CHESS players under the ages of 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 from 18 countries are set to throng Penang from July 12 to 21 this year during the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship (EAYCC) 2024.
It will take place at the Cititel Hotel in George Town, and approximately 300 to 400 individuals are expected to participate in the championship.
EAYCC is an annual event organised for young chess players, specifically from the age groups mentioned above within the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Asia Zone 3.3 and 3.5.
Asia Zone 3.3 is made up of 17 countries, most of which are within the ASEAN region, and one sole country in Asia Zone 3.5, which is China.
Already in its 8th edition since it first started in 2016, the event is divided into Open/Boys and Girls categories.
The governing international body for this event is the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and FIDE.
Organised by the Penang Chess Association (PCA) and co-organised by the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF), the championship is expected to elevate and boost the presence of chess, ranking in the levels of other sporting events in the world.
Each country is allowed to send any number of players but only one player from the Open event and one player from the Girls event will be recognised and accorded as the official player for the respective country.
The organisers have confirmed that no cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. Instead, they will receive trophies, medals, and e-certificates.
Eligible participants for these prizes are the top three in each category of the Standard, Rapid, and Blitz events.
Categories that have been finalised include the Under-18 Open/Girl, Under-16/Girl, Under-14 & Under-12 Open/Girls, and Under-10 & Under-8 Open/Girl.
MCF president Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi, when contacted, said that EAYCC in Penang this July is part of MCF’s strategy to bring quality continental level FIDE titled tournaments to our shores.
“This is to also allow Malaysians to compete with the best players in the region, from as far as China and Japan.
“And in this case, for the Under-8 to Under-18 age groups, we aim to ensure participants are lifted off burdens of travel expenses and so on.
“By having more such quality tournaments like these here, we hope to accelerate Malaysia’s pursuit of its first ‘Grandmasters’ by also enriching local tournament options through to the grassroots level.
“We are also pleased and grateful that the PCA has agreed to host the EAYCC, as it has a strong reputation for not just excellent chess players, from our first ever International Master, IM Jimmy Liew, through to current stars like FM Poh Yu Tian & WFM Agnes Chong.
“Besides that, Penang has proven itself as an international chess tournament host, with its first Continental Tournament, the 5th Asian Cities Tournament in 1984, and the Penang Heritage International Chess Open running its 16th iteration, now as the Penang Chess Festival, in December 2024,” Akhramsyah said.
Meanwhile, PCA president See Swee Sie said PCA and MCF have a collective vision of providing more opportunities for the youth in Penang, Malaysia and all around the world, to promote and enhance the presence of chess in schools.
She also went on to thank donors, supporters and well-wishers who have played a key role in the success of materialising this plan into reality and inspiring the youth of today.
They are BWYS Group managing director Kang Beng Hai, Serena Tan of Penang Property Angel (PGPA), TT Vision Holdings Bhd chief executive officer and executive director Goon Koon Yin.
“Not to forget, I wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Penang government for regularly supporting our events, and a special mention to the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP), for being the gear of chess development in the state,” See said.
In a related development, See said that Poh Yu Tian, a Penangite and the golden hope for the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma), will participate in the EAYCC this year to obtain his final IM Norm.
As Malaysia is set to host the EAYCC this year in Penang, the organisers have expressed high hopes that young chess players in the country will seize this opportunity and take part in the upcoming championship.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of Penang Chess Association