BERITA KAMPUS
Sport
Written on 6th April 2024
CHESS TOURNAMENT TRIUMPH LEAD BY USM STUDENTS
The board game competitors looked like they were concentrating on their match. (Picture by Che Jia Yi)
Main Campus, 6th April- USM Bridge and Chess Club had organized a competition titled "Checkmate: Bet or Strategy." This type of event is about Chess and XiangQi tournament. The event took place at Dewan Utama Desasiswa (DUD) M08, commencing at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at 12:30 p.m
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The ‘Checkmate: Bet or Strategy?’ is organized by the USM Bridge and Chess Club, established in 1969 which aimed at spreading joy to everyone through chess, card games, board games, and other programs. The club's mission is to "Spread joy and happiness to the public," and its vision is to "Become a leading chess organization in the community." The club also aims to develop individuals academically and non-academically. Aligning with the goals, the club organized the "Checkmate: Bet or Strategy?" competition, giving opportunities to those who are interested in Chess or XiangQi to participate and at the same time promoting both enjoyment and critical thinking among participants.
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It's possible that a wide variety of participants, from expert chess players to individuals who are curious about the intricacies of strategic thinking, were drawn to the competition "Checkmate: Bet or Strategy". The word "a unique combination of elements" comes from the title itself, which suggests that the game will have both the strategic depth of chess and the option to include betting or risk-taking. This tournament aims to cultivate potential and interest among USM students and in chess competition. Participants wish to enhance their chess skills by finding worthy opponents and making friends with them
Participants are engrossed in the Xiangqi competition by applying tactical insight. ( Picture by Che Jia Yi)
Project Director, Liew Zhe Xian Computer Science 1 said the chess competition offers a platform for participants to demonstrate their strategic prowess while honing their ability to excel under duress. It serves as an avenue for individuals to assess and exhibit their competencies, fostering an environment conducive to self-improvement and the cultivation of resilience. Additionally, the event aims to instill values of sportsmanship, encouraging participants to gracefully acknowledge their shortcomings and embrace the spirit of fair play.
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“The chess competition serves as a valuable learning opportunity for members of the USM Bridge and Chess Club to acquire hands-on experience in both tournament administration and interpersonal communication. By actively participating in the organization and coordination of the event, club members develop crucial competencies in logistical planning and collaborative teamwork”, said Liew.
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Vice Project Director, Chess and XiangQi department member, Yeong Qiao Tong, Social Science 2 said there were special rules and regulations unique to this competition that participants need to aware of. The participants must follow the rules and regulations from FIDE handbook. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) publishes the FIDE Handbook, which is a comprehensive manual encompassing all chess-related topics. It includes an extensive variety of laws, rules, and guidelines controlling multiple aspects of competitive chess, including player eligibility, tournament organisation, rating systems, and ethical requirements.
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When comes to the competition format typically unfolds, from registration to crowning a winner. The players will be paired randomly by Swiss Online Tournament for the 1st round and winners will get one point, for a draw result between players, both will get 0.5 points respectively and no points will be given for a loss. After the first round, players will be paired against an opponent with a similar score which means winners face winners, and those who lost play against each other. This process will be repeated for 7 rounds, and points for all rounds will be added up until the final round, where the 8 highest point players will be the winner for chess and 5 places will be awarded to those top 5 highest points players in XiangQi.
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There is also some advice that was given by the project director and vice project director to the participants for preparing to compete in the checkmate competition for the first time.
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“Stay calm, stay focused, and keep pushing forward. Embrace challenges without fear of failure. Maintain a positive mindset, learn from setbacks, and keep progressing”, said Liew.
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“Ensure thorough preparation and optimal performance. Prioritize time management for effective gameplay. Focus on maximizing enjoyment while maintaining strategic focus and adapting to challenges”, said Tong.
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Text: Che Jia Yi/Photo: Che Jia Yi
Created on 6th April 2024
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