Its That Time Of The Year.... GACC 2014

One of the year's most awaited event... at least for me, is the GACC Rakan Muda Inter Varsity International Chess Championship. And again for the 4th consecutive year, I have been invited to be the Chief Arbiter for the annual event - a position which I look forward to doing. Perhaps not so much of the glamor or the level of the event - it being an international and FIDE rated event, but the chance to work with brilliant hardworking young minds who, year after year, maintain the continuity of organizing an international level event all on their own. My salute to the students of the UM Second College...

This year's event attracted 69 players from 6 different countries: Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Libya, Singapore and locals Malaysians. Whilst the number of players and teams may have reduced from last year's event, the competition remain intense.

Indonesia is set to wrestle this year's title led by GM Megaranto Susanto and IM Farid Firman Syah - the 2 highest rated player in the event. India's team is a distant second led by Gahan MG and Antonio D'Cunha who are both rated at 2200+. Sri Lanka is led by Isuru Alahakoon, one of the prize winners for last year's event and this year's, with the help of WIM SD Ranasinghe in the Women category. There are 2 newcomers from Libya led by FM F. Elmejbri Ali Abdoullah who is rated 1988.

Malaysia is represented by 9 Universities but only 6 are vying for the team championship. IMU, HELP and ATC are represented by individual players as it lacks the requirement to form a full team of 4 players with at least one lady player. Host UM sent one team led by WFM Alia Anin Azwa Binti Bakri and Lum Zhun Hoong whilst rookie team APU is led by Justin Ong Way. UPSI with a single team is led by Ruby Kwan and UIA CFS, another usual suspects for the event is led by Nurul Asry Mokhtar.

International Islamic University Gombak, best Malaysian Team for last year, has sent two teams for the event led by Ahmad Fadzil Nayan whilst another leading chess university team, University Technology PETRONAS (UTP) has also risen to the challenge by sending two teams led by Suniil Kali Vanan and Ramone Mikgail Kok who will be participating in the individual category.  

Round 1 for today has started at 9:00am and Round 2 shall start at the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony scheduled at 2:00pm.

The general public are welcome to view the tournament which is held on the 1st floor, Mercu Alam Bina, University Malaya starting from today until Tuesday, 29th January 2014. Sunday will be a day off for the players to enjoy KL sightseeing and experience the Malaysian hospitality.

For more information on the results and pairings for the event, please visit
http://chess-results.com/tnr122460.aspx?lan=1&art=2&rd=1&wi=821

GM Susanto Megaranto

 

IM Firman Syah Farid

Ahmad Fadzil Nayan (UIA)