2nd Kuantan Grand Finale Rapid Chess Championship 2012 - Photos

The venue at Vistana Hotel proved to be a very comfortable playing experience for the finalists.

Our selected potential juniors in action - Muhd Hazid vs Muhd Farhan, next to Muhd Hazid is Meor Airil vs Sharif Mohd Zaki

Last round encounter Kamaluddin Yusof vs IM Mas Hafizulhilmi on table 1. The game ended in a draw, which secure placing for Kamaluddin.

Abdul Khalid is battling against Muhd Syazwan in this round

Our PCDK patron - Dato Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail the state secretary seen in the middle. On his right is our VP En Asman, and on his left is our Hon Secretary Haji Nordin.

5th place - Noor Ahmad Fazilah Mohd Sahid

4th place - Muhd Syazwan Zulkifli

Last round battle between Mohd Khair and Nik Ahmad Farouqi on board 2. A win by Nik Ahmad Farouqi would secure him a place in top 5 Finale. Unfortunate for him, the game ended in a draw.

3rd place - Kamaluddin Yusof

2nd place goes to Mohd Khair Wahidduddin

Our 2nd Kuantan Grand Finale CHAMPION - IM Mas Hafizulhilmi

 All winners taking pictures with the PCDK AJKs

Interesting last round battle for top 5 prizes. Noor Ahmad Fazilah vs Sulaiman Johari. Sulaiman has performed very well beating Nik Ahmad Farouqi and Abdul Haq before ended up losing the last round game against Noor Ahmad Fazilah. Seen in pic next to them is Mohd Yusuff Ismail vs NM Kamal Arifin.

2nd Kuantan Grand Finale - The Result

IM Mas Hafizulhelmi (from Kelantan) emerged as the champion in the 2nd Kuantan Grand Finale. IM Mas defend the title that he won last year with 6.5 points. IM Mas overcome all his rival except for Kamaluddin Yusof (Abg Bro) who managed to hold him for a draw. 2nd place goes to our very own Pahang player - Mohd Khair Wahidduddin with 5.5 points while 3rd place goes to Kamaluddin Yusof (Abg Bro) from Johor with 5 points. 4th place goes to Muhd Syazwan Zulkifli (from Terengganu) with 5 points and 5th place goes to Noor Ahmad Fadzilah (from Kedah) with 5 points.

With no single lost from IM Mas Hafizul, the bounty of RM100 for each round, will be brought forward for the next year Finale. PCDK meeting will decide later of how much bounty to offer next year as an incentive for other players to defeat IM Mas. He shall be back again next year as the Defending Champion. 

For Full result go to Chess Result

With the conclusion of our 2nd Grand Finale, we closed the 2012 curtain for chess activities in Kuantan. We shall meet again next year with our 2013 Grand Prix Series (InsyaAllah), beginning as soonest as February 2013 with Serie A. Our hope next year 3rd Kuantan Grand Finale Rapid Chess Championship we can run the event in 2 days, with a different format and with a little twist to make the battle for the best top 5 to be more interesting!

See you next year!

A Day To Remember...

During the 2nd Kuantan Grand Finale at Vistana hotel, we received shocking news of the tragic death of Cikgu Sabirin and his family. It's hard to believe but we have to accept the fate from Allah. May Allah placed them among the believers. Al fatihah. Chess community especially in Dungun, Terengganu will missed dedicated Cikgu Sabirin and his family. Before the start of the event, all of us recite Al-fatihah for the late Cikgu Sabirin and family. Let us share with our readers an article from his nephew that touch our heart. You can find the article here:

langit ilahi

On 24th December also marked a day to remember, while having breakfast at Putra Square with Nik Ahmad Farouqi, Muhd Syazwan, Haq and wife Roslina, suddenly it was raining so heavily non-stop. All of us thought that it will stop soon (as usual). But this time, Allah SWT is testing our faith. In minutes we saw waters pouring into the restaurant, Haq and Syazwan had to move their car to higher parking spot around the restaurant. While Farouqi was worried sick about his car which was parked at CIMB bank juz opposite Berjaya Megamall (which was hit severely by the flood). On behalf of all chess community, our sympathy goes to Nik Ahmad Farouqi because his car along with chess equipment that supposed to be used for the Kelantan Open this weekend was flooded in kuantan yesterday..

Crowd puller

Game between Kamaludin and Taulani.

2nd Kuantan Grand Finale - Round 5

Currently IM Mas is doing fine with 5 straight wins after round 5 (juz a reminder an incentive of RM100 for winning against him in any rounds is offered),

Second placed is shared between Mohd Khair, Nik Ahmad Farouqi, and Muhd Syazwan. All scored 4 points.

In round 6 - Nik Ahmad Farouqi is facing IM Mas on table 1.

Catch the game live broadcast at http://kuantanrapidchess.blogspot.com

Round 5 on the way

Our PCDK secretary en Nordin is taking part facing adik Meor Adib from junior selection. Besides him is adik Muhd Hazid Ekquan also from junior selection is up against Nur Farhana who qualify from Serie D.

The Banner

Another live game broadcast

Between owner of dgt boards Nik Farouqi and Muhammad Arshad.

Live game broadcast

You can watch the live game between IM Mas and Abd Haq live at http://kuantanrapidchess.blogspot.com

Buffet Lunch for Finalists

Buffet lunch provided for finalists and parents of junior players. Courtesy of Persatuan Catur Daerah Kuantan.

More pic of 2nd Kuantan Grand Finale

Seen in pic playing against Sharif (red shirt) is our youngest finalist. Adik Zulkarnain who came all the way from Rompin Pahang.

More pic from 2nd Kuantan Grand Finale

LIVE GAMES FROM KUANTAN
2nd KUANTAN GRAN FINALE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2012
VISTANA HOTEL

2nd Kuantan Grand Finale

Still strong on board 1 on round 3 is the defending champion IM Mas. Seen in pic vs Kuantan - Mohd Khair.

2nd Kuantan Grand Finale

Seen in pic - Nik Ahmad Farouqi suffered a loss to Kuantan otai - Sulaiman in earlier round. Seen here he is facing NM Kamal Arifin.

Sitting next to them are Khalid vs NWM Roslina.

2nd Grand FINALE

Game round 3 between Kamaluddin and Haq.

2nd Kuantan Grand Finale Is Underway

Finally the Grand Finale for 2012 is on after 5 SCC Grand Prix series ended. I have been in hectic schedule, and unfortunately I can't participate this year. I am so eager to play, but organising the event takes priority than playing in it.

We are so blessed to have the players participating with ratings and experiences that could give our juniors the lifetime games ever! and that was our purpose anyway, to have the FINALE for our juniors to excel in future events.

You can check the games on board 1 and 2 live from the internet at www.kedaicatur.com and for full results as usual click to www.chess-results.com

En Najib is the Chief Arbiter for the event, you can check his site for updates as well at http://thechessconnections.blogspot.com

Will update you more once i have settled few things regarding the FINALE (huhu..)

2nd Kuantan Grand Finale Chess Championship (23/12/2012- sunday)

Dear all finalists, kindly confirm your participation soonest possible by replying the email sent earlier.

The organiser is finalising the name of players. Those that pullout will be replaced by the players in their according series, unless too last minute like last year.

To players from outside of Kuantan, we are encouraging you to come a day early. If you have any problem with accomodation, we can fix you in a homestay nearby.

Regards,
Khairunnisa
Tournament Director
2nd Kuantan Grand Finale 2012

2nd Kuantan Grand FINALE Chess Championship (23/12/2012 - Sunday)

Date : 23 December 2012
Day : Sunday
Venue : Vistana Hotel, Jalan Teluk Sisek Kuantan
Time control : 20 min + 10 sec increment

The finalists are (the rating are based from National Rating Oct 2012 list) :

1 IM MAS HAFIZULHILMI (Defending Champion - NR 2220)

2 KAMALUDDIN YUSOF (Serie E - NR 2009)

3 NM KAMAL ARIFIN WAHIDDUDDIN (Serie A - NR 1941)

4 NIK AHMAD FAROUQI (Serie E - NR 1941)

5 MUHD SYAZWAN ZULKIFLI (Serie D - NR 1933)

6 MOHD KHAIR WAHIDDUDDIN (Serie A - NR 1873)

7 ABDUL HAQ MOHD (Serie D - NR 1831)

8 TAULANI TUKIRAN (Serie C - NR 1828)

9 MUHAMMAD B ARSHAD (Serie A - NR 1797)

10 NOR AZMI MOHD NOR (Serie E - NR 1794)

11 ABDUL KHALID MUSA (Serie B - NR 1671)

12 NWM KHAIRUNNISA WAHIDDUDDIN (Serie C - NR 1663)

13 NWM ROSLINA MARMONO (Serie D - NR 1647)

14 NORDIN MD YAMIN (Serie B - NR 1643)

15 SULAIMAN JOHARI (Serie E  - NR 1634)

16 NOOR AHMAD FAZILAH MOHD SAHID (Serie E - NR 1607)

17 MUHD HUSAINI HASNUL (Serie D - NR 1571)

18 KAMAL AZMI WAHIDUDDIN (Serie A - NR 1563)

19 SYAZRIN ABD RAHMAN (Serie A - NR 1545)

20 NWM NURUL HUDA WAHIDUDDIN (Serie B - NR 1539)

21 MUHD KHAIRILHELMI B ROSSELI (Serie B - NR 1525)

22 MUHD HAZID EKQUAN (JR Selection - NR 1502)

23 NUR SABRINA ALIYA ASMAN (Serie B - NR 1485)

24 SHARIF MOHD ZAKI (Serie D - NR 1471)

25 ASMAN AMINULLAH (Serie C - NR 1368)

26 NUR 'AINA SYAMIMI BT NAZRI (JR selection - NR 1337)

27 MUHD YUSUFF ISMAIL (Serie C - NR 1333)

28 MEOR AIRIL RAHIMI (JR selection - NR 1328)

29 IZZAT ABDUL MUHAYMIN JAFRI (Serie C - NR 1327)

30 MUHD HARITH FARHAN (JR selection - NR 1317)

31 MEOR ADIB RUSYAIDI (JR  selection - NR 1295)

32 ZULKARNAIN SAFRI (JR selection - NR 1267)

To all finalists, kindly let me know your email address for me to send to you the invitation letter.

Kindly also take note, this a standard level chess tournament, our new Patron Dato Seri will officiated the closing ceremony, therefore to all finalists kindly wear appropriate attire (no slippers are allowed), please wear long pants, t-shirt with collar, and shoes)

The organiser have the rights to replace any withdrawn finalists with any other players.

Any inquiries kindly contact Khairunnisa 019-9699879.

Paralimpiad Catur 2012 (10/12-13/12/2012)

Dato Mah Hassan Omar in action.

Paralimpiad Catur 2012

Currently I am at PGA Galing Kem Kuantan for the Paralimpiad event for OKU players.

We have 5 categories contested, Team - OKU Physical & Hearing Impaired (men), Individual - OKU Physical & Hearing Impaired (men & women), Individual - OKU Visual Impaired (men & women).

If you are free and want to watch how the players play and fair against each other, why dont you head out to Galing Kem and catch the game for yourselves!

Welcome Back!

If you are chess players playing in the era of 80s and early 90s you must have heard his name - Roazman Mat Rosley. He was the chess prodigy who hails from a small area back then called Jengka 2 Pahang. Everybody then knew the story how he came across chess by accident. And back then too, everybody acknowledge his talent. He wasn't borne with luxury and during that time sponsors was hard to find to ensure his progress in Chess. And by the way, he started chess before us! I came to know him later in 1988 when we were together in MSSM Pahang team. After i left school and MSSM we lost contact.

I havent seen him in ages! and he suddenly sms me asking to play in the SCC Serie E. After he banked-in the money he sms to me his name and who would have thought that one coming! It was a pleasant surprised to finally hear from him. Currently he is married with kids and settling down in Temerloh Pahang.

I could have announced his presence to all the players at the centre but, lets see how our Juniors fair against him, against a nobody (at least that is what comes to their mind at the time) And his results no. 6th overall with only one lost to Sulaiman Johari, gave signs that the skill is there, rusty but he still got it! He juz missed one move that cause him the game and the chance to be in the FINALE.

It is good to see you in action again, do come and play chess again, there's always room for you at our chess centre, Man!

SCC Serie E - The Results

I have been difficulty to blogging these 2 days, and finally today, i managed to post pictures and results on this blog!

Full results just click chess-results.com
 
It was a good turnout, I have been running the series since 2011, and this was the last series that pulls a sum of players with higher national ratings! My thanks to those that came all the way to Kuantan to make it happened. The squad from Kelantan, with Nik Mohd Azrihan, his kids (Nik Muhd Haziq & Nik Nur Nadzirah) together with Muhd Syakir Mat Zin, Nik Azhan, Cikgu Md Anis with son Muhd Afham Haikal, all UIA students taking part, with coach Nik Farouqi, Kamaluddin, UiTM - Solomon, Fadrul with coach Norazmi, thanks to Izza Hasrina, Umar, Ikmal who find time to play. My thanks also to the Kuantan players, parents, guardians, and the SCC students taking part, also Cikgu Safri and kids, I thank you to all participants for an awesome last GP series for 2012!

Congratulations goes to our Finalist!
1. Nik Ahmad Farouqi (5/6)
2. Noor Ahmad Fadzilah (5/6)
3. Sulaiman Johari (5/6)
4. Nor Azmi Mohd Nor (4.5/6)
5. Kamaluddin Yusof (4.5/6)

Congratulations to the:
Best Ladies : Siti Nor Raihan (4/6)
Best U16 : Ahmad Ammar Ahmad (4/6)
Best U12 : Nik Muhd Haziq Najmuddin (4/6)

SCC Serie E - Photos (24/11/2012)

 Congratulation to the champion ; Nik Ahmad Farouqi

 Second place goes to : Noor Ahmad Fadzilah

 Third place (Otai Kuantan) ; Sulaiman Johari who came in third after an upset against Kamaluddin in the last round.

 4th place ; Nor Azmi Mohd Nor who certainly in a happy mood to have finally made it into the list of FINALIST this year!

 5th place ; (phew! that must be in his mind that day to have finally made it to the FINALE) Kamaludin Yusof

 Best U16 came all the way from Temerloh, adik Ahmad Ammar B Ahmad.

 Best U12 goes to adik Nik Muhd Haziq Najmuddin B Nik Mohd Azrihan from Kelantan.

 Best Ladies goes to Siti Nor Raihan who studied in UIA Kuantan.

 SCC was packed that day with the best players coming in fighting for the top spot to be in the FINALE.

 Even Izza Hasrina who hails from Kuantan but studied in UPSI came too.

 Adik Muhd Asyraf cause a sensation in round 2 when he drew with Nor Azmi Mohd Nor.

Seen in pic is Abdul Rahim Ramli (from Terengganu), fighting against another Kelantanese Nik Azhan Mat Tahir.

SCC Serie E - List of Players

Based on the name lists, this would be the toughest series for 2012! More than 50% players are all national rated! and besides that to fill in 5 spot for FINALE on this 23 Dec 2012, we have more top players eying on it! its pretty hard to predict.. so all the best guys!

(Dear all players, kindly be at the SCC before 9am. Round 1 will start at 9am)

1.KAMALUDDIN YUSOF - 2009
2. NIK AHMAD FAROUQI  - 1941
3. NOR AZMI MOHD NOR - 1794
4. SOLOMON NYURANG JUK - 1679
5. ABD RAHIM RAMLI - 1668
6. SULAIMAN JOHARI - 1634
7. NOOR AHMAD FADZILAH - 1607
8. WAN ALI WAN MANAN - 1565
9. AMIR HAMZAH B KAMARUL ZAMAN - 1546
10. EFFENDY ZAKARIA - 1519
11. NIK MUHD HAZIQ NAJMUDDIN - 1508
12. RAZMAN MOHD MAULOT - 1507
13. MUHD HAZID EKQUAN - 1502
14. SITI NOR RAIHAN - 1476
15. IZZA HASRINA ISMAIL - 1463
16. MUHD ASYRAF RAZMAN - 1457
17. FADRUL WAHAB - 1457
18. MUHD FIRDAUS AFIQ ASMAN - 1423
19. NIK AZHAN MAT TAHIR - 1391
20. NURWAHIDA ATIRA NORDIN - 1382
21. MUHD SYAKIR MAT ZIN - 1366
22. NUR 'AINA SYAMIMI - 1337
23. MEOR AIRIL RAHIMI - 1328
24. MUHD HARITH FARHAN - 1317
25. MEOR ADIB RUSYAIDI - 1295
26. UMAR MUKHTAR UMAR SHUKRI - 1291
27. UMMU HANI SAFRI - 1286
28. ZULKARNAIN SAFRI - 1267
29. MUHD AFHAM HAIKAL - 1232
30. MUHD HARITH FAHMI - 1219
31. NIK NUR NADZIRAH - 1204
32. IKMAL UBAIDULLAH - 1202
33. AHMAD AMMAR B AHMAD - 1182
34. MUHD ALIFF MD AMLI - 1098
35. IZZUL AMIER - 0
36. MD ANIS RAHIMI - 0
37. VIGNESSWARAN SHANKAR - 0
38. MUHD ADLI - 0
39. MUHD AMIRUL HAFIZ - 0
40. SITI NUR ATIRAH - 0
41. MUHD ZIKRI - 0
42. ROAZMAN MAT ROSLEY - 0

SCC Grand Prix Serie E 24/11/2012 (Saturday)

Our LAST Grand Prix series for the year! SCC GP Serie E will be held this saturday as usual at SCC. We need another top 5 finalists to join the other 20 finalists in our Grand FINALE which will be held on 23 December 2012. Announcement on the FINALE will be posted in this blog after the Persatuan meeting next Monday :D

As usual the places for the Serie E will be limited to 40 paid registration. We are counting to have our best bet in the FINALE this year, so come on players out there, come join our last grand prix event for 2012!

To register kindly contact Khairunnisa 019-9699879, fee is RM25 and payment shall be via maybank 106016376093 (under the name Khairunnisa).

POSTPONEMENT SCC SERIE E

We kindly regret to inform that we have to postpone SCC Serie E that has been scheduled on 3rd November 2012 to 24th November 2012 due to problems that occurred and cannot be avoided.  So we apologize to all players and please continue your support.  Be the last top 5 to compete in SCC Grand Finale in Disember 2012!

Mega Village 4th Kuantan Rapid Junior Chess Masters 2012 (Sunday - The results)

Here are the results :
U10G :
1st - Nur Atierah Abdul Manan
2nd - Wan Adalia Rasya Ayib Rosdi
3rd - Nurul Najihah Mohd Amri

U10B :
1st - Muhd Hijaz Abdullah
2nd - Zulkarnain Safri
3rd - Muhd Harith Fahmi Mohd Radzuan

U12B :
1st - Muhd Hazid Ekquan Mohd Haruddin
2nd - Muhd Asyraf Razman
3rd - Meor Airil Rahimi Ayib Rosdi

U16G :
1st - Nur Sabrina Aliya Asman
2nd - Nur Aina Syamimi Nazri
3rd - Ummu Hani Safri

U16B :
1st - Muhd Harith Farhan Mohd Radzuan
2nd - Muhd Nur Ashraf Noorman
3rd - Kuhan Ganesan

U20G :
1st - Nur Amalina Alyaa Mohd Ridzal
2nd - Halimahtuss Saadiah Rosdin

U20B :
1st - Muhd Khairilhelmi Rosseli
2nd - Umar Mukhtar Umar Shukri
3rd - Izzat Abdul Muhaimin Jafri

Overall :
Champion - Muhd Khairilhelmi Rosseli
2nd - Umar Mukhtar Umar Shukri
3rd - Izzat Abdul Muhaimin Jafri

Congratulations to all winners! Hope to see you all next year!

for full results go to chess-results.com

Mega Village 4th Kuantan Rapid Junior Chess Masters 2012 (21/10/2012 - Sunday)

Everybody think it is a mission impossible, and yes i did not get the 100 players as wish, and yes it was a small crowd of Juniors but it was worth it!

i dont think i want to have more players if i could get small group of players with a good quality of games played! Next year i hope i could get better budgets and better length of time to prepare for the event, so that i could do two days instead of one day for the last 4 series!

We have in the house a majority of our top Junior players! we have our National Junior Nur Sabrina, we have the series past year champ - Khairilhelmi and Qhaider, we have our 7th placing in Melaka International Challenger section - Asyraf Razman, and not juz that we have our under 12 regular player who juz got his ratings shoot to 1502! not juz that we have as young as 5 years old playing! Gosh! its a blessing indeed! Alhamdullillah! and the best of all, we are having the tournaments at the best environment ever! MS Garden Hotel (thanks to Nura and Khusairi for making it happened). And i dont think i could ve done it without the help of my family (my sis came home all the way from Muadzam Shah to help me out, and my bro who wasnt well was there too with his wife, and my busy elder sister who shud be at home for his son SPM exam was there too, thanks so much), thanks to Farhana who took time off to help me with arbitration, thanks to En Asman who has been so kind to help me put with the Protocol, press and high tea with the YB Dato, thanks to Pn Hamidah who has helped me a lot with the sponsorship for the event, and thanks also to all AJK, parents, teachers and players for making this event worth it (i almost forgot the days before the event i was sleepless and hardly have to time to rest and eat juz to make sure everybody happy.) Also thanks to Nik Farouqi for the support given!

The crowd of players!

Seen in pic : Alif Imran vs Airil, with next to Alif is Izzat Muhaimin

On the right, we have Nur Sabrina.

The banner designed for this event

The battle between Muhd Farhan vs Muhd Haziq.

Our top seed - Muhd Khairilhelmi who was also the past year champ (2008 & 2009) and he also holds the record for becoming the youngest ever to win the trophy.

On board 2 - Izzat Muhaimin was up against Nur Sabrina Aliya

The VIPs for the event, VP En Asman Aminullah, Presiden - En Kamal Azmi explaining something to YB Dato Abd Manan who came to the event for the closing ceremony, watching them are Pn Hamidah and Razman Maulot both are the AJK of Persatuan.

Seen in pic is Kuhan against Nur Sabrina

YB Dato seems to be very interested in the event.

In the final rounds, the battle between Shariff Zaki (4/5) against Khairilhelmi (5/5). Sharif cause and upsets when he beats Khairilhelmi in the final!

On board 2, to decide who gets the top prizes, it is between Izzat Muhaimin and Muhd Asyraf. And Izzat won the game.

Also in the final round, it was between, Muhd Qhaider vs Hazid (won by Hazid), and between Umar (next to Hazid) vs Yusuff Ismail (hidden), the game was lasted until seconds remaining and Umar won the game.

Saiful Imran seen in pic is up against Airil in the last round,

Another intense battle in the last round

The game betwwen Umar and Yusuf were the last to finish and YB Dato is taking interest and took pic of the game. Seen in pic - Nik Ahmad Farouqi. Thanks Nik for the support! Really appreciate it!

Our honorary VIPs

YB Dato making his speech (oh well, a politician will always be a politician whenever he may be, in anyway Dato, care to sponsor our event next year?)

All is excited for the prizes in the closing ceremony

3rd place for best U12B - Meor Airil Rahimi Ayib Rosdi (aged 11)

2nd place for best U12B - Muhd Asyraf Razman (aged 12)

1st place for best U12B - Muhd Hazid Ekquan Mohd Haruddin (aged 11)

3rd place for U16G - Ummu Hani Safri (aged 13)

2nd place for U16G - Nur 'Aina Syamimi Nazri (aged 16)

1st place for U16G - Nur Sabrina Aliya Asman (aged 13)

2nd place for U16B - Mur Nur Ashraaf Noorman (he is from Kuala Lipis) (aged 13)

1st place for U16B - Muhd Harith Farhan Mohd Radzuan (aged 13)

3rd place for U10G - Adik Nurul Najihah Mohd Amri (aged 5)

2nd place for U10G - Wan Adalia Rasya Ayib Rosdi (aged 8)

1st place for U10G - Siti Nur Atierah Abd Manan (aged 8)

3rd place for U10B - Muhd Harith Fahmi Mohd Radzuan (aged 8)

2nd place for U10B - Zulkarnain Safri (aged 10)

1st place for U10B from Kuala Lipis - Muhd Hijaz Abdullah (aged 10)

2nd place for U20G - Halimahtuss Saadiah (aged 19)

1st place for U20G - Nur Amalina Alyaa (aged 17)

3rd place for U20 and 3rd place overall - Izzat Abdul Muhaimin Jafri (aged 18)

2nd place for U20 and 2nd place overall - Umar Mukhtar Umar Shukri (aged 19)

1st place for U20 and the overall Champion. He will have his name crafted at the Challenge Trophy - Muhd Khairilhelmi Rosseli (despite losing in the last round)