More on chess, this time on the local front. MBSSKL will be holding a grand open chess tournament this Saturday at the Exhibiton Hall, Midvalley Megamall. It will attempt to make it to the Malaysian Book of Records as the largest chess tournament. With over 1,400 student and adult participants so far, and barring any large scale absentees, I think this can be easily accomplished. I will be participating in the open section while my son will be in one of the age-groups.

Recently, at the PIKOM PC Fair at KLCC convention centre, there is an open section where about 50 students were quietly battling it out amid the noise and bargaining at the crowded computer fair. The event is organised by IntChess, a regional branch of the successful Singapore-based Asean Chess Academy, which is the only chess training centre recognised by the World Chess Federation. During the event, there was also an exhibition match by a Singaporean boy called Derek Lim who is the current world under-7 champion. This is certainly a fine effort by IntChess to popularise the game. My son has been undergoing training under a program endorsed by the Academy. He is currently guided by a Vietnamese international master.

Not everything that comes from Singapore is about kiasuism. Chess helps children to focus and visualise a position a few moves ahead. Besides helping them to think ahead, it also makes them responsible for their actions. There is no takeback move in a real game. Lastly, anyone can afford to play chess. Unlike computer games, they don't burn a hole in their parents' pockets. You don't need to buy the latest Nvidia GeForce video card that may cost more than a thousand ringgit. You also don't need to add excitement to the sound by getting Sonicgear. You can do away with your Logitech gaming keyboard. Just a simple 64 square checker board will do. I can assure you that once you are in the game, you will be fully immersed in a sea of possibilities.

I am now teaching my son to solve chess puzzles and playing online games. They say that chess is 95% hard work and 5% talent. I also think a little bit of luck will help along the way.