Should I believe this? 😶

Trust Andrew Ooi aka Gilachess to do a search on me with Perplexity AI. But mind you, it's artificial intelligence, okay? Susceptible to hallucinations at times..... 😜

What Perplexity AI says about the man:

Quah Seng Sun is a prominent Malaysian chess figure known for his decades-long contributions as a player, official, writer, and chess promoter.

Chess Relevance

Quah Seng Sun was actively involved in the Malaysian chess scene from the 1970s, representing Malaysia at international team events, including playing for the national team at the inaugural Asian Team Chess Championship in Penang (1974).

He participated in founding meetings of the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) and contributed to the growth of chess associations, especially in Penang.

Quah is a FIDE International Arbiter and has served as an organizing chairman for major events, such as the Wah Seong IM Invitational, helping cultivate local chess talent and bring international events to Malaysia.

Chess Writing and Promotion

He was the principal chess columnist for The Star newspaper, Malaysia’s major English daily, from 1980 to 2012, and is recognized for shaping chess coverage in the country.

Even after the regular column ended, he continued contributing important stories, including tributes to influential chess patrons and coverage of Malaysia’s major chess milestones, both locally and on international platforms like ChessBase.

His efforts have been instrumental in documenting Malaysian chess history and promoting the achievements of leading players.

Legacy

Quah Seng Sun remains a respected voice in Malaysian chess, with a legacy that spans player representation, journalism, event organization, and chess education.

His activities have had a lasting impact on the national chess community, helping nurture and publicize new generations of Malaysian players.

Of Myrmidons and Mystery Men

The Merdeka rapid chess open team tournament ended yesterday, and while our two Old Frees Association teams didn’t win anything, we were still glad to be part of it. The OFA Myrmidons finished in 43rd place while my OFA Mystery Men ended up 53rd. Still, our presence was more about taking part and supporting an event that’s been going strong for 42 years.

It was quite hilarious. We arrived at the tournament hall and discovered
that the table cloths were also similarly coloured! Someone else commented
that this was also the colour of a local fast food chain. 

This year’s tournament looked like one of the more successful editions in recent memory, with 93 teams in the Open section and another 61 in the Junior section. It was quite a crowd. Finding the venue at the KL Gateway Mall was the easiest task but the bigger challenge was finding our way to our AirBnb accommodation. Some stayed at the Gateway Residences while others at the Gateway Premium Residences, two completely different locations at opposite ends of the Mall. It was more than a bit of a maze, having to walk outside, around the mall's building, to find the entrance to the Premium Residences, but eventually everyone got there. 

The organisers had secured a wide open space on Level Two of the Mall itself, which worked well enough, except for one big drawback: the lighting. It was dim and made it hard to read the digital chess clocks properly. Hopefully that gets fixed if there’s going to be a 21st Malaysia Chess Festival next year. So far, I haven't heard the organisers conclusively calling it a day yet and thus, I am hopeful that we shall return to Kuala Lumpur for yet another year for this event. 

Remembering Tan Boon Lin

Today would have been the 98th birthday of my old headmaster, Tan Boon Lin. Instead, we marked his passing just five days earlier on the seventh of September. His was a life that spanned almost a century of change. Born in 1927, he came of age during the turmoil of the Second World War, finished his schooling at the Penang Free School where he had been both a Boy Scout and Senior Prefect between 1939 and 1947, and then returned to the same institution as a teacher from 1951 to 1955 and later in 1963 as the headmaster. His appointment made history: he was the first Asian to hold that position, guiding the school until 1968. From there, his career rose steadily through promotion after promotion until retirement, after which he spent a short period at Tunku Abdul Rahman College before finally stepping away from public life. That, in essence, was Tan Boon Lin: remembered above all as the Free School’s first Asian headmaster, but also as a man who left a lasting imprint on generations who passed through its gates.

My first real encounter with him came in 1966, the year I entered Form One at the Penang Free School. At that time, we were confined to the afternoon session under the watch of an Afternoon Supervisor, so direct contact with the headmaster was rare. Still, there were moments when his presence was felt to remind even the youngest boys who held the reins of authority in the school. Things changed a year later when Form Two was moved to the morning. Mondays meant School Assembly in the Pinhorn Hall, and that was when Tan Boon Lin became a more familiar figure. 

One can imagine almost 1,500 students packed into the hall, the Prefects trying to keep order while a steady murmur filled the space as schoolmates chattered away. Out on the corridor, a Prefect stood watch for the headmaster’s approach. At the first sight of him, a signal was sent, the bell rang and the murmur dissolved into silence immediately. Such was the discipline. Then came the unmistakable clip-clop of his shoes along the floor, each step drawing nearer until he appeared at the doorway and walked down the aisle. Decades later, that same clip-clop sound found its way into one of the videos on Penang Free School which Siang Jin and I worked on together. It was our quiet tribute to Tan Boon Lin, a simple gesture of respect for the man whose presence had once commanded the School.

When he was eventually transferred out from the Free School, that was the last I saw of him. For decades he slipped into the background of memory, until the end of 2011 when his name surfaced again in my life. That October, I had taken on the task of co-editing The Old Frees’ Association commemorative book, FIDELIS. Among the contributions was a piece by Lim Chang Moh, who had interviewed our former headmaster for the book. A few months later, in April 2012, not long after the book was launched, I made my way to his home in Petaling Jaya to present him with a copy. It was the first time I had set eyes on my old headmaster since 1968. Naturally, he didn’t recognise me (because I wasn't outstanding in school at all) but he received me with the warmth of an old friend. I’ve found this to be true of teachers and headmasters: even if the faces of their former students blur with time, the joy of reconnecting never fades. The gratitude flows both ways. We are thankful for the paths they opened for us, and they in turn take quiet pride in seeing how we have carried on.

As the Free School’s Bicentenary drew near in 2016 and I was tasked with producing another book, I found myself turning once more to my old headmaster for information. By then he was in the midst of finalising his autobiography, which included a chapter devoted to the three phases of his life at the school: student, teacher and headmaster. His daughter, Gaik Cheng, kindly shared a copy of that chapter with me on the condition that I use it only as background and not reproduce it verbatim. Later that year, on the evening of the 21st of October, he returned to the school for the Bicentenary dinner. It was a grand occasion, with former headmasters called on stage to be honoured, but it was his name that was announced first, to step forward and be introduced to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Sirajuddin Jamalullail, before receiving a copy of Let the Aisles Proclaim.

When The Old Frees’ Association reached its own 100th anniversary in 2023, I found myself once again with the privilege of writing a commemorative book—this time simply titled CENTENARY. Months later, in March 2024, I visited my headmaster at his Petaling Jaya home to present him with a copy. He had prepared for the meeting. On the table before him were his well-kept but bookmarked copies of FIDELIS and Let the Aisles Proclaim. When I placed CENTENARY alongside them, his face lit up. Another book on The Old Frees' Association, another chapter in the story of the Penang Free School. By then he was very frail, already 97, and I was careful not to linger too long. After an hour or so of gentle conversation, I took my leave, never imagining it would be the last time I saw him.

But the story didn’t end there. There was a coda. In 2024, his autobiography was ready to see the light of day. One day I received a call from Gaik Cheng. Could I lend a hand with some coordination with the printers in Penang? How could I ever refuse? So I went down to Areca Books, looked over the proofs, checked for stray details that might need correction—small things, but enough to feel I had a part in the process. It turned out to be a privilege, a first-hand glimpse of On Making a Difference before it reached the public. The book was officially launched at The Old Frees’ Association annual dinner on 21 October 2024, a fitting tribute to the man whose life had been so bound up with the Free School.

And now, with his passing, the circle feels complete. From the headmaster I first glimpsed as a nervous Form One boy in the Pinhorn Hall, to the dignified elder statesman I visited in his twilight years, Tan Boon Lin remained a steady presence in the long story of the Penang Free School. I count myself fortunate to have crossed paths with him more than once, not only as his student but later as a chronicler of the school and The Old Frees’ Association. He lived long enough to see his own autobiography published, to place his voice alongside the history he had helped to shape. For us, his former students, that will always be his gift: the reminder that a life devoted to teaching and guiding others truly makes a difference. Rest in peace, Headmaster. Fortis atque Fidelis.

 

Malaysia chess festival

By this time tomorrow, I’ll be at KL Gateway Mall with my chess friends from The Old Frees’ Association, ready to take part in the 20th Malaysia Chess Festival in its present format. We're playing in the Merdeka team rapid chess event, now in its 42nd year. Wish us luck!

The Malaysia Chess Festival stretches over nine days. It begins on the 12th with the SMS Deen Merdeka open rapid team championship, the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Merdeka junior (under-12) team championship and the Merdeka blitz chess championship. On the 13th comes the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam age-group chess championships. From the 15th to the 21st, the spotlight shifts to the marquee events: the Dato’ Arthur Tan Malaysia open championship, the Daniel Yong memorial Malaysia chess challenge and the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam seniors open chess championship. On the 16th, the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Malaysia Day age-group chess championships take place and finally, the Festival draws to a close on the 21st with the Festival blitz chess championship. Without doubt, this is a crowded calendar, but that is exactly what a chess festival should be: a celebration of the game, with events for all ages, gender, levels and walks of life.

This year’s festival marks a departure from tradition. Since 2003, the event had always been held at Cititel MidValley or the adjoining Megamall. But this time the organisers missed the chance to block the dates early, and the hotel had already taken other bookings. That left them scrambling for alternatives, and KL Gateway Mall became the choice. Whether its facilities can match what Cititel once offered is something we’ll soon find out.

For those of us coming from out of town, the convenience of staying and eating at Cititel is no longer there. Instead, we’ve booked Airbnb apartments above KL Gateway Mall. It means that come Saturday morning, instead of heading down to the hotel restaurant for a familiar breakfast, we’ll have to venture out to find food before settling into our games.

Two decades is a long time for any event to run, and I can’t help wondering if the organisers might be thinking of calling it a day. Since its inception in 2003, the festival has enjoyed strong support from IGB Berhad, thanks largely to the late Dato’ Tan Chin Nam. But since his passing in 2018, that commitment hasn’t felt as steadfast. I’ve been told that sponsorship now comes with more conditions attached and less to offer in return, which has inevitably made the festival less attractive in the region.

Whether the organisers have the energy and resources to stage a 21st edition remains to be seen. Perhaps this will be the last hurrah. But if you ask me, I hope it isn’t. Twenty years may be a natural point to pause, but it would be a pity to see the Malaysia Chess Festival end just yet.

Tan Boon Lin, 1927-2025

 Sad to hear of the demise of Tan Boon Lin, my first Headmaster in secondary school. He was the first Asian appointed as Headmaster of Penang Free School from 1963 to 1968. I shall pay a tribute to him in my blog this Friday.

Kyoto 2024, Day 5

Continuing with the documentation of our holiday in Japan last year, the 17th of November marked our fifth day in Kyoto. The day before, we had gone up Mt Hiei and been rewarded with sweeping views and a riot of autumn colours. After such an excursion, we thought it best to slow down a little. With our holiday beginning to wind down, we decided to move around the city itself and take it easy.

That morning we woke later than usual, and after a simple breakfast we set out. Our first destination was Tō-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site not far from Kyoto Station. It was already past noon when we arrived. By mid-November, one never knows quite what to expect with the autumn foliage. Some years the colours arrive early, other years late. In 2024, the colours were only beginning to show during our visit. So we were a bit lucky to see some splashes of red and yellow among the temple trees.

Walking through the precincts, we were struck first by the spacious layout. Wide gravel paths criss-crossed the grounds, bordered by ancient wooden halls and a carefully tended garden. The Japanese garden was a particular delight: a reflective pond edged with stones, maples bending gracefully over the water, and raked gravel sections that seemed to invite quiet contemplation. At the centre of it all rose the temple’s most famous landmark, the five-storey pagoda. At 55 metres, it is the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, rebuilt in 1644 after earlier versions were destroyed by fire. Its dark timbers and sweeping eaves rose elegantly into the sky, a sight so iconic that it has come to serve as a symbol of Kyoto itself.

Tō-ji, or “East Temple,” has been part of the city’s story for more than 12 centuries. Founded in 796, just two years after Kyoto was established as the imperial capital of Heian-kyō, it originally formed a pair with Sai-ji, the “West Temple,” which no longer survives. The Japanese Buddhist monk, Kūkai, better known as Kōbō Daishi, made the temple a centre of learning and worship, and to this day Tō-ji remains one of the Shingon school of Buddhism's principal sites.

One of the halls was hosting an exhibition of Japanese paintings and drawings. It was a serene contrast to the bustling world outside. The works on display were elegant and understated, filled with motifs so central to Japanese art: pine trees, cranes, waves, and mountains. Even without fully grasping the artistic techniques, it was impossible not to admire the balance and clarity of the compositions.

The buildings themselves were architectural wonders. Their great wooden beams and rafters interlocked with astonishing precision. I found myself wondering whether nails were used at all. Later, I learned that much of traditional Japanese temple architecture relied on intricate joinery, with slots, grooves and interlocking joints holding everything in place. 

We spent about two hours wandering through Tō-ji, never in a hurry, simply taking in the gardens, the halls and the pagoda that towered above it all. Hunger eventually nudged us back towards the city streets. A small udon restaurant caught our eye, and although I have always preferred ramen, I decided to give it a try. The bowl was hearty and satisfying, proving that perhaps Japanese food really does taste best in its own country. Still, it was a curious experience as we found ourselves the only customers in the restaurant the whole time. Maybe it was already past the usual lunch hour, leaving us with a strangely quiet dining room.

After lunch we boarded a bus bound for Gion. I was checking directions on my phone when I realised too late that we had missed our stop. The bus sped away into unfamiliar streets until we hurriedly pressed the button to get off. Yet the mistake turned into a small gift: we found ourselves walking through parts of Kyoto that we would not normally have seen. Eventually we caught the right bus and resumed our journey to Gion.

This time the contrast was complete. The bus was packed, shoulder to shoulder, so crowded that we were squeezed in like sardines. Perhaps it was because it was a Sunday; tourists mingled with locals, everyone heading into the historic district for the weekend. It was almost a relief to step down into the streets of Kashiwayachō, where the atmosphere was lively but no longer overwhelming.

There we found a small shop selling onigiri. We bought a few and quickly realised just how good they were: plump, perfectly seasoned and among the best we had ever tasted. We enjoyed them so much that we decided to buy extra for the next day’s breakfast.

Dinner that evening was simple. We stumbled across a nondescript stand-up noodle diner run by an elderly husband-and-wife team. There were no chairs, only a counter where customers stood, slurped their noodles and left. It was unpretentious, stripped of ceremony, but that was its charm. The noodles were hot, the broth comforting and the couple moved with the efficiency of long habit. We ate quickly, paid and stepped out into the Kyoto night. Another small memory added itself to the tapestry of our holiday.

India, Nepal next

After months of waiting and wondering, I finally hear that the Nandaka Vihara meditation society in Bukit Mertajam has decided to go ahead with a pilgrimage tour to India and Nepal this coming November and December. It’s something that’s been hanging in the air since that first exploratory trip we made to Nepal last June. The handful of us who went returned with our hearts stirred and our imaginations alight. We told stories of standing at Lumbini's Mayadevi temple where the Buddha was born, of visiting Kapilavastu where he spent his childhood and youth, and of walking through the Mahavana forest where he once preached to hundreds of thousands of beings. These were not just casual tourist stops but places alive with memory and meaning.

It was no surprise then that the feeling among the rest of the regular visitors to the Nandaka Vihara grew stronger: they too must go, they too must see these places for themselves. The request to the Nandaka committee became something of a gentle chorus. Persuasive at first, then heartfelt, and finally irresistible. And now, at long last, the wish has taken form. The pilgrimage is happening.

This time, though, the itinerary stretches beyond Nepal. It sweeps into India, touching the very milestones of the Buddha’s life. At Kushinagar, we shall gather at the site of the Buddha’s parinibbana, the serene reminder of impermanence and release. At Rajgir, we’ll walk where the first Buddhist council convened to safeguard the teachings. Bodhgaya will surely be the highlight: to sit under the Bodhi tree, but not the original tree, to connect with the enlightenment that changed the world. Then there is Varanasi, where the Buddha gave his very first sermon. Each of these sites promises not only history but a chance for reflection and inspiration.

The rest of the journey will be a mixture of city-hopping, visits to temples and shrines, and long hours on the road. Covering so much ground in just 16 days will not be easy. There will be stretches of bus rides that test everyone’s patience endurance. It won’t just be buses: to save time, the group will fly from Kathmandu down to Lumbini, sparing themselves what would otherwise be a long, bone-wearying ride. Later in the trip, there’s the added adventure of a train ride from Varanasi to Agra.

The weather will play its part too. In November and December, the summer heat will have long gone, and the monsoon rains would be over. Days should be mild, sometimes even cool, especially in the mornings and evenings. As it can get surprisingly chilly once the sun goes down, jackets and shawls will come in handy. I'm hoping for clear skies, especially in Nepal where I hope to see the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in the distance.

Still, for all the planning, schedules and travel logistics, the real meaning of the trip lies in what we hope to bring home within us. Some may be looking for a sense of closeness to the Buddha’s life, walking where he once walked. Others may seek inspiration for their practice, to sit quietly at Bodhgaya and renew their commitment to the path. And for many, it will simply be the shared experience of travelling together, enduring the discomforts together and collecting life-long memories. I have to admit that I'm in the third category.

And just before the journey draws to a close, there will be one final stop in Agra. Here, we shall wonder at the splendour of the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most celebrated testaments to love and loss. The white marble mausoleum gleaming in the winter light will stand in striking contrast to the brick ruins and sacred groves we visited earlier. It is not a religious site in the Buddhist sense, yet its grandeur will still leave an impression. In its own way, the Taj Mahal shall remind us that beauty and impermanence, devotion and grief, exist in all human experience.

 

Those silent mobile calls

Last week, I wrote here about the fake Facebook friend requests that land in our notifications with regularity. This week it’s the turn of another petty irritation. This one arrives not through social media but through the good old-fashioned telephone call: the kind that rings once, we pick up and immediately it is gone.

At first, I wondered if these were some exotic new scam, like the so-called “one ring” tricks that tempt you into dialling back premium numbers. But actually, these are more mundane, if no less irritating. They come from robocallers and autodialers. Sometimes, dropped calls from busy call centres. The real culprit, though, is usually a machine pushing through numbers at industrial scale.

It is a familiar pattern. Our phone rings, we answer, a silence from the other end, and then click, gone. A dead line. That silence is a machine quietly registering our number as live so that we confirm ourselves as targets for the next wave of nuisance calls.

How did they get our numbers in the first place? I suspect through the endless breaches of telco and online government databases, or some website portal with leaky security. Our details get spilled into an underground marketplace of the Internet. Once a number escapes into that underground marketplace, it never escapes. It gets copied, repackaged and resold. Other times, the fault lies with “legitimate” data brokers, who scoop up information whenever we sign up for something trivial, in exchange for their free gifts. A common ploy nowadays which I counter with fictitious numbers and email addresses. Then there’s brute force autodialers that simply spin through every possible number in a given sequence until someone answers. 

And finally, spoofing. The number flashing on the mobile screen may look local or familiar, but it is fake. The sensible course of action is not to call back. Don’t feel obliged to answer unknown numbers. Block nuisance calls when we can, which I've begun to do lately. None of this will make the problem go away but at least it helps to know the game the scammers are playing.

If there’s any consolation, it’s that silence is still the best reply. Don't even say hello. After all, why waste words on a machine that doesn’t listen? At least with phones, unlike with people, we can block the number with a single tap and move on with our lives.