The Chess Connections: Of Running Another Malaysian Chess Championship 2019

After 5 days and 9 rounds of gruelling chess using the standard 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment, two National Champions have emerged - one for the Open section and the other for the Women section. One is a first time winner and the other, an old time winner.

Another "work" completed!

Either my math is getting worse, or I am just daydreaming.... Someone pointed out that if NM Kamal Abdullah last won the title in 1989, it should be a 30 year gap and not 20 years as per what I have wrote earlier. Kind of embarassing that I was not able to do such an easy math but regardless, it was an incredible feat by NM Mohd Kamal Abdullah - who holds aloft the National Champion for the 3rd time, after a 30 year gap. Interesting to note that when he first won it in 1989, he was the youngest Malaysian Champion and now, he is the oldest National Champion. But his fight to the top was not easy - not only was he fasting, he also had to take care of some of his students that were with him for the championship as well. And along the way, Kamal produced some of the best chess of his life en route to an almost perfect score of 8 points from 9 rounds - no losses and with 2 drawn games.

It was also interesting to note that despite being a fasting month, the fight for the top were challenged by those who were fasting - Abdullah Che Hassan on Board 2 (at 6 points going against Yeap Eng Chiam who has 7 points), and Mohd Saprin (at 6 1/2 points) against Mohd Kamal (at 7 points) on Board 1. Agreed that it was a fasting month and while it was a herculean feat to manage through the 9 rounds, it was also interesting to note that these players had overcome their obstacles and challenges to provide their best.

Hard working officials!

In the game between Abdullah and Eng Chiam, the former had the advantage at one point during the game but somehow lost it as the game progresses and eventually, losing the game as well. On Board 1, it was an interesting match up between the two friends and Mohd Saprin for all purposes, did not expect that he will end up challenging for the top position. In all honesty, he was there at the National Championship to accompany his son Ghaazi but ended up playing so well that - after so many years of trying, is within a point away from the possibility of being a National Champion. In the end, it was not meant to be and Mohd Kamal maintain his fine run to notch the winning points from his opponent. And by virtue of the the tie break - as Kamal had beaten Eng Chiam in the earlier round, Kamal was declared the 2019 Champion for the 3rd time - 1988, 1989 and 2019.... An impressive feat and achievement indeed.

Arbiters at work

VVIP - Dato Sri Muhammad Safian

For the Women section, it was a walk in the park for Munajjah who was already 1 1/2 points clear of her nearest rival at the start of Round 9. So, it was only logical that she took the safe route out by offering a draw which her opponent accepted. And with that, Munajjah became the 2019 Women Champion for the first time - out scoring previous champions and sisters Nur Nabila and Nur Najiha who were the initial favorites to lift the title.

All in all, it was a good outing at the Malaysian Chess Championship 2019 albeit the event was postponed and the participants were reduced due to the unfortunate passing of Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Shah. The place was more than reasonable, the hotel pricing was cheap and the amenities and surroundings were excellent as food and eateries, convenience stores and businesses, are all within walking distance. And everything was run like clockwork under the watchful eye of Puan Hamidah who controls and manages her team well. And Persatuan Catur Pahang is already eyeing for another big event towards the end of the year, and perhaps the National Youth Chess Championship in 2020.

All in all, I would like to thank all the players for making the Malaysian Chess Championship 2019 a great success with minimal management issues, the team of Arbiters that I have working with me like FA Azhar Md Said and NA Razman (of Pahang), and PCP Committee for their dedication and hard work.

One thing for sure, MCF will definitely review the dates for MCC 2020 to make sure that the timing of the event will not clashes with fasting month, and considering that next year will be an Olympiad year, the MCC should be held earlier (perhaps in March) and the winner - by selection, should have the first choice to be selected to represent Malaysia at Olympiad 2020 in Khanty Mansysk.

Thank you everyone and hopefully, I will have the opportunity to run next year's MCC as well. Selamat Hari Raya - Maaf Zahir Batin to all Muslims (players or otherwise) and Happy Holidays to the non Muslims. Drive Safe and Enjoy!