A new RVIO chess club has opened in Nizhny Novgorod.

      October 11, 2025 09:25 Society

      A modern chess club opened in Nizhny Novgorod with the support of the Russian Military Historical Society. The inauguration ceremony took place on October 10 at the V. P. Chkalov Palace of Children's Creativity.

      Participating in the event were Assistant to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Russian Military Historical Society Vladimir Medinsky, Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin, and the city's head Yuri Shalabaev.

      Vladimir Medinsky emphasized that chess is not just an intellectual game but an important tool for developing strategic thinking. "Chess is gymnastics for the mind. It teaches you to calculate moves, make decisions, and maintain composure. These qualities have always been important for our commanders and statesmen," he noted.

      Gleb Nikitin, in turn, recalled the contribution of Nizhny Novgorod chess players to the development of the sport and noted that more than 2,000 players in the region have an international rating. "In the year marking the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, it is especially important to remember: the ability to think and anticipate is the key to victory. Even at the front, our soldiers found time for chess, because a trained mind was their main weapon," the governor said.

      The open club was named "Ladya." The space is designed for classes for 20 children at a time. The hall is equipped with 10 specialized tables, and training will be conducted by experienced mentors. A distinguishing feature of the club is the AI-powered "smart" chess sets donated by the Russian Military Historical Society. They will make learning more interactive and engaging.

      After the official part, guests made symbolic moves together with young chess players. At the conclusion, Vladimir Medinsky presented the club with a set of authored books "Unifiers of the Russian Land" — 25 editions dedicated to outstanding rulers and defenders of the country.

      The club's mentors noted that chess lessons help form important personal qualities: self-discipline, perseverance, and stress resilience.

      According to the regional branch of the Russian Military Historical Society, the organization actively implements educational and patriotic projects. Since the beginning of 2025, more than 100 events have been held, with over 5,000 participants.

      In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, more than 10,000 people play chess. Of these, about 2,000 have a sports qualification, and around 160 coaches provide training. The regional team includes 63 athletes, five of whom represent Russia on the international stage.

      It was previously reported that Vladimir Medinsky and Gleb Nikitin visited the First Nizhny Novgorod Book Fair (0+).

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