SUKMA: SARAWAK EYES THREE GOLDS IN CHESS

By Rozlin Rusharmeen Rosmin

KUCHING, July 23 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is targeting at least three gold medals in chess, which is making its debut in the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) from Aug 17 to 24.

The state team's manager, Abang Mohammad Reduan Abang Sahari, said the Sarawak chess team, consisting of six women and six men, is undergoing intensive training at least four times a week to sharpen their thinking skills and test their mental endurance.

“Training involves both over-the-board and online sessions. Since most of our players are outside Kuching, they often train online, in addition to participating in chess competitions. We will expose the players to two more chess competitions before participating in SUKMA.

“We held selections in every division of the state at the end of last year, and the Sarawak chess squad for SUKMA consists of players aged between 14 and 21 years old,” he told Bernama.

A total of 10 gold medals are up for grabs in chess at this biennial event, five each in the women's and men's categories, involving three disciplines: Standard, Rapid and Blitz. 

Abang Mohammad Reduan, a vice-president of the Malaysian Chess Federation, said that including chess as one of the new sports in SUKMA 2024 provides an opportunity for the country to produce more young professional chess players.

“Chess is very unique because it tests thinking skills. People often think chess games are long, but actually, it requires speed because we use time control. For example, in the Blitz category, players have to move quickly, think fast and make precise decisions with a time control format of just three minutes and two seconds,” said the Sarawak Chess Association president.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Fadhlullah Mohamed Ameenudeen, 16, said he is excited about representing Sarawak despite his school commitments.

Starting chess at the age of 11, the student of St Thomas Secondary School, Kuching dreams of becoming a Grand Master one day.

“It is not going to be easy to win gold in SUKMA. But I will give my best and make sure to stay healthy so I can perform during SUKMA,” said Muhammad Fadhlullah, who has competed in Malaysian Schools Sports Council competitions before.

Head coach Muhammad Zulfaqar Abu Bakar believes the Sarawak squad can provide stiff competition to other states.

“Sarawak chess players have a good track record, and we have set specific targets, especially in the men's category. Our focus is to strengthen the players’ mental endurance,” he said.

The chess competition will be held from Aug 20 to 24 at the Jubilee Hall, UiTM, Kota Samarahan.

SUKMA 2024 features 37 sports with 488 events, comprising 236 men's events, 217 women's events and 35 mixed events, involving nine divisions: Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.

Introduced in 1986, SUKMA has been hosted in Sarawak twice, in 1990 and 2016.

-- BERNAMA