Chess In Newspaper "Utusan Malaysia"

CHESS is not a popular sport in Malaysia. Unlike football, chess is not well known among the Malaysians. It does not have strong followers. In schools, it is not a "sukan teras". Therefore, chess does not get good media - both electronic and paper, coverage. Therefore, GiLoCatur believes we, the chess fraternity, should work harder and have good rapport with the media journalists.

Below are some chess coverage in Utusan Malaysia, a daily Malay newspaper.

Coverage #1

"About 7% Malaysian population is the senior citizens or simply called as Warga Emas in Malay. DBKL or KL City Council has initiated and supervised clubs of the senior citizens or Kelab Warga Emas whose activities include playing chess."

Shouldn't we, the chess community, outreach them for our chess events?

arkib : 30/09/2009

Coverage #2

"permainan catur juga dapat menajamkan lagi daya pemikiran serta membina keyakinan di kalangan generasi muda."

"Saya sangat setuju jika pertandingan catur ini dapat diadakan sepanjang tahun dengan melibatkan semua kaum,"

arkib : 30/11/2009

Senggarang state assemblyman, Ja'afar Hashim, said the above while presenting a RM500 cheque to Batu Pahat Chess Association in November 2009. According to him, the younger generation especially the kids should be encouraged to play chess to ensure the government effort to build the society that has intelligence and smart thinking. He also hopes that the event will attract parents and teachers to promote the sport among the society.

Coverage #3

GiLoCatur just found out about an annual chess event organized by Jabatan Pendidikan Khas Negeri Terengganu. Last year, it was held in October at the Permai Hotel. In 2009, it was held in August and won by Muhammad Danial Zainuddin.

Another proof that chess is very beneficial for the school children. A very good effort by the Terengganu state education. Keep it up!

arkib : 10/08/2009

arkib : 1/11/2010

Coverage #4

arkib : 20/10/2010 (nice date huh!)

"Wei Bin juara Catur Terbuka Bawah 12" - that is one of the news title in Utusan Malaysia, Johor segment dated 20th October last year. The name seems very familiar to GiLoCatur. Sure enough, GiLoCatur wrote a special entry about him and his family - the Ong family, sometime ago.

GiLoCatur is very happy because the tournament had attracted many school children around JB to participate (as can be seen in the above photo) even though money prizes are not in stake. GiLoCatur also hopes that the tournament is not the last one organized by Sekolah Rendah Agama Bersepadu JB.

(GiLoCatur : If a "district" chess event like this gets the media / news paper coverage, a "national" chess event like the incoming Malaysian National Closed Chess Championship should get more media coverage. DON'T U THINK SO?)

Coverage #5

In May 2009 (arkib : 18/5/2009), Utusan Malaysia covered about the results of the Kilang Gula Felda Perlis Chess Open. As far as GiLoCatur knows, Kilang Gula Felda Perlis is an excellent and active organizer for the chess tournaments. GiLoCatur and the kids had participated in last year edition held in June right after the MSSM. Hopefully, we can participate again in this year event.

Encik Shaiful and his organizing crew

Anis received her prizes as the Wanita category champion from Perlis MB, Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu

Coverage #6

In September 2009 (arkib : 10/9/2009), Utusan Malaysia reported about an OKU chess player named Choo Min Wang who represented Malaysia in 2009 KL Para ASEAN V Games receiving a monetary incentive reward from MSN. The incentive known as Skim Hadiah Kemenangan Sukan amounted about RM 9,500. So, who says that chess athletes can not make Malaysia proud and produce gold medal in international sport event? Can chess gives medals to the country during the SEA Games in Indonesia in November?

Coverage #7

A chess tournament held in Kuala Langat was once reported by Utusan Malaysia here. The Kuala Langat Chess Open which was held in October 2008 had attracted more than 200 chess players. Nearly RM 6,000 in monetary prizes were offered to participants in the tournament organized by MDKL or Kuala Langat District Council.

Coverage #8 and #9

In February 2009 (arkib : 25/2/2009), the coverage is about the record made by GM Kiril Georgiev for the most opponents in the simul chess event. He played against 360 opponents simultaneously with only 6 losses and 70 draws while he won the rest. In Malaysia, there are two players who are popular for chess simul. Can you name the two Malaysian chess players? Easy uh!

While in September the same year (arkib : 26/9/2009), Utusan Malaysia wrote about the classic chess encounter between two chess legends - Gary Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. The chess fight was held in Madrid, Spain and won by the former.

Surely, there are lots more media coverage about chess in local daily news papers. GiLoCatur urges chess event organizers especially chess associations to provide PRESS RELEASE to all the media so that chess can outreach to more people and has excellent promotion.

[GiLoCatur : took about 3 hours to write this entry.]

Thank You Very Much 2 Muhammad Azmi Ismail

A unique chess set in GiLoCatur's eyes. Don't you think? But forgot from where (the source) GiLoCatur downloaded the picture.

GiLoCatur received an email from Encik Azmi (of Kajang - just assume he is staying there) about 10 days ago. GiLoCatur is very honoured and flattered with his strong interest, commitment and support especially to the local chess news. TQVM! Surely, it will boost and motivate GiLoCatur to continue updating this blog. And GiLoCatur also hopes that he keep up such strong interest and madness to chess.

As to answer his question, as of now there is no chess tournament in Kajang area. Maybe, you can organize one. Don't worry about the arbiter, chess sets and chess clocks. What's important is to get and find the budget, organizer, sponsors and the venue. It is okay to start with a very small tournament or maybe a regular chess sparring. GiLoCatur urges any other chess fanatics and lovers around Kajang area to keep in touch with Encik Azmi to create a chess madness there. To GiLoCatur's knowledge, once a while there is a chess sparring at Bangi's McD. GiLoCatur will put up the info if there is one.

from Muhammad Azmi Ismail "azmi5380@yahoo.com"

to sabdlati@gmail.com

date Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 2:01 PM

Hello Mr.Gilo Catur. I just wanted to tell you that I am a chess maniac and almost everyday need to know the progress of our local chess news. So, your blog is in my top list. Hope you keep up the good work in reporting the news... Oh ya.. by the way.. just courious.. is there any tournament around Kajang?

( GiLoCatur : Azmi, I hope u don't mind I publish ur email address. If u do, please let me know. )

Or maybe Encik Azmi can contact/sms Alakain of Seremban at 019-601 9953 to arrange for a chess sparring session. Or we also can have a chess game online via ym (yahoo messenger). My ym id is domo68.

Apabila GiLoCatur Ber"googling"

Setelah penat bertungkus lumus dengan urusan kerja dan usai membuat pembentangan di pejabat pelanggan petang tadi, malam ini GiLoCatur berehat dengan surfing dan browsing di alam maya. Sudah pasti info dan maklumat yang GiLoCatur "googling" dan surfing tidak lari dari catur. Berikut GiLoCatur ingin berkongsi info dan maklumat yang ditemui:

• Mungkin ramai yang tidak tahu, rupanya ada sebuah jalan di negara ini yang diberi nama catur. Nama jalan tersebut ialah Lebuh Catur yang terletak di Ipoh, Perak. Berminat juga GiLoCatur ingin tahu sejarah tentang bagaimana ia mendapat nama sebegitu. Jika ada sesiapa yang tahu, harap boleh beritahu.

• Agak mengejutkan GiLoCatur apabila mendapati catur tidak tersenarai dalam Persatuan Sukan Kebangsaan Malaysia di laman web rasmi Majlis Sukan Negara Malaysia (MSN). Sedangkan sukan golf ada tiga persatuan yang berdaftar dengannya. GiLoCatur pun kurang pasti samada ia disebabkan catur bukan dikategorikan sebagai sejenis sukan. Sila klik di sini jika ingin mengetahui senarai lengkap Persatuan Sukan Kebangsaan.

• GiLoCatur pun baru tahu rupanya ada sebuah laman blog catur yang hampir sama namanya dengan laman blog ini iaitu GilaCatur. Ia mempunyai nama domain sendiri dan ditulis dalam Bahasa Melayu. Tetapi agak sayang ia sudah lama tidak dikemaskini. Harap pengendali laman tersebut kembali aktif mengemaskini laman tersebut.

• GiLoCatur sangat tertarik dengan satu pesanan dari seorang guru yang menggalakkan ibubapa menjadikan catur sebagai hobi untuk anak-anak. Pesanannya " P.s. Jika anda ingin mencari hobi terbaik untuk anak anda. Jadikan catur sebagai pilihan utama kerana ia banyak membantu pembelajaran anak anda. " Sila ke link ini untuk membaca pengalaman beliau mengenali dunia catur di mana akhirnya beliau terlibat dalam pengadilan pertandingan catur.

Monday Blues

Berikut adalah beberapa info atau berita catur yang ingin GiLoCatur kongsi bersama. Semoga ia memberi manafaat dan semangat kepada pemain2 dan pencinta catur di samping ibubapa di negara ini.  

"There's been an explosion of interest, many more kids are playing," said Weeramantry, whose group provides chess instruction in more than 70 schools.
"Schools are seeing a variety of academic benefits from chess," Weeramantry said. "Particularly, increased concentration and critical-thinking skills."

sumber : http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2009/03/theres-been-explosion-of-interest.html

Catur sedang "booming" di serata dunia termasuklah di USA. Sememangnya dengan bermain catur anak-anak kita dapat faedah dari segi akademik di mana ia boleh menambah konsentrasi dan kemahiran berfikir secara kritis. Di Malaysia juga catur sedang "booming". GiLoCatur observe semakin ramai ibubapa dan anak-anak mereka yang mula menyertai pertandingan catur terutamanya semasa MSSM baru-baru ini. Diharap perkembangan sihat ini akan berterusan. Dan diharap juga kepada mereka yang telah terlibat sama-sama mempromosi dan memberi galakan dan berkongsi pengalaman dengan ibubapa dan anak-anak yang baru berjinak-jinak dengan catur.

sumber : http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_sports.php?id=400092

Berita dan info mengenai Malaysian Open Ogos tahun ini ada disiarkan dalam laman blog Susan Polger seperti link di atas. GiLoCatur harap coverage tentang pertandingan catur tersebut ada dibuat bagi mempromosi Malaysia dan catur ke peringkat antarabangsa. Diharap ia dapat menarik minat ramai GM2 untuk menyertainya. Justeru itu semua pihak harus memain peranan tidak kira pemain2 catur, organizer, dan media. Di kalangan pemain2 catur sendiri diharap beramai-ramai sertai supaya ia jadi satu pertandingan yang berjaya.

GiLoCatur vs Wak Fatkur

Few hours ago, GiLoCatur had a a series of chess matches with an old buddy, Wak Fatkur at a mamak restaurant in BJ. Fatkur was active playing chess while studying in UiTM in early 90's. According to him, during his time UiTM was strong and dominant at MASUM. Before tonite, we had few matches but online. So, tonite was our first on board matches.

Round 1 - GiLoCatur played black. Wak Fatkur played white. GiLoCatur played very aggresive with quick moves. GiLoCatur was up 3 pawns, but was trapped by a strong bishop. GiLoCatur 0, Fatkur 1.

Round 2 - GiLoCatur played 1. d4 with white. Exchanged queens in the mid-game. Fatkur could not handle GiLoCatur's knight. He resigned after above position. GiLoCatur 1, Fatkur 1.

Round 3 - GiLoCatur was down two major pieces eventhough up few pawns. Nothing could be done when pieces attacked cohesively with threatening pawn. Moreover, GiLoCatur played 1.e4 opening; not 1.d4 as used to, just to experiment he he he ...

Round 4 - Both players queening but Fatkur got the first tempo. GiLoCatur really moved pieces very quickly as it was past 1.30 am already.  Eventhough GiLoCatur was one major piece up i.e. bishop, Fatkur who controlled e- and g- files got the edge first. So, GiLoCatur 1, Fatkur 3. Surely, he was so happy as shown by his above picture. He agreed to participate in next chess rapid tournament. So, watch out guys ... Fatkur wants to make a chess comeback. :)-

MBSA Chess Open Photos

GiLoCatur played white against Kamal Azmi Wahiduddin, the older brother of NM Kamal Arifin in Round 3. GiLoCatur is yet the same class / level with him since he has 1617 national rating . GiLoCatur was punished for not giving attention to his white Bishop threat.

Another GiLoCatur's chess buddie, Mohd Faizul, in action playing white againts NM Zarul Shazwan.

Roslan Sulaiman from Sungai Besar played white againts NM Zarul Shazwan Zullkafli (1903). GiLoCatur was being told by Roslan that the meeting point for Sungai Besar and Sabak Bernam area chess players is at a hawker center near Dataran Sungai Besar. Surely, GiLoCatur will go there whenever going back hometown during public holidays and have chess games with my hometown folks. By checking the latest national ratings (based on October 2008), Roslan is quite a strong player. He is a 1600+ rating player.

Muhd Bukhari Sulkifly aka Boey (Nat. ratings 1546) was playing againts NM Kamal Arifin Wahiduddin (1832). GiLoCatur had a very tight game with him in earlier round. He was mistakenly enrolled in the Open category. But GiLoCatur believes by participating in this category he can have very good experience by playing againts top local chess players as he plan to make an impact in the next year MSSM. 

NM Kamal Abdullah (1952) aka Empire Strikes Back vs Norazman Ismail (1682).

Mohd Hanizam of Tanjong Karang (blue shirt) is also one of GiLoCatur's chess friends.

WCM Nur Shazwani Zullkafli (1808) vs veteran player, Cikgu Mat Zaki Yeop (1568). At the back, Faizal Andin (1749) vs Abdullah Che Hassan (1821), the champion.

World Police Champion Ismail Ahmad (1910) was concentrating on his game. Beside him is Mohd Fauzi Bin Ahim (blue shirt) whose hometown is also Sabak Bernam like GiLoCatur. In fact, several GiLoCatur elementary school mates were also his secondary school mates.

One of GiLoCatur's chess buddies, Razali Hamzah aka Ng6 (1566) wearing black shirt was very focus on the chessboard. GiLoCatur had a couple of games with him in between rounds. 

THE RESULTS FOR OUG ( CKK ) CHESS COMBO 2008

THE FINAL STANDING FOR OUG ( CKK ) CHESS COMBO 2008.

   OPEN SECTION

1. IAN UDANI

2. MUHD SYAKIR SHAMEER

3. ABDUL SHUKOR ARAJAH

4. MOHD NABIL AZMAN

5. TAN KEN WEI

6. LIM ZHUO REN

7. FAIZAL ANDIN

8. CHEAH CHEOK FUNG

9. MOHD FADLI ZAKARIA

10. WOO BENG KEONG

BEST UNDER-15

1. ASHWIN SHANKAR

2. KUNG SOON HENG

3. MUHD FARIS AMINUDDIN

4. SHAWN EDGAR MIRANDA

5. NUR FARIHAH AMINUDDIN

UNDER-12

1. MUHD IFRAN AZHAR

2. ROSHAN AJEET SINGH

3. NUR NABILA AZMAN

4. MUHD FIKRI FARIZAL

5. NITHYALAKSHMI SIVANESAN

6. SUBRAMANIAN SIVANESAN

7. AMIER HAMZAH

8. KUNG KAH HENG

9. KHAW YEW ONN

10. WONG ZI QI

BEST UNDER-10

1. NUR NAJIHA AZMAN

2. PUTERI RIFQAH

3. PUTERI MUNAJJAH AZHAR

4 NURUL AQIELLA HAIRUDIN

5. WONG ZI QI

Final Results GerakKhas Chess Tournament

The organizer has put the acknowledgement of the chess tournament at a big billboard. A very nice effort.

The "Dewan Borhan" where the tournament is held. A very conducive and nice place for a chess tournament. I think it is much better than the venue for WYCC2008 in Vietnam.

The champion, NM Kamal Abdullah, and the first runner up, Kamaludin Yusof, facing each other in the top board. Only both of them who do not lose any game in the tournament. With 6 wins and 1 draw, both scored 6 and 1/2 points. Only the tie breaks have separated them.

Ismail Ahmad and FM Anas fought for the third place where finally the latter won.  

Fikri won the Under 12 category with 6 and 1/2 points.

Anis Fariha is the first runner up with 6 and 1/2 points.

The Open category participants are eager waiting to start one of their rounds.

The final results :

OPEN category

1. NM Mohd Kamal Abdullah 6.5

2. Kamaludin Yusof 6.5

3. FM Anas Nazreen 5.5

4. Ismail Ahmad 5

5. Wan Ali 5

6. Ruzenan Abu Bakar 5

7. Hashim Jusoh 5

8. Fairul Yusuf 4.5

9. Ahmad Faisal Zuli 4.5

10. Khairul Azam Matsuki 4

Tentera category

1. Mohd Khairudin

2. Supain gane

3. Zainal Abidin Mat Noor

4. Zubir Ahmad

5. Abd Azuan Ahmad

Under 12 category

1. Fikri Saleh

2. Anis Fariha Saleh

3. Qurratu'ain

4. Nik Muhd Haziq

5. Nurnajmina

 

Pemain terbaik wanita : Alia Anin Azwa

The prizes to all winners was presented by Kapten Hanafi.

TQ and BRAVO to the organizer especially Ustaz Zainal Abidin Mat Noor, an avid and a  strong chess player himself, for holding the chess tournament in a very nice venue. And also in helping the participants in whatever way. Hopefully, such event will continue next year. Hoping more and more participants shall join. 

For me, just being in the camp is a very unique experience. I have heard so many times about the camp. And finally I was there. Surely, for security reason the camp is not easily entered just like that. 

2008 National Junior Chess Championship

WHEN :      10 (Wed) to 14 (Sun)  DECEMBER 2008

TOURNAMENT :      2 Categories ( Boys U-20 & Girls U-20 DOB on or after 1988 )

                                  9 rounds SWISS

Time Control:     (90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1)  

                                  All moves must be recorded.

For further enquiries, contact :

Mr Gregory Lau: 012 – 9020123 - (email: all4chess@hotmail.com)

Mr Jax Tham: 013 - 3232280 - (email: jaxtham@hotmail.com)

Encik Abd Hamid : 019 - 3158098  -  (email: aham@pc.jaring.my – Fax: 40244337)

To download the entry form - click here.

INDIA! The Powerful Chess Force

India won 4 gold medals in the recently concluded 2008 World Youth Chess Championship in Vung Tau, Vietnam. It shows how India has become a dominant force in chess. Furthermore, Viswanathan (Vishy) Anand had just defended his World Chess Title few days ago.

My Round 7 Game

16. ... Qe8

The above is my round 7 game at the 2nd UPSI Chess Open againts one of the IPT's player. I missed the move to fork my opponent's queen and rook. At least I can get back a pawn when my opponent capture my pawn on e6 square. Instead my next move was g4. Is there anyone who also does not see the move as what I did in the game?? :)- 

Update on Sarawak Open from SCA's President

Dear chess friends,

With two more days to the closing date, the FIDE-rated and National-rated 2008 Sarawak Open have received 69 entries: 32 from Kuching, 12 from KL, 6 from Brunei, 8 from Sabah, 5 from Singapore, 1 from Johor, 3 from Miri, 1 from Sarikei and 1 from Sibu.

Among them, there are 23 FIDE-rated players:

1. FM Mok Tze Meng Kuching 2308
2. Yee Soon Wei Brunei 2235
3. Amir Fahkry bin Hj.Sulaiman Brunei 2233
4. FM Fernandez Daniel Howard Singapore 2212
5. Kamaluddin Yusuf KL 2184
6. Abdullah Che Hassan Johor 2125
7. Ismail Ahmad KL 2106
8. Abg.Mohd.Reduan Kuching 2083
9. Nik Ahmad Farouqi KL 2081
10 NM Edward Lee Kim Han KL 2054
11 Masrin b.Erowan Sabah 2032
12 Kueh Yan Chew Kuching 1977
13 Lim Kian Hwa Kuching 1964
14 Morsin Ahmad Kuching 1941
15 Tan Ken Wei KL 1937
16 Ahmad Afiq Afyfy Kuching 1929
17 Faeznor Razali Kuching 1927
18 Johnharry Pereira Singapore 1926
19 Lim Zhuo Ren KL 1871
20 Japeri Reduan Kuching 1854
21 Mark Ho En-Tian Singapore 1836
22 Danielle Ho En-Huei Singapore 1738
23 Draup, Abang Azman Kuching 1714

I will be requesting gilachess to post the locality map of the Tournament venue - Ultimate Professional Centre. Please browse gilachess site if you need help to get there.

Regards,
Lim Kian Hwa
President, Sarawak Chess Association
(016-8603180)

My Results @2nd UPSI Chess Open

Saya sungguh gembira kerana prestasi permainan di Kejohanan Catur Terbuka UPSI Ke Dua agak memberansangkan. Saya menang 3 dan seri 1 menentang pemain-pemain unrated.  Kesemua game yang saya tewas kepada pemain-pemain national rating 1500 ke atas adalah buah hitam. Saya memberi tentangan sengit kepada Khair Wahiduddin (1714), adik NM Kamal Arifin, di pusingan kedua. Tetapi beliau masih belum tandingan saya. 

Kemudian lawan saya di pusingan keempat, game pertama pada hari kedua, kedengaran mengeluh dengan serangan saya. Tetapi dengan kehebatannya bertahan dan ending saya yang masih lemah, beliau berjaya menewaskan saya. Beliau yang memiliki rating 1655 dan merupakan jaguh di kalangan pemain-pemain 17ChessClub adalah Sahir Sarifdin.

Di pusingan keenam, sekali lagi dengan bermain buah hitam saya berjaya memberi tentangan sengit kepada pemain yang memiliki rating kebangsaan 1520. Nama beliau adalah Norazwan Kamaruzaman  merupakan pemain catur dari Utara tanahair. Nampaknya saya masih belum berjaya untuk menewaskan pemain-pemain rated. Tetapi prestasi permainan memang sangat meningkat. 

Berikut adalah detail game saya di Kejohanan Terbuka UPSI Ke Dua.

Pusingan 1, Meja 32, Saleh Abd Latif vs Amaluddin Bebakar (1-0)P

Pusingan 2, Meja 12, Mohd Khair Wahiduddin [1714] vs Saleh Abd Latif (0-1)

Pusingan 3, Meja 26, Saleh Abd Latif vs Azrul Aminurrasyid Abu Bakar (1-0)

Pusingan 4, Meja 15, Sahir Sarifdin [1655] vs Saleh Abd Latif (1-0)

Pusingan 5, Meja 23, Saleh Abd Latif vs Ibrahim Amat (1-0)

Pusingan 6, Meja 16, Norazwan Kamaruzaman [1520] vs Saleh Abd Latif (1-0)

Pusingan 7, Meja 24, Saleh Abd Latif vs Umi Hani Ahsan (1/2 - 1/2)

2008 WYCC - 6th Round Final Results & 7th Round Pairings

In Open 10 category - Li Tian won, Aron drew.  Li Tian so far scored 4 and 1/2 points while Aron has 2 and 1/2 points. Li Tian is the highest scorer among the Malaysian players.

In Girls 10 category, Najiha won againts a Slovakian player whereas Camilia had a nother draw againts a Russian player.  Good so far, no lost. The former has 3 and 1/2 points while the latter has 2 and 1/2 points.

In Girls 8 category, playing black Puteri Rifqah lost to Zhou Qiyu on Board 7. Syill she has 3 points. 

In Open 12 category, the lone Malaysia player Elgin drew to score 3 points.

Both Syakir, Open 14 category, and Justin Ong, Open 16 category, should be proud enough to draw with their higher rated opponents. Both also scores 2 and 1/2 points each.

Alia, playing in Girls 14 category also drew to score 3 points.

Tomorrow is a rest day. All Malaysian players should relax their tired minds to face their other opponents in Round 7. Based on the pairing above, Justin Ong has the toughest opponent. While the rest has better chances to score another point. ALL THE BEST! Enjoy your games in Vung Tau and make our country proud.  

WYCC2008 Focus - IRAN

Iran as far as I know is not strong in chess. But following and analyzing the on-going WYCC2008, I noticed that Iran has a strong squad. 34 young Iranians are participating in different categoris. Ten of them have 2000+ FIDE rating. Nine others have between 1800 - 1900 rating. Except one who has 1700 rating, the other fourteen are not rated yet. Among the 34 players, one is FM and three are WFMs. It is a shock for me when our best bet Li Tian was defeated by an unrated Iranian player in the first round.

Maybe we can learn how chess is booming in Iran after it was banned in the early Islamic Revolution. It is amazing to know the fact that there are many young Iranian chess players have 2000+ Elo ratings. I also noticed that half of the fourteen unrated players are Under 8. Meaning that Iran has exposed internationally their young talents very early. From just having 3 IMs befor 1979, now it has 2 GMs and 5 IMs.

2008 WYCC - 5th Round Final Results & 6th Round Pairings

Only two Malaysian players lost in the fifth round today - Aron and Syakir. Syakir lost to much higher rated player, 2200. Aron lost to a Pinoy.

Both Camilia and Nabila played againts Russian players today. The former drew while the latter won. Up to the fifth round, both Li Tian and Nabila scored 3 and 1/2 points. Azhar's daughter, Puteri Rifqah got 3 points so far. 

In the sixth round tomorrow, both Syakir and Justin Ong will play againts much higher rated opponents.  Meanwhile, Nabila will play againts a WFM from Colombia on Board 5. The other players have better chances to win. Anyway, GOOD LUCK again to all of them. Be confident and believe in yourself!!

... 2.10 am ...

Saleh 2, Wak Eddy 0

Wak Eddy lost the first game playing white.

This afternoon, me and Wak Eddy played two games of chess. We have not been playing againts each other for a long time. Eventhough I won before, this time I won convincingly. Moreover, now I am much quicker than before in moving the pieces.

In the second game, I played white using the Queen Gambit Declined opening.

It was hard for Eddy to defend my attack as per above picture.

After Wak Eddy moved Ka5, my knight moved to c4, i.e. Nc4,  square and forked his queen. Along the way, he sighed many times he he he ...

Wak Eddy resigned after I moved Qd8+.

Then 2 - 0 for me. I won both games convincingly. So the time spent in tournaments and studying world champions' games has paid off.

My next mission is to win againts another office mate of mine, Mohidin where I always lose to him.

2008 WYCC - 3rd Round Final Results & 4th Round Pairings

The final 3rd round results of the Malaysian players.

The 4th round pairings of the Malaysian players.

Two of our players - Camilia and Alia, will be playing againts Fide Master. This is a very good exposure. It will be sweeter if they can beat them. MALAYSIA BOLEH!! Puteri and Alia are leading the way for our contigent to get the medals.