Marottichal's Chess Culture: The village of Marottichal in Kerala has become a hub for chess enthusiasts, with over 4,000 of its 6,000 residents regularly playing the game. This transformation began in the 1980s when Charaliyil Unnikrishnan introduced chess as a constructive alternative to combat local issues like alcoholism and gambling. The village's dedication to chess has been showcased in the short film "The Pawn of Marottichal." India's rich chess heritage continues to thrive, with rising stars like Gukesh Dommaraju making significant strides on the global stage.