Artisans who made chess sets for world champ Gukesh feted

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney today honoured artisans who had made the world chess championship set with which D Gukesh created history by becoming the youngest world champion at the age of 18. Baljeet Singh, a master craftsman with 34 years of experience and Aditya Chopra, owner of Chopra Chess, which manufactured this world championship set, were both given honorary certificates. DC Sakshi Sawhney also announced that the administration will help develop a platform to promote the sport and the chess craft industry in Amritsar.

The Amritsar chess craft industry is a century old, crafting pieces from ivory and wood. Now only wooden pieces are made, which are mostly exported to European countries. Aditya Chopra said that chess is not very popular in India, whereas this game is played more in European countries. Chopra said that in all the chess tournaments organised around the world, only wooden chess sets made in Amritsar are used internationally. Currently, about 20 chess-making units work in Amritsar.

“Even today, we sell chess sets to schoolchildren on a no-profit, no-loss basis to promote the game and that all wooden chess pieces in the world are made in Amritsar. It is matter of pride,” he said.

The DC assured that this art of Amritsar will be highlighted so that it can develop as an industry and more employment opportunities can be created. She said that support of Punjab Government will be sought for this.