22.White To Move

In the position above it look like a draw because both have chances to promote the pawn.The question is

a)Is it possible for either White or Black to win in this position?

Solution For Problem 22

Question

a)Can White at least managed find a draw move?
b)Is it possible for White to win in this position?

Answer

a)Yes.White can find a draw move in this position by 1.Rxh6! Bxh6 2.Be6+ Kh7 3.Qf7 Bg7 4.Qh5 Bh6 5.Qf7 perpetual check but why waste 1/2 point in winning position.
b)Yes.White also win in this position by 1.Rxh6! Bxh6 (1...Qc5+ 2.Kh1 Rc1 3.Be6#) 2.Be6+ Kh7(2... Kh8 3.Qf6+ Bg7 4.Qh5+) 3.Qf7 Bg7 4.Bf5+ Kh8 5.Qh5+ Kg8 6.Be6+ Kf8 7.Qf7#

Thanks again cikgu for the key move 1.Rxh6

22.White To Move

In the position above White is one piece down.The question is

a)Can White at least managed find a draw move?
b)Is it possible for White to win in this position?

Solution for problem 21

The question

a)Can Black win easily in this position?
b)Is there any move that can save White from losing?

The answer

a)No Black cannot win easily because this is a draw position and Black cannot escape force move from white.
b)Yes 1.Bf2 save white from losing by a stalemate.The continuation 1....e3 2.Bxe3 Qxe3 3.Qf2 Qxf2 4.a5+ Kxa5

Thanks again cikgu for solving problem 21.

21.White To Move

In the position above it look clearly that Black has an advantage by three pawn up.The question is..

a)Can Black win easily in this position?
b)Is there any move that can save White from losing?

Solution For Problem 17

White To Play And Mate In Three Move

White had lot of continuation to win in this position but all in 4 move.The only move that make it possible to mate in 3 are 1.Qa8!! if 1....Bxa8 2.Rxf4 Kxe5 3.Ng6# if 1....Nxa8 2.Bg7 Bxe4 (2....Kxe4 3.Bb1) 3.Be6 if 1....Nd7 2.Qe8 Bxe4(2...Kxe4 3.Bb1#) 3.Qh5# if 1....Bxe4 2.Be6+ Kxe5 3.Qa1# This problem really hard for me to solve.Even when i asked Mr Fritz 11 to assist It also could not find 1.Qa8 move.After i tried all the variation that possible then i discover 1.Qa8.So thanks to all that participated to solve this problem.

Solution for problem 20

The question

a)Who will win in this position?
b)Is the continuation of this position lead to a draw?

The answer

a)White win in this position by 1.Kf4 Kh7 2.Kg5 Kh8 3.Kh6 Kg8 4.Kxg6 Kf8 5.f7 or 1.Kf4 g5+ 2.Kf5 g4 3.Ke6 g3 4.f7 g2 5.f8=Q+ then 6.Qf2
b)This type of position favor White so a draw is not possible.

Thanks again to cikgu for solving this problem

20.White To Move

In the position above it look like an equal game because both have one pass pawn.The question is...

a)Who will win in this position?
b)Is the continuation of this position lead to a draw?

Solution for problem 19

The question
a)Can White prevent Black from capture the pawn?
b)Can Black stop the advanced of the White pawn?

The answer

a)Yes.White can prevent black from capture the pawn by 1.Kf5 Ke3 2.Ke5 Kd3 3.Kd5 Kc3 4.Kc5 Kb2 5.a4
b)Black cannnot stop the advanced of the white pawn.
One thing to remember that if white miss the move 1.Kf5 then the continuation of this game lead to a draw.
Thanks to Cikgu for solving this problem.

19.White To Move

In the position above white has an advantage with one pawn.The question is..

a)Can White prevent Black from capture the pawn?
b)Can Black stop the advanced of the White pawn?

Solution For problem 18

White win in this type of position with no room for black to find a draw. However to obtain this White must play accurately without any error.Leaving no possibility for black to look for a draw.The key move in this position is 1.e3 Kd6 (if 1...Kf6 followed by 2.Kd5 Ke7 3.Ke5) 2.Kf5 Kd7 3.Kf6 Kd8 4.e4 Kd7 5.e5 Ke8 6.Ke6 (just keep in mind that this move 6.e6?? lead to a draw by 6... Kf8=) 6...Kd8 7.Kf7

18.White To Move

In the position above white has an advantage with one pawn.The question is..

a)How can white use that advantage and lead to victory?
b)It is possible for Black to find a move for draw in this position?

Others Kuantan Player in National Rating List Apr 2009

Firstly - my apology if your name is not included, but these are few names that are regular Kuantan Player, but if you are in the National Rating List too, kindly let me know, I will be happy to post your name too.

The players are :
1. NM Kamal Arifin - 1816
2. Mohd Khair - 1743
3. Abd Khalid Musa - 1663
4. Hamidi Taib - 1653
5. NWM Nurul Huda - 1622
6. Kamal Azmi - 1617
7. Fadzilah - 1615
8. Sulaiman Johari - 1582
9. NWM Khairunnisa' - 1560

Kuantan Juniors In April 2009 National Rating List

In the last Jan 2009 national rating list, there were not many Kuantan Juniors in the list, but after the MSSM 2009, they have their own National Rating list, which give an impact of the measurement of their strength in the national level!

Congratulations to all Kuantan Junior players that make it to the National Rating List :
Name and National Rating
1. Alif Hidayatullah Md Kail - 1230
2. Nurul Shuhada Roslan - 1231
3. Nurhasya Mohd Fakri - 1078
4. Mohd Ameersyah Adhwa - 1185
5. Anis Nasuha Mohd Fekry - 1180
6. Mohd Sobirin Md Subadi - 1161
7. Muhd Syahirul Anuar Razali - 1234

One girl from the Kuantan MSSM Team who had a National Rating before is :
Umairah Natasya Mohd Omeershffudin, with 1205 in Jan 2009, but suffered a drop of 78 points from the MSSM results which makes her now in April 2009 list at 1127 ratings.

Another Kuantan Junior that played in CAS Event last year, with no National Rated tourney this year (yet) maintain his rating at 1292 (from jan 2009 and april 2009 list), is Sharif Mohd Zaki.

A kudos to two players that participate in Kuantan tourney this year and last for their first National Ratings :
1. Nur Saffa Syamimi Semaon - 1310
2. Nur Hakim Sakari - 1179

Congratulations!

National Age Group 2009

As far as I know there will be two players representing Kuantan for the coming National Age Group event 2009 which will start this coming saturday and sunday at Level 2, Pearl Point Shopping Complex, Jalan Kelang Lama.

Nur Sabrina Aliya Asman will play in U-10 Girls event, while her brother, Muhammad Firdaus Afiq Asman will play in U-12 Boys events. Both players are the children of En Asman Amin. He is one of Kelab's AJK, and was once an active chess players years back. Like any other parent, I bet one shall be a happy parent if the children pick up the sports that was once played by the parent.

The children pick up chess back in 2007 when we had our first tournament here in Kuantan. Now they play better than before. And I hope in this National Age Group event, they will learn and experience as much as they can from the "seniors" there! and be the best later on!

All the best!

17.White To Play And Mate In Three Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

16.White To Play And Mate In Four Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

1st DATCC KL commercial & Recreational Chess League

We are looking for Ladies player at whatever age to fill in two spot in the Ladies team for the coming 1st DATCC Kuala Lumpur Commercial & Recreational Chess League that will be held at DATCC kompleks Wilayah in Kuala Lumpur every wednesday beginning 8th April 2008 - 12th August for 19 consecutive weeks!

The League which will have maximum of 10 players but only 4 will be eligible to play each week, will start at 6pm every wednesday with a break in between maghrib prayer. This is a FIDE rated event, with time control of 90 min + 30 sec increment.

This is the first ever league held, with goal to have as much as FIDE rated event as possible in Malaysia. For us ladies, this is the platform to show your best as our Persatuan Catur Wanita will be formed soon to give many benefits to all Ladies out there!

The requirement for Ladies,
1. must be available to play at dates given.
2. commit to the ongoing League (willing to travel)
3. commit to play better chess and contribute to the team

Those interested kindly call :
Team Captain - Pn Roslina Marmono (013-3945690)

15.White To Play And Win

In the position above how can white gain an advantage and lead to victory?
Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

Pictures taken during Simul in KL

Pic on left : Qhaider and Sharif with the Ismail Ahmad
Pic on right : the players battling it all out


Pic left :Sharif taking his reward for winning the simul game
Pic right : Ismail Ahmad is working out a victory here


Pic left : Qhaider and his trainer En Nordin (he is also the trainer for Sharif) with the green shirt
Pic right : Sharif smiles away for the time of his life


Pic left : as you can see in the pic, Fariz Shafruddin is giving support for the simul by taking part too
Pic right : the scene of 10 hours grueling battle of the history in the making!

(**pictures courtesy of En Nordin Mat Yamin.. Thanks Sir!)

14.White To Play And Mate In Four Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

National Age Group 2009

I would personally encourage all juniors U-16 in Kuantan to take part in this two days event!. This annual event is held to pick our best juniors for ASEAN, Asia and world youth event this year!.

I had a very nice memories playing at National Juniors event years ago. The first event was held in 1990, but I only took part since the year 1991. It was a challenging event indeed as the players battle for the spot in the National Junior Squad for the World Juniors and World youth event. During my time, players like Wong Zi Jing, Peter Lim, Mas Hafizul, Ahmad Maliki, Roslina Marmono, Geraldine, Wendy Lai and others (too many to mention, some of them were national players currently).

To all Kuantan Players.. go and took part in this annual event! the only event for juniors!

Tournament : Pearl Point National Age Group Chess Championship 2009
Venue :Level 2 Pearl Point Shopping Mall, 5th Mile, Jalan Kelang Lama Kuala Lumpur
Date : 4th and 5th April 2009
Time control : 45 min + 30 sec increment from move 1 (all moves must be recorded)
Categories : U-8 (Boys and Girls),U-10 (Boys and Girls), U-12 (Boys and Girls), U-14 (Boys and Girls), and U-16 (Boys and Girls).

The fee for the event is RM15 (for U-8/10/12) and RM20 (for U-14/16).

Registration closed on 1st April 2009.

For further info kindly call : Mr Gregory Lau (012-9020123)

(with me, I have extra forms if anyone interested)

Malaysia Book Of Records!

Congratulations to Sarjan Ismail Ahmad! He is now the current holder of Malaysia Book of Records for - THE MOST SIMUL OPPONENTS in the country! playing against 120 players in a grueling hours from 9am until 7.30pm!!!

Wow! wish I could be there.. BUT though i am not present, Kelab Catur Kuantan is proud to be apart of the biggest simul by sending 4 Players there, led by our very own Kelab secretary En Nordin Mat Yamin to Cheras...

A round of applause to all Kuantan Players for bringing home one win and one draw against En Ismail Ahmad! Congratulations to Sharif Zaki all the way from SMK Sungai Soi Kuantan for the victorious win playing until around 6.30pm. Also to Muhammad Qhaider Zulkafli from SM Teknik Kuantan held En Ismail for a draw playing until 5.30pm.

Kudos also to our young Kelab player Muhammad Haris Farhan Mohamed Zubir who actually fought the battle till 5pm! For Kuantan kids, the senario to actually holds such stamina is impressive since that is his first simul ever!

Thanks to En Nordin for the info (well, he fought until the end.. losing the endgame.. hey! not bad.. not bad... for someone who seldom play!) Thanks again for the info!

CONGRATULATIONS to the players and En Ismail Ahmad!

13.White To Play And Mate In Three Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

12.White To Play And Mate In Two Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

11.White To Play And Mate In Three Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

10.White To Play And Mate In Two Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

9.White To Play And Mate In Five Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

8.White To Play And Mate In Two Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

7.White To Play And Win

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

6.White To Play And Mate In Two Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

White To Play And Mate In Two Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

Malaysia Book Of Records Chess Simul

Kelab Catur Kuantan will be sending players to participate at the Chess Simul this thursday. The simul is an attempt to break the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest chess simul in Malaysia. The record is currently held by CM Collin Madhavan which made the record last year.

Here is what taken from Hairulov's blog :

The events will be held this Thursday ( 26th March 2009) in conjunction with the celebration of the National Police Day . Details of the events is as follow:-

The current record is currently held by Collin Madhavan who did it against 101 players last year.The past world record is held by GM Susan Polgar who play against 326 players in 2005 ! For the record , Susan is a women and to be more precise...a chess mom ! However, recently Bulgarian - GM Kiril Georgiev has break the world record by playing against 360 players !

Ismail Ahmad (photo from utusan Online)

According to Sergeant Ismail Ahmad , 115 players have already register to play. The players are from Kelab Catur Kuantan, Wesports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Majlis Sukan Sekolah (MSS) Kedah, MSS Kuala Lumpur, MSS Selangor, MSS Negeri Sembilan, MSS Pahang, Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Jelutong, SK Jenjarom, SK Dato' Abu Bakar Baginda, SMK Dato Razali, SMK Telok Datok, Banting, Sekolah Menengah Agama Persekutuan Kajang, SMK Sains Kuala Selangor, SK Kebun Baharu, Teluk Panglima Garang, SJK (C) Kepong 3, SJK (T) Kajang and SK Taman Seroja.

All the best to all four Kelab players (Shariff Zaki, Muhammad Qhaider, En Nordin, and Muhammad Harris Farhan) under the guidance and effort of their coach En Nordin to take them there, hope we will have winners from the Kelab.

White To Play And Mate In Two Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

White To Play And Mate In Two Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

MSSM 2009

MSSM kick-off from 16-20th March 2009 at Hotel Goldcoast Klang. Selangor is the host this year. All the states taking part will be competing for the medals in both events taking place during MSSM. Individual event - L18 and P18, L15 and P15 and L12 and P12, and Team event with the same under age group as well.

Who will reign the title this year? Well.. for some under age group the winner is as expected, but for some, there was unexpected upsets created! Kelantan Team P12 might be experiencing trouble since they lost to KL today. Last year P15 champ is not leading the competition this year, due to her lost in the second round. Now Vicki Hong is in the lead! L18 also experiencing the same upset where Justing Ong lost to Sumant in the 5th round.

to find out more comments for MSSM click gilocatur's blog

for further info on the result, En Muhammad Arshad from Catur Terengganu is providing us with the result.

MSSM Team L18

MSSM Team P18

MSSM Team L12

MSSM Team P12

MSSM L12

MSSM P12

MSSM P15

MSSM L15

MSSM P18

MSSM L18

White To Play And Mate In Two Moves

Try solve it on your own without using any chess program.It keep us in the right track to improve our game..good luck.

The new way to play! The revolutionary foldable DGT 960 chess clock can easily generate one of the 960 starting positions for the new way to play Chess. The display shows symbols indicating in which position the pieces have to be placed on the board. It brings many chess-lovers back to the chessboard. The aspect of having a lead through knowledge of theory about chess opening moves sequences makes way for creative thinking.

Get the chess clock that does it all! DGT 960 gives you everything you need to time tournament and speed chess—and many other board games—with electronic accuracy. What’s more, DGT’s latest is the first clock to automatically generate 960 (Fischer Random Chess) starting positions with the touch of a button! This idea of former World champion Bobby Fischer, who recently passed away, has been the most important improvement in chess since 500 years. This chess clock is a gadget that every chess player would wish to have.

DGT 960 is also the first folding chess clock. It’s packed with technology, but slips into your shirt pocket with room to spare! Yet it opens to give you a big, clear display! Single-time-control clock, packed with features!

Features:

• Easy to operate
• 960-chess generator
• 1-button game restart
• Game Timer: Count Down or Count Up for any board game (Chess, Checkers, Draughts, Go, Scrabble®,etc.)
• Up to 9 hrs 59 minutes for entire game
• Permits time odds
• Move Timer
• Programmed time for every move separately (Rummikub, Scrabble ®—even offers different move time for each player for handicapping)
• Saves last control used

Specifications:

• 2 years of operation on one button CR2032-3V battery
• Folded measurements: 5½" long, 2 5⁄8" wide and 1" high!
• Display measurements: 4¾" x 1"

White To Play And Mate In Two Moves

During KL Open, I get the chance to meet with GM Dao Thien Hai and ask him few questions like how his training like.. Therefore, as a result of that, once in a while, we will be uploading to the fans out there chess puzzles for you to solve. The more you do puzzle and memorize them, it will be easier when you faced the same situation during tournaments.



We can discuss the move and answer in the shoutbox..

Good Luck!

Chess In Sinar Harian 25th Feb 2009

Correction : the winner for best school team U-20 is Sek Men Abdul Rahman Talib (SMART), not SMK Sultan Abu Bakar as mentioned in the news. Apology to the team.

Add info : Best Board 4 was won by Nor Azri Malek from team TITAN, which was accidentally left out in the news ( i have given all the info for the reporter but somehow, most of the names were left out, my apology to all)


This wasn't the right picture during the event, this picture was the one taken last year (wonder why the right picture wasn't in the news)

Attention!

I think I need to make a statement here.

This blog is named Kelab Catur Setia Kuantan, is because it carries a lot of sweet memories for me with my siblings. I love the moments that I had with them, coz they are the true reason why I was national player, a former national champion. My siblings are the backbone for each of my successes in whatever that i am in with.

I like to write in my spare time, so I decided to have a blog of my own and Kelab Setia has always been in mind. Naming our team SETIA, We have won and conquered all local tournaments here in Kuantan. The trophys of Champions of Team tourneys, Pahang Closed Champions, Best Boards, etc, you named it, we had it all. But what i remember most is when we sticked up together and fight for a place in each tourney. We never get any automatic spot when it comes to play for Malaysia or to play for Pahang. We took part in any selection tournament ever held here.

Currently I am using this blog as an official site for Kelab Catur Kuantan, coz after all I am the one that is active blogging for the fans here. In future, Persatuan Catur Kuantan will have a site on its own. But right now, lets juz used this as a medium.

So, I do hope no more confusion regarding Kelab Catur Kuantan and Kelab Catur Setia Kuantan, as both are different, in name and its purposes.

Pictures of Kuantan Team Open

KCC is the tournament leader until round 5 where they meet Setia Chess Kuantan. Setia trashed these local fav 3-0 with NM Kamal leading the pack.
Pic on the right - is the promising youngsters team TEMPO fought hard against the well known veterans - TARIAN UNGGAS lead by Pakcik Shukor from Temerloh. I still remember this team way back in the late 80s where they won in style during the Kuantan Team Closed chess championship back then.


Team PAWN STONE vs MMU - both team put their best players on the board, the tournament regular Abd Khalid Musa against an Iranian player Hamid Reza - MMU student.
Pic on the right - as you can see on left is Pakcik Majid one of Kelab Catur Kuantan's AJK. He used to play under the flag of Polis Hutan (now no longer existed coz no more communist to fight) during the Kuantan Team Closed in the late 80s and early 90s. Now he is an active trainer for the Sungai Isap community.


3 trio of siblings - the daughters of our AJK, Cikgu Fakri. One of them qualify to MSSM this year.
Pic on the right - is the promising girls, one of them if continously play may become the next National Player.


The scene from the back. These kids played their best through out the rounds, ages ranging as young as 7 years old. These are the next generation of chess in Kuantan.
Pic on the right - on the left is BIZWORLD the first board player is Suwardi Andri Sidek a former Pahang state player, used to play chess in the same time as I am. A very talented player indeed but unfortunately seldom play in outside event. His team was up against SMART, comprising of kids ranging age of 13-14 years old that i bet next year will dominate the U-15 MSSD event.


On the right is UMP player - NM Zarul Shazwan leading the team. NM Zarul fought well to deserve the best board prize with 7/7 and 100 % performance.
Pic on the right - the total 60 teams took part for 1st Kuantan Open Team 2009.


The helpers that voluntarily helping. Thanks so much!

Kuantan Blitz Open 2009

After the Team event, while waiting for the result we had our Blitz Open at the same place. Many seems to be excited as this was our first Blitz ever had. 74 players participated in Blitz.. many wanted to join but we had to close the registration at 11.30. With such a huge support from the fans, our next Blitz will be a format same like the Malaysian Open Blitz that I took part last August.

The favourite for the Blitz is of course NM Zarul Shazwan, as he is a frequent player that plays a lot of this games in KL. While others were juz a regular player. Our local favourite to win the Blitz as he once beat NM Zarul during the friendly match held late last year is Sulaiman Johari, but he too failed to stop NM Zarul from clinching the Blitz Champion title this time around.

The champion goes to NM Zarul Shazwan, Second goes to NM Kamal Arifin and third goes to Sulaiman Johari. I was surprised to see NM Kamal on the second spot, coz i know he is not a Blitz player, his style of play suited for a longer time control, but in a Blitz who would've thought the outcome.

Result 1st Kuantan Open Team 2009

Finally... the result is out! Sorry to fans out there that have been waiting for the result for days now.

Honestly when we had our Kelab Catur Kuantan meeting to form Persatuan Catur Kuantan, we had our discussion to have our first event for the year. The team event has always been in our mind as it was last held in Kuantan in the year 1995 ( I think!). So, I bet not many youngsters out there actually knows how to play in a team. As it has been our motto at the Kelab to have different event in a year. We may have Rapid event, Team event, Blitz event, or perhaps Classical event.

Our first task when we choose Team event is to identify the limit of team to participate. And since the chess sets and clocks is limited to us (as we had to borrow some from Malaysian Chess Federation - Thanks a lot Greg for the sets), so we decided that only 60 teams on a first come first serve basis were allowed to participate. As the closing date approach in, many and many teams registered to play, and to my surprise it is our pride to announce that we had reached our target of 60 TEAMS!!!

The Kelab main objective is to do an open event but the prizes will be given by category, we feel this is the best way the ensure that the senior players can share their experiences with the juniors and show them the right way to play chess (this was how I became National Player, I learned from the experienced player while playing against them). Lucky for us, many understood this (though I noticed few disagree).

There are still a huge gap between the seniors and the juniors, but I do see the a little change this year. I am happy to see that many of the youngsters that play on that day, play better chess than the year before. If more and more tournaments were to be held in Kuantan, more and more talented players will arise. Well, that is what we believed in and it is our goal to have more quality games.

My sincere thank you as a tournament director to NM Zarul Syazwan, NM Kamal Arifin, NWM Nurul Huda, Mohd Khair, Kamal Azmi, Sulaiman Johari, Abdul Khalid Musa, Ali Akbar, Suwardi Andri, Suwardi Aris, Hamidi Taib, Abdul Majid, Shukor Mustafa, Asman Amin and many more that participate in the tournament and share your widest experiences in chess with the juniors. Thank you!

Thank you to the players that came all the way to the tournament, the team from Temerloh led by Norazri Malek and Pakcik Shukor, the team from Rompin led by Cikgu Zamri and cikgu Muhamad Deraman, the team from UMP led by NM Zarul, team from MMU led by Kumaraguru, team from MRSM Muadzam, Pekan, Kuantan and etc.. Thank you!

Also a deepest appreciation to my students and the parents that has helped me through out the tournament, Puan Aida, Puan Sathia, Bazli, Danish, Cikgu Fakri, Susanti, Hanis, Haris, Aslam, Hisham, cikgu Rohani and the helpers of SMK Sungai Soi. Thank you for all the support, that made my life a sunshine all the way for the two days! My appreciation also goes to my siblings, the sponsors and last but not least TO ALL THE PLAYERS, THE PARENTS, THE FANS for supporting the event, "tanpa anda siapalah kami"!

We shall meet again in May!

1st Kuantan Team Open 2009

The 1st Kuantan Team Open 2009, will start this weekend, so guys, what are you waiting for.. register now!

There are lots of prizes to be won we have :
1. Best School Team U-20
2. Best School Team U-12
3. Best Mixed Junior Team (U-20)
4. Best Family Team
5. Best Government Team
6. Best Ladies Team

Also...
the TOP 5 prizes for the OPEN section!!

The Champion will be crowned the 1st Kuantan Team Open 2009 winner and will received cash prize of RM500.00.

On Sunday (15/2/09) while waiting for the closing, we will be having Kuantan Blitz Open in which the champ will carry home RM200.00! The entry fee for blitz is RM10 for non-member and RM5 for member of Kelab Catur Kuantan.

Hurry now and register!

Kuantan Rapid Open Team 2009

Kelab Catur Kuantan is proud to announce our first tournament of the year

Name : 1st Kuantan Rapid Open Team 2009
Venue : SMK Sungai Soi Kuantan (if you know how to get to Pantai Sepat from
Tanjung Lumpur bridge then you are near to SMK Sungai Soi).
Date : 14 - 15 February 2009

If you noticed the date on saturday is actually a school day dont worry, we are working out with PPD kuantan for letters of approval for you to participate in the tournament.

This is a team event which consist of 3 players or 3 players + 1 reserve. The time control is 30 mins per game. Attractive prizes for best school team, best government team, best family team and best ladies team are up for grabs!

Register now before the closing date : 12 feb 2009!

Inquiries : call En Nordin 012-9017143 or Cik Khairunnisa' 019-9699879

Come and join us now!

****there will also be a Kuantan Blitz Open on Sunday, 15 feb 2009. This is open to all players either they participate in the team event or not. This exciting Blitz is a 5 min game. The registration in open on saturday 14 feb 2009 at SMK Sungai Soi****

MSSD Kuantan 2009

Since MSSM 2009 start in March..therefore the organising of MSSD Kuantan was like a haste, and I believe the other district also were having the difficulty too. Not many students seen this year compared to last year. One of the school that I asked informed me that they didnt receive letters of MSSD, and therefore no students from the school participated.

Hmm.. what do I say about this.. well.. we are missing a new star that is what it is! we will never know perhaps that school has a star and we failed to get that and make it shine. To be honest if anyone spot my talent early, I will be playing in MSSM in under 12 category! but i have heard of MSSD only in my secondary schooling years!

Though not many participated in the MSSD but the players gave it all out, and the teachers were doing all the best! Kudos to all the teachers - the host SK Mat Kilau, cikgu Saizi. PT Kuantan - Cikgu Norinah, and others that too many to mention in this blog including the teachers that accompany the players to MSSD. (sorry, this mamarazzi forgot to bring her camera that day, as I am too busy with my job had to be in KL for work and could only catch one round of MSSD).

Maybe next year if they can plan better and prepare, as they already know the schedule has already changed this year. And hope next year the play off can be made to decide who actually deserve the spot to represent Kuantan in MSSPahang. Coz, I have seen this year that the matchpoint of the top 5 or top 6 players are the same but due to the tie breaks only top 4 were chosen to represent Kuantan. A bit unfair coz, I have seen that the deserving players with better play can actually make it for MSSM if they get the chance to compete in MSSP. But I am fully understood the reason why the play off cant be done this year. As an organiser myself I know it is a tough job juggling 2 things at one time!

I dont have the list with me, but the players that will play for Kuantan this year in MSSPahang that will be held in Cameron Highlands on Feb 4-7, GOOD LUCK!

All the best guys!!

Here Comes The New Year

I guess it is not too late to say Happy New Year!

We are in the year 2009.. and once again new year comes with a new resolution. And what is my resolution? My wishes of having 4 tourneys this year in Kuantan will come true! Adding more new students to my list, and introduce a better chess to them and hopefully from the tourneys and the coaching more and more talented players from Kuantan will arise..

And maybe juz maybe that one day we can see the Kuantan players will contribute to quality chess playing in Malaysia.. who knows!

Now what have we install this year!

According to MCF chess calendar, this year MSSM will kick off on 14-20 March in selangor. And that is the earliest chess activities (other than the rapid tourney that has been going on starting as early week of January this year).

And yes, dont forget the National Age Group that will start in April 3-5 in Kuala Lumpur. Last year the venue was at Grand Olimpic Hotel in Jalan Hang Jebat in KL (I was one of the arbiters.. Err.. by any chance I am selected again this year :-)) Selection to play for Malaysia will be based on this tourney as it is the under age tourney for categories like U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16 the tourney for U-20 which is the national Junior Chess Championship which grants the champion the title of National Junior Master (NJM) will start in Dec 6-10 this year (last year winner was Tariq Amru and Nur Nabila). The good thing about this tourney is that these winners will get the chance to represent Malaysia not just in the World Youth but also in the ASEAN and ASIAN events! Great huh!

Wonder what is my first tourney this year (if I could finished my work before the event start) will be the Royal Selangor Open on April 29- May 3. It is a FIDE rated tourney. One way to get your FIDE ratings is to play in this tourney. And for those with FIDE ratings this is the way to increase your ratings and get a cheaper entry fee if you want to play in Malaysian Open this year :-)).

Our annual National Closed (also FIDE rated tourney) will start in June 3-7. Who will be the new NM or NWM this year will be decided in June 2009!

From the events above I do hope more and more Kuantan players will play in the tourneys, as playing outside of Kuantan does improves their game when they faced local players in local tourney here.

All the best to the players, and may 2009 will bring lots and lots of improvements to everyone!