Malaysian Chess Festival turns 20 next month
20th Malaysian Chess Festival will take place from 12th to 21st September 2025. There are nine different events - Team, Junior (Under-12) Team, Blitz, Age group (Under-6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16), 20th Dato Arthur Tan Open, Daniel Yong Chen-I Memorial (Below 2000), DTCN International Seniors' Open (Above 50), Malaysia Day Age Group (Open, Under-8, 10, 12, 14, 18) and Festival Blitz. 20th Dato Arthur Tan Open is the main event. The top three prizes in it are - US$ 3000, $2000 and $1000. There is a tournament for all players and age groups. So pick and choose one or more. Register now if you have not yet. Check out the article for all details about the festival. Photo: Tournament circular
Next month, participate in a chess festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Andrew Ooi
The 20th edition of the Malaysian Chess Festival, which first began in 2004, is scheduled to take place at KL Gateway Mall, Kuala Lumpur, from September 12th to 21st, 2025.
It is one of the oldest in Asia and arguably the largest. This ten-day event is thoughtfully designed to engage chess enthusiasts across all age groups and skill levels. The festival had over 1400 participants last year from nine chess events. The nine events include classical, rapid, and blitz formats suited for Open, Senior, age-group, and junior categories. The lineup includes:
SMS DEEN Merdeka Open Rapid Team Chess Championship - September 12–13
Dato’ Tan Chin Nam (DTCN) Merdeka Junior (Under-12) Team Chess Championship - September 12–13
Merdeka Blitz Chess Championship - September 13
DTCN Age-Group Chess Championship (Under 6/8/10/12/14/16) - September 14
20th Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship - September 15–21
Daniel Yong Chen-I Memorial Malaysia Chess Challenge - September 15–21
DTCN International Seniors’ Open Chess Championship - September 15–21
DTCN Malaysia Day Age Group (Open, Under 8/10/12/14/18) - September 16
Festival Blitz Chess Championship - September 21
Medals, certificates, and other non-monetary prizes will be distributed, continuing the festival’s reputation as one of the region’s most celebrated chess competitions.
This event is made possible through the generous sponsorship and support of longstanding partners, including SMS DEEN Jewellers — a well-established jewellery retailer in Malaysia known for its wide selection of gold and gemstone products—the Tan Chin Nam Foundation, and the official venue and hotel partner, KL Gateway Mall. FIDE, the World Chess Federation, has and continues to endorse and provide support.
The Malaysian Chess Federation officially endorses the festival. Titled players enjoy entry fee exemptions. For further information, participants may contact the Organising Secretary, IA Hamid Majid, via WhatsApp at +6019 315 8098 or email aham@pc.jaring.asia
Online registration is now open here.
The playing venue itself, KL Gateway Mall, is straightforward to reach—just a 1–2 minute walk from the Universiti LRT station via a direct pedestrian bridge. It is not only convenient for players and visitors, but also serves as a gateway to Kuala Lumpur’s city center with its high-frequency trains.
Join us at KL Gateway Mall from September 12th to 21st, 2025, for a celebration of chess, camaraderie, and competition that continues to inspire Malaysia and the region’s chess community.
Check the tournament details on our calendar.
Indian success at this event
