My roommate at Penang Open 2025 messaged me the above and since I was still in Teluk Intan, I had to check it out.
The reason was 2 decades ago, I had a chance to organise the Perak leg of a national Grand Prix and was very disappointed to find out my alma mater, St Anthony Secondary School, had no more chess club. When I was still studying at the school, we had a very active chess club beating all the schools in the district. In fact, we were district champions for 2 years and got 2nd place in the MSSPK school event.
Forward 2 decades, and I just assume chess is dead in small town Teluk Intan.
It is just a simul-type half-day event, incorporating a short lecture at the end, but it's a radical hit to my wronged perception of chess in this town. Good to see over 50 students attend the event, and attention was focused on the games and the lecture.
Forward 2 decades, and I just assume chess is dead in small town Teluk Intan.
It is just a simul-type half-day event, incorporating a short lecture at the end, but it's a radical hit to my wronged perception of chess in this town. Good to see over 50 students attend the event, and attention was focused on the games and the lecture.
I was not invited and was a bit apprehensive just going to the venue and taking a picture, as I had been kicked out of a school once in KL for an open chess event.
Entering the school, I asked the guard if there was a "catur" event, and they directed me to the school hall. Entering the hall, I saw Genkiswaran, father to FM Genivan, talking and then stopping to wave at me. Apprehensive, I thought he was waving at someone behind me. But I did compose myself enough to ask if I could take pictures and was relieved with the"sure, sure" as the reply.
Here are some of the pictures I took at the school where this mini workshop was held. I am just happy that chess is thriving and not dead like I thought in my hometown.
Final results of titled players vs the kids was 57 - 0. A couple of games were chosen and analysed in front of the class using a projector.
