Gelfand calls to raise the status of chess in Israel

Israeli chess player Boris Gelfand, who tied world champion Viswanathan Anand in the 12 games of the World Chess Championship but finally lost in Wednesday's speed matches, called to raise the status of chess in Israel.

"It's always nice when people in your country support you, but what's important is to keep up the momentum and that chess earns a higher status in (our) society," Gelfand said, adding that "for years, chess has been a 'step-child' in Israel." (Ynet)