Remembering Malaysia's chess icon, Tan Chin Nam

Datuk Tan Chin Nam was the one who, in 1974, initiated the Malaysian Chess Federation that took over from the defunct Chess Association of Malaysia. Photo: Handout

The text message came in at 6.14pm. Sent by See Swee Sie, president of the Penang Chess Association (PCA), it read: “It is with great sadness that I inform you, though you most probably already know. Datuk Tan has passed away.”

Barely five minutes later, my good friend in Kuala Lumpur, Hamid Majid, texted me: “It is with sadness, that I announce the passing away of Honorary Life President Datuk Tan Chin Nam at 4.30 today, Sunday, 21 Oct 2018.”