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PETALING JAYA: From an early life of poverty and gangsterism to representing Malaysia in chess on the world stage, Genkeswaran Muniyan has made great moves in life.

The 45-year-old, who won the chess bronze medal in the 2013 SEA Games, said he was taught how to play chess in primary school by a teacher and took it up as a hobby.

I was fascinated by the intricacies of chess and the little life lessons that chess could teach me.

I loved imagining myself as the pawn who could then be promoted to a greater piece with enough effort.

This inspired me to push myself in everything I did as I dreamed of one day becoming an important person like the queen is in chess, he said.

However, an early life plagued with poverty and constant domestic turmoil due to an alcoholic father saw Genkeswaran, who is from Carey Island in Kuala Langat, Selangor, eventually drop chess.

The teenager then found his need for attention satisfied by his second family in a local gang.

The chess-loving boy started to stray further away from his passion as gang seniors manipulated him into doing their bidding with promises of fame and riches.

This led to him dropping out of school at the age of 17 and eventually getting arrested by the police after yet another fight, said Genkeswaran.

After the trouble with the law, his second family abandoned him.

He got off with a light sentence thanks to his mother, he said, and he became determined to change and found work at a factory.

After attending a training session in place of my manager, I acquired a newfound sense of self and vowed to never return to a life of crime.

I was so inspired by the training that I asked the trainer to give me personal coaching.

That trainer became my mentor and eventually helped me reignite my passion for chess, he said at the premiere of a documentary about his life titled Wanted: Shades of Life 3 at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre yesterday.

Genkeswaran added that he went on to thrive in the sport and eventually become a chess master and tutor, with emotional support from his family and mentors.

The film has drawn significant international praise after winning the Best Inspirational Film at Los Angeles Film Awards, Best Documentary Film at FilmCon Awards, and was a finalist at New York International Film Awards last year.

It was also chosen as an Official Selection at Stockholm City Film Festival.

Earlier this year, it was also awarded Best Documentary Feature and Best Indie Feature at Festigious International Film Festival.

Genkeswaran said his story proved that no students in school should ever be left behind as everybody has their own story to tell.

I was always considered among the bottom no-hopers in class due to my poor grades and involvement in gangs.

But I am living proof that even the worst of children have the potential to become an inspirational figure for the country.

Just as how I started as a pawn, I hope all the kids can realise their hidden potential and one day promote themselves to become an important chess piece of our country, he said.

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A chess player who made the right moves in life - The Star Online