Farewell, FFK

I received the heartbreaking news today that another one of my oldest chess friends, Fong Foo Khun, has passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of the morning. His sudden departure has left me feeling utterly deflated.

My friendship with Foo Khun dates back to 1974 when I first met him. That year, the Penang Chess Association organized its inaugural closed chess championship, and he emerged as the joint champion alongside Tan Kai Ming. Unfortunately, I couldn't participate in that tournament as I was studying in Kuala Lumpur at the time. However, I had the chance to get to know him later that year when I returned to Penang to play in the Asian Team Chess Championship.

Foo Khun was a jovial and amiable character, a true chess enthusiast, and a great friend. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to others. Over the past two decades or so, we would meet up at chess tournaments in Penang, usually once a year, and exchange warm greetings.

One memorable incident involving Foo Khun goes back to the late 1970s. The Penang Chess Association received an invitation for a friendly match in Taiping. We decided to make it a road trip and borrowed a car from Fang Ewe Churh, the founding president of the association. Foo Khun took charge of the driving, and the journey was mostly uneventful, except for a moment when he had to make a sudden swerve with just one hand on the steering wheel.

The last interaction we had on social media was less than a month ago, around September 6th. I was trying to convince him to sign up for the OFA Centenary chess tournament. Foo Khun's response was enthusiastic, and he asked for more information. I guided him through the process, including the need to apply for a FIDE ID. However, that seemed to have posed a challenge for him. Two days later, he messaged me, expressing his apologies for not being able to participate due to the complexity involved. His final words to me were "take care!"—an epitome of his thoughtfulness until the very end.

I will miss Foo Khun deeply. His passion for chess and his considerate nature left an indelible mark on me. Losing a friend with whom I shared countless memories and experiences is a profound loss. In times like these, I'll hold onto the cherished moments we had and the lessons he imparted, keeping his memory alive.