A village in India where people play chess to overcome alcohol addiction.

The people of Marottichal village have discovered a new passion instead of being immersed in alcohol as before.

The people of Marottichal, a small village in the southern Indian state of Kerala, have a passion for chess. Everyone in the village enjoys the game, and when they're not playing, they discuss chess strategies with each other.

This small village used to be steeped in alcohol. Photo: Oddity Central.

Previously, the villagers knew nothing about this game. In the 1960s and 70s, their entire focus was on alcohol. They brewed alcohol and lived off it. Many became heavily addicted to cheap liquor, leading to serious consequences. The situation worsened to the point where some people requested that authorities conduct surprise raids and confiscate all the alcohol.

Things began to change when a tenth-grade student in the village named Unnikrishnan decided to learn to play chess. Inspired by the American legend Bobby Fischer, he went to the neighboring village to attend chess classes, while also practicing at home. Once he became proficient, he set out to popularize this intellectual sport for everyone in the village.

Unnikrishnan offered free chess lessons at his home and welcomed anyone interested in learning. Gradually, the passion for chess spread throughout the village. People not only grasped the rules but also developed a deep love for the game. Over four decades, Unnikrishnan has trained more than 600 people, many of whom have won statewide chess tournaments.

The sight of people engrossed in playing chess has become commonplace in Marottichal. Photo: Oddity Central

“About 90% of the villagers know how to play chess,” said Sreenivasan, chairman of Gram Panchayat, a self-governing organization for villages in India. Last August, Marottichal earned the title of India’s first “chess village.” Following this, Viswanathan Anand, a national chess legend, congratulated the villagers on their achievement.

Unnikrishnan now owns a restaurant in Marottichal where people can come to play chess anytime. He has set aside an area near his house as a gathering place for chess enthusiasts aged from 8 to 80. As a result, alcohol has almost completely disappeared from everyone's minds.

Unnikrishnan said: "Chess is my passion. Once I start playing, I forget everything else. For me, it's a kind of addiction."

According to vnexpress.net