Chinese chess checks in with hushed SEA Games debut in Hanoi, Vietnam

This photo taken on May 18, 2022 shows Singapore's Tan Min Fang Fiona (left) competing with Vietnam's Le Thi Kim Loan in the women's standard single xiangqi event during the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Hanoi. - Also known as Chinese chess, xiangqi is a two-player board game dating back thousands of years but it is making its debut at the SEA Games in Vietnam. - AFP

YEN TU (Vietnam), May 19, 2022 (AFP): When Sim Yip How first came across xiangqi as a little boy he looked on mesmerised as grandmasters puzzled over the ancient Chinese game.

The 38-year-old Malaysian is now an SEA Games silver medallist in a pastime which, according to players at the regional competition, is growing in popularity.