Triangular games

For this year’s annual triangular games between the alumni associations of the three legacy English schools in Penang, there is something new to celebrate: the inclusion of chess for the very first time. What began as a suggestion last year, when the President of the Penang Chess Association raised the idea with me, has now taken shape. This Sunday, The Old Frees’ Association, The Old Xaverians’ Association and the Methodist Boys’ School Union (formerly the Anglo-Chinese School Union) will meet across the chessboard at the MBSU premises in Edgecumbe Road, adding a fresh chapter to the long tradition of these friendly rivalries.

I won’t be playing as the OFA team already have a strong line-up, led by none other than Jonathan Chuah, twice the Malaysian national champion in 1999 and 2006, now better known as a coach and arbiter, but still eager to return to competition when the occasion calls. The last time he donned OFA colours was at last year’s USM team tournament, and it is heartening to see him back again. As for me, I’ll be at the MBSU on Sunday to give my full support as a busybody, proud to witness chess taking its rightful place among these historic games, both as an OFA member and as a committee member of the Penang Chess Association.