Chess Olimpiad Turin 2006

Hi, once again I am late with the report. Too busy! Sometimes I just wish that I am rich so that I don't have to work anymore, and concentrate on what I like most, CHESS!

Ok, let me start with my report on Chess Olimpiad, as usual, how Malaysia doing so far.

After 10 rounds, Malaysia Men (IM Mas Hafizulhelmi, FM Mok Tze Meng, FM Lim Yee Weng, NM Jonathan Chuah, and FM Anas Nazreen Bakri), is now currently standings in 59th spot. Impressively, despite all the critics on our Mas Hafizul, he has showed that anything is possible once you put your mind on it! What a performance when He actually beaten GM Pascal (Canada) in round 6 and GM Korchnoi (from Switzerland - A veteran in chess arena whom I respect) in round 9. In round 4, Malaysia beat Uganda, 4-0, Round 5 beat Italy A, 3-0, Round 6 beat Canada 3.5-0.5, Round 7 lost to Germany 0-4, won against Morroco in round 8 by 3.5-0.5, beat Switzerland by 2.5-1.5, and lost to neighbouring country Philippines in round 10 by 0.5-3.5

And, Malaysia Ladies (WFM Siti Zulaika Foudzi, Wan Khye Theng, WCM Nursyazwani Zulkafli, and Roslina Marmono), is now currently standings in 51st spot. Siti is finally earned her WIM title, because her ratings are now reaching 2200. In round 4 Malaysia beat Switzerland by 2.5-0.5, Lost to France in round 5, 0-3 (with all mysteries on why Siti was left out in the round, since France fielded their strongest players against us), round 6 won against Guatemala 2-1, round 7 lost to sweden by 1-2, round 8 won with South Africa 2.5-0.5, in round 9 lost to Columbia by 0-3, and in round 10, we bounced back to defeat Sri Lanka by 2.5-0.5.

With the remaining 3 rounds to go (starting tonight at 9 pm Malaysia time), we can only pray hoping that the result will be much better, because in this Olimpiad we have fielded the most experienced and promising players ever produced by Malaysia.

What come to my surprise is that Malaysians are actually watching all Malaysian games, at the event live, every night, most of them are kibitzing at www.petak64.com (including me!). This can only mean that we give support to the players despite any disputes on how the players were selected (as when the game started, words of encouragement spreads amongst the kibitzers)

kudos to all Malaysian Chess Fan out there!
For latest updates, visit www.petak64.com and www.gilachess.com for more chess pictures visit www.chessvista.com/

So, if anyone of you guys are watching the game live, come and join Kibitzing with us at www.petak64.com

Report on the Olimpiad Men.
Surprisingly tournament favourite, Russia are currently in third place with 26.5 points after a surprise defeat to France (No, my hero Kramnik did not lose his game, it was the fourth board). Now in the lead is Armenia with 29 points, followed with China with 27 points.

I will write the reports soonest possible!