Today is a sad day as I found out that IM Giam Choo Kwee passed away 2 days ago.

I didn't know him well but I did know of him all the way from the first Malaysian Open which was 15 years ago. It was only the last 4 years we got to talk - my fault as I am not a very sociable person.


Whenever I decide to come down super early for breakfast at Cititel during the Malaysian Open, Giam always beats me to it. In fact he is usually the first person at the breakfast place.


...and I thought I was early !

I asked him why he was early and his answer is he always wakes up early. He finds the quietness and the lack of people to disturb him during the early hours is very conducive to doing work.

My preconception that Giam was a "salty" old man who liked to complain about every little thing was unfounded as I got to know him. He is pretty sociable.