Chesster UM, Chess Student Activity Unit (UKM) State University of Malang (UM) again made achievements. The UM Chesster Team succeeded in making UM proud at the 2019 Petra Chess Competition (PCC), a national chess competition organized by Petra Christian University on (10-11 / 5). The UM team won 1st place in the squad category after overthrowing the chess team from Semarang State University (UNNES). Previously, the UKM-like competition which was just inaugurated in 2018 won second place. This team consists of Achmad Luthfi Rahman, S-1 Penjaskes; Adi Surya, S1 Penjaskes; Farhan Yunus A., S-1 Mathematics Education and Wika Hardiyanto, S-1 Informatics Engineering.
Undefeated for six innings, admitted by team members, strategic arrangement such as positioning is very necessary. "You are smart in playing feelings for positioning. For example, someone from the opposing team plays well, usually he holds white fruit, because white is the first way and wins priority, "said Wika. From there he can ensure the chances for his team before the match takes place. "So, for my own team, I make sure before playing, those who hold black from my team try to hold the draw and those who are looking for points will hold white from our team," he added.

There was a special impression for this bespectacled man during the tournament when he met strong opponents and succeeded in defeating to make UM proud. "The most memorable thing is when fighting UB (Universitas Brawijaya, red.), Because UB has always been strong from last year and most of the athletes in East Java are in UB," said Wika. He added that the fighting spirit of friends is more motivation to be able to beat opponents. "My friends' fighting spirit, because they played together, made me excited to beat him," Wika said.
Before participating in competitions, preparations such as routine training are carried out. Not as long as you choose a player, there are certain requirements that must be met by the Chess UKM members if you want to participate in the competition. Wika who is also the Head of the Coaching Division explained that attendance at each exercise is also a determinant. "Judging from every training process, so in UM don't just take children and tell them to play. There are certain requirements and must be present during training, because attendance is also very necessary for the possibility of departing or not, ”explained the man from Surabaya.
For Wika, chess is nothing new. He has known Catur since he was still in elementary school (SD). Not only playing moderately, he also participated in a chess competition at the Sports and Arts Week (Porseni) when he was still in school. Parents who always support their hobby of playing carut are considered very influential. Wika acknowledged that thanks to the support of her parents, she can achieve the same achievement as today. Irkhamin