- 7 hours ago
What do the lightning-fast reflexes of a badminton court and the silent, calculated intensity of a chess board have in common?
For Tan Wei Hao, the answer is the "Harimau Malaya" stripes. While many athletes are driven solely by the pursuit of gold, Tan’s journey was fuelled by a simple, profound dream: to earn the right to wear the official Malaysian attire.
This ambition was triggered by none other than our national legend, Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, proving that inspiration knows no sporting boundaries.
Tan’s path to the Malaysian Men’s Asean Chess Team was anything but conventional. Once labelled a "hyperactive" child with boundless energy and no clear outlet, his life took a transformative turn following a chance encounter with a chess board in a school canteen. That restless energy found its focus, evolving from a schoolyard hobby into a disciplined, strategic powerhouse.
Today, standing alongside national stalwarts like Afiq Syukri, Muhammad Helmy and Tiong Kung Ming, Tan views competition not as a hurdle, but as the essential fuel required to reach the next level.
In the world of high-stakes chess, being competitive is only half the battle; the true mastery lies in turning that rivalry into a moral boost; the ultimate mind game. Discover how the psychology of the board translates into fierce national pride and a relentless drive for excellence.
For Tan Wei Hao, the answer is the "Harimau Malaya" stripes. While many athletes are driven solely by the pursuit of gold, Tan’s journey was fuelled by a simple, profound dream: to earn the right to wear the official Malaysian attire.
This ambition was triggered by none other than our national legend, Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, proving that inspiration knows no sporting boundaries.
Tan’s path to the Malaysian Men’s Asean Chess Team was anything but conventional. Once labelled a "hyperactive" child with boundless energy and no clear outlet, his life took a transformative turn following a chance encounter with a chess board in a school canteen. That restless energy found its focus, evolving from a schoolyard hobby into a disciplined, strategic powerhouse.
Today, standing alongside national stalwarts like Afiq Syukri, Muhammad Helmy and Tiong Kung Ming, Tan views competition not as a hurdle, but as the essential fuel required to reach the next level.
In the world of high-stakes chess, being competitive is only half the battle; the true mastery lies in turning that rivalry into a moral boost; the ultimate mind game. Discover how the psychology of the board translates into fierce national pride and a relentless drive for excellence.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome back to Sinalily Sports Matters Podcast and I'm your host Ashwin Kumar and this is 2026 first episode and today we are going to discuss about a unique sport and it's called chess, a sport that doesn't rely on speed or strength or physical strength but it requires strategy and mental resilience.
00:23So to discuss that, we have a special guest today and it's none other than Tan Wei Hao, one of Malaysia's top chess players, falling top right?
00:36No lah, there are of course many more better than me, you know.
00:40But as we did our research, you just came back from SEA Games.
00:45Yes, from Thailand.
00:46So you are top for us lah.
00:47Who recently represented our country in SEA Games in Bangkok and he also competed or teamed up with Afik Shukri, Mohamad Helmi and Tiong Kung Ming.
00:59Yep.
00:59Correct?
00:59Okay.
01:00So what is chess and how did you like get in touch with this sport?
01:07Okay, so first of all, like chess, this last time, chess is a sport that a lot of people, they, it's not even aware that it's a sport, you see.
01:17So, uh, last, actually even me myself also, um, I am not aware that, but when I was primary school, actually, um, just to tell you a background story of me, how I get linked with chess was, uh, kind of, uh, funny story lah.
01:34So last time I was, um, very hyperactive kids, you know, um, a lot of parents, a lot of teachers actually keep complaining me.
01:42Even, even the teacher actually tell my mom, like, you know, your, your, your children is already like no hope already because it's like so naughty, you better pray more to the God.
01:52Okay.
01:53So, so my mom was very sad.
01:55Then my mom go and see doctor how to save this kid.
01:58How old were you, madam?
01:59Seven years old.
02:01Okay.
02:01Seven years old.
02:02Very naughty.
02:02So, the doctor advised him, like, uh, advised my mom say, like, you know, maybe you can try to do something to let him come, you know, calm down his mind.
02:12Tried piano, piano teacher banned me.
02:16Tried driving class, uh, teacher banned me as well.
02:19Okay.
02:20Yes, like, like, it's like just too naughty.
02:22And, uh, one day I, when I was, uh, in a school, I was walking bypass.
02:28So, I remember it's a school canteen and I see a lot of people sitting down on the board, moving, you know, black pieces, white pieces, everything.
02:36So, I, I get curious, you know, I go and ask, what is this?
02:39They say, okay, this is chess.
02:40Then I say, why does people playing all this?
02:43Oh, we are actually selecting school team.
02:45So, then I was like, you know what?
02:47I, I want to, I, I'm opt into this, you know, I want to, you know, try to win.
02:51Okay.
02:52Because chess is the kind of game that you can't win by violence.
02:56You must use, you know, you must checkmate people only you can win.
02:59Strategize.
03:00Strategize.
03:01So, eventually I start to play, lose, I cry, you know, and then slowly it train my patience, you know, slowly I represent the school team and everything.
03:12Everyone was, cannot accept it because a guy, a student who is, you know, all the teacher is like, is hopeless already.
03:21It's really those like, you know, like, like basically no hope lah.
03:28Represent school.
03:29Then I started to represent KL State, MSSM.
03:32And then, uh, my first time representing country is when I was standard six.
03:36I see.
03:37Then everyone's like, drop their glasses.
03:39It's like, what happened to this kid?
03:41Yeah.
03:42So, that's how I link with.
03:44But, uh, honestly, but those, those days, very first they jump the gun.
03:49Now, you see, now you have all the support, you know.
03:51Eh, no, no, no worries, uh, 76, Form 1 can take care, no problem, Form 2 can take care.
03:55But those days, you are right.
03:56Like, whatever you went through, very first people will just judge and declare, you know,
04:02you are done.
04:03Nowadays, you got support.
04:04Until Form 5, you have support.
04:06Now, you got three reds are more after Form 5.
04:08Yes.
04:08You have the support system.
04:09But those days, parents, PIBG, it's enough to declare, you are done.
04:14Correct.
04:14But you overcome that.
04:15Okay.
04:16Talking about your childhood.
04:18So, as you progress with this chess, how about your education at that time?
04:22Um, at first, my education was very bad.
04:25Like, my study is not that good.
04:26Mm-hmm.
04:27But, eventually, when I get stronger in chess, it kind of helped my studies, you know.
04:32It kind of really helped my study, like, I can sit down, study the whole day.
04:37People, you know, get it very tired.
04:39But, I'm not tired at all.
04:41So, um, I realized one thing is because, you know, okay, for example, athlete, they keep running,
04:46running, their muscle is very strong.
04:48They run 500 meter, nothing, you know, it's like nothing for them.
04:51But, for chess player, we train muscle in brain.
04:56So, people get tired easily, but for us, it's nothing.
04:59Because every chess match, when you go to the really high level, one match is three hours at least.
05:06So, we can go in, nine o'clock, come out, it's lunchtime ready for one match.
05:12So, I think that train us, you know, like, our, our, I think if you open up my brain right now,
05:19you can see a lot of muscle.
05:19So, I was about to ask, like, you know, what is that, that, I think you explained, but maybe you can add on more.
05:28All right.
05:29Chess, the journey, you just explained a few minutes now.
05:33What is that, that, that journey that some of them don't know?
05:37What is it like, chess?
05:38Because people will just generalize, oh, chess is strategized.
05:42It requires mental resilience.
05:44I think you just explained, you know, three hours, some, some of it requires three hours.
05:48Anything else you want to add on?
05:50The journey that people outside won't know.
05:53About chess?
05:54Yeah.
05:54Especially your journey.
05:57With the struggle that you went through.
06:00Okay.
06:00Struggle.
06:01I think a lot of people, they treat chess like, for me, it's not, I don't meet any struggle.
06:08Just that I really, okay, last time, because a lot of people, they don't know, they thought that chess is just a board game, you know, just play.
06:14Then when they realized, eh, chess is equivalent to, like, badminton and basketball, you can represent the state, you can represent the country, they were shocked.
06:24You know, even during my high school time, I always get, like, best score quality current prize.
06:28And a lot of people, they actually hate us as a chess player.
06:33Because, to be frankly, last time I was, you know, chess is just sitting down and then we train.
06:39So when you sit a lot, it means you're very fat.
06:41Like, last time, my maximum, I think, until 120 kg.
06:45Oh, okay.
06:46My shirt is, like, XXL, XXXL.
06:49Okay.
06:49So people is, like, how can you get the best score quality current prize when you're, like, so fat, you know.
06:55But a lot of people, they don't realize.
06:57Actually, KPM recognizes this chess as a sport.
07:00So, you know.
07:02Okay, so that explains education ministry actually support this.
07:06Correct, correct.
07:07So, even when I was in uni, I get, like, scholarship, sport scholarship.
07:13We play chess.
07:15I get full scholarship.
07:16And then we just go.
07:17And then we get medal for our university.
07:19That recognizes a point.
07:21It's one of the achara.
07:24So, yeah.
07:26I mean, you can't blame me.
07:29Time to announce your teacher's name in this podcast.
07:31Whoever declared, you cannot go on already after this.
07:35No, no, never mind.
07:37Because we spread love.
07:39Okay.
07:40So, whatever there is, I use my action to prove, you know, prove them wrong or what.
07:44Can you explain about this education, sports scholarship?
07:48Very interesting.
07:49Ah, okay.
07:50Yeah.
07:50Okay, so when you go to university, there are two kind of scholarship.
07:54One is called merits.
07:55Means you must get, you know, full straight A+, you know, SPM.
07:58You know, some people even add on more extra subject just to get more A's to get merit scholarship.
08:04Another one is called sports scholarship.
08:06Means that if you represent your state during your high school or you play for SUGMA or anything,
08:13you can actually tell the university, like, look, I have this kind of achievement.
08:17Remember, so can you, like, offer me, like, a scholarship like that?
08:20And in fact, a lot of uni actually wants this is because they can promote their own uni.
08:25You see?
08:26Like, my students are not only good in academic but also in sport.
08:31So, they do offer all these.
08:33See, these are the things that many of them don't know.
08:36Yeah.
08:36Yes.
08:36A lot of them, they are not aware of it.
08:38Sometimes, not to belittle the audience, those who are watching this,
08:45but there are a lot of things being offered by the government, actually.
08:49It's up to us whether you want to go in detail and learn or not.
08:53Correct.
08:54Right.
08:55Thank you for actually explaining that.
08:57And, yeah, you spoke about you represented a country, standard six, if I'm mistaken, correct?
09:01Yeah.
09:01So, what was the moment that, was the moment, like, arrived to you or you realized time to represent the country?
09:10So, how was that episode in your life?
09:13Okay.
09:14The reason I, like, really disciplined practice more in chess because my teacher actually gave me,
09:20he said, okay, if you really win, you can represent school, stage one.
09:24And then, if you even better, you can represent Kuala Lumpur, stage two.
09:27And then, stage three is, you can wear, like, those Olympic shirt, like, this is SEA Games shirt to represent.
09:34So, they actually have, like, you know, have a target for us to achieve.
09:39Because human is like this.
09:40If you don't have a goal for us to achieve, we tend to lose the motivation.
09:45Correct.
09:46So, even that time already, I said, okay, I want to really go.
09:49So, really, I sacrificed.
09:51Okay, I have to thank my parents, all those.
09:53They actually, last time, last time, they restrict me, like, you know, playing games or what.
10:00Because you need to train chess, you see.
10:02When you want to practice, after school, then you really, that timing, you need to sacrifice for the training.
10:08So, of course, it comes with reward, you know.
10:11When I was, I think, standard four, standard five, I am the, like, because we have a junior tournament.
10:16So, if you get, like, first, then you can represent to, I went to China, Turkey, all this for competition.
10:24Yeah.
10:24So, that is a reward that I got, basically.
10:27You're right.
10:28Even professionally speaking, appraisal is motivation.
10:32Why do our bosses keep asking, you know, what do you want to do next?
10:36We can always say, yeah, same thing.
10:39Then that's not a motivation.
10:40Yeah.
10:40And talking about SEA Games, representing country, take me inside the moment.
10:45What did it feel wearing that shirt in SEA Games?
10:51Is this your first time?
10:52Yes, this is my first time.
10:53This is my first time.
10:54Because when I graduated from my degree, it was since high school, it's my dream already.
11:01I want to wear the SEA Games jacket.
11:03Because every time, you know, we see the badminton life, that time is Lee Chong Wei, you know.
11:08We saw him wearing the Malaysia shirt, all those.
11:10Then I really hope to get one.
11:14Okay.
11:14Two years ago, I missed that opportunity.
11:17Two years ago.
11:19Then this year, again, they opened up selection.
11:22Okay.
11:23Selection for SEA Games.
11:24The moment I was like, you know, all my hard work was paid off.
11:28For so many months, after work, go back, train my chess until 11.
11:34No social.
11:36Nothing.
11:37Just, you know, just keep training, training.
11:40Just to wait for that one opportunity.
11:42And SEA Games, every twice, every two years, once, you see.
11:46So once I miss it, it's, you know, already the golden opportunity.
11:51You're aging.
11:52Ah.
11:52Yeah, you're aging and time.
11:54And the time.
11:54Yeah.
11:56It's a...
11:57So I wear it.
11:58I tell you, to be honest, I only cried twice.
12:00First is when my lawyer exam passed.
12:03Second is when I saw my name there.
12:06I just, all my tears, like, you know, like all the hard work was paid off, you see.
12:12Because imagine if I didn't get selected this year, basically means my whole year training, down to the drain.
12:19Yeah, for the audience, Weihao is not only a sportsman here or a chess player, he's also a lawyer.
12:27So any case, go to him.
12:28Hope there's no defamation in this episode, huh?
12:32No, no, no.
12:33Okay.
12:34And, yeah, you know, very unique, whatever you mentioned just now.
12:38I've interviewed so many people, podcasts.
12:42Nobody actually said that I want to wear this jacket.
12:49Nobody mentioned that that was the motivation, you know.
12:52And it's coming from you.
12:53And it's very interesting and quite patriotic life, you ask me.
12:56Yeah, whether Lee Chong Wei was your goal or Malaysia was your goal, but it's a very interesting statement.
13:04Trust me, the audience will like it.
13:06And you competed with, you know, the players that I mentioned.
13:10I'll mention again, Afik Shukri, Helmi, and Kung Ming.
13:14What was the dynamic like?
13:16Was it like more pressure or it's like more motivation for you?
13:22More motivation.
13:23Actually, chess, one of the things that drive me along, like, until this, since young until now, first, it's not only the reward, but secondly, it's also the environment.
13:33You see, before selected, we are actually competitors.
13:37We need to fight among each other, okay?
13:39So, after we become teammates, you know, sometimes when we do something, we will lack of motivation because you may think that you are, like, strongest in Malaysia.
13:48But when there's someone, just like Lee Chong Wei, when there's Ling Dan, they counter him, it strives him like, I cannot be lazy today.
13:55I need to train more because maybe, you know, my teammates, they may be training secretly.
14:00So, I need to maintain my standard.
14:02So, I like it when I have teammates.
14:05Because even when you feel, you know, when you get some hurdles or you face some difficulty, doesn't know how to counter my opponent from, you know, one of the country, we can discuss.
14:17And then we're like, okay, you pretend you are Thailand player.
14:20Okay, you play like their style and I will play.
14:22And then, you know, we try and error.
14:25So, but without all the teammates, you know, I can't do a lot of try and error, you see.
14:33Yeah.
14:33Very interesting.
14:35Again, I can relate this with work as well.
14:38You know, healthy competition.
14:40Healthy.
14:41Healthy competition.
14:41But you have your own way of doing it.
14:44Yeah.
14:45Yes.
14:45And rapid chess.
14:47Let's talk about rapid chess.
14:48It's intense decision in seconds.
14:50No room for hesitation.
14:52So, how do you train mentally for that format?
14:55So, this links, this is a good question.
14:58This link to just now, I say, all my teammates, right?
15:01So, you know, a week before that tournament, we just keep playing rapid chess.
15:05Just keep hustle, hustle, just keep training.
15:07U versus me, U versus A versus B, B versus C, D, like that.
15:12You know, we keep training until we got a muscle memory.
15:15Like, when you do A, I sure we can react with a good move.
15:19Because when we're training with my teammate, when you make a bad move, basically, you lose already.
15:23Then we realize, oh, I cannot move this.
15:25Okay, let's do it again.
15:26And then, you know, we just keep trying and error, trying and error.
15:29And then, you know, then in the rapid, we master memory, you know.
15:34It just, the moment our opponent makes something wrong, we catch it.
15:38Because this was what happened last week when I was training with my teammates.
15:41Talking about that, do you or even your teammates, at any point of time, get emotional because of losing it?
15:51Because I'm a weak person.
15:53Sometimes I do get emotional for simple things.
15:56So, how do you react?
15:58I mean, you all are friends anyway.
15:59But how do you react?
16:01Okay, this is something special about chess.
16:03I saw, actually, I saw sometimes, you know, there are video people angry or what.
16:08But chess player comes, came, you know, every time when we lose or what, we are very, you know, chill.
16:15We are like, okay, lose.
16:16Okay, let's see what is the, you know, why do we lose?
16:19There's nothing really big reaction.
16:22All of them are actually ready.
16:24Oh, kalah, kalah lah.
16:25Tak apa.
16:26Kita tengok mana buat kesalahan ke apa.
16:29There's no any big fuss.
16:32I actually want to see, you know, some big reaction, like flip the chessboard or like, you know, like do some violin.
16:38Like, I actually hope to see all this.
16:40But unfortunately, all this not happened.
16:43All this only happened in those junior time.
16:45Seven years old, eight years old.
16:47Okay.
16:47They score each other.
16:48But when we, usually above 12 years old, all the chess players, they are more, I don't know.
16:54Maturity?
16:55I think, I think so.
16:56Maybe they will think, okay, when I flip this table, what will happen?
16:58They think a lot, think a lot.
17:00I have better not to do this.
17:01So we tend to do a lot of thinking already.
17:05Hence the term mental resilience.
17:07Mental resilience.
17:08Oh, okay.
17:09Yeah.
17:10What's that one lesson from SEA Games that stayed with you until now?
17:16One lesson.
17:18Maybe it's not about chess, but when I represent Malaysia, when we go to Thailand to play,
17:25I realized Malaysian, we are actually very united.
17:28Regardless of what sport or what, the moment they saw you wearing this shirt, when you
17:33seek help or anything, they were just willing to help you.
17:36And then, you know, when we go to shopping mall, because they got a requirement to say
17:39that, okay, whenever we go, try to wear this shirt or so.
17:42So, of course, we will see a lot of Malaysian, toolies, all those.
17:45They will cheer us.
17:46You know, regardless of our race or what.
17:48Hey, what sport you play?
17:49Chess.
17:49Hey, good luck, good luck.
17:50Menangkan orang lain.
17:51Chum, okay.
17:52I must tengok you nampak.
17:54It's, he make you feel like, oh, I'm so lucky I'm a Malaysian, you see.
17:59I'm, you know, very harmony and everything.
18:03So, yeah, this is, I think.
18:04Hence why they always say, sports unite people and especially Malaysia.
18:08You can have a lot of issues out there, but the moment Malaysia versus something, regardless
18:14any sports, it unite people and you experience it there.
18:19So, that's something nice.
18:21Yeah.
18:21Now we go into mental side of chess, which I think most of you already explained, but
18:26many people underestimate how emotionally draining it can be.
18:29Like you said this now, somehow you control it.
18:33What's harder?
18:37Is it losing badly or winning after so, after so exhausting game?
18:45So, mean which one feel?
18:46Harder.
18:47Losing badly or winning, winning after a long exhausting game?
18:52Feeling harder means, I mean, these two options, which one I prefer?
18:55Yeah.
18:56Definitely winning.
18:58Definitely winning.
18:59You know, especially like I say, if we play a match three hours.
19:03And you lose, then you, yeah, you know, you feel like that.
19:07It can take to three hours, huh?
19:08Actually, three hours is not maximum.
19:11Sometimes, you know, I go, you know, last time when I was playing in Turkey, his afternoon
19:15game is like 2.30 at that start.
19:18And then when we come up, it's already like six.
19:21It's like four hours at that.
19:22Because sometimes the format is like when you make a move, it will increase 30 seconds,
19:2730 seconds.
19:28Okay.
19:28Okay.
19:29You know, it just keep increasing the time and then it just wouldn't drop.
19:32You know, even world champion games, sometimes they play one day, one match.
19:36Just one day, one match.
19:39Thank God you mentioned about Turkey, one day, one match.
19:43You played internationally.
19:45Do you notice a difference between, especially the mental side of the mentality,
19:48style between Malaysian players and international players?
19:51Yes, definitely.
19:53Because, you know, everyone have their own style of attacking.
19:58You know, in chess, we have many styles of playing.
20:01Some, you know, there are different openings.
20:04Like, you know, I just give an example.
20:08Maybe like eagle, some use tiger, some use elephant.
20:11So, there are many, their own theory and style to counter against.
20:17So, that's why we, after, like I say, for example, you know Thailand,
20:21they use elephant style, for example.
20:23Then, we will pretend, okay, you play elephant style against me.
20:27Okay.
20:27Then, you know, from there, we see how do we tackle elephant style.
20:31And, and that's how we need a team.
20:34For example, Vietnam.
20:35Okay.
20:36Vietnam, they use maybe eagle, eagle style.
20:38Every eagle want to attack, attack.
20:40So, this time, what is the most effective to defense?
20:43Maybe we use like, you know, fish style or something like that.
20:48Just an example.
20:50If I use animal to, to elaborate.
20:52So, we need to prepare everything.
20:54We need to prepare what is your style.
20:55And then, sometimes they may, you know, even eagle, there are many types of eagle.
20:59So, he may use American eagle type.
21:02He may use China eagle type.
21:03So, everything we need to study.
21:06It's perfect.
21:07You explained about this strategy.
21:09And another word is tactics, right?
21:12So, you know, movies out there.
21:15When it comes to movies, every time they will relate with chess.
21:19Okay.
21:20Someone, you know, winning, a hero winning a villain.
21:23And then, somehow they'll explain about chess.
21:26It's a chess move, bro.
21:28Okay.
21:28Okay.
21:29If, since you're in this spot for this long.
21:34Has, what has chess taught you in decision making process in your life?
21:41Personal life.
21:45Have you ever adapt and use it in your personal life?
21:49Problem solving method.
21:50Okay.
21:50Sometimes you won't realize.
21:52If you just naturally adapt it.
21:54You know?
21:55So, maybe in my working, it also helped me.
21:59Like, daily life also is like, for example, I want to quarrel with people.
22:03I will think, okay, what happens if I quarrel?
22:05What will happen?
22:06You know?
22:07And then, I will think like, further more step.
22:10Then, I was like, see, there's no point of quarreling.
22:13Yeah.
22:13Then, I was like, I just apologize.
22:15Okay, sorry.
22:16Despite, it's not my fault.
22:17I just say sorry.
22:18Because I just want to, I want to do something better.
22:21I don't want to just, you know, wasting my time, keep on arguing with something that,
22:25yeah.
22:26So, it will let me be, think twice before I action.
22:30If your job perfectly suits you, lawyer and then chess, how many kids you have won so far?
22:37Numerous, like.
22:38Numerous, huh?
22:39Yes.
22:40I think you're applying it in your work also.
22:43Yeah, definitely, yeah.
22:44Do your, you know, the other side of legal battle, do they get scared knowing that you're
22:51a chess player or they don't, they have no idea who are you?
22:53Usually, they don't know who am I because we just, just wear like a court suit.
22:59I won't wear Malaysian shirt there, right?
23:01So, actually, no one, I think no one knows.
23:04After this, they will know.
23:06From your perspective, where does chess stand in Malaysia now compared to 10 years ago?
23:13Okay, now it's definitely blooming.
23:16Okay.
23:17Now, last time, chess is like very rare.
23:20Like tournament, maybe once, two months, three months, or every yearly tournament, only
23:26got one, like open, you know.
23:28But right now, every week, if you go KL, Sha'alam, every week, all the, you know, all the shopping
23:36mall, all the hotel, all have tournaments.
23:39And the tournaments, all they help is at least more than 100 people.
23:46Because now people tend to get more and more clever.
23:49Very simple.
23:50All the sports get same merits.
23:52So, parents will see, okay, which sport do I invest on?
23:56If you play football, all those, for example, if you get injured, then they think, my son
24:04was an introvert.
24:05So, how?
24:06They don't like to talk to people a lot.
24:08Chess is the best story.
24:10Chess, the only thing you get injured is brain damage.
24:13Basically, you die.
24:14But it won't get you hand injury, leg, you know, you need to do anything.
24:18So, a lot of parents, they tend, like, you know, why not I just let my son to, you
24:21know, choose chess.
24:24Even our, I'm not sure whether I can say this, our Prime Minister, grandson, is playing chess.
24:30Okay, okay, nice.
24:32Yes.
24:33Actually, he went to the tournament and, you know, cheer his grandson out.
24:37And it was like a big hoo-ha, you know, all the media inside, you know.
24:41He's cheering his grandson playing chess tournament.
24:44Do you want a chance, if you could ask, Datusi Anwar Ibrahim?
24:48What would you ask him?
24:49Something to do with chess?
24:52Try to make, maybe, chess part of a compulsory co-curriculum.
24:56Nice.
24:57It will definitely help the youngster.
24:59Because now, youngster is, like, they always watch a lot of reels and everything.
25:03They are, I realize their brain is, like, sometimes they cannot process themselves.
25:08What is right?
25:08What is wrong?
25:09What information fit to them?
25:10They just think, okay, right is right.
25:12Wrong is wrong.
25:14Chess can teach them to analyze.
25:16Is this a fake one, fake video or what?
25:19So, when they read all the reels, everything, they have their own analytic skill to, you know, filter what is right, what is wrong.
25:29Yeah.
25:29Okay.
25:31I hope he listens.
25:32Maybe you want to tag him later, once the video is out.
25:35You have worked closely with young players and what is the one misconception?
25:40So far, you have been praising parents.
25:43Okay, now we go to this reverse angle.
25:45What is that?
25:46What one misconception parents or school still have about chess?
25:51Misconception.
25:52Misconception.
25:52Or they don't have anymore.
25:54They are very encouraging.
25:55Right now, not anymore.
25:57Last time, they are, it's like, chess player, pemain sukan, they will, like, you know, don't really believe it.
26:05Or they will give a lot.
26:06You know, last time someone say,
26:10Chato ni, sukan nyamok.
26:12Or the big shot is badminton, adults.
26:16So, chess is like a, you know, mosquito sport.
26:19So, they wouldn't, you know, take too much effort or, like, we wouldn't get a lot of perhatian from the school.
26:31But recently, when they realized, actually, now a lot of school, they recognize, even chess is actually entered Sukma already.
26:40One of the achara in Sukma.
26:42It was happened 2024.
26:44Okay.
26:45Since you already represented C Games, can you, like, still go back to Sukma?
26:50Because that is, like, one level higher, right?
26:52No, Sukma is only for teenagers.
26:55There's an age cap until, I think, 21 or, I can't remember.
27:00I think it's until 21 only.
27:01Okay.
27:02That's a good info.
27:03So, okay.
27:04And if you could change one thing about how chess is being developed or supported in Malaysia, what would it be if you, your POV?
27:15So, if I can make some changes, definitely I will put chess as one of the curricula.
27:21You know, actually, one of the countries, I'm not sure what was the country, is nearby Georgia there.
27:28They actually put it as a curricula.
27:31It means that every school, you must learn chess.
27:34It's like one of the subjects, like we got PJK, you know, PJ, and chess is one of the things.
27:41Because the government thinks that, you know, they need their future to really know how to filter it and, you know, have their own analytical skill.
27:49And, yeah, to, you know, develop their part in the mental part there.
27:54This is good, you know, because under the pretext of improving analytic skill for kids, there's so many programs out there, gadgets out there, games out there.
28:05And you have one traditional method and nobody's amplifying it.
28:10Amplifying it, get the kids to, you know, go on with this, you know.
28:14Like you said, make it wajib, you know.
28:17Why not?
28:19Why not?
28:21Things are good for the future, why not doing it?
28:23I think the country is called Armenia, if I'm not mistaken.
28:26Armenia, yeah, near Georgia, yeah.
28:28Yeah, yeah.
28:28I think that country, they make it compulsory.
28:31Since they are compulsory, any idea, are they one of the best countries when it comes to chess?
28:36We've got to research about it.
28:38I think, yeah, I need to research about it.
28:40Yeah, yeah.
28:40Okay, next four questions, quick one.
28:46Toughest opponent you have played and why?
28:50Toughest?
28:51Okay.
28:52Who is that one guy or a girl?
28:54Okay, recently I played in C Games versus Thailand people.
28:58And he's a grandmaster.
29:01Basically, grandmaster means like, it's like, you know, like we have Tato Shui Tanshi.
29:08He's like Tanshi Toon already in chess.
29:10How old is he?
29:12He is, I think, I can't remember, 30 something.
29:15Okay.
29:16Okay.
29:16When I played with him, he's like tutoring me, you know.
29:23It's like I'm learning his lesson at that.
29:26And he told me that he actually, like all the style, like I say, just now I say Eager style, everything.
29:34Everything is in his mind.
29:35So the moment I move one thing wrong, that's it.
29:39He said, actually, you know, maybe move 17, 16.
29:42You're already gone already.
29:43It's just that I need, I have 100 ways to torture you.
29:48That kind of level.
29:49I'm really impressed.
29:50He's already memorized everything.
29:53100 ways to torture you.
29:55Okay, right?
29:55Really, yeah.
29:56Mentally.
29:58And before a big match, what is your, what is that one thing that will come you down?
30:04Music, silence or chaos?
30:05Like me, I love chaos.
30:08Before something big, I love chaos.
30:10So sometimes I'll just go for EDM, music.
30:13I want some loud noise, you know.
30:15Okay.
30:15Then I'll be okay.
30:16Like for you?
30:17For me, I think I want silence, you know.
30:23Like when we, before tournament, we are staying in hotel, basically.
30:26And then our tournament venue is like, you know, level two.
30:29We are staying outside.
30:30So before the tournament, I will actually sit down in my room there, look at the sky.
30:36Me time.
30:37Me time.
30:37And then I just want to relax myself and tell myself, you know, I will do my best.
30:42And okay, and then I, in my mind also, I went through, okay, later on, my opener going to play what style.
30:48I do some mental preparation and then I go down.
30:51Makes sense because it's going to use a lot of mental resilience and mental health as well.
30:59So you've got to calm things down first.
31:01Yeah.
31:02Cannot afford to tire the brain out, I guess.
31:05Correct.
31:05Okay.
31:06Sleep, is it important as well, getting good sleep?
31:09Oh, definitely.
31:10Definitely very important.
31:11Okay.
31:12Like, what is your advice to future chess player?
31:17How long they should get a sleep?
31:20Like normally they'll say eight hours, right?
31:21But...
31:21Well, I think it depends on everyone have their different metabolism, you see.
31:26Me personally, I sleep maybe six hours.
31:30If I sleep more, I get tired.
31:33Yeah, yeah, yeah.
31:34That's another thing.
31:34You know, some people, they sleep more, they get tired.
31:37One chess habit you're still trying to unlearn.
31:42You mean maybe this kind of habit that maybe annoys my opponent?
31:47Okay.
31:48When I play, like last time I say I am very hyperactive.
31:55So I cannot stop.
31:57I need to touch something.
31:59So when you play, you eat the opponent's pawn, the pawn will be psyched.
32:04So I will take the pawn and, you know, two pawns like that.
32:07And then like hit, you know, but no sound like that.
32:11So there was one time the opponent raised up, called the arbiter.
32:16We call it arbiter.
32:17Then he say, my opponent is disturbing me, annoying me.
32:21Then I say, why?
32:22What happened?
32:22He say he cannot turn in the pawn.
32:25So that time also, I was still young.
32:27I triggered.
32:28I say, who asked you to look at my hand?
32:30You look at the chessboard.
32:32Then he say, but I can't focus because you are shaking your hand.
32:35Then I say, then you just use your hand to cover it.
32:39Just focus on the chessboard.
32:41You know, just look.
32:43But of course, that time is kid, you know, fighting.
32:46So arbiter just, you know, asks us to continue to play.
32:49Nice.
32:50Okay.
32:50Yeah, yeah, yeah.
32:51But if me now, I still keep this habit.
32:56If someone do it in front of you?
32:58Nothing.
32:58Because when we're thinking, really focus, we wouldn't even bother.
33:02Even someone, the star is beside, we don't care.
33:05Because my eyes is the 64 square of the board.
33:08I just focus.
33:09Because you've got no other time to think of others.
33:12You know, you are running out of time.
33:13You really need to focus how to win.
33:16But maybe not everyone get focused easily.
33:18Some, they get distracted.
33:20Like me, I cannot take it when someone beside me or opposite me,
33:25shaking their leg nonstop.
33:27Oh, yes.
33:28That, I can't take it.
33:29Chest tournament, out of 10, 9, all shake.
33:33If you look at when they're playing, you try to move your head down there.
33:37You see everyone, the leg is shaking, shaking, shaking.
33:39Stress.
33:40This is the norm.
33:42And is it allowed?
33:43It is.
33:44Okay.
33:44Because no sound and you cannot see.
33:46Yeah.
33:46Like me, I'll somehow approach the person.
33:50Are you okay?
33:52Okay.
33:52Finally, there's a final question.
33:54What's next for Tan Weihau, both and off the board?
33:59Okay.
34:03I will say this.
34:04In chess, right, we have different stages.
34:07Represent school is stage one.
34:09Stage two is represent the state.
34:11Kuala Lumpur or Selangor or anything.
34:13I got the jacket, stage one, stage two.
34:15Stage three is represent Malaysia.
34:18So last time, Malaysia, we have three categories.
34:21One is we have something called Olympiad.
34:23Olympiad, we have three categories.
34:25It's called primary school, secondary school, and open.
34:30I represent primary.
34:31I represent secondary.
34:33Now I left the adult chess Olympiad that I haven't achieved yet.
34:37Sea Games I already achieved.
34:39So that would be my last to collect the jacket.
34:43That is my last journey.
34:45Of course, some people, like I say, in chess, it depends on what you chase after.
34:49Some, they chase for title.
34:51Like I say, Tato, Tato, Stree, all those.
34:53Because I chase for the jacket.
34:56Because, you know, when you represent the country, you wear the jacket.
35:00It's, I don't know, it's really an honor that not everyone can, you know, take it.
35:07Yeah.
35:08Any advice for the youngsters?
35:09You can say it in Malay also, if you want.
35:12Basel also, if you want.
35:13Any advice?
35:14Yeah.
35:16In chess, lah.
35:18Anything.
35:18Okay.
35:20Chess, this kind of sport.
35:21Try as soon as possible.
35:23Means as younger as you can.
35:26Because you can focus on chess.
35:29You can, you wouldn't get so many distractions.
35:31Your life is only study and chess.
35:36And then you can get more time, more quality time.
35:38You will get distracted.
35:40And then you can just, you know, go to next path.
35:43And secondly is, I think chess is the only sport.
35:48Seven years old, can beat adults.
35:51Because you, if you're good in strategy, that's it.
35:55But other sport, if you play basketball, how can you?
35:59Seven years old versus a good guy, right?
36:01Physical.
36:01So chess is, I think, is the most fair game.
36:04That, you know, you don't depend on the referee or anything.
36:08Because if you make the move, you make the move.
36:10It's fair and square.
36:11Just like a chess sport, fair and square.
36:12Yeah.
36:15So, don't think in the future, you got time only to train the chess.
36:19You train it when you're young.
36:21I thought I'd be like, one last question.
36:23Okay.
36:24You said seven years old can defeat anybody, right?
36:26Yes.
36:27Paling elders, you defeated who?
36:28How old were they?
36:29When I was, because I started chess seven.
36:32Okay.
36:32Then after that, when I was nine years old, at that time, I already started representing state.
36:38Okay.
36:39So, I go to the open tournament.
36:40Okay.
36:41All the adults, basically, they are chess coaches.
36:44I beat all of them and I get the champ.
36:46And I think that picture is also still in Google.
36:50Okay.
36:51Like Google, people search.
36:52They can see my picture there when I was young.
36:54You're giving the picture to us for our story later.
36:57We will do story based on this podcast.
36:59I want that picture.
37:02Nice, nice.
37:02And how old were they?
37:04Paling senior?
37:04I'm not sure.
37:06Around 40 something already.
37:09Okay.
37:10Okay.
37:10Thank you, Tan Wehal, for taking part in our podcast.
37:14And this is what we want.
37:16We want to show the audience things like this.
37:19And it's great that you're very normal and you're just explaining everything.
37:26This is what we want.
37:27More from our athletes.
37:29And thank you again.
37:30Yeah, thanks.
37:31Thanks for inviting us also.
37:36Majulah Sukarnot Negara, terima kasih.
37:38Kita hashtag, kita Team Malaysia.
37:40Team Malaysia.
37:42That's it.
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