SGChess Blog #1 – The 2023 Inter-Professional Games

The Inter-Professional Games returns this year after a 3-year hiatus. This multi-sport event, contested between the Lawyers (Law Society of Singapore), Doctors (Singapore Medical Association), Engineers (Institution of Engineers Singapore) and Accountants (Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants) has traditionally included chess and this year, the playing field included 2 Grandmasters, 2 International Masters and many former National Champions and players.

The playing hall at Toa Payoh West Community Centre

In spite of the competitive nature of the participants, this year’s event witnessed an act of outstanding sportsmanship. Dr Dominic Lo, who once represented Singapore at the Chess Olympiad, offered a draw to IM Lim Yee Weng from the lawyers after the latter flagged in a dead drawn position. When I asked him why he did so, Dominic simply quipped “I don’t want to win on time la!”

Dr. Dominic Lo, former Chess Olympian

In many ways, this reflects the overall spirit of this event – this might be a competitive tournament but friendship comes first!
The Lawyers, fielding a star studded line up with IM Terry Toh and IM Lim Yee Weng helming the first two boards emerged as deserving champions. Congratulations to the winners and we look forward to next year’s edition.

IM Terry Toh SCF Vice-President, playing board 1 for the Lawyers

IM Lim Yee Weng playing for the Lawyers. Yee Weng has represented Malaysia in multiple international events, such as the SEA Games and the World Chess Olympiad

Dr. Jeevarajah Nithiananthan, who has been the IPG Chess Convener for quite some time has this to share:
“As the IPG Chess Convener for years and decades now, it is indeed quite challenging to get all the professions to turn up for these competitions. On the other hand, it is gratifying that every profession actually makes the best efforts to participate in these tournaments, in the spirit of friendship and camaraderie.”
Dr. Nithiananthan, or Dr. Nithia for short is also well known in Singapore as the “Piano Doctor”, due to his prowess in both music and chess. Readers are invited to follow his exploits on
https://www.facebook.com/TheThePianoDoctor/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsaEraGByeZvhXL_ymgrq6Q

The Piano Doctor in action for the Doctors

Here are a few more photos from the event for your viewing pleasure:

SCF Vice-Presidents, GM Wong Meng Kong facing IM Terry Toh in a big match between the Doctors and Lawyers

To end off this blog post, here is a game from Round 2, annotated by GM Kevin Goh