YEN TU (VIETNAM) – When Sim Yip How first came across xiangqi as a little boy he looked on mesmerised as grandmasters puzzled over the ancient Chinese game.
The 38-year-old Malaysian is now an SEA Games silver medallist in a pastime which, according to players at the regional competition, is growing in popularity.
Also known as Chinese chess, xiangqi is a two-player board game dating back thousands of years but it is making its debut at the SEA Games in Vietnam.
Hailing from the city of Kuching in eastern Malaysia’s Sarawak state, Sim said he picked up the game at the age of seven after watching masters battle each other in matches.
“All the best players came…
