The Chess Connections: Of Melaka Chess Festival

With only one afternoon round to play today, a lot of chess players were seen roaming the Historical City of Melaka to get a feel of its night life. The same happened to the team of Officials as they enjoy a short get together for seafood at Kg Alai, some 10km away from the Historical City of Melaka going south Muar bound.

But the job was not finished and soon after dinner, the team are back in the playing hall tidying up the area and planning for the next day round - albeit it will start much later in the afternoon.

From left: Nik, Haslindah, Khairunnisa, Zuraiha, Fadhil, Firdaus, Gregory, Najib

Late breakfast - Ezmi, Haslindah, Mas, Zuraiha and Gregory

Camera shy Tan Li Ting - preparing for her game at the Hotel lobby

At the start of Round 4, most players look refresh after an almost half a day break from yesterday's grueling 2 games. In the International section, the field is still wide open with 6 players sharing the top spot at 2 1/2 points and 12 players trailing half point behind.

Interesting encounters for the local would be on Table 6 where IM Rolando Nolte is facing young Yeoh Li Tian, and 3 Table down, IM Mas Hafizul playing the white pieces against Manaog Stewart of Philippines. Another interesting encounter happens on Table 11 where WGM Kruttika Nadig playing against Malaysian National Player, 13 years old Tan Li Ting.

In the Challenger section, 6 players are leading the pack with 3 points each and the most interesting encounter happens on Table 2 between Indonesian lass Suci Rohaya, handling the white pieces against Malaysian lad Lum Zhun Hoong. At the time of print, Ugandan Wakoko Enos has just won his game against Madihah Abdul Razak, giving him 3 points and slowly creeping his way back to the top of the pack.