You know when you win a small lottery. Or catch an absurdly sized fish. Or find you incredibly topped your exam. Actually this might be sweeter. He's a research fellow at the Singapore University of Technology and Design and he's just beaten Xie Jun, a former world chess champion.
Yes, it's an exhibition, where she played against 10 people simultaneously. And, yes, the charming Xie, 54, the first Asian woman to become a grandmaster, is hardly stretching herself. But that's scarcely the point, neither is the result.
It's that Chan is doing what you dream of, prayed for, yet know probably won't happen. Which is to be a nobody who gets a chance to play a somebody. You're not going to be asked to take penalties against Gianluigi Buffon. Or stride down a trail with Eliud Kipchoge. Or have Roger Federer across a net shout "play".
Yet in chess, this happens.
In this game, fans know how to play. They're not boxing aficionados who've never stepped inside a sweat-stained ring. Or hockey fans who've finally retired their weathered sticks. Here, in parks, online, against computers, chess people of all ages just play. In a way, they have to. This isn't gymnastics where you might be ignorant of the intricacies of a Yurchenko vault but can still admire the art form. Chess is not explicitly beautiful, its poetry not immediately apparent, and so to enjoy the game you have to play it.
この記事は The Straits Times の December 03, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Straits Times の December 03, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
COFFEE AND A LOOK AT NORTH KOREA
For anyone curious about civilian life in North Korea, Starbucks is offering its customers in the south a peek into the world's most reclusive country while sipping a favourite brew.
Shaw Theatres to close cinema at The Seletar Mall
Shaw Theatres will close its cineplex at The Seletar Mall on Dec 15, it announced via a press statement on Dec 2.
Conservationist Robert Irwin pays tribute to late father as he turns 21
Australian conservationist, TV personality and wildlife photographer Robert Irwin marked his 21st birthday on Dec 1 with a touching tribute to his late father Steve Irwin.
KRU first Malaysian act to use AI for music video
Malaysian music group KRU have unveiled Voodoo, the first single and music video from their upcoming album Kaset.
Titoudao actress Koe Yeet is engaged
Wedding bells are set to ring for Malaysian actress Koe Yeet.
Moana 2 sails to $495m debut at global box office
LOS ANGELES - Walt Disney's animated musical Moana 2 debuted with an estimated US$368 million (S$495 million) in global ticket sales through Dec 1, and combined with Wicked and Gladiator II to deliver the biggest Thanksgiving weekend in American and Canadian box-office history.
The road ahead for S'pore tourism
Singapore Tourism Board chief weighs in on upcoming attractions, staying competitive and creating value for tourists
Beyond the Angkor Wat
From lotus farms to a colourful circus, Cambodia's Siem Reap is a city with much to offer
In chess, a fan and a legend get to meet on a board
It's Saturday afternoon and John Chan, 32, is possibly in a joyous daze.
LIONESSES' LAST CHANCE
They must win third-place play-off to qualify for AFF Women's C'ship