one move at a time

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Confined to a wheelchair since he was 12, national chess player Timothy Chan suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

It is one of the most severe forms of the genetic muscular disorder in which the body is unable to maintain healthy muscles.

Sitting up for long periods is exhausting for him. And because he is unable to lift his arms, the 19-year-old has difficulties doing things that most of us take for granted, such as scratching an itchy back or greeting others with a handshake.

But what his illness has taken from him, Timothy makes up for with his cheerful, optimistic demeanour and sheer grit.

Having won the 2009 National Disability League last month, Timothy will take part in the fifth Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur in August. He is Singapore's lone chess representative.

"It's an honour and I'm proud to be able to represent Singapore. But, at the same time, I definitely feel the pressure as I'll be playing on an international level for the first time," said Timothy, who learnt how to play chess from his elder brother, then began playing the game competitively when he was 13.

The rules in chess are the same for disabled players. The only difference, said Timothy, is that some players get help from assistants to move the pieces.

At the competitive level, an average chess game may take up to four hours. Having to concentrate for long hours can be strenuous and Timothy's medical condition makes concentrating especially difficult.

To prepare for the tournament, Timothy sits through a four-hour training session every week with the National Junior Youth Squad at the Singapore Chess Federation's headquarters in Bishan. In addition, he gets private chess training at home.

Even though he's one of the top chess players in Singapore, Timothy - who is currently waiting to enter university - doesn't think he's smarter than most.

"Many people think chess is a game for geeks and that you need to be very intelligent to play it. It's actually quite simple to learn," he said.

What he loves about chess is that it's a "game of possibilities". He particularly loves the rush of adrenalin that comes with getting into a winning position.

More importantly, Timothy said, the game allows him to pit his wits against those of other players - able-bodied or not.

"Chess is a mind sport that I can compete on an equal level with everyone else," he said. "That's very exciting for me!"

For more information on the Singapore Chess Federation, visit http://www.singaporechess.org.sg/.