3rd Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Perak Grand Prix Chess Championship
The completion of the 3rd Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Perak Grand Prix Chess Championship was graced by the presence of two very distinguished personalities: Dato’ Tan Chin Nam, the Honorary Life President of the Malaysian Chess Federation and Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian, the Chief Executive Officer of Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) Bhd. Dato’ Tan was the initiator of this championship three years ago, and is held in honour of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian’s father, the late Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng.
This year’s championship, comprising six legs, was kicked off in Kuala Kangsar, in February. It received overwhelming response this year compared to the previous years, with full support from all three major races in the country. More than a thousand chess players participated this year. The last leg at Syuen Hotel received almost 250 players, some from outside of Perak state. One thing this chess championship managed to do was to take chess to smaller towns in Perak, namely Taiping, Slim River, Bagan Serai, Kampar and also Kuala Kangsar, as mentioned.
In his speech, Dato’ Tan Chin Nam, whose passion for chess is well-known; win, lose, or draw, was happy to note that the standard of chess at the championship this year was high, adding that if time had permitted, he would have taken on any of the players that day. He continued that chess teaches one to be patient and humble. Dato’ Tan, the patriarch of the Tan family who controls IGB Corp Bhd. that owns MidValley Megamall among other properties, is a fine example of these values.
This time, I had the opportunity to speak to the Vice President of Perak International Chess Association (PICA), Mr. R. Sukumaran, who told me that chess creates good family values, and chess players are like family. It creates an intellectual group of people because chess also builds discipline. During chess tournaments, self-discipline is very evident. Social problems could also be avoided, thanks to the family-bond. With three children playing chess competitively, he spoke from experience.
At the 3rd Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Perak Grand Prix Chess Championship, a new champion was declared – Ahmad Fadzil Nayan, who won all six legs with maximum points, and took home the challenge trophy, among other prizes. Congratulations on his immaculate results!
Although this grand prix chess championship may have completed, the Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng series of chess tournaments has not wrapped up until the Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng International Seniors Open ends in September.
Event: 3rd Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Perak Grand Prix Chess Championship 2012
Venue: Syuen Hotel, Ipoh
Date: 8th July, 2012
Time: 8am – 6pm
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