LCIC: Chess For All

Ahhh, chess, the game where 2 people battle it out on a chessboard with 16 pieces and immaculate moves – or as I like to call it, “Jiu-jitsu” with the freakin’ mind. Well with how I’ve described the game, you may be thinking “this guy’s most likely a noob or he doesn’t even play”. Congratulations you hit the nail on the head, for stating the absolute obvious (No cookies for you for guessing it right, just some brownie points haha) I may not play much, but I do enjoy spectating from the sidelines. Hey I appreciate the game, I just don’t play it alright.

Now, chess in the recent years has definitely grown in popularity yet again and of course – the tonnes of chess videos that pop up on my for you page. Here in Singapore, there’s a chess meetup turned event that has gained its own unique audience and participants in the recent couple of years – Lion City Inclusive Chess (LCIC). It is helmed by Edwin Tan, a former paralympian that sought to gather chess players islandwide, regardless of language, race, religion, age, gender (*cues the Singapore Pledge*). LCIC hosts chess meetups weekly and competitions monthly, with participants from all over Singapore regardless of race, language, religion…. (get a hold of yourself, we aren’t reciting the pledge here)

Back in 2023, we had the absolute privilege to be participants at one of his chess tournaments. However, it wasn’t the usual monthly chess competition – this tournament was held on a cruise. Yes, you heard that right; it was held on a cruise. (Cue song: I’m on a boat – The Lonely Island)

This competition is held on a 3D2N cruise, with the main event taking place on the 2nd day. Participants had to pay for the competition fee and the 3D2N stay on the cruise, of course not withholding from the fact that we get to enjoy the cruise facilities too.

Now, as an absolute wreck of a noob I am in chess, I had to instead send in Jin to be the participant. Being the great friend I am, I encouraged Jin to get a beer before starting and boy did the alcohol give him a confidence boost. Thinking that he would’ve absolutely smashed the first round, the both of us were definitely high-spirited whilst “high” on the high seas. Man was I high off oxygen whilst Jin on the other hand gets high off confidence. With a rocky entrance into the first matchup in the midst of choppy seas, Jin sits down wobbly of what seemed like an “intense-first-match-to-be”.

He lost. Apologies – wrecked, was the word. For his first match. I have not seen him so stressed whilst playing chess in a long while and that horrific first match definitely shook his confidence. His subsequent matchups weren’t great either, but he managed to hold his own.

That’s where things start to take a little turn, for the worst, when he loses to his next opponent. In light of atrociously bad sportsmanship, his opponent decides it was a good idea to throw in the following comment: “This was no challenge at all. All I had to do was to develop my pieces. I didn’t have to do anything at all. Give me a challenge leh, this one no challenge”. Jin saw red whilst trying to keep it cool in his seat, giving due respect to his opponent and towards Edwin (The organizer). It was a comment that was not needed but hey, at the end of it all chess is still a sport that requires sportsmanship – I sure do hope that the opponent learns humility given his “mature” age.

At the end of it all, Jin finished 6/8 but hey it was a good effort coming from someone who has not played “over-the-board” till the very competition. It was indeed an interesting and eye-opening experience to not only witness a different setting for a chess competition, but also the planning, execution, logistics and manpower behind setting up for chess events & competitions. The community that Edwin has brought together not only showcased their fortitude, but also their limitless talent despite circumstances. Edwin indeed has found a space not only for himself, but also for like-minded individuals with a shared love and passion for the game of chess.

We are definitely excite to see what Edwin has in store for the future and longevity of the chess community here in Singapore and as great friends we are to him, you can find out more about LCIC and their monthly competitions below:

FB: Lion City Chess Meetup
IG: @lioncityinclusivechess
Email: lioncityinclusivechess@gmail.com