A total of 7 challenge trophies were presented by Mr Tan Yam San, Adviser to the Penang Schools Student Chess Council, on behalf of the latter to Mr Fang Ewe Churh, President of the Penang Chess Association, for safe-keeping and exhibition purposes in a simple ceremony before a small gathering at Han Chiang Primary School this morning. Present also were Khoo Chuan Keat and Quah Seng Sun, Chairman and Secretary of the Penang Free School Chess Club respectively, both of whom comprised the Ad Hoc Committee of the Penang Schools Students Chess Council. The various trophies presented were : (1) Open Students Chinese Chess Challenge Cup (donated by the late Mr Ng Sui Cam), (2) Open Students International Chess Challenge Cup (donated by Mr Cheong Yin Beng), (3) Inter-school Chinese Chess Challenge Shield (donated by Mr Ooi Chin Boon), (4) Inter-school International Chess Challenge Shield (donated by Messrs Tan Yam San, Tan Jit Chay, Kok Weng Fai & Khor Gark Kim), (5) Inter-school International Chess (Girls) Challenge Shield (donated by Messrs Tan Yam San & Tan Chuan Huat), (6) Girls Open International Chess Challenge Cup (donated by SXI Brother Director) and (7) Inter-school Under-16 International Chess Challenge Shield (donated by PFS Chess Club).

The PSSCC was initiated in 1966 to satisfy the existing demand for the establishment of an organisation representing student Chess interest in the State. On 17th June 1972 a meeting of the PSSCC was convened at SXI during which a motion proposed by SXI and seconded by PFS, moving for the dissolution of the Council was unanimously passed. At the meeting the PFS Chess Club was given an official mandate to prepare a short account of the history of the PSSCC, outlining the events leading to its formation, its progress and achievements and finally its dissolution, and also to tie up all other loose ends. It was resolved at this meeting that all the challenge trophies for the various Chess Championships organised by the Council be collected by the Ad Hoc Committee and presented to the Penang Chess Association for safe-keeping and exhibition purposes.

The presentation was made by Mr Tan Yam San, advisor to the Penang Schools' Students Chess Council, which has now been dissolved.

Founded in 1966, the Council's first objective was to stimulate, promote and improve chess in the schools.

Its other major aims of organising inter-school tournaments, coordinating inter-school activities and to serve as a concrete body representing student chess interests in the State had also been realised.

The Council's decision to dissolve was motivated by the fact that encouragement and support both financially and morally was now being given by the Ministry of Education and that members were in favour of participating in the Penang Schools' Sports Council and Low Hooi Siah chess tournaments now being organised annually.

As such it also decided that all challenge trophies for the various inter-school and individual chess championships be handed to the Penang Chess Association.

The trophies presented were: Open students Chinese chess and international chess challenge cups, inter-school Chinese chess and international chess challenge shields, inter-school international chess (girls) challenge shield, girl's open international chess challenge cup and inter-school under-16 international chess challenge shield

The founder members of the Council were Chung Hwa High School, Chung Ling High School, Han Chiang High School, Methodist Boys' School, Penang Free School and St Xavier's Institution.

With the maturing of the Council, membership increased to envelope the Chess Clubs of Bukit Mertajam High School, Convent Light Street, Chung Ling High School (Private), Jelutong Secondary School, St George's Girls' School and St Mark's Butterworth.

During the years of its existence it organised several championships which included the Penang students' Chinese chess and international chess individual championships, the Penang inter-school Chinese chess and international chess championships, the Penang inter-school international chess championships for girls, the Penang girls' international chess individual championships, Penang inter-school under-16 international chess and Chinese chess championships and the Penang students under-16 international chess individual championships.

Meanwhile, Mr Fang Ewe Churh stated today that the Penang Chess Association has now moved from the Penang Library to the Chung Ling Old Boys' Association in Anson Road.

Chess sessions are being held twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7.30pm.

All members are invited to attend as often as possible and are encouraged to bring in friends interested in the game.