by Ellie Emira
History is made today, 3 August 2025, at the inaugural Chess Hub – MCF GM-IM Invitational Chess Championship, where Yeoh Li Tian not only emerged Champion of the event, earning the RM10,000 first prize, but also completed his final GM norm — marking his place in history as Malaysia’s first-ever Grandmaster! The tournament was held at Corus Hotel KLCC from 28th July to 3rd August.
In the final round, Yeoh Li Tian faced IM Nayaka Budhidharma of Indonesia on Board 2. Playing Black with his signature Caro-Kann, the game remained balanced through the early middlegame — until a key moment where White traded a bishop for Li Tian’s knight. From there, he showcased his brilliance with two beautifully coordinated “dancing” bishops, gradually outplaying his opponent with precision and patience. This masterful endgame sealed his victory, securing his final GM norm and earning him the tournament championship title.
Runner-up goes to India’s IM Harshavardhan G B, who takes home RM5,000, while 3rd place goes to Vietnam’s GM Nguyen Duc Hoa. Full standings and results can be viewed on Chess-Results.
Fellow Malaysians who shone at the event include 2025 Malaysian National Champion Kavin Mohan, who was awarded Best Malaysian and also earned his IM norm — a double achievement worth celebrating! FM Wong Yinn Long also delivered a strong performance, finishing 7th overall in a competitive international field.
The Malaysian Chess Federation extends our heartiest congratulations to Yeoh Li Tian for this historic achievement — you’ve made Malaysia proud! This is not just a win — it’s the start of a legacy. We also express our deepest gratitude to Chess Hub for their unwavering support in making this high-level event possible, paving the way for a brighter future for Malaysian chess. Click here to learn more about the tournament & Chess Hub – MCF Chess Ventures.
A special thank you to Corus Hotel KLCC for being the gracious host of this milestone event right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Your warm hospitality provided the perfect setting for an unforgettable chapter in Malaysian chess.
To all the players — thank you for your sportsmanship and fighting spirit. You truly lit up the tournament with the exciting battles you brought to the board. And to the fans and supporters — your energy and encouragement added a special spark that made this event truly memorable.
We hope you’ve enjoyed your stay in Malaysia, and we wish everyone a safe and pleasant journey home.
A heartfelt thank you to the team of officials and arbiters who helped make this event a success!
Right picture (left to right): Chief Arbiter IA Syawal, Deputy Chief Arbiter IA Stefani Dian Cheri (Indonesia), Tournament Director Najib Wahab, Deputy Arbiters Wong Qi Hao and FA Adam Hafiz — who also provided daily photo highlights and Instagram updates. While not officiating this time, IA Ellie contributed through media coverage, including blog writing and Facebook updates throughout the event.
Left picture (left 2 person): Special thanks to Liew Jun Juin for assisting as well, and to NA Syaiful Asyraf for his photo coverage during the prize-giving ceremony — along with his creative support in handling Instagram updates and designing key visuals such as the event backdrop and logos.
More pictures will be posted on MCF’s Facebook page. Click here to replay the games from the tournament. Click here to watch the livestream coverage.
Note: Yeoh Li Tian’s Grandmaster (GM) title is currently pending official submission & confirmation to FIDE — however, all requirements have been fulfilled.