Researcher brings nearly extinct Malay chess game back from checkmate

Mohd Hasanuddin's (left) Malay chess set includes a history book, gameplay instructions, four boards, pieces for five game variations, and a QR code for tutorial videos. Photo: Bernama

While modern chess dominates globally, few realise the Malay community has its own traditional board game, rich in history and cultural significance.

Dr Mohd Hasanuddin Mohd Yusof, 43, spent six years researching across Indonesia, Brunei, and the southern Philippines to revive this nearly lost Malay chess tradition.