IT was a memorable night for Shen Ree Herng when he clinched the Prime Minister’s Trophy (PMX Trophy) for the Best Performing Malaysian Player at the 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships.
Although the 15-year-old from Petaling Jaya, Selangor, finished fifth in the Standard Chess category, he emerged as the top Malaysian performer, as the first four spots were claimed by foreign players.
Vietnam swept the podium with Nguyen Ha Thi Hai, Tran Ngoc Minh Duy, and Phan Tran Bao Khang taking first, second, and third places respectively, while John Peter Allen Cabales of the Philippines finished fourth.
Ree Herng received the glittering trophy from Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, a former president of the Malaysian Chess Federation, during a dinner celebration for officials and players at the Che Hoon Khor Moral Uplifting Society on Jalan Macalister. The trophy, donated by Datuk Ong Eng Bin of Inari Amertron, was earlier presented to Tun Ramli by Nurul Nuha, daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I did not expect to win this trophy. Nevertheless, I’m inspired by this recognition and look forward to competing in the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship in Zhuhai next week,” said Ree Herng.
“I intend to give my best in the championship. If I manage to win the Under-16 title, I’ll earn the FIDE Master title,” added Ree Herng, who currently holds a FIDE rating of 2,137 and is ranked 22nd in Malaysia.
During the tournament, Ree Herng, whose idol is American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, scored three wins and four draws to secure fifth place.
Also feeling elated was his father, Vincent, who first noticed his son’s potential when he was just nine years old.
“I’m not a good chess player myself, but I saw his potential when he finished fourth in an Under-12 competition. I’ve been supporting him ever since,” said Vincent, who has expressed his gratitude to Chess Hub for sponsoring Ree Herng.
When asked what advice he would give his son now, he said: “Always be humble and respect your opponents. Be open to criticism and keep striving to improve. There will always be ups and downs; the struggles will make you stronger. I encourage him to keep exploring and learning.”
At the dinner celebration, Penang Chess Association president See Swee Sie expressed her appreciation to Tun Ramli for gracing the event.
“In fact, Tun Ramli led the Malaysian Chess Federation for seven years. One of the highlights during his tenure was when Garry Kasparov, the world champion from 1985 to 2000, visited Malaysia as part of the Kasparov Malaysia Tour in 2014,” said See.
She also thanked the Sports Ministry, the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP), Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, and sponsor Inari Amertron for their invaluable support to make event a success.
The championships, which started on July 1, will continue with the Rapid Chess rounds beginning tomorrow (July 9), followed by the Blitz Chess rounds on Thursday (July 10). The competition has drawn over 400 participants from 21 countries.
Also present at the dinner celebration were MCF president Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi, Asean Chess Confederation president Sahapol Nakvanich, Pahang Chess Association president Hamidah Abdul Hamid, Sabah Chess Association president Muammar Julkarnain, Chess Hub chairman Datuk Md Ismail Hamdan, Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai Heng Hua, Inari Amertron senior HR manager Mohamed Zainulalawdin, Penang Chess Association secretary Ooi Gim Ewe and treasurer Steven Hoh Chee Chuen.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by K.H. Ong and courtesy of Penang Chess Association