Singapore Chess: A History, 1945-1990

A History, 1945–1990

Shashi Jayakumar, Olimpiu G Urcan

• Publisher: World Scientific
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9789814733212, 9789814733212
• eBook ISBN: 9789814733236
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Science General
• Index: Biological Sciences

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This book is the definitive volume on the history of chess in Singapore. Covering 1945–1990, it covers the post-war emergence of a truly "local" chess scene out of the colonial period, then taking the story up to the modern era. Contained within these pages are tributes to the modern founding fathers of Singapore chess. Also chronicled within are the careers of Singapore's top players and their achievements. This includes fine team performances (belying Singapore's seeming status in the chess world as a tiny red dot) and spectacular individual successes on the international stage.

In documenting chess development in Singapore for the period in question, this book also provides glimpses of a wider social history. Personal stories (based on fresh interviews) are provided that give a sense of the chessplaying milieu of the time. Stalwarts in the chess scene, featured in this book, went on to be notable figures in the wider social and political landscape.

A selection of 139 annotated games played by top Singapore-based players and Singapore masters between 1949 and 1990 is matched by a rich collection of more than 200 rare illustrations. This volume is a wonderful resource for chess aficionados, interested amateurs, collectors and historians.

--> Rebirth, 1945–1955 Caption: Two early chess pioneers in Singapore and Malaya; Dr. Lim Kok Ann worked side by side with Dr. Yeoh. Bok Choon in the late 1940s–early 1950s to revitalise the Singapore chess scene. Changes, 1956–1967 Caption: Top Singapore players in the 1960s: in the center, Giam Choo Kwee and Tan Lian Ann; extreme left: Choong Liong On (Lim Kok Ann Collection, Courtesy of Choong Liong On). Rising Youth, 1987–1990 Caption: Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong (garlanded) making the ceremonial opening move at the start of World Youth Championships in the game between Antoaneta Stefanova (a future Women's World Champion) and Ekaterina Kovalevskaya in the Girls under-16 section (Ong Teng Cheong Collection, Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore).
Caption: Eduard Gufeld during a simultaneous exhibition in Singapore in April/May 1988 (Straits Times, 13 May 1988, © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reprinted with permission
Caption: Four members of Singapore's 1988 Olympic Team. From left: Won Foong Yin, Ignatius Leong, Teo Kok Siong, and Jeremy Lim (Straits Times, 7 November 1988, © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reprinted with permission) Contents:

• Rebirth, 1945–1955
• Changes, 1956–1967
• Chess is on the March, 1968–1970
• Further Growth, 1971–1973
• Young Blood, 1974–1978
• A New Era, 1979–1982
• Rejuvenation, 1983–1986
• Rising Youth, 1987–1990

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--> Readership: General public who is interested in the history of chess in Singapore. -->

Table of contents

• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Notes on Games, Annotations and Sources
• Abbreviations and Annotations Symbols
• Chapter One Rebirth, 1945–1955
• Chapter Two Changes, 1956–1967
• Chapter Three Chess is on the March, 1968–1970
• Chapter Four Further Growth, 1971–1973
• Chapter Five Young Blood, 1974–1978
• Chapter Six A New Era, 1979–1982
• Chapter Seven Rejuvenation, 1983–1986
• Chapter Eight Rising Youth, 1987–1990
• Afterword
• Appendices
• Sources
• Index of Openings
• Index of Players
• General Index