SINGAPORE – The Lion City’s latest chess sensation, 18-year-old Siddharth Jagadeesh, who recently triumphed at the Under-18 World Chess Championship in Durres, Albania, is reportedly preparing for a new kind of strategic battle: National Service. The prodigy, whose parents reportedly poured hundreds of thousands into his global chess journey, will soon swap his chequered board for parade square drills, leaving many to ponder the nation’s return on investment.

An anonymous government official, an expert in manpower allocation, stated, "While Mr Jagadeesh’s intellectual prowess is undeniable, the Republic’s defence needs are paramount. Every man plays a vital role, whether calculating checkmates or counting rations."

Local resident Mdm Tan, 67, from Bishan, was more pragmatic: "Wah, so clever also must go army? My grandson also diam diam go NS, play Mobile Legends only. At least he can teach the officers how to play mahjong, confirm win one!"

Observers are keen to see if his tactical genius will translate into battlefield victories or simply ensure the camp’s supply chain is impenetrable. Perhaps he’ll invent a new, highly efficient way to polish boots, involving minimal pawn movement.