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PETER LONG (1961 - 2025)

 

My first encounter with Peter was in the 1983 Parkway Master's tournament where he was a player. Having lost a game against his compatriot Eddy Kwan, he was upset and wanted someone to accompany him to a meal. For the whole hour he was ranting all about his missed opportunities till the food came. That was one episode which made him realise that he could be better off as a trainer rather than a player.

The next time we met, he was beamingly showing off his proteges, the Kumpulan Remaja (or National Junior)squads which comprises several of Malaysia's then top juniors. They played a few matches and swept away most of our crop. That was when his coaching endeavours truly paid off. For years he was corresponding and commenting on the local scene (both in Singapore and Malaysia) as a columnist for the New Straits Times. Emcompassing a sharp and sometimes barbed style of writing, he was controversial at times and soon realised that journalism was not for him. Which again led him to explore chess coaching. It was his recommendation that I got to train the Chess Association of Selangor's CTEP or Chess Training for Excellence Program from 1996 - 2002. Till this date I am grateful as I made many Malaysian chess friends and contributed somewhat in their progress. 

Peter got into FIDE's Training Comission and soon rose to the Secretary position, overseeing several seminars including the one in Singapore in 2015. I was one of the graduates. Instead of taking a written exam, he suggested that every trainee give a 10 minute lecture of any topic of our choice to assess us. This was unheard of then but thankfully I made the grade to be FIDE Instructor. 

Our last meeting was at the World Chess Championships in Singapore last year. As usual, he would say hello and started ranting about the wrongs and indignations of the people around him and basically vowed not to get himself involved in the political chess scene, FIDE or otherwise. He would retire and enjoy his life and till his last day, that's what he did.

Never an easy person to understand (especially with his penchant for doublespeak), he was often misunderstood as aloof, cynical and at times eccentric. But no one can question his love and dedication to chess, particularly his passion for teaching the game. He would spare no effort and expense (often his own)to see to the progress of his wards. Many will have him to thank for their successes in chess today.

Yes, we all lament that he is going too soon but  through this post I get to remember the man that he was.

RIP Peter.  

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