Old Mr Goon

Whenever I stop at the traffic lights at the Dato Kramat Road/Petani Road junction, my eyes seldom fail to be drawn to the quiet shophouse building, devoid of people and sound, seemingly abandoned but not quite, belonging to the Penang Hindu Sabah. 

This is a very old association, established on 21 January 1912. Their first building was located up the road at 45 Dato Kramat Road, which they occupied on the 18th of August that year. Four years later in June, the Sabha acquired their present premises at 205 Dato Kramat Road for a sum of $5,250 received from spontaneous donations. Relocation took place on 31 August 1916 with the building opened for prayers at 5am according to Hindu principles and sastras. Public access to the place was from the third of September.

The front of the building's ground floor was closed with a modern roller shutter, but it was never like this originally. Memories may be hazy but my earliest recollection of this building dates back to the 1960s when the front was always bustling with people from the Indian community. The men would be in their white dhotis, with foreheads smeared with white ash, and sometimes going topless. Then there were the movements, activities and colours, especially during festivals, weddings and other community functions when gaiety ruled and music blared ceaselessly from loudspeakers. Across the top of the opened entrance strung the traditional thoranam, meant to bring luck and ward off evil. The original signboard at the building used to declare Penang Hindu Sabha, but by 2017 it had been replaced with a new one that changed the name to its present spelling.

I do have some faded recollection of visiting the building several times in 1968. Although the Penang Hindu Sabha provides financial and material assistance to underprivileged Indians, they are known to extend services to other communities too. It was under such circumstances that I used to visit my old language tuition teacher, an elderly Chinese gentleman I called Mr Goon. He could be in his 60s then, and I never knew his full name. He dressed meticulously in a white shirt and white khaki trousers, with accompanying black shoes. When I was in Form Three, he eked out a simple living by tutoring me and a few other boys and girls in the English language. Somehow, he managed to rent a room in nearby Siam Road for his classes.

Like all teachers in English schools before the Second World War, the Japanese Occupation took a heavy toll on him, and he never recovered his stature in society after the surrender. Many families were forced to live in rented rooms until the end of their lives. Mr Goon lived in such a rented room at the Penang Hindu Sabha, where he spent his time diligently typing out exercise materials for his tuition classes. My family felt for him and occasionally, we would buy foodstuffs which I would deliver to him. We parted company after I entered Form Four. 

When I saw him several years later, I was shocked by his appearance. He came to my home by trishaw, wearing a sarong and hobbling on two crutches. One of his legs had been amputated due to diabetes. He was too dignified to beg for money but asked instead whether my family could lend him some.

Visibly shocked by his dire straits, my father tried to help him as much as we could afford. Thanking us profusely, he climbed back into the trishaw and was quickly pedalled away. That was the last time I ever saw Mr Goon, and for a very long time, whenever I passed by the Penang Hindu Sabha building, I still paused to look at it and imagined that old Mr Goon was still living there in that small room on the ground floor below the staircase. Such memories do not fade easily.

#PenangHistory #PenangHinduSabha #PenangHinduSabah #PersonalHistory #LifeInPenang #HistoricalNarrative #nostalgia #melancholy

Lost in translation

I'm quite sad that today's youngsters no longer know this popular childhood Hokkien ditty about the 12 animal signs in the Chinese calendar. It sounds dreadful when translated into Mandarin, doesn't it? The translation has totally lost its original allure. There's no more comfort food for the soul as one gets older.

Tourism brochures

I recently had the opportunity to peruse some of the latest information brochures produced by Penang Global Tourism. Each brochure unfolds to either 16 or 24 pages of write-ups, maps and photographs. I must say they are all quite nicely produced. However, I do have one comment: we shouldn't be referring to our Baba-Nyonya heritage as Peranakan. That should stop. It's like Singaporean culture creeping into ours; very unlike Penang's! These brochures can be picked up from the Tourist Information Centre on the first floor of the heritage Whiteaways Arcade building on Beach Street, George Town. Happy exploring Penang's island and mainland!

Addressing sensitivities

My original title for this story was The long table but I then decided on this alternative title, Addressing sensibilities, Anyhow, let me continue. The world around us can often be intolerant and defensive. A way to navigate this intolerance is by showing sensitivity towards our fellow human beings. Living in multi-racial Malaysia has taught us the importance of being considerate of the religious and cultural beliefs of various communities. We have Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus, Sikhs and many others among us. Respecting sensitivities is crucial for maintaining balance in such a diverse society. It's about understanding and appreciating different perspectives, fostering an environment where everyone feels respected and valued. This mutual respect and sensitivity are essential for peaceful coexistence and national unity.

Unfortunately, this Malaysian trait is not a hallmark of many countries in the West or even much of the rest of Asia. Boundaries are pushed, cultural and religious equilibria are upset, and there is often regret for the consequences of actions. A prime example is the controversial performance at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

The parade down the river Seine featured many eye-catching moments, including one now particularly infamous scene that outraged many Christians due to its resemblance to Leonardo da Vinci's famed painting, The Last Supper. In this tableau, a scantily-clad man painted in blue, representing Dionysus, emerged to sing among dancing drag queens. As he began singing, the drag queens broke into dance behind him. The performance included a woman wearing a silver, halo-like crown at the centre of a long table.

Conservative and Christian leaders were quick to condemn the scene as an offensive parody of imagery central to their faith, despite the insistence of organisers that they took inspiration from an ancient festival. The opening ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, insisted that the scene was not a reference to The Last Supper but a nod to a pagan celebration featuring Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, wine and revelry. Dionysus is also known in Roman mythology as Bacchus and is closely tied to France. In Greek mythology, he is the father of Sequana, the Goddess of the River Seine.

Following the outcry, Jolly clarified at the International Olympic Committee's daily briefing that the moment was not meant to "be subversive or shock people or mock people." On French television, he reiterated that The Last Supper was not his inspiration. "The idea was to have a pagan celebration connected to the gods of Olympus," he said. "The idea was to create a big pagan party linked with the God of Mount Olympus."

While the Olympic ceremony performance could depict one such celebration, some have said the scene also resembled other works. Among them is The Feast of the Gods, a 17th-century painting by Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert, depicting the Greek gods of Olympus crowded around a long table, with Apollo the sun god recognisable by a halo of light around his head.

This last illustration suggests how insular and shallow-minded the people in the West can be, even among those supposedly better educated or higher strata of society. Thinking only of themselves, they think of the long table as only associated with The Last Supper. Why, here in Malaysia, we have the Baba-Nyonya amongst us where the Tok Panjang (or long table) takes pride of place in many households. The long table features during Baba-Nyonya wedding dinners and other celebrations.

In Baba-Nyonya or Peranakan culture, the Tok Panjang is an integral part of our rich traditions. During significant events, the Tok Panjang is laden with a variety of dishes that reflect the community's unique blend of Chinese and Malay, sometimes even Thai, culinary influences. This communal dining experience symbolises unity, prosperity and the sharing of joy. The Tok Panjang is nothing religious, just a piece of furniture but it is a cultural icon that represents the Baba-Nyonya values of togetherness and celebration that fosters a sense of community and continuity among generations.

So, was the brief scene at the Paris Olympics a mockery of Christianity, as some are suggesting? Or was it a homage to the Greek god Dionysus, as organisers proclaim? Maybe, akin to a cultural practice of the Baba-Nyonyas? I think these Westerners have lots to learn from most of us Asians.

Which achievement is more deserving?

Let me not focus too long on the impressive track record of 15-year-old Poh Yu Tian. We know that he has already achieved much in the last eight years—more than half of his life spent searching everywhere for Caissa the chess goddess, and succeeding. (By the way, there was a very nice interview in Tuesday's The Star newspaper, which I had recently set up for him.)

Instead, I want to muse about the situation the boy found himself in. This is a scenario that occurs countless times wherever chess is played, but it was uniquely Poh Yu Tian’s situation at the eighth Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship last month.

He entered his name in the Under-18 Open category event, knowing that winning outright first place would automatically grant him the International Master title, as stipulated in the tournament regulations. However, he already had two IM norms under his belt and needed only a third norm to secure that same title.

Either way, he played excellently to become Malaysia's 10th International Master. But my question is, which way was more significant, more hard-earned, for him or any player in the same situation? Gaining a final norm to achieve the title, or winning undisputed first place and being awarded the title?

One could argue that securing the final norm is more significant. Achieving norms typically involves performing consistently well against strong opposition across different tournaments, demonstrating sustained excellence and versatility. It's a testament to a player's ability to maintain high standards over time and under varying conditions.

On the other hand, winning outright first place in a prestigious tournament is no small feat. It shows a player’s ability to rise to the occasion, handle immense pressure and deliver peak performance when it matters most. This path to the title underscores a player's mental fortitude and competitive spirit.

In Poh Yu Tian’s case, securing the title through either route showcases his remarkable talent and dedication. Yet, it raises an intriguing debate about the nature of achievement in chess. Is it the consistency and resilience needed to achieve norms, or the brilliance and clutch performance required to win outright, that defines true mastery?

#ChessMasteryDebate

Live Aid 1985

It's 12 noon in London, 7:00am in Philadelphia and around the world it's time for LIVE AID.

If there’s anyone who hasn’t watched the Live Aid DVDs before, this 57-minute video—which premiered on YouTube on the 14th of July to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Band Aid and 39th anniversary of Live Aid—has encapsulated most of the highlights from the London and Philadelphia performances. The video also serves as an unspoken mini-tribute to Freddie Mercury, with Queen’s Radio Ga Ga shown in its entirety, unlike the other performers’ truncated songs.

Live Aid, held on 13 July 1985, was a dual-venue benefit concert that brought together some of the biggest names in music to raise funds for the Ethiopian famine crisis. Organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, it is considered one of the most significant concerts in rock history and was watched by nearly 40 percent of the world's population. The event featured legendary performances from artists such as U2, David Bowie and Elton John, among many others. Queen’s set, in particular, is often hailed as one of the greatest live performances of all time, with Freddie Mercury’s showmanship and vocal prowess captivating the global audience.

Band Aid itself was a charity supergroup featuring mainly British and Irish musicians, founded in 1984 by Geldof and Ure to raise money for the famine. Their iconic song Do They Know It’s Christmas? became a massive hit, sparking the creation of Live Aid the following year to further support the cause.

For those who missed the DVDs, this video offers a condensed yet powerful glimpse into the magic of the 16-hour Live Aid satellite telecast that captured the spirit of unity and generosity that defined the event.

Waning, not waxing

I stepped out of the house last Saturday morning at six o'clock and was greeted by this sight of the overhead waning moon.

Old farts talking cock

Old friends from our Westlands Primary schooldays gathered for a small chit-chat over dinner on Saturday night at one of Penang's oldest Hainanese seafood restaurants, the Ocean Green. The exact date when this restaurant began its business is uncertain, but there are indications that it could be some 40 to 50 years ago. Nevertheless, it sits on the seafront, directly in front of the Paramount Hotel, which had its beginnings after the Second World War. As the land on which the restaurant sits also belongs to the hotel's owners, I would presume that long before the restaurant was set up, this area fronting the hotel was used for catering functions, where the best-dressed baba-nyonya would turn up for dances and makan-makan sessions. When these activities became less popular in the late 1970s, the hotel owners decided to convert the vacant area into a dining area with a roof to shelter people from the elements. Even today, it attracts a large crowd of local diners, with their foreign or outstation guests in tow, for its delectable traditional Hainanese dishes such as choon piah, grilled spring chicken, satay and more. The seven of us old farts, with at least 490 years between us, spent close to three hours exchanging opinions, gossip and generally talking cock in the restaurant, and our wallets were thinner by some RM50 each. But it was time well spent as some of us had not seen one another for at least a year. Our opinions were, however, another matter as we were very certain that whatever we said, they surely won't change the world during our lifetime.

Ewe Leong, Chien Ch'eng, Seng Huat, Oon Hup, Siang Jin, Seng Huat and I

The Free School guiders

Finally, my friend and I have completed the workshop for this year's batch of Free School Guiders. Over the course of one-and-a-half days, we have been gathered in the Sixth Form Block's lecture theatre with some 22 students from Penang Free School, ranging from Second Formers to Upper Sixers. Although we allowed some of the sessions to be led by last year's batch of Guiders, Siang Jin trained them on their roles as responsible student ambassadors, imparting right information to any visitors to the School. Meanwhile my task was to coach and correct them on the School's history.

"Ask and you shall be told," I had informed them. Thus, I have been feeding them information about the School's main building, especially the Pinhorn Hall, the senior government quarters on the other side of the school field, and the School's history in general. Of course, it was impossible to tell them everything or even more. For that, they'll have to fall back on Let the Aisles Proclaim, or failing that, then at least the 10 Free School videos and the Free School app. I tried to pay special attention to this batch of students as this year's Student Leadership Workshops are taking a hiatus for the year. Due to some unavoidable issues, the leadership workshops should be set for return next year.

Timeless tapestry

I wonder whether the cat on the cover of Carole King's Tapestry is still around? After all, the album is 53-years-old this week. Released in 1971 on Ode Records, it still stands as a monumental achievement in music history. I remember being blown away by the intimacy of her songs. From the first moment I placed the record on the turntable, her voice, though not the most powerful, cut across my living room and conveyed a sincerity that was truly captivating. 

The music in Tapestry can be described as deeply personal and heartfelt, blending elements of pop, rock and folk with a strong singer-songwriter sensibility. There are rich, melodic compositions that are both introspective and relatable, with lyrics that speak to the universal experiences of love, loss and personal growth. Her piano-driven arrangements complemented by soulful vocals, created an intimate and sincere listening experience. The simplicity and emotional honesty of her music have made it a timeless classic, resonating with listeners across generations.

With over 25 million copies sold worldwide, Tapestry remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. Its impact was recognised in 2003 when it was ranked 36th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Moreover, it was one of 50 recordings chosen by the United States Library of Congress that year to be added to the National Recording Registry, cementing its cultural significance.

Tapestry topped the Billboard 200 for an impressive 15 consecutive weeks and remained on the chart for over 300 weeks between 1971 and 2011. The album’s lead single, It's Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move, dominated the Billboard Hot 100, holding the number one spot for five weeks.

At the 14th Annual Grammy Awards, Tapestry swept the major categories. It won Album of the Year, and Carole King received Grammys for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Record of the Year for It's Too Late and Song of the Year for You've Got a Friend. These accolades made King the first solo female artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and the first female to win the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

Beyond its commercial success and critical acclaim, Tapestry is an artistic benchmark, a cornerstone of '70s pop, and an industry phenomenon. With heartfelt lyrics and melodies that resonate with listeners across generations, Carole King's masterpiece continues to endure, influencing artists and captivating audiences worldwide.

Side One: I feel the earth move, So far away, It's too late, Home again, Beautiful, Way over yonder

Side Two: You've got a friend, Where you lead, Will you love me tomorrow?, Smackwater Jack, Tapestry, A natural woman

 

#caroleking #tapestry

Tan Teong Kooi (1937-2024)

I received word today about the passing of a former teacher at Penang Free School. After his training from the Malayan Teachers' College in Kirkby, England, and the Specialist Teachers' Training Institute in Kuala Lumpur, Tan Teong Kooi  eventually joined the teaching staff in the Free School in 1970 and remained until his retirement in 1994.

He never taught me, of course, because I was already in Form Five when he joined the school, but I remember him as one of the hippest teachers around. When not teaching Art and Craft to the boys and girls, he was usually found in the Teachers' Common Room, playing a decent enough game of chess with his teacher cronies, Toh Kok Aun, Tan Liang Joo and Chuah Soon Pheng. At the height of the world chess championship match in 1972, when the Chess Club initiated the PFS closed chess championship for a challenge cup donated by Fang Ewe Churh, the founder President of the Penang Chess Association, Teong Kooi worked his way past the competitors to play in the finals against... me! Yes, in those years, the PFS Chess Club allowed the teachers to join the tournament. I underestimated him in the first game and lost, but got my revenge quickly in the return game. We were declared joint champions. Having left the Free School at the end of that year, I don't know whether the teachers retained the same fervour for the game from 1973 onwards.

Teong Kooi's name is listed on the Penang Free School Roll of Honour for teachers who served more than 20 years. However, his real mark on the School was in 1978-79. As the Senior Art Teacher, he led a group of students to design the grand archway at the main entrance to the school grounds. For the inside story on the School Arch, this is what I wrote on pages 252-254 of Let the Aisles Proclaim, published in 2016 in conjunction with the School's Bicentenary celebrations

In the same year (1975), he (Goon Fatt Chee) mooted to the Board of Governors the necessity to build a main School Gate and four smaller gates at the other entrances, although real discussions on this ambitious project were only initiated in 1976. Based on his estimates, the cost of constructing the main gate would be about $40,000 while each of the smaller ones would cost less than $10,000. In 1977, Goon expressed confidence to the Board that funds could be raised for the gates’ construction from donations and the School would not have to bear the expenses. A disgruntled voice among the Governors questioned whether the gates were needed at all, but the Headmaster argued that the School deserved a front gate worthy of its stature and prestige. Further, he said, proper school gates would help considerably in tightening security of the school premises and keeping trespassers out. Another of the Governors spoke of adopting a less elaborate design but in the opinion of the Chairman of the Board of Governors, “nothing short of the best and most impressive was worthy of the School.” Eventually, a vote was taken of the Governors with seven in favour of the project and one against. In providing more information to the Board, the Headmaster said that the design shown to the Board had been drawn up by the pupils of the School under the supervision of the Senior Art Teacher. Much attention and care had been paid to ensure that the design retained the motifs of the main school building so that it would be in congruity with the architectural design of the parent building.

In 1977 Dato’ Ch’ng Eng Hye responded generously to the School’s appeal for donations to build the main School Gate. According to the School Magazine, three generations of the Choong family had studied at the School. Ch’ng was a pupil of the Free School from 1919 to 1923 – he was the Head Prefect in 1923 – and his sons, Eddy Choong Ewe Beng, Freddie Choong Ewe Eong, David Choong Ewe Leong and Louis Choong, were also educated here, as well as many of his grandchildren. The other Old Boys that donated to the cause were Loh Kah Kheng, Lim Seng Hock and Teh Choon Beng. The main gate, constructed at a cost of about $23,000, was modelled on similar arch patterns found in the School. The slanting roof, pillars, motifs of rings and criss-cross patterns were similar to those on the main school building. The project began in late 1978 and finished sometime near the end of the second term in 1979. The School Gate was declared open officially by Ch’ng on 29th September 1979. The Headmaster, in his school report at Speech Day 1978, paid tribute to the spirit of love and loyalty of the Old Frees who had rallied to the call of the Alma Mater. “The School required some gates that reflect the architectural grandeur of the main building,” he said, “and out spoke generous Dato’ Ch’ng Eng Hye, an Old Free. ‘I’ll donate the main gate to the Grand Old School,’ he had told the Board of Governors. We are proud of him. Other groups of Old Frees came forward too and said they too would donate for the two small gates."

On the cusp

UPDATE at 11.40am: He's done it! Poh Yu Tian is no longer a FIDE Master but a full-fledged International Master. Malaysia's 10th and the youngest to date! He deservingly obtained the title by winning his final game against his Filipino opponent, John Dave Lavandero, and with ease too. No-one else in the Under-18 Open category event was able to match him on points. Yu Tian's performance in this Standard Chess event has been an exemplary display of targeted training, good preparation coupled with natural talent.

Earlier this morning, I had written that he was on the cusp of becoming an International Master. Playing in the eighth Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship at the CitiTel Hotel in George Town. At that time, he was leading the Under-18 Open category with seven points from his eight games, having only dropped two draws.

To secure an outright first place in his category and be awarded the title from the World Chess Federation, he needed to win his final game today. If he had drawn, he would likely have tied for first place in his category and collect his third and final IM norm, which would still grant him International Master status. However, why share first place when he could win it outright? I had hoped he achieve the title in style. This type of success warms my heart.

As an indication of his current playing strength, here is Yu Tian's win in the eighth round yesterday, where he took control of the game and converted it into a textbook attack with opposite-coloured bishops. This 15-year-old truly has remarkable vision! I tell you, he has eight eyes, not four!

[Event "8th Eastern Asian Youth Chess Championship 2024"]
[Site "Cititel Penang Road"]
[Date "2024.07.14"]
[Group "U18"]
[Table "1"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Poh, Yu Tian"]
[Black "Tenuunbold, Battulga"]
[WhiteElo "2426"]
[BlackElo "2134"]
[Result "1-0"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 O-O 12. Nc2 Bg5 13. a4 bxa4 14. Rxa4 a5 15. Bc4 Rb8 16. b3 Kh8 17. Nce3 Ne7 18. Nxe7 Qxe7 19. Nd5 Qd8 20. O-O f5 21. exf5 Bxf5 22. Qe2 Be6 23. Rd1 Bf7 24. Ra2 Qe8 25. Rda1 Bd8 26. Rf1 Qc6 27. Rd2 Bg5 28. Rd3 a4 29. Nb4 Rxb4 30. Bxf7 Rf4 31. Bd5 Qa6 32. g3 R4f6 33. bxa4 Qxa4 34. Kg2 Qa7 35. Rf3 Qc5 36. Rxf6 Bxf6 37. c4 Bd8 38. Be4 Qd4 39. Rd1 Qb6 40. Rd2 Bg5 41. Rd5 Qc7 42. h4 Bh6 43. Qc2 g6 44. Rb5 Bg7 45. Rb1 Qc8 46. Qe2 Qe6 47. Rh1 Bh6 48. h5 Kg7 49. Rb1 Qf6 50. Rb6 Qd8 51. Ra6 Rf7 52. hxg6 hxg6 53. c5 Rf6 54. Ra7+ Rf7 55. Qa6 Bg5 56. Rxf7+ Kxf7 57. Qb7+ 1-0

World Chess Day 2024

Today is World Chess Day. Why so? Because 100 years ago on 20 July 1924, the World Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded in Paris, France. Hence, FIDE is also known as the Fédération Internationale des Échecs. Today is thus very special indeed for the worldwide chess community, and FIDE calls it reaching a monumental milestone: One Hundred Years of promoting and governing the game of chess.

World Chess Day was proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 12 December 2019 to mark the date of FIDE's establishment in 1924. However, under FIDE's own initiative, this date—the 20th of July—has been observed as World Chess Day by chess players around the world since 1966.

The designation of World Chess Day not only recognises the role of FIDE in supporting international cooperation for chess activity and aiming to improve friendly harmony among all peoples of the world, but also provides an important platform to foster dialogue, solidarity and a culture of peace.

To celebrate the occasion and FIDE's Centenary, the Malaysian Chess Federation with assistance from the Penang Chess Association will officially join other national chess federations in an ambitious attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the most chess games played in 24 hours. From novices to grandmasters, in classrooms and on streets, online and over-the-board, chess enthusiasts from every corner of the globe will participate in this historic event.

Today's final round of the main Standard Chess competition in the eighth Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship in Penang, along with the subsequent Blitz tournament, has been registered as part of this world record attempt. We aim to contribute at least 180 Standard and 1,600 Blitz games to the global numbers.

#FIDE100 #FIDEChess #AsianChess #MalaysiaChess #PenangChess

Parental encouragements

Among my photographs taken at the eighth Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship, the most captivating are not of the individual players but of the parent-child interactions. These moments occurred in the few minutes before the start of each round when parents were still allowed in the playing hall. Regulations state that no parent or spectator is permitted in the playing hall once a round has started, so parents had to leave and wait in a smaller designated room. However, most preferred to wait out the time in the lobby.

During those precious minutes in the tournament hall, you could see parents and children all in their own personal worlds. Parents encouraging their sons or daughters, especially those in the Under-8 and Under-10 categories, helping the youngest ones fill out their particulars on the scoresheets, or sharing some not-so-private moments. Once the games began though, the children were on their own. The players in the Under-12 to Under-18 categories were more independent, and except for two or three, parents were no-where to be seen. 

These interactions reveal the blend of support and independence that characterises youth chess, revealing both the determination of the young players and the dedication of their parents.