Full focus: Ainul Mardhiah focusing during the eighth Johor International Chess Tournament in Johor Baru where she finished third in the female category. -Bernama
JOHOR BARU: As a father of five children with autism, Mohd Afif Md Nasir has made good moves in bringing positive changes to his brood – through chess.
One of the kids is even showing potential in the game as a winner in competitions.
Ainul Mardhiah Mohd Afif was often anxious and found it difficult to concentrate or complete a simple task.
All that changed two years ago when Mohd Afif, 40, persuaded his second child to try online educational games to make better use of her time when most of the country stayed home during the movement control order to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Since schools were also closed during that time, the 13-year-old started playing chess and discovered a passion for it.
Mohd Afif, a businessman and father of three boys and two girls aged five to 15, said he and his wife were happy that Ainul Mardhiah showed an interest in the game, which led to her taking part in online competitions for fun.
“To our surprise, she came out tops in her school and subsequently in the district and state-level competitions.
Mohd Afif encourages his children to excel in chess. — Bernama
“We then decided to help her pursue her interest seriously by enrolling her in a chess academy, where she is taught online by her coach,” he told The Star.
Mohd Afif said it has become a routine for Ainul Mardhiah – a student of the Integrated Special Education Programme at SMK Datin Onn Jaafar in Batu Pahat – to train and practise chess for four hours daily.
The girl’s hard work paid off when she clinched the third place in the female category of the eighth Johor International Chess Tournament held from July 5 to 11 at Fairview International School here.
Despite going up against more senior and experienced opponents, the lass kept her cool and won four games and drew two out of the nine games played.
“Being autistic, her strength is in pattern recognition and I think this has helped her immensely in her game,” said Mohd Afif.
Apart from online chess classes, she also practises with her four siblings, who also picked up the game around the same time.
“All my five children are autistic and it is obvious to see the positive changes in their behaviour after they started playing chess – they are more focused and keen to complete a task after starting it.
“Chess is also a game that does not require the participants to speak much so I think it minimises their social anxiety as well. We hope to also motivate other special needs children to explore the game.
“They are different from other children and I have to constantly remind them that winning and losing are part of the game,” he said, adding that Ainul Mardhiah used to get very emotional after losing.
Mohd Afif added that his daughter’s next target is to represent Johor in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council championship and hopefully, to one day represent Malaysia on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Johor International Chess Tournament media and publication committee head Peter Long, also a long-time chess coach, said Ainul Mardhiah is an up-and-coming player to watch.
“She did exceptionally well throughout the tournament, which was the second in the Asean chess series, and has made Johor proud.
“All the young talents in the competition spell hope for the nation’s future in chess,” he said, adding that Malaysia should consider introducing a national chess training programme to properly nurture talents like Ainul Mardhiah, much like what Vietnam, Singapore and other regional countries are doing.
Long, who is also the International Chess Federation Trainers’ Commission former secretary, said the tournament featured 79 players – 24 and 55 in the masters and amateurs categories, respectively – from countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India and China.
