The Depok City Government is currently promoting an initiative to popularize chess among students. Deputy Mayor of Depok, Chandra Rahmansyah, emphasized that this brain-teasing game is seen as a crucial educational instrument in shaping tactical mindsets and children's intelligence from an early age.
The idea was conveyed on the sidelines of a Referee Refresher Course held by the All Indonesia Chess Association (Percasi) of Depok City. This step aims to strengthen the availability of human resources, namely competent referees and coaches, who will later become the backbone in nurturing talented young chess players at the school level.
Chandra believes that chess offers benefits far beyond being just a board game. Through this sport, children are trained to foster focus, discipline, and sharpness in decision-making. The ability to logically analyze moves is considered highly relevant in developing a problem-solver mentality for their future.
To realize this vision, the Depok City Government will build cross-sector synergy with relevant agencies and Percasi management. This collaboration focuses on formulating interactive training materials so that students are interested in exploring the world of chess without feeling academically burdened.
With the support of a structured competition ecosystem and mentoring from certified coaches, Depok is optimistic about raising a young generation that not only excels in sports but also possesses high intellectual competitiveness amidst modern challenges.
