BRUNEI CHESS FEDERATION: CHESS DEVELOPMENT IN BRUNEI

by: Zainal Abidin Ali , President of BCF                                

 

WITH a telltale club motto of ‘More Kids, More Chess, More Fun’, the driving force behind the Brunei Chess Federation, BCF is hard to miss as members continuously encourage and nurture young chess players in a bid to further enhance the sport in the country.

 

Established in the early sixties, the club was originally known as Brunei Chess Association. It obtained Federation status upon its membership in the Asean Chess Confederation in 2000. The Federation also formed a strong vision to focus on chess development in schools and foster local talents to compete internationally.

 

Chess has always enjoyed popularity in the country, particularly among Bruneian nobility in early centuries. The game is often showcased during traditional ‘berjaga-jaga’ wedding ceremonies. It is also known that His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam late father, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien was an avid chess player.

 

The game has come a long way from being a feature at weddings to being an intensely competitive sport. To date, Brunei has produced 42 FIDE* rated players and two FIDE Chess Masters. The BCF actively promotes the game through organising regular tournaments on school, national and regional levels.

 

The Federation introduced chess in schools because it believes it helps enhance academic performance though teaching students skills like focusing, visualizing, abstract thinking and planning. The game also provides ample opportunities for students to gain social benefits.

 

The BCF has strong links with private and public sectors in the continuous effort to promote the game in the country. Brunei Shell Petroleum, the nation’s premier oil company, is the main sponsor of BCF activities. BCF is also supported by the Department of Youth and Sport under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in providing activities resources. Meanwhile, the Department of Co-Curriculum under Ministry of Education plays a vital role in connecting the Federation to schools in the country.

 

The game has developed very rapidly over the past 7 years in Brunei Darussalam especially with student involvement. More schools have begun to express interest in introducing and developing their young chess talents. The BCF aims to form chess clubs in every Bruneian school and to organise monthly school-level chess competitions. Through constant encouragement and support, the Federation firmly believes that the nation will become one of the strongest chess in the region.