Of Selangor Open - Going into Round 4

It was an interesting Round 3 with 6 pair of players having scored a perfect 2 out of 2, it seems inevitable that the field will be halved by the time the round is over.

On Table 1, with opposite colored Bishops left on the table, it would be easy to assume that Nabil had played well to split the point with his IM adversary and offered Nolte the draw. Nolte looked up and shook his head saying "No" and understandably, with Nabil's King misplaced on the far side of the board, Nolte had a passed pawn on the h-file which Nabil had no chance of stopping without having to sacrifice his white square bishop. 1-0 to the IM

On Table 2, Ian Udani's two passed pawns on the d and g files was too much for Stewart Manaog to stop - one up for the Malaysian adopted chess player.

On Table 3, another opposite colored bishop situation between former National Champion Kamalariffin Wahiduddin and Fong Yit Ho but this time around, after the initial draw offered came from Yit Ho, Kamalariffin finally agreed to draw.

It was an interesting encounter between Mohd Saprin and Fong Yit San on Table 4 with the former having maintained attacking initiative throughout. With Yit San's black King cornered, Saprin played in interesting move with Re5 but after good defending move by Yit San and a few exchanges later coupled with time trouble, both players agreed to end it amicably with a draw.

It was the battle between the Juniors on Table 5 but despite the exchange up - Roshan had Rook against Sumant's white square Bishop and an extra Pawn, and after what seems to be a repeated moves with the Bishop and Rook, both player also agreed to a draw. 


On Table 6, it was local Zaidan against Philippines Ramos Ernesto which ended in favor of the doctor. And with that result, at the end of Round 3 only 3 players have amassed 3 perfect points - IM Nolte, Ian Udani and Zaidan Zulkipli.


Other interesting results in Round 3 happened on Table 11 when Syazrin put up an interesting fight against reigning National Women Champion WCM Nur Nabila to come up with an impressive drawn game.


With colors being favored, it seems destined that IM Nolte will meet countryman and second seeded player Ian Udani on Table 1 in Round 4. The other remaining 3 pointer, Zaidan drops down to Table 2 and meet the highest seeded 2 1/2 pointer in Saprin Sabri, color permitting. Other interesting pairing for Round 4 are two pair of Juniors squaring off with brothers Yit San and Yit Ho going against Sumant and Nabil respectively on Table 4 and Table 6.


Other pairings for Round 4 are:

Photos from the end of Round 3

Ernesto Ramos took time to analyze his game after his loss to Zaidan

View of the crowd towards the end of Round 3

Onlookers took interest in the game between National Junior players Sumant and Roshan on Table 5

 

Of Selangor Open - Day 2 Round 3

With heavy rain covering much of Klang Valley, it seems destined that many players will be late for the start of Round 3 but surprise surprise.... As at time of print, only 1 player has failed to show up with all the others arriving at most, 20 minutes late from the start time. As for me, knowing that I will be coming in from Putrajaya area - some 35 km away, I started off from my house at 5:00pm and arrived safely at ATCC 45 minutes later with the only traffic hiccup happening in front of Masjid India. 

For Round 3, the heavy gunners are starting to meet one another with Nabil Azman Hisham playing the white pieces against IM Rolando Nolte of the Philippines on Table 1. For Table 2, Ian Udani faces off with compatriot Stewart Manaog whilst former National Champion Kamalariffin Wahiduddin playing against Fong Yit Ho on Table 3. Yit Ho's brother, Fong Yit San faces chess player turned chess parent Mohd Saprin Sabri on Table 4 and two National Junior players fighting it out on Table 5 - Sumant Subramaniam handling the White pieces against Roshan Singh. Rounding up the top 6 tables, Zaidan Zulkipli faces another Filipino player in Ernesto Ramos on Table 6.

Other notable pairings are Chan Mun Fye against the young Amir Ghaazi on Table 15, Syazrin against Nabila on Table 11, and Haslindah Ruslan against Wan Aizuddin Wan Razali on Table 25.

MCF Vice President and CAS Committee member Puan Haslindah Ruslan taking some time off to play chess.

Young Amier Hamzah playing against a much older opponent in Harun Bustaman

Interesting battle between National Junior players - Sumant (left) against Roshan (right)

Muhd Nabil Azman Hisham will have a tough time against IM Rolando Nolte of Philippines but, Nabil can pull off surprises

Some of the crowd seen at the playing hall.

Of Selangor Open - Pairing for Round 3 (7:00pm, 2nd May)

39th Selangor Open 2012 - Pairing for Round 3 to start at 7:00pm, 2nd May (Wednesday)

 

Of Selangor Open - Another Day, Another Event

It feels as though I am a very busy and active chess official when in reality, I am not that busy. After finishing my stint at DATCC last year (now the place is called ATCC - drop the "D"), chess has become a second fiddle to my daytime "contract" work. But 4 months contract has ended - I timed it nicely so I can focus on Melaka Chess Festival and the Selangor Open, I hope the company will continue to find new projects for me to manage else, I will be jobless for god knows when. At that time, I leave it to Allah's good grace to help me with my predicament but, I also believe when there is a will, there will be a way. If there is effort, there will be light!

But that is all a different story....

After wrapping up the 750 Years Melaka International Chess Festival, I rushed back home and prepared myself for the next event in my "busy" schedule - the Selangor Open 2012. Upon arriving at ATCC at 1:00pm, Supervising Arbiter IA Lim Tse Pin has already keyed in all the names of the players and I continued my task with setting up the clocks for Round 1 - schedule to start at 2:00pm. 

There were a few familiar faces from the Melaka event notably IM Rolando Nolte of Philippines who is seeded 1 for the event. Other spillovers from the Melaka event included Eddy Fong and his two sons, Zaidan Zulkipli, Syazrin Abdul Rahman, Lim Kian Hwa and another Philippines Manaog Stewart who seem to be enjoying endless chess festivities. 

Missing from the 39th Selangor Open edition are the local IMs such as Jimmy Liew and Mok Tze Meng probably due to other commitments, and Mas Hafizul who is probably taking some time off to recuperate after playing in 3 strenuous events (Brunei, Rapid and Melaka). Also missing is young Li Tian who had good outings in Brunei and Melaka and perhaps similar to Mas, is taking some time off to rest and to focus on the other important thing in life - school!

The 39th edition attracted 63 players, slightly way off the mark from the usual Selangor Open crowd. Nonetheless, the slightly relaxed schedule where games are only played at night provide opportunities for players with full time employment and students to play in the event. This can be seen with the presence of Kamaluddin Yusoff, former National Champion Kamalariffin Wahiduddin, WCM Nur Nabila and National Junior player Roshan Singh. Not to forget, Malaysia's adopted chess citizen Ian Udani of the Philippines.

CAS Committee Member Yeoh Chin Seng talking to Yeap Joo Hock (right) and Lim Kian Hwa (left) before the start of the event

GM in the house - GM Richard Bitoon of Philippines providing moral support to fellow countrymen Stewart Manaog and IM Rolando Nolte

At the end of Round 1, one surprising results happened on Table 5 with Jax Tham going down against Syazrin Abdul Rahman who is more than 500 points below him. Another unexpected result occurred on Table 13 when Eddy Fong lost to BSN player Nor Zaiasron Yahaya in the last match to end for Round 1. Another notable lost was on Table 18 when veteran Lim Kian Hwa of Sarawak lost to PETRONAS player Aid Farhan Maarof.


Round 2 started at 7:00pm whilst Round 3 will be played tomorrow evening also starting at 7:00pm. Fans, interested parties and players can view the pairing for the event at www.chess-results.com

GM Richard Bitoon playing a skittle game with Dato Tan Chin Nam

IM Rolando Notle of Philippines - First seeded

 

After long hard work at Melaka, MCF VP Haslindah turned to playing in the Selangor Open

Long time chess player - now coach and trainer to his three sons, Mohd Saprin Sabri - Seeded fourth

Second seed Ian Udani

Pairing and Result for Round 1

 

Of Melaka Chess Festival - GM Czebe Triumphant

After 8 days and 9 rounds, GM Attila Czebe was crown the undisputed champion of the inaugural Historical Melaka International Chess Championship 2012. When asked about his achievement, a smiling Czebe said that he was surprised but happy with the results and seemingly convinced that he will be back again next year to defend his title. The first time visitor to Malaysia took home RM 10,000 cash prize, a medal and proudly holds aloft the Rt. Hon. Chief Minister of Melaka Challenge Trophy with a big smile. 

A smiling Hungarian, GM Czebe with his winning trophy!

GM Laxman came in second after his draw on Table 2 with IM Karthikeyan who came in 4th. GM Deepan who started with the idea of stealing a game point from Czebe on Table 1 finally decided to settle for a draw and ended in 3rd place. GM Holmes of Spain also played well to hold off a charging GM Richard Bitoon of the Philippines on Table 3 and took 5th place with his opponent taking the 7th spot.

Focus is on the 6th placed player, Yeoh Li Tian of Malaysia, the only non titled player and the youngest, and the only Malaysian amongst the top 10 finishers. It was a repeat of his Brunei performance and similarly, he also missed his IM norm due to the lack of rating points to amass such a norm. 

Yeoh Li Tian receiving his certificate and medal from YB Dato Gan

Rounding up the top 10 are Russian GM Alexander Fominyh at 8th placing, top seed GM Arun Prasad of India at 9th and IM Karthikeyan also of India at 10th spot.

In the Challenger section, early leader Gatot Suyono lost his last round game to Malaysian Eddyy Fong paving ways for Endang Andrian to steal the top spot. Gatot came in second followed by Wakoko Enos of Ugand in 3rd. 

Mohd Ezmi receiving his certificate from Tan Sri Ramli for finishing 10th in the Challenger section

With his last round win over Gatot, Eddy Fong was able to pull himself up to 4th spot followed by Indonesian youngster Yuranda Irawan at 5th. Malaysian lass Latifah Syamimi came in at 6th followed by Pekan, Pahang youngster Muhd Asyraf Razman at 7th spot. Suci Rohaya of Indonesia takes up the 8th placing followed by Lum Zhun Hoong at 9th and Mohd Ezmi rounding up the 10th spot.

VVIP on stage prior to the prize giving ceremony. YB Dato Gan, Melaka Exco for Education, Youth and Sports who is also the Organizing Chairman, is seated in the center flanked by MCF President, Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib to his right

MCF President Tan Sri Ramli gave away the prizes for the Challenger section whilst YB Dato Gan who is representing Rt Hon Chief Minister of Melaka, gave away the main prizes for the International section.