The Photos of Shah Alam Team Championship League - Round 2 (26/6/2009)

"GiLoCatur Gambit" players (from left) Azam, Fikri, Shamsuddin aka Firey_Rook (http://fireyrook.blogspot.com/) and Fauzi. The team won 4 - 0 against its opponent team.

Fauzi (red shirt) vs Fauzi on the fourth board and Syed Remizan vs Sham aka Firey_Rook on the third board.

Max (left) and Akmal of 17ChessClub. Their team also won convincingly 4 - 0.

Sahir (left) and Syed.

Firdaus (blue shirt) and his team mate againts 17ChessClub.

Azam and Fikri on the first and second board respectively.

A weekly club chess league like this hopefully will flourish and bloom the local chess sport especially in Shah Alam. GiLoCatur hopes that such weekly chess tournament will be organized more and more. Surely, the more consistant chess tournaments, the better chess quality in this country. Hopefully, the participation of Malaysian young chess players will increase time to time. Our young chess players should be serious in chess. They are our hope. When this happen, insya Allah, Malaysia will have Grand Masters no doubt.

Apabila GiLoCatur Ber"googling"

Setelah penat bertungkus lumus dengan urusan kerja dan usai membuat pembentangan di pejabat pelanggan petang tadi, malam ini GiLoCatur berehat dengan surfing dan browsing di alam maya. Sudah pasti info dan maklumat yang GiLoCatur "googling" dan surfing tidak lari dari catur. Berikut GiLoCatur ingin berkongsi info dan maklumat yang ditemui:

• Mungkin ramai yang tidak tahu, rupanya ada sebuah jalan di negara ini yang diberi nama catur. Nama jalan tersebut ialah Lebuh Catur yang terletak di Ipoh, Perak. Berminat juga GiLoCatur ingin tahu sejarah tentang bagaimana ia mendapat nama sebegitu. Jika ada sesiapa yang tahu, harap boleh beritahu.

• Agak mengejutkan GiLoCatur apabila mendapati catur tidak tersenarai dalam Persatuan Sukan Kebangsaan Malaysia di laman web rasmi Majlis Sukan Negara Malaysia (MSN). Sedangkan sukan golf ada tiga persatuan yang berdaftar dengannya. GiLoCatur pun kurang pasti samada ia disebabkan catur bukan dikategorikan sebagai sejenis sukan. Sila klik di sini jika ingin mengetahui senarai lengkap Persatuan Sukan Kebangsaan.

• GiLoCatur pun baru tahu rupanya ada sebuah laman blog catur yang hampir sama namanya dengan laman blog ini iaitu GilaCatur. Ia mempunyai nama domain sendiri dan ditulis dalam Bahasa Melayu. Tetapi agak sayang ia sudah lama tidak dikemaskini. Harap pengendali laman tersebut kembali aktif mengemaskini laman tersebut.

• GiLoCatur sangat tertarik dengan satu pesanan dari seorang guru yang menggalakkan ibubapa menjadikan catur sebagai hobi untuk anak-anak. Pesanannya " P.s. Jika anda ingin mencari hobi terbaik untuk anak anda. Jadikan catur sebagai pilihan utama kerana ia banyak membantu pembelajaran anak anda. " Sila ke link ini untuk membaca pengalaman beliau mengenali dunia catur di mana akhirnya beliau terlibat dalam pengadilan pertandingan catur.

Satu Lagi Pertandingan Catur Di Perak

utk makluman awal, satu kejohanan akan diadakan pada ketetapan berikut:

tarikh : 12 Julai 2009 (ahad)
masa : 9.00 pg (pusingan 1)
tempat : sekolah agama rakyat felda lasah (17 km dari sg siput utara)
kategori : B12 (L & P), B15 (L&P) dan Terbuka
yuran :

• Sekolah rendah / menengah (RM 5)
• Ahli persatuan belia / PICA (RM 10)
• Kategori Terbuka (RM 15)

Hadiah :

• B12 & B15 (L&P) Johan hingga tempat ke-10, jumlah 10 hadiah X 4 kategori = 40 hadiah
• Terbuka : Johan hingga tempat ke 10, Johan (RM 1000), N.Johan (RM 500), Ke-3 (RM 300), Ke-4 (RM 200),
• Ke-5 (RM 100). Ke-6 hingga Ke-10 (RM 50)

Semua hadiah ditaja oleh Persatuan Belia Felda Lasah, semua peserta akan diberi Sijil Penyertaan, Cabutan bertuah akan diadakan sebelum majlis perasmian penutup oleh Pengerusi Persatuan Belia Felda Lasah.

Sesiapa yg berminat tolong sms nama pada 014.251.0852 (cikgu abu) dan nyatakan kategori. penyertaan terhad kepada 150 org yg pertama. utk pendaftaran sekolah, sila faks kepada 05-5951371 (u.p cikgu abu bakar)

tarikh tutup : 10 Julai 2009 atau jika sudah mencapai sasaran 150 peserta. sekian terima kasih.

disediakan oleh
Pengerusi J/K Teknikal
Kejohanan Catur Terbuka Felda Lasah 2009
(anjuran persatuan belia felda lasah dengan kerjasama PICA)

The Photos of ASAT 2009 Chess Event

Aqmar vs Fikri

Nurhusnina vs Rabiatul Adawiyah

It is very interesting in Round 3 when on board 1, PP (Petaling Perdana) players both boy (Fikri) and girl (Nurhusnina) played againts SB (Sabak Bernam) players. Even, both also played the same colour, white. Unfortunately, the result is not the same. If Fikri won his game, Nurhusnina could not manage to win.

The Chief Arbiter

The Pairing Arbiter

The arbiters had managed the chess event to run smoothly. Basically, the pairings and the games were on time. The venue of the chess event was arranged and setup properly.

The final game of the first board was to determine the champion of the event. It was the decider game for Catur Lelaki Sekolah Menengah event Both players, Fikri of PP (left) and Annaz of KLG (right) had won all their previous three games. The winner would get the gold medal whereas the loser would get the silver medal. Some enthusiastic audience and supporters were watching the game from outside.

On board 2, it was a decider game for the bronze medal between Zaim of GOM and Aqmal of SB.

Adawiyah (right) wearing the Selangor corporate shirt, the eventual gold medallist for Catur Perempuan Sekolah Menengah event beat the host player Anis Arita (right).

Amanina from SPG (left) won againts Shahirah from HS on Board 2 to be the silver medallist with 3 wins and 1 lost.

Nurhusnina (left), the PP district representative, beat the chess player from Gombak, Muqinah, to win the bronze medal. She had the same points with the silver medallist but lost to tie break.

Fikri received his gold medal.

Nurhusnina received her bronze medal.

Cikgu Ramli, the Petaling Perdana (PP) chief contigent, during the closing ceremony. Petaling Perdana had participated in 9 events and won 2 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze. Beside winning gold and bronze in chess events, PP won gold in Bola Jaring and silver in Bahas (Ala Parlimen).

Ustaz Fadli, the chief warden of SMK Seksyen 18 Shah Alam where GiLoCatur's son, Fikri, is boarding. GiLoCatur just found out that he also studied and stayed in the same buildings in Sungai Kantan, Kajang as GiLoCatur did and had. He was also the same alumni of Kolej Islam Kelang (KIK) as GiLoCatur.

Batu Gajah Clearwater Sanctuary Results

Below are the results of the Batu Gajah Clearwater Sanctuary International Open.

1. Sumant Subramaniam
2. Abdullah Che Hassan
3. Nabil Azman Hisham
4. Mark Siew
5. Wong Jian Wen
6. Fong Yit Ho
7. Ahmad Muzafar
8. Muhd Syakir Shazmeer
9. Fong Yit San
10. Fadzil Nayan

Best Veteran - Mat Zaki Yeop

Best Lady - Puteri Rifqah

Best U15 Girls - WCM Nur Nabila

Best U12 Girls - Puteri Munajjah

Best U15 Boys - Shreyes Subramaniam

Best U12 Boys - Muhd Irfan Haqqim

The total number of participants : 73

Source : Encik Azhar MS

ASAT 2009 - CATUR di SMKA Kuala Selangor (20 Jun 2009)

Fikri, anak sulung GiLoCatur, telah terpilih untuk mewakili asrama sekolahnya, SMK Seksyen 18 Shah Alam, dan Daerah Petaling Perdana (PP) dalam acara catur di Majlis Anugerah Seri Asrama Terbilang (ASAT) 2009 peringkat Negeri Selangor di SMKA Kuala Selangor semalam. Fikri bersama 9 pemain catur lelaki dari setiap daerah di Selangor yang lain berentap untuk mendapatkan medal emas dan kejuaraan bagi acara Catur Lelaki Sekolah Menengah yang merupakan salah satu acara dari 12 acara yang di pertandingkan. Acara-acara lain adalah seperti Bola Sepak dan Bola Jaring, Sekolah Rendah dan Menengah, Catur Perempuan Sekolah Menengah, Pidato (Bahasa Melayu) Sekolah Rendah, Pidato (Bahasa Inggeris) Sekolah Menengah, Bahas (Ala Parlimen) Sekolah Menengah, Nasyid, dan Nyanyian Solo Irama Malaysia (Lelaki dan Perempuan) yang semuanya bagi Sekolah Menengah.

Bagi tahun ini, asrama sekolah Fikri i.e. SMK Seksyen 18, Shah Alam mewakili Daerah PP dalam kesemua acara indoor sementara SMK Seksyen 11, Shah Alam pula mewakili daerah dalam acara-acara outdoor i.e. Bola Sepak dan Bola Jaring.

Acara Catur Perempuan diwakili oleh pelajar tingkatan 4, Nurhusnina Bt Mohd Hisham yang mendapat tempat ke 10 dalam Kejohanan Catur MSSD PP kategori Bawah 18 Perempuan tahun lepas.

Catur Lelaki

Berikut adalah senarai peserta Catur Lelaki.

1. Fikri Bin Saleh (Petaling Perdana -PP)
2. Muhd Adha Bin Salim (Hulu Selangor -HS)
3. Muhd Khuzairi Muhd Jefri (Sepang -SPG)
4. Muhammad Zaim Bin Zambri (Gombak -GOM)
5. Zainul Ariffin Mohd Alfi (Kuala Selangor -KS)
6. Meor Amar Meor Nadzri (Hulu Langat -HL)
7. Annaz Bin Anoiar (Kelang -KLG)
8. Ammar Zulfattah (Petaling Utama -PU)
9. Mohd Shahmir Arief Rosli (Kuala Langat -KL)
10. Mohd Aqmal Abd Razak (Sabak Bernam -SB)

Mengikut semakan dan info GiLoCatur, hanya dua peserta yang memiliki National rating iaitu pemain PP (1382) dan KLG (1178). Dua orang peserta merupakan wakil daerah masing-masing di Kejohanan Catur MSSS di Sepang pada bulan Februari lalu. Pemain GOM telah mendapat tempat keempat individu sementara pemain PP mendapat tempat ke 10 individu dan juara berpasukan dalam ketegori Lelaki 15 Tahun.

Pusingan Pertama

1. PP (0) lwn HL (0) - (1 - 0)
2. KLG (0) lwn HS (0) - (0 - 1)
3. SPG (0) lwn PU (0) - (0 - 1)
4. KLG (0) lwn GOM (0) - (0 - 1)
5. KS (0) lwn SB (0) - (0 - 1)

Pusingan Kedua

1. PU (1) lwn PP (1) - (0 - 1)
2. GOM (1) lwn KLG (1) - (0 - 1)
3. SB (1) lwn SPG (0) - (1 - 0)
4. HS (0) lwn KLG (0) - (1 - 0)
5. HL (0) lwn KS (0) - (1 - 0)

Pusingan Ketiga

1. PP (2) lwn SB (2) - (1 - 0)
2. KLG (2) lwn HL (1) - (1 - 0)
3. GOM (1) lwn HS (1) - (1 - 0)
4. KS (0) lwn PU (1) - (1 - 0)
5. SPG (0) lwn KL (0) - (0 - 1)

Pusingan Keempat

1. KLG (3) lwn PP (3) - (0 - 1)
2. SBG (2) lwn GOM (2) - (0 - 1)
3. HS (1) lwn PU (1) - (? - ?)
4. KL (1) lwn KS (1) - (? - ?)
5. HL (1) lwn SPG (0) - (? - ?)

Pusingan 4 : KLG (putih) lwn PP (hitam)

Di pusingan terakhir (keempat), pemain KLG dan pemain PP yang masing-masing menang kesemua pusingan sebelumnya bertemu untuk menentukan siapa juara. Pemain KLG bermain buah putih manakala pemain PP bermain buah hitam. Pemain KLG telah terkena perangkap dengan menggunakan King untuk capture pawn di petak h5 (Kxh5). Tanpa membuang masa pemain PP telah gerakkan Rh8# untuk checkmate. Dengan 4 mata dari menang kesemua empat pusingan Daerah PP telah mendapat emas dalam acara Catur Lelaki Sekolah Menengah. Sementara Daerah KLG mendapat perak dan gangsa pula dimenangi oleh Daerah GOM setelah berjaya menumpaskan pemain SB di pusingan keempat.

Catur Perempuan

Berikut adalah senarai peserta Catur Perempuan.

1. Amanina Husna (Sepang) -1309 5thmss, P15 S'gor
2. Anis Arita Bt Ariffin (Kuala Selangor)
3. Rabiatul Adawiyah Abdul Wahid (Sabak Bernam) -1479 6th msss,P18 S'gor
4. Alya Ridha Rasheqa (Hulu Langat)
5. Muqinah Bt Samsuri (Gombak)
6. Norashikin Bt Abd Hakim (Kelang)
7. Nur Atikah Bt Ahmad (Petaling Utama)
8. Nur Nadia Mohd Iskandar (Kuala Langat)
9. Nurhusnina Bt Mohd Hisham (Petaling Pardana)
10. Shahirah Bt Salleh (Hulu Selangor)

Mengikut semakan dan info GiLoCatur, hanya dua peserta catur perempuan yang memiliki National rating iaitu pemain SPG (1309) dan SB (1479). Kedua-dua orang peserta tersebut juga merupakan wakil daerah masing-masing di Kejohanan Catur MSSS di Sepang pada bulan Februari lalu dan seterusnya mewakili Negeri Selangor di kejohanan MSSM di Kelang. Pemain SPG telah mendapat tempat kelima individu (kategori P15) sementara pemain SB mendapat tempat keenam individu (kategori P18).

Pusingan Pertama

1. SPG (0) lwn KLG (0) - (1 - 0)
2. PU (0) lwn KS (0) - (0 - 1)
3. SB (0) lwn KLG (0) - (1 - 0)
4. PP (0) lwn HL (0) - (1 - 0)
5. GOM (0) lwn HS (0) - (1 - 0)

Pusingan Kedua

1. SB (1) lwn SPG (1) - (1 - 0)
2. KS (1) lwn GOM (1) - (0 - 1)
3. KLG (0) lwn PP (1) - (0 - 1)
4. HL (0) lwn KL (0) - (0 - 1)
5. HS (0) lwn PU (0) - (1 - 0)

(GiLoCatur : berdasarkan gambar-gambar, kerana ter"miss" gambar pairing)

Pusingan Ketiga

1. PP (2) lwn SB (2) - (0 - 1)
2. GOM (2) lwn SPG (1) - (0 - 1)
3. KL (1) lwn KS (1) - (0 - 1)
4. HL (0) lwn HS (1) - (0 - 1)
5. PU (0) lwn KLG (0) - (0 - 1)

Pusingan Keempat

1. KS (2) lwn SB (3) - (0 - 1)
2. SPG (2) lwn HS (2) - (1 - 0)
3. PP (2) lwn GOM (2) - (1 - 0)
4. KLG (1) lwn KL (1) - (? - ?)
5. PU (0) lwn HL (0) - (? - ?)

(GiLoCatur : Harap arbiter acara catur ASAT 2009 boleh emelkan keputusan pusingan terakhir dan keputusan penuh ke sabdlati@gmail.com.)

Di pusingan kedua, pemain pilihan iaitu pemain SB dan dan pemain SPG bertemu setelah menewaskan lawan masing-masing di pusingan pertama. Kemenangan berpihak kepada pemain SB yang bermain buah putih. Setelah menang di pusingan ketiga bertemu pemain PP, pemain SB merupakan satu-satunya pemain perempuan yang berjaya mengumpulkan 3 mata penuh. Pemain SB hanya perlukan seri di pusingan terakhir ketika bertemu dengan pemain tuan rumah, KS. Dengan 4 mata penuh, pemain SB telah berjaya menggondol pingat emas. Pingat perak dan gangsa masing-masing dimenangi oleh pemain SPG dan pemain PP.

GiLoCatur mengucapkan tahniah dan syabas kepada kedua-dua pemain catur PP dan SMK Seksyen 18 Shah Alam, iaitu Fikri Saleh (Tingkatan 1) dan Nurhusnina Mohd Hisham (Tingkatan 4), yang masing-masing berjaya meraih pingat emas dan gangsa. Selain catur, Daerah PP juga berjaya menggondol satu lagi pingat emas dalam acara Bola Jaring Sekolah Menengah di samping menjadi Naib Johan dalam acara Bahas (Ala Parlimen) Sekolah Menengah. Dalam karnival ASAT peringkat Negeri Selangor ini, Daerah PP hanya menyertai 9 dari 12 acara yang dipertandingkan. Ia tidak menyertai ketiga-tiga acara bagi Sekolah Rendah kerana di Daerah Petaling Perdana tiada asrama untuk Sekolah Rendah.

A Salute To Mr Ong and Family From JB

Mr Jacky Ong and his wife and son, Ong Wei Bin.

GiLoCatur gives a salute to Mr Ong and his family who came all the way from JB to Shah Alam just to participate in the Ole Ole Shah Alam Chess Open. The purpose of the journey is to provide exposure to his only son, Ong Wei Bin, to chess tournament. Since there are not many chess tournaments for his son in their hometown, he has to bring his son to the Klang Valley to play in chess tournaments. His son was the champion in his district this year but could not manage to represent Johor in the MSSM yet.

(GiLoCatur hopes such effort can be an eye opener to other parents especially in the Klang Valley to bring their children to chess tournaments. This kind of effort by Malaysian parents that will become the pillar to the success and excellence of Malaysian youngsters in sports.)

His son managed to get into the winners list in the tournament. On Sunday, they continued to travel north to Tanjung Karang. Mr Ong did not play during the Ole Ole tournament on Saturday. In Tanjung Karang, he joined the tournament. According to him, he did represent Johor in the MSSM during his school days. But he stops playing in chess tournament after that.

Eventhough he had not been playing in chess tournament, Mr Ong still has the skills and touch. He won the first three rounds after being stopped by Syakir in the fourth round. In the first and second rounds, he defeated Girls Under 12 MSS Selangor teammates, Anis Fariha and Puteri Rifqah. Whereas he defeated Shahruddin Hashim in the third round. Cikgu Zullkafli was his another victim in the fifth round before losing to both Boys Under 12 MSS Selangor players, Irfan Haqqim and Roshan. With 4 points, Mr Ong won Best Veteran category.

Ong junior played quite OK in the tournament. He lost both games to Anis Fariha in the Ole Ole and Tanjung Karang tournaments. Ong Wei Bin who accumulated 4 points in the Tanjung Karang Open was one of the winners for Under 12 category. He also lost to Roshan Singh. Surely, he will learn and gain experience and new moves during the tournaments. Best of luck to Ong Wei Bin especially in the MSSM next year. GiLoCatur hopes he will be one of Malaysian future chess masters with the support of his father and mother. And GiLoCatur hopes to see them again in many more other chess tournaments.

What A Hectic Weekend! (Saturday)

Last weekend was very hectic for GiLoCatur. There were two chess tournaments - Ole Ole Shah Alam Chess Open and Tanjung Karang Chess Open, that GiLoCatur participated along with all GiLoCatur's children.

13.6.2009 Sat 8.45 am

GiLoCatur and kids had arrived at Ole Ole Shopping Complex in Section 18, Shah Alam before 9.00 am. It took about 20 minute drive from home to the place in the nice Saturday morning. The tournament was held at the first level in front of the shops. At 10.00 am, the first round pairing was up after registration and fees payment settled. The players were divided into two sections - Open and Under 12. For each sections, there are two categories namely Open and Ole Ole winners for Shah Alam residents.

NWM Roslina Marmono was the tournament director. Two notebooks were being used for the pairing system manned by NWM Khairunnisa (the chief arbiter) from Kuantan, Cikgu Zullkafli and his wife Cikgu Suffiah from Rawang.

Fikri, GiLoCatur's eldest son, were in the Open section along with GiLoCatur. We were among about 50 participants for the section. Meanwhile, the other two kids were participating in Under 12 section. Anis Fariha and Fahim were among 30 participants as well as several of their SKBJ schoolmates.

Fikri started his game with a draw playing againts an unrated player named Mohd Shamsul Azhari. Then he won the next two rounds againts unrated opponents - namely Ismail Hassim and Ahmad Idzuan Rosli. He lost in the fourth round. In the fifth round, he beat higher rated opponent Azman Nordin with 1461 rating. He was defeated by a much stronger opponent, Hussein Jamil (1718), in the last round. Thus, he got 3 1/2 points after 3 wins, 1 draw and two losts. He earned the fifth place in open category for Shah Alam residents Ole Ole Winners.

GiLoCatur won in the first round playing againts Ahmad Ashraf Bin Rosdi. Then in second round, GiLoCatur had a very tight game playing black againts 1580-rated player. Eventhough GiLoCatur had time advantage at first, unfortunately at the end lost to Ahmad Farhan Bin Fadzin due to time. Still GiLoCatur was happy with the game because can challenge much higher rated player. GiLoCatur needs to improve on the endings and control the nerve on time pressure. In the third round, GiLoCatur played aggressive againts unrated Ahmad Khairi Md Yusof. GiLoCatur took a while to notice the checkmate move.

Round 3 : GiLoCatur (white) vs Khairi (black)

Do you know the checkmate move? Try to find it. It was a lunch break after the third round. After lunching with the kids at the food court, GiLoCatur rushed home to check on Avanza because earlier GiLoCatur's wife had texted that the tyre is puctured. GiLoCatur had to fix it and luckily it was not entirely puntured, so it could be driven slowly to the mechanic shop. But GiLoCatur had missed the fourth round.

In the fifth round, GiLoCatur was paired againts a teenager named Phang Kein Khei. GiLoCatur lost to him.

Ahmad Idzuan Bin Rosli

GiLoCatur used Queen and Bishop to edge Idzuan's King into the corner.

In the final round, playing white GiLoCatur won againts Ahmad Idzuan, whom also lost to Fikri in the third round. At the end, GiLoCatur could only manage to get 3 points not enough to get into the top 5 for Shah Alam residents section who was won by Abdul Haq. But GiLocatur is satisfied and happy with the performance in the tournament.

Anis Fariha, GiLoCatur's daughter, won her first round againts Mohd Zaiful Rosleh. In the second round, she managed to draw with Irfan Haqqim before she defeated a chess player from Johor Bahru, Ong Wei Bin in the third round. She won another game in the fourth round. But she lost the last two rounds to 9-year-old Nithyalakshmi from Seremban and Noor Azam, her MSS Selangor teammate.

As for Fahim, the youngest child of GiLoCatur, he managed to checkmate two of his opponents. He lost the other four rounds including to his schoolmate, Nur Faqihah.

13.6.2009 Sat 7.15 pm

Close to 5.30 pm, after few speeches, the winners were given the prizes. NM Zarul Shazwan Zullkafli won the Open category with 5 1/2 points. He had better tie break compared to Nabil who was in second place. Abdullah Che Hassan won the third place with 5 points. As for Under 12 category, the champion was awarded to Subramaniam Sivanesan from Seremban, also the 2009 Negeri Sembilan Under 12 Boys champion. He lead the section with 5 1/2 points. MSS Selangor state players, Puteri Rifqah (5 points) got second place and Noor Azam (4 1/2 points) got third place.

Meanwhile the top 3 Under 12 Best Shah Alam were won by SKBJ chess players - Ihsan Syahiran, his elder brother Irfan Rendrawan and GiLoCatur's daughter, Anis Fariha.

The tournament was smooth running. The rounds were on schedule. The pairings was posted up on time. The tournament venue was organized and arranged nicely by the management and staffs of the shopping complex. The arbiters were efficient due to their experience. One notebook for each Open and Under 12 section. Hopefully, it will be true enough that more tournaments will be held at and organized by the Ole Ole shopping complex maybe on monthly basis. Chess will be alive and kicking in Shah Alam as it used to be.

Cikgu Zullkafli and three familiar ladies in chess circle.

13.6.2009 Sat 6.00 pm

GiLoCatur and family had early dinner at a restaurant near the shopping complex. Fikri and Anis had Nasi Ayam while GiLoCatur ate Kuew Tiew Soup. Both GiLoCatur and wife could not eat too much because we had a wedding invitation at night.

13.6.2009 Sat 8.00 pm

GiLoCatur and wife at a wedding function.

GiLoCatur and wife arrived at a hotel in Damansara Utama near TV3 Seri Pentas to attend a wedding function of an office mate. GiLoCatur had to wear formal (batik long sleeve) since the function was attended by Yang Di Pertuan Agung and many VVIPs like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. We enjoyed the function because the food was delicious. GiLoCatur reached home from the function at past 11.00 pm. GiLoCatur was so tired and need to rest for the one-hour drive to Tanjung Karang in early Sunday morning for another chess tournament.

3 GOLD for Malaysia at the 10th ASEAN Age Group Championship

According to Haslindah Ruslan, Malaysia won THREE gold medals at the 10th ASEAN Age Group Championship. Two gold medals from WFM Nur Najiha while one gold medal from WCM Nur Nabila. WFM Najiha won both standard and rapid tournaments in Under 10 Girls category while her elder sister WCM Nabila won the Blitz tournament for Under 12 Girls section.

TAHNIAH AND SYABAS! to both of them.

To the other Malaysian players, DO NOT GET FRUSTRATED. PRACTICE HARDER. LEARN MOR AND MORE. Capitalize on the golden experience gained in the tournament. All of you will succeed in earning honours and to be champions in future chess tiurnaments.

Kejohanan Catur Berpasukan SHAH ALAM

Penganjur : Akademi Insofar Chess

Tarikh : Setiap Jumaat pada 8.30 malam, bermula dari 19 Jun 2009 

Jangkamasa : 18 minggu

Venue : INSOFAR Chess Academy, HBM Professional Training Centre, PKNS 

            Kompleks, Shah Alam Selangor

Format : Acara Berpasukan (Team Event , Double Round Robin)

Time Control : 25 minit

Yuran bagi setiap pasukan : RM 200. Minimum 4 pemain, maximum 10 pemain, pemain tambahan RM50 (setiap pemain).

TERHAD HANYA 10 PASUKAN. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE basis. Pendaftaran sebelum 18 Jun 2009.

Setiap pasukan wajib membawa 2 set catur dan jam sendiri. Jika tiada boleh disewa - set Jam (RM 10 semalam), set catur (RM 5 semalam). Perlukan notis 3 hari sebelum hari pertandingan.

*** HANYA SEORANG PEMAIN FIDE RATING 1800 KE ATAS DIBENARKAN DALAM SETIAP PASUKAN! ***

Hadiah

Juara : RM 1000 + medal
2nd : RM 700 + medal
3rd : RM 650 + medal
4th : RM 600 + medal
5th : RM 550 + medal
6th : medals
7th : medals
8th : medals


Untuk maklumat lanjut sila hubungi : Mat Zaki Yeop (017.528.6927) atau Muhammad Ismail aka MAX (012.268.9156)

IM Mas and FM Mok Leads Penang Heritage Open

Two of Malaysian Dresden Olympiad team members - IM Mas Hafizulhelmi and FM Mok Tze-Meng are leading the ongoing Penang Heritage Open. With 4 and 1/2 points, they are playing againts Ismail Ahmad and Loo Swee Leong, both the only 4 pointers, on the first and second board respectively in the sixth round.

IM Mas big win in the fifth round againts the top seed, a GM from Germany has put him as one the favourites to be the champion of the tournament. Meanwhile FM Mok defeated NM Ronnie Lim.

Below is the game between the Germany GM and IM Mas.

Update on 10th AAGC, Vue City, Vietnam

Today at Hue City, our seven Malaysian boys and girls are participating in the rapid age group tournament. Based on chess-results.com after round 4, below are their performance. 

The newly crowned WFM Najiha continues her sterling performance in Under 12 Girls category. She won two games and drew another two. Thus, she collected 3 points. She will play black in the next fifth round againts a Vietnamese player on the the third board. She is just behind 1/2 point with the leaders. She is ranked fifth after four rounds.

Amier Hamzah performed quite well today after winning three straight games eventhough he was defeated in the first round to the same opponent he beat in the standard tournament earlier. Thus, he collected three points so far and will play white on the third board againts a Vietnamese player. Like WFM Najiha, Amier is just 1/2 point behind the leaders of three players.

The Sarawakian Jerome played quite well too in the rapid tournament. Surely, the experience gained in the standard tournament helps him to accumulate 2 and 1/2 points after winning two games and drew another. He is currently ranked in the ninth position in his age group category seperated just one point with the leader.

Camilia is another player who is playing quite well with 2 and 1/2 points so far. She is ranked sixth going to the fifth round this afternoon at 3.30 pm. She will play white on th ethord board againts a 3-point Vietnamese player. 

Nabila, who earned her WCM title for getting SILVER in her age group category, does not perform well so far. She collected 1 and 1/2 point after losing the second and fourth round respectively. Hopefully she will win all her remaining rounds to get onto the podium. Both Edward Lee and Amru lost their first two rounds to their respective opponents. They both also won the third round. Whereas in the fourth round, Edward lost while Amru won his. Therefore, they collected 1 point and 2 points each respectively getting into the fifth round where both of them will play white againts their respective opponents. 

Come on all Malaysian players. Do yourselves, family and nation proud by winning as many games as possible. MALAYSIA BOLEH!.  

 

GiLoCatur vs Wak Eddy Challenge

Petang Khamis tadi, GiLoCatur berlawan catur dengan Wak Eddy sewaktu minum di kedai mamak berhampiran ofis di HTV2, Bukit Jelutong sambil berbincang hal kerja. Kami bermain dua pusingan timbal balik. Pusingan pertama GiLoCatur bermain buah hitam dan Wak Eddy bermain buah putih. Bagus juga Wak Eddy ajak GiLoCatur bermain catur. Bolehlah GiLoCatur practice kerana weekend ni GiLoCatur akan menyertai pertandingan catur OLE OLE di Seksyen 18 pada hari Sabtu dan Terbuka Tanjong Karang di Kampung Sungai Gulang-Gulang pada hari Ahad.

Berikut adalah game pusingan pertama kami ... 

1.e4 b6 2.h3 Bb7 3.Nc3 e6 4.Nf3 Bc5 5.d4 Bb4 6.Bg5 Nf6 7.e5 h6 8.h4? GiLoCatur rasa Black sepatutnya capture Knight dengan exf6     .. hxg5 9.Nxg5 Nd5 10.Qf3 Qe7 11.g3 Nc6 12.Bb5 Nxd4 13.Qd3 Nxb5 14.Qxb5 Bxc3+   sebagai alternatif GiLoCatur juga boleh makan pawn di petak c3 guna Knight dan Black tidak dapat mengelak dari kehilangan rook di petak h1  [14...Nxc3 15.Qd3 Ne4+ 16.c3 Nxg5 17.cxb4 Qxb4+ 18.Kf1 Bxh1 19.hxg5 Rh2]      15.bxc3 Nxc3 16.Qc4 Bxh1 17.Qxc3 Qc5 18.Qd2 Qxe5+ 19.Kd1 Qxa1+ 0-1   akhirnya, Wak Eddy resign ...  

Mungkin ada yang ingin membantu menganalisa game kami. Dipersilakan ...

TAHNIAH NAJIHA!

WFM Najiha

Nur Najiha berjaya mengharumkan nama negara di persada dunia catur antarabangsa apabila berjaya menjadi juara dan menggondol pingat emas di Kejohanan Catur Asian Age Group ke 10 bagi kategori perempuan Bawah 10 Tahun (Girls 10) yang berlansung di Bandar Hue, Vietnam. Dengan seri di pusingan terakhir, Najiha berjaya memperolehi 7 mata dengan menang 5 dan seri 4 permainan meninggalkan naib juara dari negara tuan rumah  dengan 1/2 mata. Dengan kemenangan ini, kalau tidak silap GiLoCatur, Najiha berjaya mendapat title WFM.

(GiLoCatur : Amat berharap pihak media cetak dan elektronik mengeluarkan berita kejayaan Najiha ini di dada-dada akhbar dan media elektronik. Sewajarnya sukan catur tidak disisihkan di negara ini dengan hanya menumpukan kepada sukan-sukan popular.)

Amat sayang sekali kerana kakaknya, Nabila kurang berjaya mengungguli kategori perempuan Bawah 12 Tahun. Nabila yang tewas di pusingan pertama, juga tewas kepada juara, WCM Medina, dari Indonesia di pusingan keenam. Tetapi dengan berbekalkan 6 1/2 mata, Najiha berjaya mendapat pingat perak bagi kategorinya. Syabas juga diucapkan kepada Nabila dengan kejayaan tersebut. 

Azman Hisham 

coach dan motivator kedua-dua anak perempuannya

(Gambar dipetik dari Blog Kelab Catur Setia Kuantan dan sumbangan Haslindah)  

Tahniah dan syabas juga harus diberikan kepada Encik Azman Hisham dan Puan Zaza di atas dedikasi dan pengorbanan mereka demi kejayaan anak-anak dalam sukan catur. 

Sementara itu, Camilia yang juga bersaing dalam ketegori yang sama berjaya mendapat 4 1/2 mata. Camilia berada di kedudukan ke 11 dari sejumlah 19 orang peserta. Amier Hamzah yang bermain dalam kategori Open 8, berjaya memperolehi 5 mata. Amier yang berada di tempat ke 12, tewas tiga pusingan (kedua, ketiga dan keempat) berturut-turut. Ini merupakan satu setback kepada beliau. Jerome pula hanya sekadar menang dua dan seri dua permainan dalam kategori Open 12. Dengan 3 mata, Jerome berada di tempat ke 19 dari sejumlah 21 orang pemain. Diharap Jerome tidak berputus asa untuk menyertai pertandingan catur di masa akan datang dengan keptusan ini. Jerome perlu membuat analisa dan memperbaiki permainan-permainan beliau supaya bermain lebih baik dan cemerlang lagi di kejohanan-kejohanan catur peringkat antarabangsa yang lain. 

Agak sayang bagi NM Edward Lee yang tewas di pusingan terakhir kerana jika menang sudah pasti beliau akan mendapat medal bronze dengan 5 1/2 mata kerana memiliki tie break yang lebih baik. Dengan 4 1/2 mata, Edward Lee berjaya mendapat tempat keenam dari sejumpah 12 orang pemain dalam kategorinya. Juara bagi kategori ini ialah pemain tuan rumah, Nguyen Van Hai, yang berjaya memperoleh 8 mata dari 7 kemenangan dan 2 seri.  (GiLoCatur : pembetulan, sebenarnya Edward menang di pusingan terakhir. Ini bermakna Edward memperolehi 5 1/2 mata dan mendapat tempat keempat. Terima kasih kepada Haslindah Ruslan yang berada di Vietnam bersama pemain-pemain catur negara di atas pembetulan ini. 12-6-2009, 4:40am)

Bagi wakil Malaysia dalam kategori Open 20, Amru berjaya mendapat 3 mata. Amru berada di tempat ke 22 daripada 23 orang peserta. GiLoCatur yakin mereka dapat pengalaman yang sangat berharga dengan menyertai kejohanan peringkat antarabangsa sebegini. Diharap mereka akan menyertai lebih banyak lagi kejohanan-kejohanan sebegini bagi memperbaiki mutu permainan catur mereka. 

GiLoCatur ucapkan syabas kepada yang berjaya mendapat medal. Kepada mereka yang tidak dapat medal, DO NOT GIVE UP, continue to work hard and practice. Learn from the quality tournament like this. Analyze all the games especially the champions and the winners when back home.

Apa itu IQ?

Kita biasa mendengar tentang IQ. Tetapi tahukan kita apa sebenarnya IQ? IQ merupakan singkatan kepada Intelligence Quotient. Ia menilai atau mengukur keupayaan kognitif untuk menilai (to reason), menganalisa sesuatu masalah dan mencari penyelesaiannya. Kategori IQ bolehlah dibahagikan kepada tiga - sederhana atau average (90 - 109), above average atau gifted (110 - 139) dan genius (139+). 

Tahukah anda siapa yang memiliki IQ yang tinggi? Gary Kasparov (195), Bobby Fischer (167). Bagaimana dengan IQ anda? Anda perlu ambil ujian IQ he he he  .... di sini atau di sini.

Kejohanan Catur Asean Age Group Ke 10

Hotel Huong Giang, tempat kejohanan.

Sekarang sedang berlansung Kejohanan Catur Asean Age Group ke 10 di Bandar Hue, Vietnam. Kejohanan 9 pusingan tersebut yang bermula dari 6 hingga 15 Jun 2009 diadakan di Hotel Huong Giang. Beberapa orang pemain catur Malaysia mengambil bahagian. Mereka adalah :

Amier Hamzah Bin Mohd Zuhri (Open 8)

Jerome Yong Lik Boh (Open 12)

NM Edward Lee Kim Han (Open 16)

Amru Mohd Tariq (Open 20)

Nur Najiha Azman Hisham (Girls 10)

NJWM Nur Nabila Azman Hisham (Girls 12)

Camilia Binti Johari (Girls 12)

Hari ini merupakan hari rehat. Setakat ini mereka telah bermain sebanyak lima pusingan. Empat pusingan lagi akan diadakan pada 11 dan 12 hb. Bagaimana keputusan pemain-pemain catur Malaysia setakat ini? (GiLoCatur : Ada sedikit kesilapan. Nampaknya jadual kejohanan yang GiLoCatur rujuk telah berubah. Rupa-rupanya hari ini bukan hari rehat. Ada dua permainan pada hari ini - 8.30 pagi dan 3.30 petang.)

Dalam kategori Open 8, Amier Hamzah bersama 27 pemain catur dari negara lain akan berentap untuk mencari juara. Ke semua peserta kategori ini masih belum memiliki FIDE rating. Amier yang banyak menyertai pertandingan dan kejohanan catur dalam negara ingin mengulangi kecemerlangan Yeoh Li Tian di kejohanan luar negara. Amier bermula dengan cemerlang apabila menewaskan pemain tuan rumah, Luu Quang Vu, di pusingan pertama dengan bermain buah hitam. Tetapi rentak tersebut gagal diteruskan apabila Amier tewas tiga pusingan berikutnya kepada pemain Filipina, Singapura dan Vietnam. Di pusingan kelima, Amier berjaya menewaskan pencabarnya dari Vietnam. Dengan itu Amier setakat ini memiliki 2 mata. (GiLoCatur : Amier menang pusingan keenam. Ini bermakna Amier sekarang memperolehi 3 mata. Teruskan momentum kemenangan untuk 3 lagi pusingan terakhir.) 

Jerome Yong Lik Boh bermain dalam kategori Open 12. Kategori ini hanya disertai oleh 21 orang peserta. Hanya empat orang pemain, kesemuanya dari Vietnam, yang memiliki FIDE rating. FM Tran Tuan Minh dari Vietnam merupakan pemain seeded pertama dengan FIDE rating 2042. Jerome tewas tiga pusingan pertama kepada pemain-pemian Vietnam. Beliau menang di pusingan keempat dan seri dengan pemain Singapura di pusingan kelima. Di pusingan keenam nanti Jerome, dengan 1 1/2 mata, akan berlawan dengan pemain dari Rusia, Chebotar Kirill.  (GiLocatur : Sayang Jerome tewas di pusingan keenam. Jangan putus asa, teruskan permainan dengan penuh semangat. Anak Malaysia tabah dan bersemangat.)

 

National Master tahun lepas, Edward Lee, yang menyertai kategori Open 16 tewas di pusingan pertama kepada Kaushik Murali dari Singapura. Di pusingan kedua menentang pemain Vietnam, Edward seri. Edward mendapat momentum di pusingan ketiga dan keempat dengan menewaskan seorang lagi pemain Vietnam dan pemain Singapura. Tetapi agak malang momentum tersebut disekat oleh pemain dari Philippine di pusingan kelima. Dengan berbekalkan 2 1/2 mata, Edward akan menentang pemain seeded ketiga dari Vietnam, Dang Duy Linh, di pusingan keenam. Edward merupakan pemain seeded keempat dalam ketegori beliau dari sejumlah 12 orang peserta.

(GiLoCatur : Edward seri di pusingan keenam dengan pemain yang mempunyai rating yang lebih tinggi. Satu keputusan yang dianggap bagus. Keep it up!)

Amru Tariq menyertai kategori Open 20 yang disertai pemain-pemain hebat. Dengan FIDE rating 2045, Amru hanya berada dikedudukan ke-16 dari 23 pemain dalam kategori tersebut. Hanya empat orang pemain yang masih belum mempunyai FIDE rating. Amru tewas di dua pusingan pertama kepada pemain yang memiliki rating 2200+. Amru menang dua pusingan berikutnya termasuk berjaya menewaskan pemain Vietnam, Bao Khoa, di pusingan keempat. Sayangnya Amru tidak dapat meneruskan kemenangan beliau ke atas seorang lagi pemain rating 2100+ di pusingan kelima. Dengan berbekalkan 2 mata, Amru akan menetang FM Rian Kapriaga, satu-satunya pemain lelaki Indonesia di kejohanan ini di pusingan keenam. 

(GiLoCatur : Nampaknya Amru gagal untuk menewaskan FM Indonesia. Jangan putus asa! Teruskan permainan dengan penuh semangat. Jadikan ia sebagai satu kenangan dan pengalaman manis untuk terus mencipta kejayaan di persada catur.)

Bersama 28 pemain catur yang kebanyakannya dari negara tuan rumah, Najiha bermain dalam kategori Girls 10. Agak sukar untuk mengetahui kekuatan pesaing-pesaing beliau kerana semua peserta dalam kategori ini masih tiada FIDE rating. Setakat ini Najiha bermain dengan cemerlang kerana belum pernah tewas. Najiha menang pusingan pertama dan kedua, kemudian seri kedua-dua pusingan berikutnya sebelum menang di pusingan kelima. Dengan berbekalkan 4 mata, Najiha akan berdepan dengan pemain dari Indonesia, Karenza Dita, di pusingan keenam esok.

(GiLoCatur : Tahniah Najiha kerana menang ke atas pemain Indonesia di pusingan keenam pagi tadi. Ini bermakna laluan semakin cerah bagi Najiha untuk bergelar juara. Tetapi Najiha perlu menang ke atas lawan beliau pemain tuan rumah yang juga memiliki 5 mata  di pusingan ketujuh pada pukul 3.30 petang ini waktu Vietnam. Good Luck! Najiha. Semua rakyat Malaysia terutamanya pencinta-penicnta sukan catur tanahair mendoakan kejayaan anda!)

Hanya 19 orang pemain menyertai kategori Girls 12. NJWM Nabila dan Camilia bermain dalam kategori ini. Dengan FIDE rating 1837, Nabila berada pada ranking kedua di belakang WCM Medina Warda Aulia, puteri catur Indonesia yang pernah menyertai Kejohanan Catur Terbuka KL - Challengers tahun lepas yang dimenangi oleh Nabila. Di pusingan pertama Nabila tewas kepada pemain Vietnam. Di empat pusingan berikutnya, Nabila cemerlang dengan menang ke semua permainan. Dengan 4 mata, Nabila akan bertemu dengan puteri catur Indonesia, Medina, di pusingan keenam esok.

Camilia bermula cemerlang dengan memenangi dua pusingan pertama ke atas dua orang pemain tuan rumah. Tetapi di pusingan ketiga, Camilia telah disekat oleh puteri catur Indonesia Medina. Camilia seri di pusingan keempat. tetapi sayangnya Camilia tewas di pusingan kelima kepada WCM Vietnam. Esok di pusingan keenam, Camilia akan menentang pemain dari Philipine dengan berbekalkan 2 1/2 mata. (GiLoCatur : Camilia seri di pusingan keenam. Bravo, teruskan usaha. Berusaha untuk menang baki 3 game.)

Puteri catur Indonesia, WCM Medina Warda Aulia (FIDE 1882)

Perlawanan epic pada pusingan keenam esok dengan Puteri catur Malaysia, NJWM Nur Nabila. Berjayakah Nabila menewaskan beliau untuk mengungguli kategori Girls 12? Inilah peluang keemasan Nabila untuk menjadi juara di peringkat antarabangsa di Bandar Hue, Vietnam setelah berjaya menjuarai KLCA Open - Challengers pada tahu lepas di Kuala Lumpur.

(GiLoCatur : Keputusan terkini merujuk kepada chess-results.com, puteri catur Malaysia telah tewas kepada puteri catur Indonesia di papan utama. Ini bermakna, WCM Medina dijangka akan menjuarai kategori Girls 12 kerana setakat ini sedang mendahului dengan 2 mata. Semoga Nabila, 4 mata bersama 3 orang pemain, tidak putus asa untuk meneruskan permainan dengan cemerlang pada pusingan-pusingan berikutnya.)

GiLoCatur berharap kepada semua mereka untuk bermain dengan cemerlang di pusingan-pusingan berikutnya. Jangan sia-siakan peluang yang ada dengan menyertai kejohanan catur luar negara yang sudah pasti memerlukan sejumlah kewangan yang besar. Daripada apa yang GiLoCatur dengar, mereka mengeluarkan perbelanjaan sendiri untuk menyertai Kejohanan Catur Asean Age Group ke-10 ini. Best of Luck! kepada mereka semua untuk mengharumkan nama negara di persada antarabangsa.

MAJULAH CATUR UNTUK NEGARA!

    

Keputusan Catur Cabaran Padang Jawa 2009

GiLoCatur dan anak-anak tidak dapat menyertai Pertandingan Catur Cabaran Padang Jawa yang diadakan pada hari ini. GiLoCatur sekeluarga perlu hadir ke rumah adik di Rawang kerana ada majlis berkhatam al-Quran dan kenduri tahlil.

Insya Allah, jika tiada aral kami akan menyertai pertandingan catur OLE OLE di Seksyen 18 dan di Tanjung Karang minggu depan.

Berikut adalah keputusan Catur Cabaran Padang Jawa 2009 yang diemelkan oleh Encik Azhar. 

Kategori Terbuka 

1. Muhd Nabil Azman - 5.5
2. Muhd Syakir Shazmeer - 5.5
3. Abdullah Che Hassan - 5.0

Untuk keputusan penuh, sila ke http://sifumycatur.blogspot.com/2009/06/keputusan-catur-cabaran-padang-jawa.html

Kategori Bawah 12 Tahun

1. Roshan Singh - 5.5
2. Muhd Irfan Haqqim - 5.5
3. Lyana Aqilah Alip - 5.0

Untuk keputusan penuh, sila ke http://sifumycatur.blogspot.com/2009/06/keputusan-catur-cabaran-padang-jawa_08.html

Chess Travelogue To Batu Gajah Open

Eventhough GiLoCatur still feel tired because just got home late last night from Langkawi Island, this chess travelogue need to be done. If not it will never get done. Last weekend, GiLoCatur and family went back hometown to check and work on our "kebun kelapa sawit". On Sunday 31st May 2009, GiLocatur, wife and kids managed to travel to Batu Gajah to participate in the Batu Gajah Chess Open held at the hall of Majlis Daerah Kinta Barat (MDKB). 

GiLoCatur thought not many prominent chess players would participate because the National Closed began on the same weekend, but GiLoCatur was wrong. Cikgu Zull and his three children were there as well as Ilhamuddin, the defending champion, Muhammad Arshad, Fariz Shafruddin, Norazman Ismail, Anthony, Subramaniam Demudu and surely Ian Udani.

GiLoCatur could not resist to play in the open category hoping to get better position. Below is the travelogue.

7.15 am

GiLoCatur and family had to wake up early and get shower in the cold Sunday morning at our hometown. GiLoCatur's mrs had to wake up earlier because she needs to make sandwiches for our journey to Batu Gajah from Sungai Besar. Since there were not many cars, we managed to reach at the venue few minutes past 9.00 o'clock. Meaning it took us about two hours drive. Surely, we would pass by few villages and towns like Sabak Bernam, Teluk Intan, Langkap, Ayer Kuning, Kampar and Gopeng.

9.15 am

Managed to reach and pay the tournament fees on time. Had to ask direction to the hall at the Petronas gas station while reaching Batu Gajah.

Around 10.00 am

The first round of the tournament started. There were three categories - Open, Under 15 and Under 12. For both Under 15 and Under 12 categories, there were about 26 and 18 players for each category minus the absentees. Fikri was playing in Under 15 section. With three seeded players registered earlier did not come, Fikri with national rating of 1382 was basically the second seed after Fong Yit San whose current national rating is 1659.

Whereas Anis was seeded sixth with national rating of 1005. She played in Under 12 section along with Fahim who has yet have national rating.   

The final results and the perfomance of GiLoCatur and children are like the following :

After 7 rounds, GiLoCatur scored 3 points. In the first round, GiLoCatur was paired againts Wan Azmi who did not come. So, GiLoCatur won without really playing the game. In the second round, GiLoCatur played black againts Mohd Johan Jamil. Surely, he is much much stronger than GiLoCatur since his rating is 1711. With the score of 4.5 points, he was placed 15th in the tournament. Then GiLoCatur played againts a lady player named Siti Zainab. Playing black, GiLoCatur attacked aggressively. GiLoCatur had two extra major pieces - a rook and a bishop. GiLoCatur checkmated her after making Bd1 move as per below picture.

In round 4, GiLoCatur had to face a strong player, Norazman Ismail with national rating of 1705. GiLoCatur was flattered when he said after the game that he also a bit worried with the attack. But surely GiLoCatur still far behind to see and execute the attacking flair that he mentioned. Norazman managed to get into the winner's list.

1.15 pm

GiLoCatur and family had lunch at a "Medan Selera". We were really hungry maybe because we just had sandwiches in the morning and had a two-hour drive.

Round 5: GiLoCatur played black.

In the first round after the lunch break which was also the fifth round, GiLoCatur played black againts a teenager named Tan Wing. Once again, GiLoCatur lost due to time pressure. In round 6, GiLoCatur played white againts a player named Muhammad Luqman. GiLoCatur won the game. In the last round, playing black once again GiLoCatur was defeated. GiLoCatur was attacked and had to defend most of the time. Overall, GiLoCatur was very happy with the performance because not many silly blunders and had quality and well-fought games.

As for Fikri, he performed well in the tournament in Under 15 section eventhough he lacks training and chess practice due to his school routines. He won all the games except lost to the eventual champion, Fong Yit San, in the fourth round. 

Round 1: Fikri was playing white.

Round 6: Fikri's opponent was Amer Moinuddin who played white.

Round 7: Fikri played black againts Muhd Zikri Bin Mohd Zaki

With 5 wins, 1 draw and 1 lost GiLoCatur's daughter, Anis Fariha, was placed third in Under 12 section.  The lost was in the first round when she had to play her Selangor MSSM team mate, Noor Azam. She drew with the eventual champion, William Lee Kah Howe in the sixth round.

Round 1: Anis (black) vs Noor Azam (white)

Round 6: Anis drew with the Under 12 champion, William Lee Kah Howe

Round 7: Anis won againts Benjamin Lee Kah Teng

Round 1: Fahim won againts Priyatharishini a/p Dharmalingam

GiLoCatur's youngest son, Fahim, was very happy when he checkmated his opponent in the last round, Brian Kok Eu Mun, with 4 step moves. He lost one of his five games with that 4 step moves. Then he tried that move after that.

6.00 pm

On the way home after the prize giving, GiLoCatur and family visited the Kellie's Castle. We took pictures and had fun at the castle.

Going to and participating in the Batu Gajah Chess Open was exciting and fun to GiLoCatur and family due to below resons:

• The tournament was basically smooth running especially between rounds and waiting for the winners list. One of the main reasons GiLoCatur believes is that for each section there was a notebook and one person in-charge of keying into the system. In other words, the organizer does not use only one notebook for all three categories.
• The organiser shortens the time control to 20 minute per player since the tournament starts a bit late at around 10.00 am due to players registration process.
• It is quite rare for chess tournaments to include flowers to the winners. It is a thumb up for the organizers. 
  
• The arbiters are very alert and stand near the players especially for Under 12 section.

GiLoCatur hopes the organizer keeps up the good work in other chess tournaments held in Perak to attract chess players around the country to participate. It is also nice to know that chess is back and alive in Perak. To keep updated on chess in Perak, please visit http://perakchess.blogspot.com/ regularly.