Wan Mohammad Azmie claims chess crown as 143 battle through eight-round Swiss at OHH HAA Rapid Kuching 2026

Azmie (centre) receives his prize envelope after being crowned Open Category champion at the OHH HAA Rapid Kuching 2026 chess tournament held at the Borneo Cultures Museum on June 27, 2026.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 29: Wan Mohammad Azmie Wan Abd Rahim emerged as Open Category champion at the OHH HAA Rapid Kuching 2026 chess tournament, outplaying a field of 143 competitors in a fast-paced eight-round Swiss system held at the Borneo Cultures Museum here recently.

Organised by the Persatuan Catur Bahagian Kuching (PCBK) under the Dana Sukan Komuniti (DSK) initiative by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), the rapid chess event tested players’ calculation, time management and endgame precision across multiple rounds of tactical battles.

Azmie delivered a consistent performance throughout the tournament, maintaining strong form across all eight rounds to finish at the top of the standings and secure the Open title.

Stanley Hii Lik Ung finished as first runner-up, while Syed Ilyas Syed Muhammad Yusuf placed second runner-up after a closely contested fight for podium positions.

PCBK said the strong turnout of 143 players reflected the growing competitive chess scene in Sarawak, with increasing participation from schools, clubs and the wider community.

“Beyond the chessboard, the tournament provided valuable competitive exposure for players, helping to sharpen tactical awareness, improve decision-making under time pressure and strengthen the local chess ecosystem,” the association said in a statement today.

It added that the smooth running of the event was made possible through the support of arbiters, volunteers, sponsors, parents, coaches and strategic partners.

PCBK also praised the sportsmanship displayed by all participants, noting that rapid chess demands focus, discipline and resilience, especially in tight time-control situations.

Encouraged by the strong participation, the association said it remains committed to developing structured chess programmes to nurture emerging talent and expand the competitive pipeline in Sarawak.

“As PCBK continues its journey of ‘Shaping Minds, Building Champions,’ we look forward to welcoming more players into future tournaments, training programmes and community chess initiatives,” it said.

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Prize winners

Open Category (Final Standings)
Champion: Wan Mohammad Azmie bin Wan Abd Rahim
1st Runner-up: Stanley Hii Lik Ung
2nd Runner-up: Syed Ilyas bin Syed Muhammad Yusuf
4th: Jason Phua Kie Ern
5th: Ethan Loo Yi Xian
6th: Brilliant Chiew Zhi Cheng
7th: Morsin Ahmad
8th: Jordan Lim Jun How
9th: Moses Macmyer anak Mounsey Muskie
10th: Joshua Ting Shi Wen

Best Female Player
Champion: Alana Jane Wong
Runner-up: Isabella Salsabella binti Ishak
3rd: Chelsie anak Garry Bailey

Best Para Player
Champion: Ethan Tay Yi Chen
Runner-up: Aqeel Zharif
3rd: Madang Ding Anyi
4th: Sze Jeeu Pin

Under-18 Category
Champion: Howard Lim Jun Yii
Runner-up: Arminius Wong Sie Song
3rd: Jonas Lee Sze Hao

Under-12 Category
Champion: Xander Low Zern Thung
Runner-up: Sim Hong Zhe
3rd: Evan Caleb anak Willie

Best PCBK Member
Champion: Fakhrullah Aqmal bin Mohd Roslan
Runner-up: Chuang Hui Dee
3rd: Muhd. Iqbarulhazim bin Husaini

Best Government Servant
Champion: Muhammad Raid Zharif bin Rosmawi
Runner-up: Mohd Khairil Aiman bin Mustapha
3rd: Juraini binti Ahmad Sobri

Best Veteran Player
Champion: Lim Kian Hua
Runner-up: Basri Laperei
3rd: Morshidi Kader

Best IPT Player
Champion: Gordon Goh Wei Han
Runner-up: Lim Yong Jian
3rd: Wan Azreen Batrisya bin Che Mohd Zainudin

— DayakDaily