GACC 2010

Everybody must be wondering why is this blog has been longed to be updated. Like I said in my earlier post, I am really busy with work with final accounts and year end audit! But surprisingly, with few remaining leaves left, i got the approval to finish off my leaves (though one day leave had be canceled as i was called for a last min meeting and discussion).

I took the approval to be in KL together with chess.. again! And I am happy to get away from the stress at work. I have 3 tournaments to choose to. One is in Kuantan. The Sukan Kerja Raya, National Junior and GACC. Three tournaments at one time? sounds tempting right! But I cant be at all those places in one time, so I had to make the wise decision, which tournament that needed me most?

I gave the arbitering handling to Khair and Nurul Huda, as I think it is a good time for them to start to be a part of chess too (considering that the more people that i could traing to be arbiter, the better prospect for chess in Kuantan). I had to decline to National Junior event as too many arbiters will be assissting and besides my students decided not to play (but we have rep from Kuantan - Nur Sabrina Aliya and Muhd Firdaus).

And Yes! GACC here I am! I am the deputy Chief Arbiter for the event - 15th Grand Asian Chess Challenge Rakan Muda, it is an inter-varsity chess championship held every year at UM and only to university students. Initially the invitation only extend to Asian uni students (i think..) but lately in the recent years, the tournaments has been getting more responds from the all other foreign uni as well.

And this year GACC received players with FIDE titles. From - Novosibirsk State Technological University, Russia, representing them are GM Pavel Maletin (2636), FM Yan Dzhumagaliev (2360), WGM Vera Nebolsina (2377), WIM Ekaterina Kharashuta (2299). From - Azad University, Iran, representing them are; GM Amir Bagheri (2429), IM Morteza Darban (2305), WFM Mona Salman Mahini (2044). From - Far Eastern University, Philippines (Team B), we the WFM Lem Jose Rulp (2038) playing as well as from - National University of Singapore, Singapore (Team A), we have WFM Jeslin Tay (2124).

It is very interesting to see all these mix of cultures competing in this event.

Today is Sunday (19th Dec 2010), round 7 & 8 will be staged at Kompleks Perdanasiswa, UM. In the morning rounds all the top boards were occupied by the foreign uni. While the leader after round 6 are - IM Darban (IRI) and Ranel (PHI) with 5.5 points, GM Amir (IRI), GM Pavel (RUS), FM Yan (RUS), Alexandr Crivoi (MDA), Sheider Nebato (PHI) are all trailing behind with 5 points. Our best Malaysian are with 4 points each are : Fadzil Nayan (UIA), Ian Siah (UTM A), Zarul Shazwan (UMP) and others (too many to mention). But the most notable fact, UMP - Zarul has played a very good game against the FM Yan and GM Pavel (though he lost, but he gave it a good fight till the end!).

For more info :
the ranking and news at GACC site (with interesting photo gallery too)
result on Open section
result on Women section

And if the readers wish to view the result on Sukan Kerjaraya, our Fireyrook (one of the players at the event made an interesting coverage)here

For more info on who is leading in the National Junior check it out here :
Open event
Girls event