PCBK targets wider chess participation after record Yusuf Cup turnout

KUCHING: Kuching Chess Association (PCBK) is setting its sights on expanding chess participation and raising competitive standards following the record turnout of 202 players at the Yusuf Cup 2026.

PCBK president Chuang Kuang Hong said the response to the tournament, held at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak on Saturday (Oct 10), showed how far the local chess scene had progressed, particularly when compared with the challenges of attracting players in previous years.

Chuang addresses participants during the chess tournament. Photo: PCBK

“I heard from the chess veterans that gathering 50 players in Kuching used to be a huge task. Normally, there would only be around 30 players.

“Nowadays, with numbers like these, we can start to think big,” he told Sarawak Tribune when contacted.

Chuang said the association had identified several priorities to build on that momentum, with particular emphasis on younger players and improving competitive standards.

“We want to keep growing the number of participants, especially young players from schools, and keep raising the quality of players by organising FIDE-rated events.

“We also want to gain more exposure in Malaysia, then ASEAN, Asia and eventually the world,” he said.

Since PCBK’s establishment in August 2025, it has organised eight open tournaments, including two last year and six this year, with the Yusuf Cup potentially marking its final event of 2026.

Chuang said approximately RM25,000 was spent organising this year’s Yusuf Cup, which featured 50 teams and 52 individual entrants competing over 10 rounds.

Despite the encouraging progress, he acknowledged that taking chess in Sarawak to greater heights would require patience and stronger cooperation among the relevant stakeholders.

“I believe all this needs more time to build.

“To move bigger and further, the state government and Sarawak Chess Association need to play a more important role in this,” he said.