Open Chess Tournament: The path to becoming Grandmaster

By Muhammad Anas Daniel Bin Md Ayob

Mental strength and strategy capability are tested. Players’ skills and experiences are put in check as they battle in strategy warfare. The queen reigns supreme as she dominates the board and the knight charges in with elegance. It is a game where every action matters and speaks volumes for its intention as the end approaches. Ultimately, the king is toppled from the throne in one motion. Welcome to the world of open chess tournaments.

The chess pieces are set into action, attracting the attention of the talented. Diverse types of players, young and old, carve their marks of progress on the journey toward becoming rising stars as they strive to achieve every professional chess player’s ultimate dream: attaining the prestigious grandmaster title.

Intense game on round 7.

Open match table for players.

Young versus old.

Chess is a game that focuses on the player’s strategy and how they calculate, visualise, and analyse their opponent’s move. Even one of the skills missing will make the game much more challenging to win. As the tournament raises its curtain, it unveils the capability of each player, different tactics, and a variety of specialisations, either through cornering its opponent or slowly looking for a hole through its defence to pierce through. Each player has their way of playing, some playing it safe while others attack aggressively. Both have their advantages and downsides. The player’s personalities respectively influence them.

This tournament explores the opportunities to draw in new players and allows them to play against more experienced players. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and its collaborator, The International Chess Federation (FIDE), offer a place to compete and become a mediator for players to contend.

Programme Director Alex shared his thoughts and experience leading the tournament this year. Giving direction for the chess competition this year was his first experience managing the programme nationally. He said that the event brings about an opportunity for chess clubs to attract new players.

Charles

Alex

“This tournament also gives UNIMAS a chance to represent Sarawak in organising the international level of chess. This also opens an opportunity for those in Sarawak who want to compete at a higher level,” said Alex.

Alex talked about how good leadership is necessary to manage the event and how some might feel dissatisfied with his management. However, he knows the event must be done correctly to accommodate diverse players from different places. He also mentioned how they announced the tournament.

“By using social media, we can promote the event for everyone, even for players from another country. Which proved to succeed in getting players’ attention to join the tournament,” he said.

As an arbiter, Charles mentioned the obstacle in ensuring that the tournament runs smoothly without any trouble disrupting the event. The arbiter must work together and smoothly handle any situations that may occur.

“Usually, the trouble that typically occurs is the dispute between players. For example, earlier in round 9, the chess clock for the player appears to be set up incorrectly, which ends up causing the players to lose count of the time. They ask for the arbiter, but not in the proper way it is supposed to. We have asked the player to appeal through proper procedure. However, the said player ended up forfeiting from the tournament,” said Charles.

FIDE collaboration is rarely done in Malaysia, and according to his observation, UNIMAS only collaborates with FIDE at least once a year. He said the open tournament chess started in 2016 but needed FIDE’s collaboration. The collaboration with UNIMAS began in early 2017. He hopes the partnership with UNIMAS will continue in the future to introduce chess to the public and attract more talented players.

“The talent this time is quite impressive, especially among the younger players; for example, we have a 10-year-old player defeating an older player, which has yet to happen in a previous tournament. If the tournament this year did not occur, we might miss a talent like this player,” he said.

This event brings about an impact beyond being only a tournament. It has inspired people aiming to play chess on a higher level — a monument to the game’s timeless appeal that spans decades of chess history. Chess enthusiasts, no matter the age, are inspired to enter the competition and personally overcome the obstacles it may serve.

The story of victory and defeat, enduring mental challenges, facing adversary in a chess match, and polishing the spirit of sportsmanship happens in a game called chess. A board game that captures people’s hearts is masterfully woven into the broad fabric of mental sports, and the Chess Open Tournament is a shining example of cerebral strength and strategic genius. 

• This article was written by a student from the Strategic Communication Programme at the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication, UNIMAS.