THE 16th Inari Penang Chess Festival started today at the UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College on Anson Road in George Town, with 210 participants, including nine International Masters, competing in the Open and Challenger categories, alongside 88 teams vying for honours in the team event.
The participants hail from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, China, Chinese Taipeh, Russia, the Philippines, Brunei, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Australia, England, the USA, Malaysia and representatives from the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) president Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidullah Sanusi praised the Penang Chess Association (PCA) for not only keeping the festival alive for 16 years but also elevating its prominence.
He also applauded PCA’s successful collaboration with MCF in hosting the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships (EAYCC), an international tournament that further strengthens the regional chess ecosystem.
“Chess teaches the importance of timeliness and discipline,” Akhramsyah said, adding that the game trains players to make decisions under pressure.
Citing Demis Hassabis, a chess prodigy turned AI researcher and Nobel laureate, Akhramsyah noted the growing synergy between chess and artificial intelligence.
“Proponents of AI say we will be lost if we don’t start immersing ourselves in AI from today because it will be the dominant force in many things in three years,” he emphasised.
PCA president See Swee Sie expressed gratitude to main sponsor Inari Amertron and the World Chess Federation (FIDE) for supporting the event through the FIDE Open Aid Project, which increased prize money for women and seniors in celebration of FIDE’s centennial. She also thanked UOW Malaysia for offering its excellent facilities at affordable rates.
Highlighting notable achievements, See celebrated Penang’s 15-year-old prodigy Poh Yu Tian, who triumphed in the Under-18 category at the EAYCC and later became the first Malaysian to win the Malaysian Open Chess Championship.
In addition, the Penang chess team performed remarkably well at Sarawak Sukma 2024, winning 5 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.
“Such successes augur well for Penang chess but PCA must not rest on its laurels. It is imperative that PCA and its ever-supportive partners come together and take chess to the next level!” See said.
See said PCA has launched the Penang Chess Brilliancy Fund, starting with RM30,000 from donors. This fund will support young Penang players aspiring to attain International Master (IM) and International Grandmaster (IGM) titles.
The fund is headed by Malaysian Semiconductor Industry Association president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai, with distinguished members like Tan Sri Albert Teoh, Datuk Choong Yit Chuan, Dr Ronnie Lim and Quah Seng Sun.
“We appeal to all sectors, especially established corporations to help us realise Penang chess’s aspirations by contributing to the fund,” See said, extending her thanks to the state government, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, and other key supporters for their contributions to the sport’s growth.
Inari Amertron’s Senior Human Resource Manager Zainul Hanifa said the company was honoured to support an event celebrating intellectual prowess and fostering camaraderie.
“We believe in the power of innovation and strategic thinking, values that are also at the core of chess. Its focus on planning, problem-solving, and decision-making closely mirrors many of the skills we apply in our daily operations,” Zainul said.
He expressed hope that Penang chess would continue to prosper, producing more International Masters and Grandmasters in the future.
Renowned veteran arbiter Hamid Majid is the Chief Arbiter of the Penang Chess Festival.
Among the distinguished guests present were Tan Sri Albert Teoh of Nebnex; Datuk Lio Chee Yiong, honorary consul general of Denmark and Norway; Lee Ewe Ghee, honorary adviser of Penang Chess Association; Dr Choong Sim Poey, honorary life president of Penang Chess Association; Datuk H’ng Ban Choon, president of Penang XiangQi; Sia Koon Liong, representative of TT Vision & BWYS; Miko Endo, representative of Japan Chess Federation, and Yeoh Yin Yin, representative of state executive councillor Daniel Gooi.
Story and pix by K.H. Ong