By Shikin Louis
KOTA SAMARAHAN, Aug 20: Chess has made its maiden appearance in the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) today, with matches taking place at Jubli Hall, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) here.
For Sukma 2024, a total of 10 gold medals are up for grabs with 5 gold each for the men and women category.
All three disciplines – Standard, Rapid and Blitz, will be contested with each state allowed to field up to six men and six women players, each with a dedicated coach, and a team manager.
Sarawak’s Chess head coach Muhd Zulfaqar Abu Bakar said the team is targeting only one gold and one bronze from the new sporting event.
“We are targeting at least a bronze medal from among our female players in the standard event. This is because they are going up against many national players from other States, although our own athletes also have some experience.
“Meanwhile, for the men, we are eyeing for at least one gold from the rapid and blitz events. Some of them are very experienced so we are targeting gold.
“States with high potential to become great rivals are Selangor and Penang because all of their athletes are national players,” he was quoted as saying when met by reporters at the venue today.
Nevertheless, Zulfaqar said Sarawak’s chess team has prepared a strategy to face the national players as he himself has played against the national players.
“There’s a special strategy to win against them but we cannot reveal the details,” he added.
Sarawak is sending six male players, namely Chong Huan Yan, Eric Wong Tee Kiing, Brilliant Chiew Zhi Cheng, Hii Shieng Shun, Mohd Ameenudeen Muhd Fadhlullah and Fergus Lim See Siang.
Meanwhile, the female players are Teh Yi-Lynn, Pei Kiee Ho, Kueh Rui Han, Tammy Tee Siew Wong, Ung Hui Pin and Ngu Yi Di.
The event will take place for five days from today until Saturday (Aug 24). — DayakDaily
