In a first-of-its-kind session, India’s men’s hockey team attended a chess masterclass at the SAI campus in Bengaluru. Former international chess player Prachura P Padakannaya guided the players on applying chess strategies to hockey. The aim was to improve decision-making, anticipation, and planning during matches.
Prachura compared chess phases to hockey gameplay. The opening represented a strong start, the middle game highlighted controlling the midfield, and the endgame focused on finishing moves. He used examples from India’s Tokyo Olympics Bronze-medal game to demonstrate precision and mental toughness.
Players explored chess pieces as hockey positions. Pawns symbolized defense, rooks and bishops created structure, knights represented unpredictability, and the queen embodied versatility. Players actively engaged and tried chess themselves, with Vivek Sagar Prasad and Captain Harmanpreet Singh participating first.
Coach Craig Fulton praised the initiative, noting it sharpened players’ thinking and strategy. Vivek and Harmanpreet shared that learning chess enhanced their approach to hockey. The session is expected to encourage future interdisciplinary learning, strengthening the team’s tactical and mental skills.
