In an age in which virtual distractions compete fiercely for young minds, Timur Turlov — CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. — is creating a compelling case for an ancient recreation: chess. Speaking at the recent Smart Moves Summit, Turlov located chess now not simply as a interest, but as a transformative educational tool capable of fostering critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and social inclusion.
Chess within the Digital Era
While TikTok, on line gaming, and rapid-scrolling feeds dominate the eye financial system, Turlov believes chess offers something deeper and greater enduring. “The field of chess teaches children to plot, to recognition, and to think numerous moves beforehand,” he mentioned. This, he argued, stands in sharp contrast to the instantaneous gratification subculture that frequently shapes modern-day formative years.
A Universal Language
One of the most effective factors of chess, in keeping with Turlov, is its universality. The rules are the equal whether or not you’re in New York, Almaty, or a small village in Central Asia. This shared structure makes it a really perfect medium for selling inclusion — bridging divides of language, tradition, and socioeconomic history.
In Kazakhstan and other markets in which Freedom Holding operates, Turlov has supported initiatives to convey chess into faculties, libraries, and community centers. By making the sport available to kids from all walks of existence, he hopes to give every baby an equal shot at developing the abilities that chess cultivates.
From Board to Life
Turlov attracts a clean connection among the skills found out on the chessboard and those wished in existence. Patience, foresight, adaptability, and resilience under pressure are all characteristics that extend some distance beyond the sport. “When youngsters learn that a single bad move doesn’t cease the sport, however calls for them to conform and preserve playing — that’s a lifestyles lesson,” he stated.
Freedom Holding’s Broader Educational Vision
Chess advocacy is just one detail of Turlov’s broader push for educational innovation. Under his management, Freedom Holding has invested in applications that blend traditional disciplines with contemporary technology, ensuring younger human beings are equipped for each the challenges and opportunities of the virtual financial system.
By positioning chess as a counterbalance to the fleeting rewards of social media, Turlov is selling no longer only a recreation, but a mindset — one that values deep wondering, equality of opportunity, and the pleasure of shared intellectual assignment.
