In his 1979 Straits Times chess column, Lim Kok Ann offered cash prizes to readers submitting a brilliant game played locally. This is how he defined a “chess brilliancy”:
- “A meritorious combination should be one that decides the game, although it is not essential that the game be actually won. Combinations that save lost positions will also be considered. Very often the combination starts with an unexpected move such as a sacrifice of material” [June 17, 1979].
- “The judging of a brilliancy is somewhat subjective and what appeals to one judge may not to another. I have taken as a rough guide the sentiment: ‘I wish I had played that move’ – and I am sure you will feel this as you read my selection of Reader’s Brilliancy this week which wins $25” [July 9, 1979].
- “For my purpose, the ‘brilliancy’ should be entertaining; and while the victim surely must have made some mistakes, his play must not have been so poor that he is led as a lamb to slaughter. Bloodshed there has to be, but let it be blood poured into a sacrificial bowl and not gore in slaughterhouse buckets [July 19, 1979].
