Reasons why I am not playing In Merdeka Standard

This is the my god daughter! her name is Nik Mariam... Well isn't she cute! She is a daughter of my best friend, Muzlita Aini. This is her first baby. She was borned on 28th July 2007. And she is one of the reason why I am not playing in this year Merdeka Standard 2007... hehehe.. (she is too cute to say yes to Merdeka la..)

Muz and I have been friend for 19 years now! She is the only person that doesn't play chess but can listen to every word about chess without even complaining of boring. She is also the shoulder to cry on, when I had my down moments in chess or in life. And even after all the years of my absent in chess, when I talked to her again about chess, she can still remember the names of Saprin, Maliki, Haq, Roslina, even the cute IM Mas Hafizulhilmi. The one that we both adore so much... He is kind of like our kid brother.... hehehe

The other reason is, my dearly friend and sis, Kak Tun is going to Mekah for this whole Ramadhan month. We haven't seen much of each other, and during merdeka is our first meeting in KL for this year. That is because I am too busy with chess this year. Buzy with coaching, tournaments and works.

I wish her a safe journey there and a safe journey home...

Merdeka Standard Chess Reunion

Md Hairi Md Hussin

Mas Ayu Mahmood

Me and Hairi

Merdeka has always been a place of a reunion for all chess players. Faces that you haven't seen in years, always suddenly appear in Merdeka event. Players that used to play chess actively during my years, also shown their faces in annual Merdeka event...
The likes of Mohd Kamal Abdullah, Ooi Chern Ee... etc

I also saw, Mas Ayu Mahmood! Well she looks the same that's why I could recognise her... The last time I saw her was during National Closed 1990, at IYC KL... Imagine that! Nice to see you again, Kak! (and I still had the 1990 pictures)

My former team mate whom the last time I saw him was like years ago, Hairi. We are from the same ITM Arau Perlis. We met during an allegro chess in Perlis in 1995. Then we are in the same chess team for INTEKMA chess in 1995. Now, he is currently working in UUM as a lecturer, and residing in Perlis. It was a pleasant reunion for both of us!

DATMO 2007 WInner

And we have this year winner! DATMO 2007 was held at Cititel Midvalley KL from 20th - 26th August 2007. This is the fourth year it was held. Without GMs from Philippines playing, the tournament never lost its strength to attract others. This time the forces came from China, with players like Li Chao, Li Ruofan, Zhao Weiqi, etc, seems to have planned the event to go their way. Last year winner, GM Dao Thein Hai, can't even hold the title this year nor even his fellow countrymen. Overall, this tournament manage to produce lots of excitement for all players and spectators, from beginning till the end. One can never guess who will be the winner until the end of the round. Hoping that the tournament will go on next year, we also hope for Malaysian to shine thru next year. (And having myself participating... hehehe)

3rd place - GM Ziaur Rahman

GM Zhao Weiqi - 2nd Place

And he is the Champion - Li Chao from China

Malaysians Best at DATMO 2007

These are the pictures of Malaysian Best players receiving the award for best malaysian achievement in the event. Well, the best obviously goes to the IM Mas Hafizul... He not just received US800, but also additional of US150 for a score against a GM - which is GM Dao in round 2. He surprised us all by taking 7.5 points in the event. His performance shows that he can be the first Malaysian with the GM title. All the fans are hoping to see him with the title by next year! (Insyaallah!)


Go! Go! IM Mas

FM Anas Nazreen

IM Jimmy Liew


FM Mok Tze Meng

FM Lim Yee Weng

Pictures of Malaysian Blitz 2007

WIM Siti Zulaika vs GM Zhang Zhong

IM Mas was on board 2 in the preliminary rounds

Look at all the participants

GM Utut Adianto - the winner... can't get a shot at his face

I was at the Cititel Midvalley, while waiting for the closing ceremony to start, I take a peek at the Blitz. Many titled players taking part in the event.
I was amazed seeing all the top board players playing a 3 min + 2 sec game, like they are playing a rapid game. While time was seconds to finish they can still think! and make a good move too!
wow!
Some are still playing positionally, and battle patiently. It was nice too, to see them bullying others by intimidating them, since it is a blitz event, noise are allowed.
But overall, it was a good performance too by some malaysian even they can't make it thru to the next knock out round... Bravo!!
Hope I can join the pack next year!!

Pictures of Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open 2007

IM Mas Hafizulhelmi - what's with the serious face?

Mohd Fairin Zakaria

The highest rated player - GM Zhang Zhong on the right vs Zhao Wei Qi

In deep thought - GM Zhang Zhong

Malaysian FM Anas Nazreen Bakri

Two Philipinos in the battle, you see that with the yellow jacket is our FM Mok Tze Meng

WGM Li Ruofan - One rose among the men on the top board

On the left, is GM Ziaur Rahman from Bangladesh and beside him is our very own IM Mas Hafizulhelmi vs this year champ - Li Chao

FM Mok Tze Meng

Go women go!! Jia you, jia you

Pictures from the Ambank Chess Challenge 2007

This is the Ambank Champion from Philippines

pic of National Closed (W) 2007

Pic of me and Malaysian Best player

That is the picture of me and my hero... who else if it is not the Malaysian Best Player at the recent Dato' Arthur Tan malaysian Open 2007!!

IM Mas Hafizulhelmi Agus Abdul Rahman

He even won against GM Dao from vietnam... what an impressive performance!!

KUANTAN MASTERS RAPID CHESS OPEN / JUNIOR 2007

The tournament was jointly organised by NWM Khairunnisa' W on behalf of chess fans in Kuantan and Chess Club of SMK Cenderawasih. It was held at SMK cenderawasih Kuantan on 5th August 2007 with 7 rounds swiss systems to play. The tournament organisers are proud to announce that we manage to attract 167 participants from Kuantan, and few players from outside Kuantan. The chief arbiter for the event was En. Muhamad Arshad from Terengganu, assisted by Fadzilah W and Cikgu Tee Bee Lian. Khairunnisa W was the tournament director of the event, helped by fellow volunteers; Cikgu Fakri, Cikgu Zuharuddin, Pn Aida, Muhammad Luqmanhakim, and students from SMK Cenderawasih - Ng Chin Boon, Tiong Cheng Han, Wong See Ling, Ong Tion Leong, Woo Hui Shon, Tiong Lee Guo Sheng, dan Thusalini.

The venue was at 3 classrooms on ground floor at the school, this is also to give way for one wheel-chaired player from Jerantut, Daniel Lee to play.

The tournament was divided into 2 groups – Group A and Group B. Group A are for players competing for prizes offered for Open Category, Junior U-20 Boys and Girls, and U-16 Boys and Girls. While Group B are for players competing for prizes in category U-12 Boys and Girls, and U-9 Boys and Girls. A total player for Group A is 104, and Group B is 63 players.

Here are the results:

U-12 Boys
Champ : Anis Nadzar (6 Points) – SK Sg Isap, Kuantan
Second : Ameerul Ilmi Mohd Razali (6 Points) – SK Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan
Third : Wan Abdullah Yusri (6 Points) - SK Sg Isap, kuantan
Fourth : Mohd Ameer Shah Adwa (6 points) - SK Sg Isap, Kuantan
Fifth : Mohd Nabil Nazmi Abd Hamid (5.5 points)- SK Beserah, Kuantan


U-12 Girls
Champ : Effah Fazeera (5 Points) - SK Beserah, Kuantan
Second : Umairah Natasya M. Omeershffudin (4.5 pts)- SK Bukit Sekilau, Ktn
Third : Nurul Asyikin Mohd Sofi (4.5 pts) - Muadzam Shah, Pahang
Fourth : Nurwani Mohd Fakri (4 pts) - SK Mat Kilau, Kuantan
Fifth : Fatin Husna (4 pts) - SK Beserah, Kuantan

U-9 Boys
Champ : Kuhan Ganesan (3.5 pts) - SK Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan
Second : Kieranraj Subhas Baghar (3.5 pts) - Tadika Sri Ayu, Kuantan
Third : Mohd Fitri Shah (3.5 pts) - SK Tunku Azizah, Kuantan
Fourth : Rajeev Rao (3.5 pts) - SK St Thomas, Kuantan
Fifth : Mukund Suresh (3.5 pts) - SK St Thomas, Kuantan

U-9 Girls
Champ : Nurhasya Mohd Fakri (3.5 pts) - SK Mat Kilau, kuantan
Second : Hana Nabila Hairul (2.5 pts) - SK (P) Methodist, kuantan
Third : Nurfatin Mohd Fakri (2.5 pts) - Taski Al-Huda, Kuantan
Fourth : Hemansankarry Rajasegaran (2.5 pts) - SK Assunta, Kuantan
Fifth : Nur Sabrina Asman (2 pts) - SK Teruntum, Kuantan

All winner received medal + certs. Best Junior Group B won by Anis Nadzar, he received hamper for his effort. While Best Girl Group B was won by Effah Fazeera, she received hamper sponsored by WSFFM.

For Group A, it was a tough competition; many were fighting to be crowned the first Kuantan Master. But it was won by Mohd Khair Wahidduddin.

Kuantan Master Junior won by Muhammad Khairilhelmi, he received hamper for his effort. Best Junior Ladies was won by Izzat Atma Sari, while Best Ladies was won by Nurul huda Wahiduddin, both received hamper sponsored by WSFFM.

Here are the results

Open Category

Champ : Mohd Khair Wahidduddin (6.5 points)
Second : Hamidi Taib(6.5 points)
Third : Suwardi Andri Sidek (6 Points)
Fourth : Sulaiman Johari (6 Points)
Fifth : Nurul Huda Wahiduddin (6 points)
(Winners received medal + cash prize + certs + hamper)
Sixth : Donny Sudarno (6 points)
Seventh : Nordin Md Yamin ((5.5 points)
Eighth : Abd Majid Ahmad (5 points)
Ninth : Abd Khalid Musa (5 Points)
Tenth : Kamal Azmi Wahiduddin (5 Points)
(Winners received hamper + Certs)

U-20 Boys
Champ : Teh Jay Kie (5 pts) - SMK Tanah Putih, Kuantan
Second : Muhd Zulkarnain Zulkifli (4.5 pts) - Universiti Malaysia Pahang
Third : Kumaraguru Poobalan (4 pts) - SM Abd Rahman Talib, ktn
Fourth : Lim Keow Fei (4 pts) - SMK Tok Sera, Kuantan
Fifth : Ahmad Helmi Abd Rahman (4 pts) - MRSM, Kuantan

U-20 Girls
Champ : Izzat Atma Sari (4 pts) - SMK Bukit Rangin,Kuantan
Second : Izza Hasrina Ismail (4 pts) - MRSM, Kuantan
Third : Khairunnisa Abd Rahim (3.5 pts) - SMK Cenderawasih, ktn
Fourth : Nor Zahirah Abd Ghani (3.5 pts) - SMK Cenderawasih, ktn
Fifth : Nur Izzati Nizza (3 pts) - MRSM, Kuantan,

U-16 Boys
Champ : Muhamad Khairilhelmi (5 pts) - SM Abd Rahman Talib, ktn
Second : Daniel Lee (5 pts) - SMK Jerantut, Jerantut
Third : Rudianto Edi (4.5 pts) - SMK Paya Besar, ktn
Fourth : Yen Meng Jun (4.5 pts) - SMK Tanah Putih, Kuantan Fifth : Chan Shi Jing (4.5 pts) - SMK Tanah Putih, Kuantan

U-16 Girls
Champ : Nor Aimi Shahida (4 mata) - MRSM, Kuantan
Second : Ras Atika Nadia (4 mata) - SMK Bukit Rangin, Ktn
Third : Syuhada Sulaiman (3 mata) - SMK Paya Besar, ktn
Fourth : Varsya Sandhya (3 mata) - SM Sultan Abu Bakar, Ktn Fifth : Nurul Adilah Zakaria (3 mata) - Kuantan

All winners received medal + certs.

Organisers would like to express gratitude to all sponsors, which made this tournament a dream come true to all players.

Mr Danny Teoh – Master Class Management
Consultants Kuantan Medical Centre - Dr Mohd Nor
Consultants Kuantan Medical Centre - Dr Aziz
Consultants Kuantan Medical Centre - Dr Abdullah
Consultants Kuantan Medical Centre - Dr Nasir
Consultants Kuantan Medical Centre - Dr Suriati
Consultants Kuantan Medical Centre - Dato’ Ooi
Consultants Kuantan Medical Centre - Dr Suhaimi
Consultants Kuantan Medical Centre - Dr Mokhtar
En. Mohd Omeershffudin – Bapa pemain
En Mohd Fakri – Bapa pemain
Mr Michael Lim – RSM profit Improvements
Pn Haslindah – Wakil WSFFM (women sports foundation m’sia)
Great Union Engineering
Also,
Special thanks to all volunteers that doing their best to handle this first tournament.

Chess Club SMK Cenderawasih & School Administration SMK Cenderawasih
Cikgu Fakri and family
Puan Aida and family
Khuzaimah and family
Cikgu Tee – chess teacher SMK cenderawasih
Muhammad Ikhwanhiqal
Muhammad Luqmanhakim
Wahidduddin’s family
En. Mohd arshad - Persatuan catur negeri terengganu
Volunteers from SMK cenderawasih and volunteer teacher that present
Cikgu Paridah and family
Pn Sathia and family - BASF Petronas
Cikgu Norinah – Pengerusi Teknik catur Kuantan

Thank you to all players, parents, and teachers, for the support given during the tournament. Also, congratulations to all the winners. Till we meet again in Kuantan Master 2008

Walking down the Memory Lane Again!

Wow!
I haven’t write for so long now haven’t I…. :-)

Ok, my apology for those that have been dying to read my blog news…. (hahaha… not that dramatic, right!). I didn’t know that there are people out there that actually read my blog. Gosh! Now I felt so embarrassed… the life cycle and the stories that I put in it… (Oh! no I hope my former boss is not among them… oopps!!)

Actually, this blog is for me and few closed friends, I consider this blog to be my blog, kind off a personal thing… but, since I made it public (gee.. I am famous aren’t I, hahaha), so, I am determine to keep on writing, and writing… and who knows maybe there are people out there that interested in making my stories a movie (hehehe..).

The reason why I am excited to write this now (even though now I am busy and at the office exactly during office hours….sorry boss curi tulang for a moment...:-)). Just now I got a call from a very long lost friend, whom (again) I haven’t been seeing for more than 10 years!! That is a long years that passes by! Gosh!...

But this time I don’t feel like I am old, because in this case, he is the one who is older than me…!! Hahaha…it is a nice thing to hear his voice again, even after these years! So, how are you? How many kids at home now? (:-)) how is life?

I still remember him and his journal that he gave me and my sis to read, can’t remember which tournament. He documented each game he played with, and annotated the game, not exactly in a chess player way, but more like a story telling, that makes me feel relax and comfortable at reading… Nice work done by him! Hey, if you still have the journal, try publishing it.

I also remember the calculator, no… not a calculator, it is more like a digital dictionary, I think….. In which fascinate me… what fascinate me the most was the password. I knew it was the word “benoni” after the opening that he did mention but I still couldn’t unlock the code. Then he told me, it is because of the “o” in the word he spelled it with zero = 0.
Smart guy ha… because of that I started to think outside the box... not so straight thinking la…

Anyway, I wish him the best in everything, and hope to see him again someday… Cherio!

Meeting a Chess Friend

Last night, I went out meeting a friend of mine. A chess friend (to be exact). I was so excited to see him, coz the last time I saw him was during merdeka last year, and the last before that was in 1996! (boy!, I am old!)

I always picture him to be a kid that I use to see years ago, a sweet and cute kid, but a very talented chess player. We never really talk much during the old days, but I always admire him, ever since he played in his first MSSM in 1988. And actually, that was my first MSSM too.

I always wonder, how on earth does this kid play anyway... He was really smart!

Ok,ok,ok.. that was years ago... let me tell you about last night.

In my head, I am going to meet a kid whom I last seen 10 years ago.. (that is what I picture him), but instead....

He has grown up!.. He is now a man. More mature... When we chat, I felt like I am the kid instead of him even though I am older than him... (hahaha)

It was a nice moment.. We chat about chess mostly.. Other than that is like walking down the memory lane.. Gosh! time does running fast, I couldn't put his latest face in my head as what he is today.. But, I think I am going to start to... (face the fact of life, that I am getting older!)

And honestly, he is getting wiser too! I enjoyed the chat that we had, coz not many people that I could talk mostly about anything, when it comes to global news, most people are really boring, but he is interesting. Now, there are 2 people that I can spend hours of chatting.. (wondering what does he think of me... the sweet 21 years old sis.. hahaha.. who knows man!!)

I told him that I am too busy with my work that I don't even have the time to do just about anything. He then told me "only incompetent people would say that, if you are competent, all work is done in time".. Wow! coming out from his mouth!

So, I decided... That I will try to make up with time, and lets see if I really have a lot of work or, I don't have the time management.

To my dearest friend,
Thanks for the everything.. I am still smiling and will keep on smiling...