Danilo Mallò, writer with a passion for chess
«They give design skills, train the memory and stimulate the imagination»
The details make the difference. In everyday life as well as in sport. Particularly in a discipline such as chess, where a moment of distraction can be costly and where it is necessary to always maintain lucidity and calm. Fundamental qualities also in the literary field, as underlined by Danilo Mallò who delights in these two fields by drawing valuable lessons for his own maturation: forty-two years old, from Quartese, Mallò is the president of the Sardinian chess committee as well as writer, author of the work ''Memoria of a soul''; founder of the cultural association ''Le Pergamene di Melquiades'' he has also edited together with Carlo Alberto Cavazzoni the anthology ''L'ultimo chess'' containing 52 texts having a relevance – of a philosophical, conceptual, metaphorical and of any other nature – with the world of chess. A world that Mallò has known since he was a child and which he approaches with the awareness of someone who grew up reading the precious pages of García Márquez, Dostoevskij and Italo Calvino. Pages, especially those of Calvino's ''The Baron Rampant'', which teach how important it can be to carry out a certain task by reasoning. And, if we talk about reasoning, the game of chess is the cornerstone of this by demonstrating the relevance of this component, a factor that can prove to be a winning weapon and thanks to which it is possible to draw fundamental ideas from each game for one's personal growth.
Mallò, you have been president of the Sardinian chess committee for two years.
« Exactly, it is a very important role that I am proud to cover. The chess movement is a world full of people, each one carrying out their task with the utmost commitment and a lot of passion».
How many players are there on the Island?
« There are about 756 players, compared to last year we have 200 more and this is an important element that bodes well. Among other things, of these more than seven hundred players, four hundred are Under 20 and this too is a significant figure because it shows that there is no shortage of young people ready to get involved».
How many teams are there?
« We currently have 14 clubs but there is no shortage of new requests to form new ones. This is a further positive aspect which demonstrates that there is absolutely no lack of love and interest in the discipline of chess».
Who are the other important figures?
« Surely the referees and the instructors are two central figures who play an essential role: we have 40 instructors, 30 of whom go to schools to learn chess literacy. As for the arbiters, however, there are nine and among these nine, two are Fide, i.e. they can arbitrate in events organized by the world chess federation».
When was your passion for chess born?
« I was passionate as a child, I played chess during the holidays with my family. The first chessboard was given to me by my godfather, I was immediately struck and fascinated by a game that I still didn't know in detail. Since then, I started playing occasionally until, twenty-one years ago, I made the decision to devote myself to the game of chess continuously».
On what occasion did this happen?
« At the time I was doing military service, I met another young boy with a passion for chess with whom we played: he was talented, I was the only one who could not beat. Once the military service was over, I then made the decision to approach the Cagliari Chess Club in via Ausonia, which was founded in 1973. From that moment on, my adventure in the world of chess officially began».
Last year Sardinia was at the center of two important events: in fact, it hosted the Under 20 World Championships in Cala Gonone and subsequently the Absolute Italian Championships in Cagliari.
« Yes, clearly they were two very significant and emotional moments, in particular the Italian Absolute Championships».
How did the idea of bringing the absolute tricolors to the capital to the Hotel Regina Margherita come about?
« It was born from the synergy between the Sardinian committee and the national federation. During a meeting, in the summer of 2021 in Montecatini, with the president of the national federation Luigi Maggi and the other presidents of the regional committees, I proposed organizing the Tricolors in Cagliari. This proposal was immediately received positively and for me it was a great surprise, because I thought they would have thought about it long enough. Instead, they were immediately enthusiastic and we were able to organize an event of great importance».
Francesco Sonis is the flagship of the island movement.
« Yes, Francesco is a very solid player, he takes great care of the defense but he can also be an excellent striker. Furthermore, despite his young age, he holds very appreciated lessons».
What are the main aspects to take care of in the game of chess?
« First of all, it should be emphasized that the technique and the emotional component are two elements that cannot be separated from each other. Having said that, certainly the opening, the middle game and the endgame: these are three phases that must be known in depth. The study of books is fundamental».
Do you recommend one in particular?
« There are many excellent books to study from, however, for those who are starting out, I would say ''My system'' by Aaron Nimzowitsch».
Besides being a chess player, you are also a writer: what unites the game of chess with literature?
« Many aspects: chess gives you planning skills, trains the memory and stimulates the imagination, all elements that are essential when working on a literary work. Furthermore, chess leads you to evaluation and reflection, teaching you not to be too impulsive. Chess teaches you to take your time and this is also a central element in literature and, in general, in every person's daily life».
