He plays chess while marking, his pupils make their mark in chess championships
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Chang Cheng Hwee started Northland Primary School's chess club in 1996 and has been involved ever since.
ST PHOTO: LUTHER LAU
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SINGAPORE – Northland Primary School (NPS) pupil Ng See Jen was nose deep in her books in September as exam fever hit.
But the 12-year-old, who recently sat for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), still took time off to compete in the National Inter-School Team Chess Championships in early September because of her loyalty to her teachers and team.
She was rewarded with a trophy when her team triumphed in the Under-12 Girls’ – their 21st win since 2017. This year, the school also bagged the U-8 and U-10 titles.
But beyond the win, she wanted to show her gratitude to teacher Chang Cheng Hwee, who introduced her to chess when she joined the school.
See Jen told The Straits Times: “Over these years, the coaches and teachers have spent a lot of effort and sacrificed their time to help me develop my skills.
“Despite not training since April to prepare for the PSLE, I’m glad that Mr Chang felt I’m still able to represent my school. So, the least I could do is to participate in the tournament and support the school one more time.”
Chang, 56, started the co-curricular activity (CCA) at Northland in 1996, after the principal had asked him for suggestions for a club.
He said: “There were no expectations and basically we just took it easy. I got my class interested, and slowly by word of mouth, they spread the idea, and eventually the group got bigger.
“So from about 30 members, we grew to currently over 100 every year.”
Chang’s love for the game is evident in his daily life. He plays it anywhere and everywhere – while eating, spending time with his family and even when marking his pupils’ work.
He added: “Chess is in my blood. Other than just (being) a game, it helps me to calm down as well. I have this tendency of worrying too much sometimes, and playing chess can help me to just focus on something.
“Some people say it’s quite strange, that chess is a very stressful thing, but in a way, it’s quite relaxing.
“I enjoy seeing the kids grow in this area. I’ll probably be multitasking. Sometimes when I’m marking, I can monitor them at the same time. It’s not expected, but I enjoy it.”
Chang Cheng Hwee (left), pictured with fellow teacher Zheng Junren, can be spotted playing chess almost everywhere he goes.
ST PHOTO: LUTHER LAU
Northland have grown into a dominant force in the school chess scene and Chang credits this to their early identification and development of pupils.
Based on the Ministry of Education’s Programme for Active Learning, Primary 1 pupils in the school go through five weeks of learning, where they pick up the basics of chess.
While most schools start enrolling children in CCAs in Primary 3, Chang shortlists players who have displayed promise during the programme instead. His role is to nurture them before they move on to other external coaches.
He said: “I’ll actually be selecting them through a tournament, and those who perform well, I’ll take into the chess club.
“So I turn to those who show potential (in the early stages) and they’re trained to be representing the school.
“I really hand hold them a lot, until about Primary 1 or 2, when they are more ready. I train them quite seriously when they’re younger.”
The school also has a unique online programme every weekend for the pupils to compete against one another, which allows him to monitor their progress.
Since founding the club 28 years ago, Chang has made an impact on many pupils.
Noting that he taught her how to be a “better person”, See Jen said: “He is my first coach, who developed my foundation in chess and helped me develop into a better player.”
Chang Cheng Hwee (left) posing with the school’s Under-12 winning team, comprising (from left to right) Chong Yong Qian, Ng See Jen, Chloe Tan and Ko Yi Xuan.
PHOTO: NORTHLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL
Zheng Junren, 42, a fellow chess club teacher, added: “Mr Chang is very big on discipline, whether in the classroom or during CCA. He puts in the long, hard hours, and naturally, pupils are inspired by him.”
Having witnessed the club’s development from “humble beginnings”, Chang beamed with pride when asked about its growth.
He said: “I’m very satisfied, because it was like a baby, and now it’s grown up. I have much pride in it... And as long as I’m around, the chess club will stay.
“And I want to help the club continue to nurture talents and develop well-rounded individuals.”
