KUALA LUMPUR: Xiang qi or Chinese chess is only making its second appearance at the Sea Games while ouk chaktrang or traditional Khmer chess will make its international debut.
The Malaysian Xiang Qi Association (MXQA) saw potential in the sport when its team won two silver medals and three bronze at the Sea Games in Hanoi last year.
To develop the sport further, the association brought in Grandmaster Wang Bin from China to train the team.
To incentivise the players, the national association will offer RM50,000 reward for a xiang qi gold medal in Phnom Penh.
For now, their target is two silver and one bronze.
Malaysia's six xiang qi players will compete in the men's rapid team, men's blitz team, men's individual and women's individual categories.
Sport: Chess, Ouk Chaktrang and Xiang QiDates: April 29-May 15
Venue: Royal University of Phnom PenhMedals at stake: 11-11-11
MXQA's target: Two silver, one bronzeTimesport's prediction: 0-1-0