly,youth of our country have the potential. Secondly,I believe that if we want toI believe that if we want toI believe that if we want tocreate a good environment of social life in the country, then what iscreate a good environment of social life in the country, then what iscreate a good environment of social life in the country, then what iscalled sportsman spirit iscalled sportsman spirit isnot only for sports players. There should be a culture, there should be anot only for sports players. There should be a culture, there should be anot only for sports players. There should be a culture, there should be aculture in the social life, if weculture in the social life, if weculture in the social life, if wetake such big decisions every day, then what advice would you givetake such big decisions every day, then what advice would you givetake such big decisions every day, then what advice would you giveto us as to how we can tackle these pressure situations?to us as to how we can tackle these pressure situations?to us as to how we can tackle these pressure situations?Look, no matter what sport it is,Look, no matter what sport it is,Look, no matter what sport it is,no matter what activity it is,no matter what activity it is,no matter what activity it is,physical fitness. It matters a lot. Yes,physical fitness. It matters a lot. Yes,physical fitness. It matters a lot. Yes,many of me who have been training for physical fitness must have beenmany of me who have been training for physical fitness must have beentold about the diet, eat these things, dotold about the diet, eat these things, dotold about the diet, eat these things, donot eat so much before playing, do not eat everything,not eat so much before playing, do not eat everything,I understand thatI understand thatI understand thatif we follow these things. If you develop the habit of listening,if we follow these things. If you develop the habit of listening,if we follow these things. If you develop the habit of listening,then all the problems are digested.then all the problems are digested.then all the problems are digested.See, for decision making, you should have a lot ofSee, for decision making, you should have a lot ofSee, for decision making, you should have a lot ofinformation. There should be ainformation. There should be ainformation. There should be alot of information,lot of information,lot of information,positive and negative.positive and negative.positive and negative.You like it. It seems to be a habit of listening like this. It isYou like it. It seems to be a habit of listening like this. It isYou like it. It seems to be a habit of listening like this. It ishuman nature which ishuman nature which ishuman nature which isgood. It seems that if only he listens then he makes agood. It seems that if only he listens then he makes agood. It seems that if only he listens then he makes amistake in decision but youmistake in decision but youmistake in decision but youlisten to all kinds of things, try to understand all kinds oflisten to all kinds of things, try to understand all kinds oflisten to all kinds of things, try to understand all kinds ofthings andthings andthings andanalyze yourself and if you don't understand anything, thenanalyze yourself and if you don't understand anything, thenanalyze yourself and if you don't understand anything, thenwithout hesitation ask an expert.without hesitation ask an expert.without hesitation ask an expert.Then you face less difficulty and I believeThen you face less difficulty and I believeThen you face less difficulty and I believethat something comes from experience and asthat something comes from experience and asthat something comes from experience and asI said,I said,I said,Yoga isreally very powerful. Yes sir, we justreally very powerful. Yes sir, we justreally very powerful. Yes sir, we justplayed for two weeks and now we are completely tired, but you practiceplayed for two weeks and now we are completely tired, but you practiceplayed for two weeks and now we are completely tired, but you practiceso much all day long for years. You work so hard that youso much all day long for years. You work so hard that youso much all day long for years. You work so hard that youdon't even take a break. I KV Tewitt'sdon't even take a break. I KV Tewitt'sdon't even take a break. I KV Tewitt'ssecret for your energy is that you know so muchsecret for your energy is that you know so muchsecret for your energy is that you know so muchand then you are open to learning andand then you are open to learning andand then you are open to learning andopen to the world and you always fill every sportsopen to the world and you always fill every sportsopen to the world and you always fill every sportsperson with so much enthusiasm.person with so much enthusiasm.person with so much enthusiasm.Perform and I want to ask you thatPerform and I want to ask you thatPerform and I want to ask you thatif you want to give an advice to all of us,if you want to give an advice to all of us,if you want to give an advice to all of us,where you want to watch chess,where you want to watch chess,where you want to watch chess,see it is like this, never be satisfied in life, theresee it is like this, never be satisfied in life, theresee it is like this, never be satisfied in life, thereshould be no satisfaction inshould be no satisfaction inshould be no satisfaction inanything, otherwise you start feeling sleepy.anything, otherwise you start feeling sleepy.anything, otherwise you start feeling sleepy.That's why you sleep for three hours. Sir, you sleep only forThat's why you sleep for three hours. Sir, you sleep only forThat's why you sleep for three hours. Sir, you sleep only forthree hours. Therethree hours. Thereshould be a hunger within each of us to do something new, to do something more.should be a hunger within each of us to do something new, to do something more.should be a hunger within each of us to do something new, to do something more.We won all the tournaments only then and weWe won all the tournaments only then and weWe won all the tournaments only then and wewere coming by bus and we were watching your speechwere coming by bus and we were watching your speechwere coming by bus and we were watching your speechlive. We were watching and youlive. We were watching and youlive. We were watching and youannounced there to the world that Indiaannounced there to the world that Indiaannounced there to the world that Indiawon these historic two gold medals and we allwon these historic two gold medals and we allwon these historic two gold medals and we alllived together at that time. We all were so happy thatlived together at that time. We all were so happy thatlived together at that time. We all were so happy thatyou announced this in your speech inyou announced this in your speech inyou announced this in your speech infront of the whole world. I am 98.front of the whole world. I am 98.front of the whole world. I am 98.I played my first Olympiad and at that timeI played my first Olympiad and at that timeI played my first Olympiad and at that timeeveryone used to play Gary Kas Parao Karpa andeveryone used to play Gary Kas Parao Karpa andeveryone used to play Gary Kas Parao Karpa andwe used to run to get their signatures.we used to run to get their signatures.we used to run to get their signatures.Autograph India's ranking at that time was very lowAutograph India's ranking at that time was very lowAutograph India's ranking at that time was very lowand at that time when I went as a coachand at that time when I went as a coachand at that time when I went as a coachand I used to watch That Gukesh is coming,and I used to watch That Gukesh is coming,and I used to watch That Gukesh is coming,Prajnaan is coming, Arjun is coming, Divya isPrajnaan is coming, Arjun is coming, Divya isPrajnaan is coming, Arjun is coming, Divya iscoming, Harika is coming and people arecoming, Harika is coming and people arecoming, Harika is coming and people arenow running to take their signatures, so thisnow running to take their signatures, so thisnow running to take their signatures, so thischange and this confidence that has come in the new field has comechange and this confidence that has come in the new field has comechange and this confidence that has come in the new field has cometo the new children. It is yourto the new children. It is yourto the new children. It is yourvision that India should be number one. Ivision that India should be number one. Ivision that India should be number one. Ithink this change is coming. Sir, thank you so much.think this change is coming. Sir, thank you so much.think this change is coming. Sir, thank you so much.You gave me such short notice, you were in the US andYou gave me such short notice, you were in the US andYou gave me such short notice, you were in the US andyou took out so much of your valuable timeyou took out so much of your valuable timeyou took out so much of your valuable timeto meet us. Weto meet us. Weto meet us. Webecame very motivated. My Value is only you, Ithink it is not only for us but it is sothink it is not only for us but it is sothink it is not only for us but it is soimportant, rest of the chess players, there will be aimportant, rest of the chess players, there will be aimportant, rest of the chess players, there will be alot of inspiration for them also tolot of inspiration for them also tolot of inspiration for them also toplay well and if they come and meet you, then there isplay well and if they come and meet you, then there isplay well and if they come and meet you, then there isnot much inspiration for them also,not much inspiration for them also,not much inspiration for them also,this is true, sometimes. Seeing this,this is true, sometimes. Seeing this,this is true, sometimes. Seeing this,they realize that yes, our people can do it,they realize that yes, our people can do it,they realize that yes, our people can do it,we can also do it, I oncewe can also do it, I oncewe can also do it, I onceorganized a big chess event in Gujaratorganized a big chess event in Gujaratorganized a big chess event in Gujaratwhen I was the Chief Minister, 20 thousand peoplewhen I was the Chief Minister, 20 thousand peoplewhen I was the Chief Minister, 20 thousand peopleplayed chess together and sir. Atplayed chess together and sir. Atplayed chess together and sir. Atthat time, many of these people didthat time, many of these people didthat time, many of these people didnot play chess, otherwise many of them wouldnot play chess, otherwise many of them wouldnot play chess, otherwise many of them wouldnot have even been born. Even thennot have even been born. Even thennot have even been born. Even thenpeople would have wondered whether Modi ji ispeople would have wondered whether Modi ji ispeople would have wondered whether Modi ji isdoing well. If there is a need for a place to accommodate 200 Haj pilgrims,doing well. If there is a need for a place to accommodate 200 Haj pilgrims,doing well. If there is a need for a place to accommodate 200 Haj pilgrims,then a very big pendal. I had made it,then a very big pendal. I had made it,then a very big pendal. I had made it,even our officers used to say, Sir, this iseven our officers used to say, Sir, this iseven our officers used to say, Sir, this isso much expense for this. I said, what will I spend for this?so much expense for this. I said, what will I spend for this?Sir, when you encouraged me so much,Sir, when you encouraged me so much,Sir, when you encouraged me so much,I became so happy that I said, nowI became so happy that I said, nowI became so happy that I said, nowI have to give my all. I am in chess andI have to give my all. I am in chess andI have to give my all. I am in chess andnow I have to win medals all the time for India,now I have to win medals all the time for India,now I have to win medals all the time for India,wow and I mean I was verywow and I mean I was verywow and I mean I was veryhappy then and then you were one of them,happy then and then you were one of them,happy then and then you were one of them,you were in the same, yes and this was when you hadyou were in the same, yes and this was when you hadyou were in the same, yes and this was when you hadorganized the simal and manyorganized the simal and manyorganized the simal and manygirls. When I was playing, wow,girls. When I was playing, wow,girls. When I was playing, wow,how did you get brought there at that time, I hadhow did you get brought there at that time, I hadhow did you get brought there at that time, I hadnot won the Asian Under, then someone told my mothernot won the Asian Under, then someone told my mothernot won the Asian Under, then someone told my motherthat a big event was being heldthat a big event was being heldthat a big event was being heldin Gandhinagar, Gujarat, so I was invited then, soin Gandhinagar, Gujarat, so I was invited then, soin Gandhinagar, Gujarat, so I was invited then, soI can keep this, right? Yes Sir Sir, II can keep this, right? Yes Sir Sir, II can keep this, right? Yes Sir Sir, Iwanted to make you love, but I had to give you this much love,wanted to make you love, but I had to give you this much love,wanted to make you love, but I had to give you this much love,no but, son, no worries,no but, son, no worries,no but, son, no worries,this is a very good memory for me, whether I havethis is a very good memory for me, whether I havethis is a very good memory for me, whether I havekept it for a year or not, yes, I havekept it for a year or not, yes, I havekept it for a year or not, yes, I havekept it,I liked it very much, you guys areI liked it very much, you guys areI liked it very much, you guys aremy very- Best wishes for your progressmy very- Best wishes for your progressmy very- Best wishes for your progresshey\n"