"I hope that it inspires more Malaysians to play chess" - Yeoh Li Tian Becomes M'sia's First Chess Grandmaster

As reported by BERNAMA, Yeoh secured the prestigious title after triumphing at the 2025 GM-IM Invitational Chess Championship, held in Kuala Lumpur from 28 July to 3 August. His victory pushed his FIDE rating past the 2,500-point threshold, officially earning him the Grandmaster status, a lifelong recognition held by fewer than 2,000 players globally.

In an interview, Yeoh Li Tian who picked up chess at the tender age of three, reflected on the demanding path that led him to Grandmaster status. He described the journey as one filled with relentless effort, personal sacrifice, and unwavering determination.

“I often tell people I didn’t really have a childhood. That’s probably the biggest sacrifice I’ve made,” he said. “Even in primary school, my routine was school, homework, and then straight into chess training.”

Yeoh shared that earning the Grandmaster title on Malaysian soil was especially meaningful, particularly after narrowly missing the opportunity at the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi.

“I felt a deep sense of relief and joy when I finally secured my last norm here in Malaysia. I hope this achievement encourages more Malaysians to take up chess,” he added.

As for what’s next, Yeoh remains undecided but hinted at a possible appearance at the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand later this year.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) president Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi hailed Yeoh’s achievement as a turning point for the sport in the country.