Latest news with #MalaysianChessFederation
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Parents should encourage children to take up chess
PARENTS should encourage their children to take up chess, which has been proven to stimulate thinking and enhance mental sharpness, said Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. She said chess is a unique sport as it is inclusive and can be participated by everyone, regardless of age, gender and physical ability. 'This sport is not limited by age, gender or even physical ability. We see that there are people with different differences, including people with disabilities, who can and are capable of playing chess. 'We encourage parents and families, especially in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency, to support their children's participation in chess. We want to ensure children do not get involved in negative activities,' she said at the launch of the 2025 National Open Team Chess Championships-PMX Trophy here today. Dr Wan Azizah, who is the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also thanked the Malaysian Chess Federation for their continuous efforts in developing the sport of chess in the country through regular seminars, training classes and competitions held almost every weekend. She stressed that such tournaments are not just about competition, but are also an important platform for producing new national chess talent, including Malaysia's first Grandmaster. 'This tournament is not just a competition, it is a call to action and we want to produce our first Grandmaster... and we also want a woman Grandmaster,' she said. As such, she stressed the importance of integrated collaboration between the Youth and Sports Ministry, Education Ministry, Higher Education Ministry as well as chess associations and clubs to strengthen the sport's development ecosystem. Meanwhile, MCF president Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi said 350 participants are competing in the four-day championships, which began today, to elevate team chess events in Malaysia. The tournament retains the format from last year, using the standard time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, over seven rounds using the Swiss system. A total cash prize of RM30,000 is up for grabs, including RM6,000 for the champions, as well as special awards for the top three state chess associations.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Sport
- Barnama
Parents Should Encourage Children To Take Up Chess
KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Parents should encourage their children to take up chess, which has been proven to stimulate thinking and enhance mental sharpness, said Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. She said chess is a unique sport as it is inclusive and can be participated by everyone, regardless of age, gender and physical ability. 'This sport is not limited by age, gender or even physical ability. We see that there are people with different differences, including people with disabilities, who can and are capable of playing chess. 'We encourage parents and families, especially in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency, to support their children's participation in chess. We want to ensure children do not get involved in negative activities,' she said at the launch of the 2025 National Open Team Chess Championships-PMX Trophy here today. Dr Wan Azizah, who is the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also thanked the Malaysian Chess Federation for their continuous efforts in developing the sport of chess in the country through regular seminars, training classes and competitions held almost every weekend. She stressed that such tournaments are not just about competition, but are also an important platform for producing new national chess talent, including Malaysia's first Grandmaster. 'This tournament is not just a competition, it is a call to action and we want to produce our first Grandmaster… and we also want a woman Grandmaster,' she said. As such, she stressed the importance of integrated collaboration between the Youth and Sports Ministry, Education Ministry, Higher Education Ministry as well as chess associations and clubs to strengthen the sport's development ecosystem. Meanwhile, MCF president Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi said 350 participants are competing in the four-day championships, which began today, to elevate team chess events in Malaysia.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Wan Azizah calls for chess to be key in youth development
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has called for greater national ambition in chess, describing the sport as a vital platform to develop sharper, more resilient minds among young Malaysians. Officiating at the 2025 National Open Team Chess Championship at the International Youth Centre (IYC) today, the Bandar Tun Razak member of parliament said chess nurtures critical thinking and mental discipline, especially among children and teenagers. "Chess stimulates thinking and intelligence. It is not limited by age, gender or physical ability." She urged Malaysia to aim higher in international competition. "We must be bold in setting high targets for the sport's international development, including producing our first Malaysian Grandmaster — and ideally, our first female Grandmaster." Wan Azizah also said the sport could help steer youth away from harmful distractions and negative online influences. "We want young people to think critically so that they don't fall into online scams or negative activities. Chess teaches them to plan ahead, analyse and focus," she said. The four-day championship features 58 teams and 350 players, including a team from Kazakhstan and six teams representing the disabled community. Organised by the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) and Chess Hub Sdn Bhd, it remains the only open-format national team chess tournament in the country. MCF president Akram Shah Munavvar said the team-based format is aligned with global standards like the Chess Olympiad and aims to develop both grassroots and elite-level talent. "Team chess forces players to think strategically not just as individuals but as a unit. It gives them a pathway to international team events." He added that Malaysia is on the verge of producing its first Grandmasters, with rising talent like International Master Poh Yu Tian just a few steps away from earning the title. MCF executive secretary Najib Abdul Wahab said the event also marked a milestone in national support for the sport. "This is the first time both the prime minister and the first lady have attended chess events in the same month. It's a historic feat for the chess community," he said. The championship continues through the weekend at IYC.
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
PM makes surprise visit to MCF Chess event for grandson
KUALA LUMPUR: Amid a packed schedule, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today made a brief but meaningful stop to support his grandson, Sulaimaan Mohamad Khairul, at the Mini Chess Festival (MCF), held in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair. The thirteen-year-old Sulaimaan is competing in the inaugural MCF, organised by the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) and the New Straits Times Press (NSTP), at the World Trade Centre (WTC). He is taking part in the Under-18 category of the MCF Open Rapid Team Chess Tournament. Upon arrival, Anwar was welcomed by NSTP Business Development and Special Projects Manager Tengku Kaifi Mirza Tuan Cherit and Berita Harian News Editor (Features and Religion) Nazmi Yaakub. The prime minister, who spent around 10 minutes at the venue, was also seen engaging warmly with participants and spectators. His presence sparked excitement among the young chess players, many of whom took the opportunity to greet him and snap quick photos. Sulaimaan, when met, said he joined the competition organised by NSTP and MCF with the aim of winning it. The eldest of four said he learned how to play chess at the KL Chess Academy in 2020. "Every year, I also take part in chess tournaments," he said. Sulaimaan's father, Mohamad Khairul Ahmad Jahudi, 45, said he was proud and happy with his son's achievement in participating in the chess competition. He said he also wanted his son to build character and experience the ups and downs of competing. "The highs and lows, the wins and losses are valuable experiences he can carry with him in life," he said. Speaking to NSTP reporters later, Tengku Kaifi said Anwar's visit was a meaningful gesture that affirmed NSTP and MCF's efforts in promoting educational and intellectual development among youth through chess. "Chess enhances strategic thinking and problem-solving skills and is a healthy form of competition that has a positive impact on students. "As such, we feel excited, appreciated and encouraged that what we are trying to promote to the public has been acknowledged by the prime minister himself. "It shows that he (Anwar) also supports efforts by the wider community to educate students and further strengthen their thinking skills through learning chess," he said. With four categories, children, adults, open, and team tournament, MCF has attracted more than 200 chess enthusiasts of all ages, offering a total prize pool of RM20,000. The festival, held from May 28 to June 1, involves different tournaments, including the Open Blitz, National Youth Blitz, Open Rapid Team, National Youth Rapid, and Open Rapid. Meanwhile, before visiting the tournament, Anwar also stopped by the NSTP booth at the book fair, where a selection of NSTP publications, New Straits Times, Berita Harian, and Harian Metro, was available to visitors.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
PM Anwar drops by chess meet to cheer grandson at KL Book Fair
KUALA LUMPUR: Amidst his busy schedule, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today made time to support his grandson, Sulaimaan Mohamad Khairul, 13, who was participating in a chess competition held in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2025. Anwar briefly visited the chess competition venue on the second floor of the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), the official venue of PBAKL 2025, to show his support for Sulaimaan and the other participants in the tournament. While watching his grandson in action, Anwar was seen offering words of encouragement and joking with Sulaimaan. The NSTP-MCF Open Rapid Team Chess Tournament 2025 was jointly organised by New Straits Times Press (NSTP) and the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) in conjunction with PBAKL 2025. The event saw participation from school students and young chess players from across the country, as well as international participants, competing in both team and individual formats. Earlier, Anwar officiated the closing ceremony of PBAKL 2025, which was held for 10 days since May 23. Also present at the event were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, PBAKL 2025 organising chairman Mohd Khair Ngadiron and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Dr Hazami Jahari. The prime minister also took time to visit the PBAKL booths and interact with visitors. With the theme 'Buku: Membaca, Memimpin' (Books: Reading, Leading), the 42nd edition of PBAKL recorded a total of 1.8 million visitors over its 10-day duration.
