International Chess Day Celebrated with Compassion at Seruds Orphanage, Kurnool – Icon Chess Academy Launches Long-Term Training Program
Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh – July 19, 2025
As part of the statewide initiative led by Andhra Chess Association (ACA) to mark International Chess Day, the Icon Chess Academy Team organized a heartwarming pre-celebration event at Seruds Orphanage Home, Kurnool. The program seamlessly combined charity, chess, and a vision for transformation — reflecting ACA’s commitment to making chess accessible to every child, regardless of background.
A Day of Gifts, Promises, and Purpose
The program was led by Nossam Imam Hussain, Chief Coach of Icon Chess Academy and a Senior National Arbiter, who donated chess boards and customized T-shirts to the enthusiastic children at the orphanage. With warmth and resolve, Hussain promised that children who show dedication to chess would be supported with free entry fees and transportation to participate in official chess tournaments at various levels.
Supporting the initiative was Mr. Ravi Naik Kandlavath, a Senior National Arbiter and key member of ACA, who took the initiative to identify the Seruds Orphanage and prepare the groundwork for a long-term coaching program at the home.
“It’s not just about playing a game, it’s about building futures. Chess gives these children focus, discipline, and a platform to shine,” shared Mr. Hussain.
A Long-Term Vision for the Children of Seruds
The academy’s coaching team will conduct regular chess training sessions, focusing on both beginners and students who show early promise. With certified arbiters and instructors at the helm, the training aims to nurture talent and channel the children's energy toward academic and character development through chess.
Kurnool Joins Andhra's Chess for Change Movement
Kurnool, a city known for its rich cultural heritage and educational institutions, now proudly joins the ACA-led mission of using chess as a tool for empowerment. This program at Seruds Orphanage reflects not just generosity, but a strategic step toward integrating orphaned and underprivileged children into the mainstream chess community.
This initiative is yet another example of President Sri A. Suresh Garu’s visionary appeal to academies and district associations — to identify and support orphanages, care homes, and schools for the underprivileged, by offering chess education and fostering values like discipline, focus, and confidence.