Malaysia has made history in the world of chess with Yeoh Li Tian becoming the nation’s first-ever Grandmaster (GM). The 25-year-old from Petaling Jaya earned the prestigious title after clinching victory at the GM-IM Invitational Chess Championship 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur.
Awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Grandmaster title is the highest honour in chess and a lifelong recognition. Yeoh now joins an exclusive global group of fewer than 2,000 individuals who hold this elite status.
To secure the title, Yeoh achieved his third and final “norm”—a key performance benchmark required by FIDE—while also surpassing the 2500 rating threshold. These two conditions, met through consistent high-level play, officially sealed his place in the Grandmaster ranks.
Yeoh, who began playing chess at the age of three, described his journey as one of discipline and sacrifice. “I always tell people I had no childhood. Even in primary school, my routine was school, homework, and then chess,” he said.
Earning the title on home soil made the moment even more meaningful for Yeoh, especially after a close miss at the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi. “I felt really relieved and happy to actually get my last norm in Malaysia. I hope this achievement inspires more Malaysians to take up chess,” he added.
Looking ahead, Yeoh hinted at the possibility of competing in the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand later this year. “The Malaysia Chess Federation (MCF) has already approached me. There’s a high chance I’ll be playing,” he said.
MCF president Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi hailed the milestone as a turning point for Malaysian chess, expressing hope that Yeoh’s success would pave the way for more homegrown Grandmasters. “This is a historic achievement for Malaysia, and we want to see more GMs emerging just like in countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines,” he said.
