KUCHING: A total of 80 participants took part in the H&L Rapid Chess Championship organised by the Kuching City Youth Concern Club in collaboration with the Sarawak State Chess Association at Eco Mall Petra Jaya, here recently.
This inaugural championship saw an encouraging response, attracting participants not only from Sibu and Miri but also from Indonesia.
“The tournament is unique as it tests one’s thinking skills. Generally, people think chess games take a long time, but in reality, it needs to be quick because we are using time controls.
“For example, in the blitz or rapid chess category, players must move quickly, think fast, and make precise decisions with a time control format of only three minutes and two seconds,” a press statement from the organisers said.
The prize-giving ceremony was officiated by Sharifah Noraini Sayeed Aman Ghazali, special administrative officer to the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63, and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Syed Aman Ghazali.
Muhammad Zulfaqar Abu Bakar emerged champion while the first runner-up was Muhammad Kamalsyah and second runner-up, Hendra Supriadi.
Also present were Sarawak State Chess Association (PCNS) patron Datuk Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen, Kuching City Youth Concern Club advisor Dzamaluddin Zainuddin, club chairman Asri Hazwan Harun, and PCNS president Abang Mohammad Reduan.
The Kuching City Youth Concern Club thanked Sharifah Hasidah, H&L Extra Eco Mall and Eco Mall Petra Jaya for their contributions in making the championship a success.
