A Chess Meeting with Dato' Tan at DATCC - 17/01/10

I received an email from En Hamid regarding the chess meeting this Sunday. It is an effort of a brainstorming session from Dato' Tan Chin Nam - the honorary life Presiden of MCF, in which to me he contribution towards chess in Malaysia in HUGE (to the amount that we are grateful of)!

I am very much interested to attend the meeting, as I too want to share my point of view from the chess in my area - Kuantan, and what kind of support that I can find the from the meeting. I too would like to listen what Dato' Tan have in store for all the chess fans, or any comments, views that the bloggers and the rest of chess enthusiasts wish to put on the table!

But I am torn between going there and the pile of work on my table that i am supposed to finish by this weekend before the meeting with the IT expert from KL to be schedule for the rest of the week beginning next week... Which one comes first? Can I do both - going and completing my job? (sounds very much impossible..)

:-((

Malaysian Women Master 2010 - Latest Updates!

Late in publish this.. Juz found out about this on last friday.. the format of MWM 2010 has been changed. Instead of having a 8 players round robin event, the format has now changed to the 16 players and a knock-out round! The organiser would want to the event similar to world chess championship knock-out round... Probably the search for top 4 to Siberia 2010 will be done thoroughly from this system (probably)..

Anyway as the players will be selected based on MCF tournaments which are :
1. Top 4 finishers from the National Closed Women Chess Championship 2009
2. Top 2 finishers from the National Junior Chess Championship 2009

And players from the FIDE list and the MCF National Rating :
3. Top 4 players from the top 20 Women Players in Malaysia based on FIDE Rating list (going down the list in a sequential order)
4. Top 4 players from the top 20 Women Players in Malaysia based on the National Rating list (going down the list in a sequential order)

Also players selected as the MCF President's choice :
2 Players nominated by MCF President and approved by the council

I wonder who the top 16 players would be, but I bet the top 4 from the National Closed event NWM Tan Li Ting, Renitha, NWM Alia, and Winnie Hong - most definitely will take part. Also I think the players from top 2 from the recent National Juniors (W) 2009 - WFM Nur Najiha and Amira Syamina - will take part too. Perhaps the rest (players), will be decided later once the selected players received and and accepted the offer made by the MCF.

All the best to players!

No More Chess In MSSM?!?!

Why I put that a question mark? hmmm.... rumours had been spread throughout the town (the news were reported here and here too and other blogs as well) that chess is no longer included in MSSM!!! ( I think the news is confirmed) the first time I heard about it, I was in shocked! I dont know how to break the news (in this blog and to my students) because I was so affected by it. In my mind, there are so many questions that pop up all of the sudden... Had there be any negotiations? had there been any talks?

I was like "come on!"... Why of all the sports, chess was one of it? At time where we had so many chess enthusiasts, and more and more blogger came forward spreading news about local chess scene that bloom like mushroom all over Malaysia (we saw more states came into action in organising chess tournaments). We even had Rapid chess on almost every weekend of the month! And more FIDE rated event coming into our local chess too! We had parents too that contributed so much to chess by financing their kids to play abroad! And we do had so many talented chess players that were first noticed through MSSM! Why on earth now when Chess is recognised and included in the SEA games and the ASIAN games! not to mention in the PARA games as well! (and we won golds too!). I wonder how the selection for Asean School chess will be held if the players werent selected from MSSM?

I was thinking writing further about this and send it to one of the newspaper in Malaysia.. I dont know if it will help much, but that is the least I could do..

Currently, I am searching for the my past MSSM years booklet. I cant write much about the current MSSM situation coz I wasnt there at the time, but I most definitely going to write about my years during MSSM and how the life of us were change because of MSSM. Because for a person like me who cant compete in other sports, chess is the best choice for co-curriculum activity!

Malaysian Women Master 2010 - The Updates!

Juz received confirmation on this event.

There will be 8 players selected for this event, and so far only 6 players verbally confirmed their participation. The players selected are :

1. NWM Roslina Marmono - (Top 4 in FIDE list)
2. NWM Alia Anin Azwa Bakri - (National Champion 2008 / Top 4 FIDE list)
3. NWM Tan Li Ting - (National Champion 2009)
4. Renitha Narayanan - (Top 2 National Closed 2009)
5. WFM Nur Najiha Azman Hisham - (National Junior Champ 2009)
6. WCM Nur Nabila Azman Hisham - (National Junior Champ 2008)

Other 2 players still havent made any confirmation yet, and one of them is from the President's choice. It is going to be a round robin event.

Date of the event will be on 26th Feb 2010 - 28th Feb 2010 and will continue on the 6th March 2010 - 7th March 2010 (the final date confirmation will be announced later by MCF).

Venue for the event will be held at the DATCC Chess Centre in Kompleks Wilayah, Kuala Lumpur.

Important notes : TOP 4 FROM THIS TOURNAMENT WILL BE USED AS A CRITERIA FOR SELECTION TO OLIMPIAD 2010 that will be held in Khanty-Mansiyk.

Mag-nificent Magnus!

The news of Magnus Carlsen being the youngest player to have the achieved the World No 1 in FIDE ratings has been in many blogs. But I still want to write this anyway... :-)) It juz so happened that I like the article so much that I insist to tell the story.

When Magnus mentioned in the interview here about he and his intuition - "I'm good at sensing the nature of the position and where I should put my pieces. You have to choose the move that feels right sometimes; that's what intuition is. It's very hard to explain." My brother Kamal used to mention about this "intuition" thing a couple of years ago, he says how important to try and develop the intuition skill. He was trying hard to make me understand.. kinda like Magnus - hard to explain. I think my conclusion overall, is how far your logic calculation goes (I think) during play.

Also the interview here about what he thinks about computer - "It's more an analytical tool," Carlsen said "Playing against the computer regularly would mean that I would lose more often than I won and I don't think that would be very helpful for my confidence." I seldom advise my students to play against Fritz as your opponent, but I always advise them to use them as a tool. Hope this article will explain to them the importance of using it as a tool.

In this interview here ,I like the fact that he still continue his studies / his schooling years and at the same time took part in many major events. It is not an easy life to juggle chess and study at the same time.. (but somehow, Magnus done it!)

When I asked Dao Thien Hai about his opinion whether we can have a GM or not, he said, for one to become a GM he must be a professional player (meaning quit school and do chess full time). I kinda disagree when he said that, coz I still think education is important, at least SPM is a must for all! look at Nicol David, she scores good SPM results then only she continue her passion for squash professionally and look at her now (on top of the world)!

So, for those who wish to go for titles, juz dont stop at the point where you cant have the dream come true. But instead be bold and strive harder! The dreams maybe granted years later, but at least you hold on to the dream. To be exact IM Mok proves that age 40s never stops him to get his IM title (though it took him 10 years to get that.. Bravo Mok!)

p/s - I never stop hoping for the 1st Malaysian GM!

MCF's Chess Calendar 2010

Here is the new 2010 chess calendar as announced by the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF). Looking at the schedule, MCF event will start with the Malaysia - Singapore Match! Based on the previous incidence couple of years back, the format of the match will be slightly differ. In either way, I am still waiting for MCF to confirm this, and the list of players taking part.

Then we have the Malaysian Women Master too! I am still waiting for the confirmation to announce in this blog.

The annual event that kids have been waiting for - the National Age Group 2010! This Penang Chess Association (PCA) will organised the event. So, to all parents out there, take note the tourney will be held at Dewan Sri Pinang from March 14 - 16! I do hope the categories contended will included the U-18 category too, coz I noticed that we have players playing in the World Youth in U-18 category but is selected based from other tournaments not from the NAG. I think it is fair for those school leavers that wish to try their luck.

As many knows, MSSM for chess will no longer be around (wonder for how long will it be this time, coz if I am not mistaken parents still pays for MSSM fee as part of the school fee), therefore you can see in the calendar there will be a tourney called National Scholastic Age Group. I am still puzzle whether is this an open event or the players selected from the MSSD or MSS from states? Hope MCF will clarify on this matter. But I am hoping (crossing my fingers) for chess to be in MSSM for more years to come!

For those who wish to compete in the National Closed 2010, the event will start from June 16-20. After all the rush in auditing and the installation of the new system, June is the month that I am actually free and available to play. Hope I can make it to this year National Closed!

In the calendar the Malaysian Chess Festival this year will be in the month of Ramadhan! I think the last of the Malaysian Open will be on the 29th Ramadhan.. hmm... I am not sure that I like this date.. coz, those are the crucial time where the preparation for Raya is held! I didnt take part last year, so, I was hoping that I can play this year!

For this year, the international highlights or events for the Malaysian chess fans will be the Asian Games Guangzhao where chess will be one of the sports contended and the Siberia 2010, where Chess Olimpiad will be staged once in every two years! (for chess.. there will be more than 100 countries taking part!)

Happy New Year 2010!

Ucapan Selamat Tahun Baru 2010 buat semua peminat catur seluruh tanahair! Dengan azam di tahun baru ini, "mudah-mudahan kita semua berjaya mengharungi pelbagai cabaran dalam dunia catur yang bakal mendatang di tahun 2010 nanti!"

Malaysian Women Master 2010?

Heard this news.. there will be Malaysian Women Master 2010?! hope... this is true coz it sure is a good news to all Women players!

The likes of WIM Siti Zulaikha Foudzi, WCM Nurshazwani Zulkafli, NWM Roslina Marmono.. sure sounds too good to be true to see them in action again. Cant wait to watch these players compete against the younger players like WCM Nur Nabila Azman Hisham, WFM Nur Najihah, NWM Tan Li Ting, Renitha Narayanan.... etc... (juz mention few names)

Hope I could be there too.. But I dont think I am strong enough to play. Most probably ended up losing all games.. hahaha.. but in either way, I am so excited if the the Masters Event happened! At least this year we have the woman team for Siberia 2010 Olimpiad! (Our women missed the Dresden 2008).. I dont really bother / care much if the team is formed from our young players. To me, if the shoe fits and they deserve the spot to represent Malaysia, then they earned my support in their journey Siberia 2010!

Chess In SEA games 2011

Chess is in the SEA games again!!!! great huh?!

Chess was one of the sports contended in Sea games held at Singapore,Vietnam, Philippines until Thailand list it out from the games, and Laos too this year.. but Indonesia in 2011 wants the game in! why wont them, Indonesia had the potential in the golds contended with her strong GM Susanto Megaranto and WGM Irene Sukandar. Other countries are please with the news and I bet preparations will be held in the countries to select the best players to represent the countries... In Sea games chess history, the best Malaysia could have are Bronze medal from Siti Zulaikha and from the Malaysian Team.

Which lead me to the question, who shall it be for Malaysia? I hope the selection of the players will be done in full integrity and the players picked are the best in its field. The categories that most definitely will be in are the Classical Chess, Rapid Chess and Blitz. I knew some players are good in Classical but not necessarily good in Blitz, so I do hope players were chosen wisely.

Chess will also be contended in Asian Games in Guangzhao 2010 too! the first in Doha Qatar 2006, we didnt send any players, juz hope next year the sports comittee will say it otherwise! With the coming of a new national chess coach in Malaysia, hope that investment will produce future champion in chess!

2009 Malaysian Interstate Chess Championship

A tournament held at Sibu, Sarawak which starts today until Dec 27. It is a team tournament. There are 10 teams taking part, and you can find the list at Hairulov's blog. I juz want to announce that Pahang is not one of the teams taking part, unfortunately.

But I wish to thank Mr Lim Kian Hwa for the invitation. It was a great offer for a free board and lodging throughout the tournaments which was the last time I had the opportunity was during the Merdeka Team held years ago! It was a generous offer from the organiser. And besides how many team event that we actually had to regard the best state in Malaysia? I was thrilled at first and was hoping that Pahang could send a team, but sadly that Pahang cant send any team... (too bad). Hopefully next year we can a team and participate in any event that gives us the quota to send players.. All the best to the players!

Malaysian Master 2009

The Malaysian Master 2009 had juz ended last week. The finals are between FM Nicholas Chan and IM Mas Hafizulhilmi. There are 6 rounds to be played in the finals but IM Mas won the first 2 rounds, and drew round 3 and won the round 4, therefore the Master 2009 was him!! and because of that, I think he is best suited to be known as the Malaysian's Best 2009! after all he is currently ranked 1 in the Malaysia FIDE rating list.

The journey through the finals was a real tough! only the selected best from the hundreds of Malaysian were picked to play. Top 4 from the FIDE list, Top 2 from National Closed 2009, NJM 2008 and one MCF choice. The first quarter finals saw IM Mas was paired to play against NJM 2008 - Tariq Amru. IM Mas won the game and proceed to the Semi-finals. The second quarter finals are between FM Ooi Chern Ee and FM Mok Tze Meng. Where the latter won the event and proceed to Semis too. The third quarter - IM Lim Yee Weng vs NM Edward Lee. Yee Weng won the match. And the 4th quarter finals - FM Nicholas Chan vs NM Evan Timothy Capel.

There was a prediction made by IM Jimmy Liew that the one who won the semis against FM Mok will be the one that will win the Master event! All of us was anxiously watching and waiting for the results of the game for the 1st semis between IM Mas vs FM Mok. A hard fought game between them but IM Mas prove to be the at his best. Later on FM Nicholas joined him in the finals when he won against IM Yee Weng in the semis.

Many blogger made the highlights toward the event (which is good news to us chess players), but let me list you the one blog that I often click to find out about the result. Here

Congratulations to IM Mas Hafizulhilmi and may his quest for the GM title inspire us all in moving forward too!

National Junior Chess Championship 2009

The National Junior Chess Championship and the National Junior (W) Chess Championship 2009 (the event that held annually beginning 2008), has ended last Sunday with this year title goes to NJM Yeap Eng Chiam from Kuala Lumpur the newly crowned NJWM is Nur Najiha Azman Hisham.

I was there last Sunday, juz to get out of hectic working schedule and take a break (those who saw me with the pimples on my face severely would understand how stressful I am lately), where would be best for me to take a break, even if it juz for one day (phew!)

There was a tie for the champion title in the open section between Yeap, Sumant, Evan and Justin. But the play-offs that held afterward (I heard it was a rapid event) decides that Yeap is the title holder!. And it looks like NM Evan who was in May won the NM title because of the play-offs wasnt lucky enough to get the NJM title in the same year (or else history is created!).

In the Girls section, WFM Nur Najiha takes the challenge trophy home and it has stayed in the family ground for 2 consecutive years now! the first time the championship was held last year, the winner goes to her elder sister WCM Nur Nabila. It sure does makes my second cousin Kak Zaza (her mom) proud! (I can tell from the looks in her face when Najiha together with Amira Syamina and Latifah Kaiyisah were in the same points after the last round, waiting for the results from the arbiter either it is a confirm that Najiha won becoz she won against those two or it is a play-offs like the open section).

More news on this you can visit Gilocatur at here. He was there supporting his children playing.

The four kids from Kuantan manage to get a good score too (at least from my point of view). Kuhan and Khirranya Ganesan - both got 3 points from 9 rounds. That is the minimum score that I told them to get (at least). This is their first tournament in a major event like this, all feelings are there, but overall they were all excited to continue their journey in tomorrow's Jax Tham rapid event and next year National Age Group 2009! Another 2 kids Muhd Firdaus Afiq Asman (5 points) and Nur Sabrina Aliya Asman (4.5 points). Sabrina create a lot of stir on her opponents when she drew her first round against Camilia Johari (National Junior Squad) and when she won against the Perakian Nur Munirah Mat Rahim (if I am not mistaken she was the MSSM U-18 champ).

Congratulations to all of them! I thank their parents for taking them to the tournament, and hope others make take the same step too, and may the hopes of the next National Player will hail from Kuantan soon! (insyaAllah)

Regarding chess tournament in Kuantan

From the shoutbox and sms that I received, I know the chess fans in Kuantan is craving for at least one tourney at this year end. I wish the same thing too. But things are out of my hands. I can do the paperworks, the submission to find sponsors but to finally get someone to finance a chess events is totally frustrating. However, few local chess friends did have a small league here in Kuantan (I wasnt the organiser nor the player), I was there witnessing the event and renting our chess sets for the mini tourney.

I thought that the tourney juz ended there, but who knows those few friends that organise and sponsor the mini tournament decided to have another event! Currently they are working to get the major sponsors. To me, it doesnt matter whether the tourney is organise by Kelab Catur Kuantan or Persatuan Catur Kuantan or any interested individual as long as there is tourney in Kuantan and it follows FIDE rules and regulations!

As I mentioned so many times, I am quite busy in my working schedule, not juz me infact most of our AJK at Persatuan Catur Kuantan as well as AJK at Kelab Catur Kuantan are often occupied with works. Therefore we need volunteers from anyone out there to join the Kelab or Persatuan and become the AJK. Your ideas and effort can help expand the Kelab's and Persatuan's activities!

When everyone is counting on me alone, I feel sad and frustrated when I cant deliver. To not having any chess tourney this year also makes me feel terrible. And I wish I could have done more.... My sincere apology regarding this matter...

National Junior (U-20) Chess Championship 2009

Dont have the time to post this earlier, but those potential players of Kelab Catur Kuantan members were well informed about this tournament. Kuantan will be represented with 4 kids ranging from the age of 10 to 14 years old (so far that I know of). Hopefully in the future, if anyone from Kuantan interested to participate in this MCF event, they can juz let me do the submission.

For todays news, here are the list of players for National Junior Chess Championship beginning on the 16th - 20th Dec 2009 at Jalan Cochrane, Kuala Lumpur. I wish all the Kuantan players the best! (with the best play!)

THE 2ND NATIONAL JUNIOR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2009

BOYS CATEGORY

NAMES AGE

1. EVAN TIMOTHY CAPEL (15)

2. KEOK KAI EN (15)

3. MUHAMMAD HAZIM B. MOHAMAD (16)

4. SHAUN QUAKE ZHUN ZIAN (19)

5. MOHAMED SHABYYL B. MOHAMED AJMAL (16)

6. JOSHUA LIM WEN KWANG (15)

7. KABIR SINGH (9)

8. ROSHAN SINGH (12)

9. LUM ZHUN HOONG (19)

10. MUHAMAD ALFIRDAUS BIN MD NAZIR (20)

11. KUHAN A/L B.GANESAN (11)

12. AMIRUL RAHIMI B. SHAMSUDDIN (17)

13. NIKK B. JOHARI LOW (13)

14. NEO XUE WEN (9)

15. NEO XUE ERN (7)

16. NEO XUE WEI (13)

17. LUCAS MATTHEW DUTTON (12)

18. MARK SIEW KIT – TZE (16)

19. AMIER HAMZAH B. MOHD ZUHRI (8)

20. MUHAMMAD IRFAN RENDRAWAN B. MUHAMMAD NAJIB (12)

21. MUHAMMAD IHSAN SYAHIRAN B. MUHAMMAD NAJIB (10)

22. SEE KAI JUN (15)

23. SEE KAI LOONG (17)

24. ARIF B. MOHD. JAMIL (11)

25. AFIQ B. MOHD. JAMIL (9)

26. YAP QIAN ZHENG , JONATHAN (20)

27. SUNIL A/L KALIVANAN (14)

28. LEE KUANG WEI , DOMINIC (12)

29. MOHD FAIZAL B. ROSLAN (11)

30. FIKRI B. SALEH (13)

31. NG HAN LOONG (16)

32. ARON TEH EU WEN (11)

33. MUHAMMAD FARIS B. AMINUDDIN (15)

34. AHMAD AFIQ AFYFY B. ROSLI (17)

35. DANISH HAMZAH AL – HADI (8)

36. AZARUL AZMIE B. AHMAD ZAINNIE (19)

37. SUMANT A/L SUBRAMANIAM (16)

38. SHREYES A/L SUBRAMANIAM (11)

BOYS CATEGORY

NAMES AGE

39. ETHAN WONG HSIEN AUN (10)

40. VINTON WONG HSIEN LOONG (13)

41. MUHD SYAKIR SHAZMEER B. AZHAR (15)

42. MUHD IRFAN HAQQIM B. AZHAR (12)

43. MUHD ARIFFUDDIN B. JUNAIDI (16)

44. MUHD HAFIDZUDDIN B. JUNAIDI (10)

45. JUSTIN ONG – WAY (17)

46. LOW HONG JIN (13)

47. MAX WONG ZI QUAN (8)

48. MUHD NABIL B. AZMAN HISHAM (15)

49. LOW JUN JIAN (15)

50. LOW JUN KEAT

51. WONG JIANWEN (14)

52. NOOR HISHAM B. AHAYAT (12)

53. NIK MUHD. HAZIQ NAJMUDDIN (9)

54. AHMAD HAFIZA B. YUSOFF (15)

55. MOHD SYAZWAN B. MOHD ZIN (16)

56. FADHIL AIMAN B. ZAKARIA (14)

57. MUHAMMAD FAISAL B. ROSLAN (16)

58. MUHD KHAIRUL B.NASRIN (16)

59. MOHD MUHAIMIN B. MOHD TARIZI (14)

60. CHONG YAN MENG (13)

61. TAN SOON KEAT (13)

62. TAN SOON WEI (10)

63. AHMAD FIRDAUS B. MOHAMAD RODZI (19)

64. NOOR MUHAMMAD AZLAN SHAH B. ATAN (20)

65. YEAP ENG CHIAM (14)

66. YAT GUO JIE (15)

67. NG JEN SHENG (8)

68. MUHAMMAD ZIKRI B. MAT ZAKI (14)

69. TAN JUN FENG (13)

70. AIMAN KAMAL FAKRULLAH B. LATIB (10)

71. LOON MUN CHUN ` (17)

72. MUHAMMAD IZZ SAIFUDDIN (16)

73. MUHAMMAD SIRAJUDDIN MUNAWWIR (10)

74. MUHAMMAD NURISLAM B.YAHYA (14)

75. MUHAMMAD NURIHSAN B. YAHYA (10)

76. MUHAMMAD NURIMAN B.YAHYA (12)

77. NUR NABILA BT. AZMAN HISHAM * (12)

78. MUHAMMAD NAJWAN B. AZMAN HISHAM (8)

79. MUHAMAD FIRDAUS AFIQ B. ASMAN

THE 2ND NATIONAL JUNIOR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2009

GIRLS CATEGORY

NAMES AGE

1. NUR FAQIHAH BT. AMINUDDIN (9)

2. SARIKA A/P SUBRAMANIAM (14)

3. PUTERI RIFQAH FAHADA BT. AZHAR (9)

4. PUTERI MUNAJJAH AZ-ZAHRAA BT. AZHAR (8)

5. NABILATUL NADIA BT.JUNAIDI (13)

6. NURUL FARHANUM BT.MD RAIS (12)

7. GOH XIN YEN (13)

8. NUR FARIHAH BT. AMINUDDIN (14)

9. NAZARIENE YUVON A/P SIMON (12)

10. ANIS FARIHA BT. SALEH (11)

11. WINNIE HONG WEE NI (15)

12. VICKIE HONG WEE KI (14)

13. CHONG SUE SIN (17)

14. KHIRRANYA A/P B.GANESAN (14)

15. CAMILIA BT. JOHARI (11)

16. SITI AISYAH BT. SABIRIN (11)

17. SITI KHADIJAH BT. SABIRIN (9)

18. SITI NORASIKIN BT. MAHMUD (15)

19. NURUL BT. ABDULLAH (15)

20. NIK NUR NAJMINA (12)

21. FATIH NOR SAHARIAH (11)

22. SITI NUR AFIQAH (12)

23. JOYCE TAN SUE LEE (12)

24. PAVITRANAYAGI A/P JAYAMURTHEY (13)

25. NUR NAJIHAH BT. AZMAN HISHAM (10)

26. LATIFAH KAIYISAH BT LATIB (15)

27. LATIFAH SYAMIMI BT. LATIB (17)

28. AINUR NADIRAH BT. ZULKIFLI (11)

29. FATHIN SAKINAH BT. MOHD RADZI (13)

30. NUR MUNIRAH BT. MAT RAHIM (17)

31. FATIN NUR NADHIRAH BT. MAT RAHIM (15)

32. JANET CHAN CHOOI PO (17)

33. PUTRI NURFARIZA BT. AHMAD DARJI (17)

34. AMIRA SHAHMINA BT. ZULLKAFLI (14)

35. FAIRUZ HAMIZAH BT. AHMAD FUAD (12)

36. NURISLAMURNI BT. YAHYA (8)

37. NUR SABRINA ALIYA BT. ASMAN