Of GACC Chess Championship - Day 3

Some interesting "facts" - if I may call it so, about the 16th edition of the GACC event. Apparently the prize fund offered, and the number of sponsors for the event increased for this year's edition yet, it was not able to attract more participants to play in this event. The fact that the GACC event has always been held towards the end of the year may have got something to do with it as this is the first time it being organized in the middle of the year due to changes in the Malaysian Universities academic calendar year. And also, the fact that there was no GACC event held last year (it misses the entire 2011 - again due to the changes in the calendar) may have caused some foreign universities to conclude or assume that the event has been discontinued ergo, they did not prepare for it i.e. both financially and time wise. But of course, if everything works well, the event should get back on track for next year's 17th edition and with what most universities and players have missed in this year's edition - the increased prize fund, the fabulous playing venue and the "never cease to amaze" hospitality and efficiency of the Tunku Bahiyah College students and organizing committee in managing this event - many universities will come back with a vengeance next year, and if they decide to elect me again as the Chief Arbiter, I look forward to continue being a part of this annual event.

And also, as far as I can remember, this is the first time that a Malaysian player - Ahmad Fadzil Nayan of Islamic International University of Malaysia, is being seeded as the number one player and after round 4, another history was made with another Malaysian player - and host university player Muhd Syazwan Zulkifli of University Malaya - leads the event with a perfect 4 points out of 4 rounds. And to put icing on the cake, University Malaya team is also leading the team category with 11 points, sharing the top spot with another surprising but refreshing team from University Teknologi Petronas who seems to have outshined last year's best Malaysian team in Islamic International University of Malaysia. Whilst the number of teams and players may have dwindled, the spirit of competition, excellence and the quality of games and sportsmanship shown continues to remain at a high.

After several team came forward to raise concern about the Combined University Team, the organizing committee decided to disband the team as it did not meet the basic team formation rules and regulation. And for the first time in the event recent history, host team University Malaya is leading the event with 11 points, sharing the top spot with University Teknologi Petronas - the most impressive turnout from a relatively "new" team in chess.

The game between Isuru Alahakoon and Lawrence Teoh ended in 125 moves and was decided as drawn following the 50 move rule

Ramone Kok of University Teknologi Petronas - an impressive performance with 3.5 points out of 4 rounds, half a point adrift from the leader Muhd Syazwan, and sharing the 2nd spot with 7 other players

Leader Syazwan of University Malaya against top seed Ahmad Fadzil Nayan of Islamic International University at the start of Round 5. Game ended in a peaceful draw

The ladies at the top - Ruby Kwan of University Perguruan Sultan Idris (left) and Noratiqah Mohd Niza of University Tenaga Nasional (right)

Eddy Kwan anxiously looking over his daughter's - Ruby Kwan, game handling the black pieces, against Philip Goh of National University of Singapore. Both Ruby and Philip has amassed 2.5 points from 4 rounds

For more pictures of the event, please visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chess-Malaysia/168231673260531

For results and updates on the pairings and rankings, please visit http://www.chess-results.com/tnr76587.aspx?art=2&rd=5&lan=1