This weekend, Anand Iyer will attempt a marathon of a very different sort. At 3 p.m. on Saturday, the Puttenahalli resident will embark on a session of chess that is set to end only the following evening.
A keen enthusiast of the game, Mr. Iyer will seek to play non-stop, against multiple opponents, at the Brigade Millennium complex in J.P. Nagar.
“The idea is that people should develop a love for the game,” he says. “I hope this event will spark interest.”
Tutor by day
A private tutor who takes maths, physics and chemistry lessons by day, Mr. Iyer has been hooked to chess for a few years now and is convinced of its potential to impact the mind. “It teaches you a lot about life — perseverance, calmness, patience and planning,” he says.
“I haven’t played to any great level, but I’m deeply passionate about the game. I encourage my students to play after class and I’ve seen what effect it has had.” Mr. Iyer, who will begin his game in the afternoon, will finish at 6 p.m. on Sunday, stopping for 10 minutes after every three hours of play. Games will be limited to an hour and a half each.
His preparation, he reveals, has involved nothing except catching up on sleep.
“I’m thrilled and surprised by the interest this has generated. I’ve received entries from kids, working professionals and home-makers; even shopkeepers have enquired. Anybody is welcome to register (as an opponent),” he enthused.
Up for a record
Upon hearing that such a venture, although popular in the west as a charity fundraiser, had not been attempted before in India, Mr. Iyer applied to the Limca Book of Records. “I’ve installed two cameras as per their instructions; the whole event will be taped and everything recorded in a logbook,” he says. “It is not so much about the record but the experience.”
