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Before computers became common, chess enthusiasts had no choice but to rely on books and newspaper columns to learn the game. Even though the traditional method is still viable, online coaching is slowly getting popular.
Former state champion and leading chess coach M.B. Muralidharan is one of the few who has found online coaching to be more effective.
Sitting in his MBM Chess Academy in Kalamassery, Muralidharan gives coaching to students even in Gulf countries.
“Online chess coaching is a hit even in Tamil Nadu, but in Kerala it is not quite popular. I thought about it when some of my students shifted to other States and even abroad and still wanted to continue training,” says Muralidharan.
With mediums such as Skype, and using certain chess software, it is very easy to train a person sitting elsewhere.
The veteran says it comes in handy during tournaments as it is not always possible for coaches to accompany students.
“One of my students in Hyderabad is preparing for the upcoming national under-9 championship to be held in Ahmedabad. There is another kid from Thrissur, Nihal Sarin, who will take part in it and I train both of them online,” said Muralidharan.
How is it done? The coach and trainee connect through Skype and then link the two computers using softwares such as team viewer and some chess application. This way, the coach gains control over the trainee’s chess board and they start the session.
“During my early days most of the kids were self-tutored, but nowadays everything has become so competitive. Moreover, kids these days are so familiar with computers and it is time chess coaching went online,” he said.
Muralidharan believes that in less than a couple of years students will be reluctant to go for chess tuitions and will want to have coaching at their home. Online coaching is the solution and it is getting widely accepted.
Even schools are adopting ‘smart classrooms’ to make learning a fun process. As chess is a popular sport, requiring negligible investment, we can expect online chess training to be a hit soon.
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