DATCC Blitz & Hari Raya Open House

Got an email from Encik Hamid Majid




The Dato' Arthur Tan Chess Center will be hosting the Hari Raya Open House
Blitz Tournament as follows:

Date: Saturday 3 Oct 2009
Time: 12:30 - 7 pm followed by dinner (buffet) on the house.

9 (or 11 depending on entries) rounds Swiss followed by last eight knock out
or 21 rounds straight.

Winner (Champion) RM 400
Second RM 200
Third & Fourth (RM 100)
5th - 8th (RM 50)

Entry Fee RM 20.00, Open to all, and you are to be at the venue before 12.

Time Control 5mins+2seconds increment

Those who wish to bring along their Hari Raya cakes are welcome !!!

Lets get together for Hari Raya !!!!!!!!

JOHOR CLOSED 2009

Venue: Bilik Seminar, Kolej Tun Hussein Onn, L 01,  UTM, Johor.

Date : 3 & 4 October (Saturday & Sunday)

Time: 2.00pm - 6.30pm Saturday, 9.00am - 6.30pm Sunday

Organizer : Johor Chess Association


Playing Schedule

3/10/2009

Round 1 : 2.00pm-4.00pm

Round 2 : 4.15pm-6.15pm


4/10/2009

Round 3 : 9.00am-11.00am

Round 4 : 11.15am-1.15am

Round 5 : 2.00pm-4.00pm

Round 6 : 4.15pm-6.15pm

    

Prizes                                

Open Category

1st : RM200

2nd : RM150

3rd : RM100

4th : RM80

5th : RM50

6th - 8th : RM40

Best Categories

• Best Veteran : RM50

• Best Lady : RM50

• Best Junior: RM50

Contact Person : Leong Mun Wan  016-7419960

Rule & Regulation

1. Base on Fide Law
2. Time control : 1 hour perside
3. Notation : compulsary (last 5 minutes no need for recording)
4. The winner will be select go to Sarawak team championship on December ( National closed 2010 may will be select base on this event also)
5. Non-Johorean can taking part but only can win the prize, no in representation.
6. limited to 60 players only. 

Jax Tham's Hari Raya Classical Chess Final Results

Ranking and Games after round 6 of HCC09

No.  PNo.  Name           R1    R2    R3    R4    R5    R6       Score

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. 2  JAX THAM            6b1   5w1   1b1/2   7w1   8b1   3w1       5.5

2. 1  ABDULLAH CHE HASSAN15w1   8b1   2w1/2   4b1   5w1   6b1/2       5.0

3. 6  ROSHAN AJEET SINGH  2w0  10b1  14w1   3b1   4w1   1w1/2       4.5

4. 5  JOSHUA FOONG       17w1   2b0  11w1  13b1   1b0   7w1       4.0

5. 11 ANDREW SOONG        4w0  17b1   5b0  12w1  16w1  10b1       4.0

6. 13 TIN JUN HAO B-12   22b1   3w1   7b0   5w0   9b1   8w1       4.0

7. 4  CHONG KWAI KUN     11b1   7w1/2   9b1   1w0   6b0  20w1       3.5

8. 3  MARK SIEW          16w1  13b0  21b1   6w0  17w1   2b0       3.0

9. 7  CHONG YAN MENG B-1418w1   4b1/2  13w1   2b0  10w1/2   5b0       3.0

10.8  GABRIEL SOONG      19b1   1w0  12b1  21w1   2w0  13b0       3.0

11.9  KUNG KAH HENG      20w1/2  14b1   4w0  16b1/2  13w0  19b1       3.0

12.10 LEE ZHI WEI B-10   21b1/2   6w0  19b1  22w1   7b1/2  11w0       3.0

13.14 THAM CHEE LEONG    12b1   9w0   6b0  19w1  20b0  21w1       3.0

14.16 ETHAN WONG          3b0  22w1/2  15b1   9w1/2  11b0  18b1       3.0

15.17 KUNG SOON HENG      5b0  11w0  18b1  15w1   3b0  12w1       3.0

16.20 VINTON WONG         9b1/2  21w0  22b0  18w1  14w1   4b0       2.5

17.21 ENG MAY KEI        10w1/2  20b1   3w0   8b0  22w1  14b0       2.5

18.12 MAX WONG           14w0  18b1   8w0  11b0  19w1  17b0       2.0

19.22 ROSHEN SUBRAMANIAM 13w0  16b1/2  20w1  10b0  21b0  15w1/2       2.0

20.15 SEAN HSHI-LOONG     1b0  19w0  16w0  17b0  18w1  22b1/2       1.5

21.19 SOOI CHING WEI      8w0  15b1  10w0  14b0  12b0   9w0       1.0

22.18 LEE ZHI YAN         7b0  12w0  17w0  20b0  15b0  16w0       0.0

Ranking after round 6 of HCC09

No.  PNo.  Name                       Score WP    SB     PS    rat.  TPR  W-We

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  1.    2  JAX THAM                    5.5  22.5  20.00  19.0  1755 1951 +0.94

  2.    1  ABDULLAH CHE HASSAN         5.0  22.0  17.00  18.5  1892 1756 -0.52

  3.    6  ROSHAN(T) AJEET SINGH       4.5  23.0  15.00  14.5  1492 1763 +2.16

  4.    5  JOSHUA FOONG                4.0  24.5  14.00  14.0  1543 1582 +0.28

       11  ANDREW(F) SOONG             4.0  18.5  11.00  11.0  1277 1470 +1.54

       13  TIN(T) JUN HAO              4.0  18.0  11.00  14.0  1273 1514 +1.60

  7.    4  CHONG KWAI KUN              3.5  22.0  11.00  13.5  1569 1446 -0.94

  8.    3  MARK(S) SIEW                3.0  22.5   8.50  12.0  1692 1309 -2.30

        7  CHONG(F) YAN MENG           3.0  20.0   7.25  13.5  1359 1431 +0.60

        8  GABRIEL(F) SOONG            3.0  20.0   5.50  13.0  1319 1376 +0.35

        9  KUNG(T) KAH HENG            3.0  17.0   6.75  10.5  1299 1220 -0.66

       10  LEE(X) ZHI WEI              3.0  17.0   5.75  11.0  1291 1205 -0.50

       14  THAM(S) CHEE LEONG          3.0  15.5   5.50  10.0  1220 1153 -0.45

       16  ETHAN(X) WONG               3.0  13.5   4.00   9.0  1203 1328 +0.85

       17  KUNG (F) SOON HENG          3.0  14.5   3.50   8.0  1184 1360 +1.38

 16.   20  VINTON(F) WONG              2.5  14.0   4.50   8.0  1014 1405 +1.90

       21  ENG(F) MAY KEI              2.5  16.5   6.00  10.0  0000 1158  1158

 18.   12  MAX(E) WONG                 2.0  14.0   1.00   7.0  1277 1074 -1.66

       22  ROSHEN(F) SUBRAMANIAM       2.0  16.5   4.75   7.0  0000 1128  1128

 20.   15  SEAN(X) HSHI-LOONG COMBEN   1.5  14.0   1.00   2.5  1219 1055 -1.00

 21.   19  SOOI(X) CHING WEI           1.0  15.5   1.50   5.0  1041  998 -0.26

 22.   18  LEE(E) ZHI YAN              0.0  15.0   0.00   0.0  1153  532 -2.52

    

Twenty two (22) chess players had participated in the just concluded Hari Raya Classical Chess tournament organized by Jax Tham. It is a very commendable effort by the organizer for such tournament since classical chess tournaments are very rare in Malaysia. The six rounds tournament just ended today and Jax Tham himself, ranked second to Abdullah Che Hassan won the tournament by winning 5 games and drew with Abdullah in the third round. The latter just managed to score 5 points because he drew his final round againts U12 Selangor state player, Roshan Singh.

Seeded sixth with national rating of 1492, Roshan, edged other higher rank players such as Perakian Mark Siew (1692) and Chong Kwai Kun (1569). Eventhough Roshan lost to the eventual champion in the first round, he defeated both of them in the fourth and fifth round respectively. What an achievement for the young and talented Roshan in this tournament.

With 4 points, both Joshua Foong and Andrew Soong, were placed fourth and fifth respectively. While the former lost to the top two seeds, the latter was defeated by the fourth and fifth seed.

       

SALAM HARI LEBARAN DARI GILOCATUR

(foto background dari http://jyn13th.blogspot.com)

BERSEMPENA DENGAN KEDATANGAN SYAWAL BEBERAPA HARI LAGI, GILOCATUR INGIN MENGUCAPKAN SELAMAT MENYAMBUT HARI LEBARAN ATAU EIDUL FITRI BAGI TAHUN 2009 INI KEPADA SEMUA MUSLIMIN DAN MUSLIMAT TERUTAMANYA PEMAIN-PEMAIN DAN PEMINAT-PEMINAT CATUR. SEMOGA BERBAHAGIA DAN BERGEMBIRA DALAM RAHMAT DAN REDHA ALLAH SWT.

PANDULAH DENGAN SELAMAT. INGAT ORANG TERSAYANG. INSYA ALLAH, KITA BERSUA DI PERTANDINGAN-PERTANDINGAN CATUR SELEPAS HARI RAYA.

GiLoCatur dan keluarga akan pulang ke kampung esok pagi selepas subuh. Sejam yang lalu, GiLoCatur telah selesai membereskan segala urusan dan keperluan kucing-kucing GiLoCatur sekeluarga. Begitulah kebiasaan GiLoCatur bila pulang ke kampung atau bermalam di luar kawasan.   Kami ada 12 ekor kucing Siam jenis soaked. Comel, siibu kucing, ada 8 ekor anak dari 3 generasi (batch). Brownie dan BB dari generasi kedua. Dua adik-beradik mereka telah mati. 3 ekor anak Comel dari generasi pertama semuanya mati sewaktu masih kecil. Comel, Brownie dan BB tidak dikurung di dalam kandang. Ini kerana kandang akan terlalu sesak. Tambahan pula Brownie dan BB tidak boleh berdekatan kerana mereka akan bergaduh. Mungkin disebabkan mereka telah menjadi kucing jantan dewasa. Tetapi GiLocatur sekeluarga tidak risau kerana mereka tahu untuk pulang ke rumah. Apa yang perlu GiLoCatur lakukan ialah dengan menyediakan makanan mereka di luar dan belakang rumah. 

Labu, Putih dan Manja dari generasi ketiga.  Labu dan Putih dikurung di dalam kandang bersama 3 ekor adik-adik mereka, Binky, Dinky dan Blackie atau GiLoCatur suka panggil Hitam sahaja. Manja, satu-satunya kucing betina selain ibunya, Comel, terpaksa ditinggalkan di dalam rumah. Ini dalah kerana Manja baharu sahaja beberapa hari yang lalu melahirkan 3 lagi anak kucing.  (GiLoCatur belum pasti apa jantina baby-baby kucing tersebut). 

Petang tadi, GiLoCatur sekeluarga berbuka di luar iaitu di BOB's Restoran di Seksyen 18. Kami terpaksa berbuka di luar kerana tidak sempat berbuka di rumah setelah mengambil Fikri dari asrama. Dalam bulan Ramadhan ini, GiLoCatur amat jarang berbuka di luar semenjak beberapa tahun yang lalu kerana lebih selesa berbuka di rumah. GiLoCatur hanya berbuka di luar sebanyak 3 kali sahaja termasuk petang tadi. Malam tadi GiLoCatur berbuka di sebuah hotel di Subang Jaya. Sebelum ini GiLoCatur  berbuka bersama keluarga juga di Seksyen 18 sewaktu mengambil Fikri dari asrama. Petang tadi pengalaman kami berbuka agak mengujakan kerana hujan turun dengan lebatnya. Kami terkena tempias hujan. 

Setelah berbuka kami bergegas ke kompleks PKNS. Setelah menunaikan solat maghrib di surau, kami berjalan-jalan dan window shopping. Nasib baik orang tidak terlalu ramai. Tidak banyak yang dibeli. GiLoCatur hanya beli kuih bahulu gulung dan sedikit dodol. 

*** That's all folks! GiLoCatur really needs to go to bed now since have to drive back to hometown very early tomorrow morning. ***.

Chess Lesson from the Chess Queen, Susan Polgar

Surfing the internet, looking for interesting info, GiLoCatur found some from Susan Polgar's famous chess blog http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/.

her advise on playing good chess to the children

"to first get the knights and bishops out to control the center of the board, to not move the same pieces twice in the beginning, and to put the king in a safety position."

Susan strongly believes that,

a) "Chess inspires logical thinking and decision-making"

b) "Every move is a change in circumstances like in real life. To have young people see changes is an important skill."

c) ... and if chess were used more in schools, society would be better educated.

Is 09.09.09 special to you?

The date today is

09.09.09

and it will be more unique at

09:09 am / pm

As of 09.09.09, this blog has passed 18,000 mark.

GiLoCatur just wanna capture and record the moment of the unique date!

KLCA Open 2009 - Final Day

Final Round 9 Results

Among the top four boards, GM Nguyen Ngoc Truon Son of Vietnam, GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia and GM Saidali Iuldachev of Uzbekistan won their respective games. On the third board IM Richard Bitoon of Phillipines and IM Tahir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan drew. Therefore, GM Nguyen Son is the champion of the KL Open Chess Championship for this year's edition. If you notice all the top five winners are GMs and have 2500+ rating. What GiLoCatur can conclude that there is a difference between strong (masters) chess players in a tournament with other average and normal chess players. Average chess players especially to young Malaysian chess players should learn and emulate strong and master players.

Tahniah or congratulation to GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son.

KLCA Open 2009 - Day 5 (R8 Results and R9 Pairing)

Round 8 Results

Indonesian FM, Syarif Mahmud could not manage to stop GM Nguyen Son to lead the pack with half point. On the other hand, the Uzbek champion, FM Pak, succeeded to earn half point by drawing with higher-rated GM Dao from Vietnam. Such result surely make GM Marat and GM Susanto happy when they managed to win their respective games on the third and fourth board. GM Marat defeated Singaporean FM Chan while GM Susanto beat his fellow countryman, IM Irwanto.

In the Malaysian camp, Edward Lee, Najib Abdul Wahab and Abdul Haq Mohamed had sterling performances againts their respective opponents. Edward won againts an IM with 2284 FIDE rating, nearly 200 higher than him. Najib managed to defeat a 1900-rated Biswajit Bharadwaj while Abdul Haq won againts rated countryman, Jianwen.

In a battle of puteri catur between Malaysian and Indonesia, NWM Tan Li Ting could not manage to win againts one of the Indonesian Dream Girls quartet, WFM Dewi AA Citra. Whereas Ismail Ahmad drew with MCF's vice president, Haslindah.

Round 9 Pairing

In the final round just began about half hour ago, it is back to the top four seeds. Leading the pack, GM Ngyuen Son plays white againts GM Marat Dzhumaev, the third seed on the first board. Having 6/8, both the second seed GM Dao Thien Hai (white) and the fourth seed GM Susanto Megaranto (black) will battle on the second board. GiLoCatur strongly believe the champion will be among these four GMs.

As for the Malaysians:

Edward Lee, the highest scorer with 4.5/8, will meet againts Ian Udani. An interesting battle also. This followed by two unrated players, Abdul Haq and Najib who have scored 4/8 points so far. Let's see whether they have much energy left to conquer 2000+ and 2100+ rated players. With 3/8 points, Jianwen should try to win his game againts 1900+ rated player to make sure he imroves his FIDE rating. The other three have 2.5/8 points. Ismail Ahmad will face one of the Indonesian Dream Girls, WCM Monica. Haslindah will play black againts Oentoro Djoni while Tan Li Ting will play againts a Chinese Taipeh chess player, Chen I-Chen.

GOOD LUCK to all!

GOOD LUCK for UPSR Exam

GiLoCatur would like to wish GOOD LUCK to all Year 6 pupils who will be sitting UPSR examination in less than 10 hours from now especially to the chess players that GiLoCatur know.

WCM NUR NABILA

MOHD IRFAN HAQQIM

FAIRUZ HAMIZAH

ROSHAN SINGH

ISKANDAR DANIAL

SKBJ CHESS PLAYERS;

AMINUR NIRZA

MOHD IRFAN RENDRAWAN

MOHD ISHRAF

AFFAN AMRISH

KLCA Open 2009 - Day 4 (R7 Results and R8 Pairing)

Round 7 Results

All the games on the top three boards drew. It means that the two leaders from Vietnam are just half point in front of six (6) players with 5/7 points. So, the tournament is still open whereby anyone of the eight players have the chance to be the champion.

As for the Malaysian players, their respective opponents are too strong for both Edward Lee and Jianwen. Edward was defeated by a pinoy IM, Richard Bitoon, while Jianwen had to bow to Singaporean CM Neubronner. The same goes to Li Ting where she had to accept her defeat to a Sri Lankan chess player.

But it was a sweet victory for Abdul Haq and Haslindah. The unrated Abdul Haq won againts 1947-rated opponent while Haslindah defeated her higher-rated lady opponent. Whereas the unrated Najib managed to win againts experienced countryman, Ismail Ahmad.

Round 8 Pairing

Tomorrow morning session will be interesting especially on the top four boards. Because the champion for this tournament will come from these boards. Can both FM Syarif Mahmud and FM Pak Yevgeniy stop the two leaders from Vietnam? Or would it be GM Marat and GM Susanto take the lead? Or perhaps IM Irwanto and FM Daniel Chan will be in the limelight? GiLoCatur is eager to know and can not wait the results of the tomorrow's morning session games.

As for most of the Malaysian players still can achieve something. Three unrated players - an arbiter (Najib), a NWM (Li Ting) and Abdul Haq, will get FIDE ratings. Li Ting have played 7 rated players so far and will meet another rated player tomorrow morning. She has scored 2 and 1/2 points with tournament rating of 1941. As what GiLoCatur understands, Li Ting would earn a FIDE rating in this tournament. Checking at FIDE website, she had 3 games so far with one win while playing the AmBank Challenge last year.

As for both Abdul Haq and Najib, they both have played againts six (6) rated players and scored 2 and 1/2 points. They might be not earning the FIDE rating yet in this tournament since not played nine (9) rated players. The most would be only eight because they meet each other in Round 6.

As for both Edward Lee and Jianwen, after Round 7, their rating performance in this tournament is higher that their respective current FIDE rating. They need to maintain such performance until the last round so that their FIDE rating can increase. It would be an achievement for these young lads in pursuing their chess ambition.

GOOD LUCK!

KLCA Open 2009 - Day 4 (R6 Results and R7 Pairing)

GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (left) and GM Dao Thien Hai - the leaders after round 6

(from Gilachess blog)

Round 7 Pairing

The two Vietnamese GMs leaders will meet againts each other on the top board in 30 minutes time. Will they draw? But GiLoCatur believes that they will fight till the end because a win is very crucial for each of them. Because three players with 4.5/6 - IM Irwanto, FM Pak and GM Marat, are waiting their chances as well.

Round 6 Results

It becomes interesting when GM Nguyen Son just drew his game while his compatriot GM Dao won againts Indonesian IM, Dede Liu where both have 5/6.

Good results for all the Malaysian players,

Edward Lee managed to win againts higher-rated Indonesian player Hasian Panggabean

Wong Jianwen won againts much higher-rated Pinoy, Edmundo Legaspi

Two Malaysian pairs drew; and

Haslindah Ruslan won her game

Unfortunately, Ian Udani could not manage to win againts the strong fourth seed GM Susanto Megaranto.

Chess Trivia - Most Unusual Result of the 38th Dresden Olympiad

Yohanes Simbolon (namanya pun unik)

(dari potretcatur.blogspot.com)

GiLoCatur ingin berkongsi satu penemuan menarik sewaktu browsing. Satu keputusan yang agak luar biasa sewaktu Dresden Chess Olympiad ke-38 ialah keputusan yang membabitkan seorang pemain Indonesia yang bernama Yohanes Simbolon. Beliau yang unrated, telah tewas semua (4) permainan buah hitam dan menang semua (4) buah putih termasuk ke atas seorang GM bernama Nikola Mitkov yang memiliki FIDE rating 2500+. Malangnya beliau hanya seri permainan ke 9 sewaktu bermain buah putih. Jika tidak pasti ia satu keputusan yang sangat unik.

sumber : http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5046

KLCA Open 2009 - Day 2 (R5 Results and R6 Pairing)

Round 5 Results

On the top board, Farid Firmansyah, one of Indonesian 38th Dresden Olympiad team members, could not continue his sterling performance when he was defeated by the top seed, GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son. This result with the loss of GM Marat Dzhumaev to another Vietnamese GM, Thien Hai Dao, has put GM Nguyen in front of others by half point. He needs to maintain his winning for the next four rounds to be the champion in this tournament. Could he? Let's wait and see.

On the third board, IM Dede Liu made an upset againts his countryman, GM Susanto Megaranto. Another interesting results are :

CM Nguyen Hoang Nam won againts GM Saidali from Uzbekistan

Ian Udani managed to win againts higher-rated Indonesian International Master, Tirto.

For the Malaysian camp, the results for Round 5 are not encouraging. Only Edward Lee managed to win againts another Malaysian fellow player, Najib while Sergent Ismail drew with his Indian opponent. Hopefully, good results for them tomorrow.

Round 6 Pairing

In the sixth round tomorrow morning, four Malaysian players will play againts each other. Ismail will meet Li Ting while Abdul Haq will meet Najib. Edward Lee will play againts Indonesian player, Hasian. Jianwen's opponent tomorrow will be a higher-rated Pinoy named Edmundo Legaspi. Haslindah, on the other hand, will meet a Singaporean player.

As for Ian Udani, he will have an uphill battle to win againts GM Susanto Megaranto on the 8th board. If he wins, it will be another interesting result and achievement.

So, GOOD LUCK! to all of them.

KLCA Open 2009 - Day 2 (R3 & R4 Results and R5 Pairing)

Round 3 Results

The top four boards drew their games in the third round played in the morning session. One interesting result is the draw between a below-2000 rated Indonesian, Masruri Rahman, and GM Nguyen Anh Dung, the 8th seed.

As for Malaysian players,

It is a good result for Edward Lee who managed to draw with Tolentino Rustum whose Elo is nearly 300 points higher than him. Both Tan Li Ting and Wong Jianwen won their respective games whereas the rest could not manage to win.

Round 4 Results

In the afternoon session game (Round 4), both Li Ting and Edward Lee were defeated by their respective 2300+ rated opponents. On the 20th board, a junior player meet againts a senior player. Jianwen came out with a happy win againts Ismail Ahmad.

While both unrated Najib and Abdul Haq are happy for winning againts their respective rated opponents - Chan Yi and Dassanayake. Unfortunately, the rated Haslindah lose to the unrated Virda from Indonesia.

Round 5 Pairing

Can CM Firman Syah upset the top seed, GM Nguyen Ngoc Son on the top board tomorrow? GiLoCatur believes that whomever win the game, he would be the champion. If they both draw, it would be an open fight until the end of the tournament.

It would be important games for both Jianwen and Li Ting tomorrow. If they both manage to win, their rating will soar up. There would be another Malaysian battle tomorrow between Najib Abdul Wahab (white) and Edward Lee (black). Abdul Haq will play againts a pinoy Woman International Master, Ismail Ahmad will meet an Indian player and Haslindah will play againts a Sri Lankan player.

Going to the fifth round that will be played tomorrow afternoon at 2.30pm, there are three leaders with 3 and 1/2 points. The top two are GMs - one each from Vietnam (the 1st seed) and Uzbekistan (the 3rd seed). The third one is surprisingly and amazingly the 26th seed Candidate Master from Indonesia.

12 other players including the other 4 GMs are closely behind the three leaders with 3 points whereas 9 others score 2 and 1/2 points including Ian Udani.

GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (FIDE 2589)

(from chessasia.net)

GM Marat Dzhumaev (FIDE 2532)

(from chessbase.com)

CM Firman Syah Farid (FIDE 2207)

(from Gilachess)

ARE WE (MALAYSIA) SERIOUS TO PUT CHESS TO GREATER HEIGHTS?

In order Malaysia to excel in chess, it must have many certified chess trainers and instructors. Do we know how many FIDE-certified trainers and instuctors that Malaysia has? The answer is as per below:

As of today, Malaysia has 16 FIDE-certified trainers and instructors in total. The breakdown is as per below.

FT = FIDE Chess Trainer = 1

FI = FIDE Chess Instructor = 1

NI = the National Chess Instructor = 9

DI = the Development Chess Instructor = 5

Do we also know how many certified arbiters Malaysia have? Interestingly and amazingly, as of today, the number is also 16.

( http://www.fide.com/info/arbiters-trainers )

GiLoCatur hopes very much that below statistics of particularly Malaysia will improve and be better in the near future.

As of today,

Phillipines is ranked #34 in the world with avg rating of top 10 players, 2523, has 10 GMs, 25 IMs and 56 total titled.

Vietnam is ranked #38 in the world with avg rating of top 10 players, 2504, has 6 GMs, 5 IMs and 69 total titled.

Indonesia is ranked #59 in the world with avg rating of top 10 players, 2428, has 6 GMs, 12 IMs and 50 total titled.

Singapore is ranked #61 in the world with avg rating of top 10 players, 2415, has 3 GMs, 10 IMs and 47 total titled.

MALAYSIA is ranked #77 in the world with avg rating of top 10 players, 2304, has 0 GMs, 3 IMs and 17 total titled.

So, let's start having more and more certified chess trainers and instructors. I do not think that we Malaysians have much problem to do so. MALAYSIA BOLEH! right?, if a Malaysian can climb mount everest, can swim across the English straits, can reach and explore the antartic and many more, to become a FIDE-certified chess trainer or instructor is a small matter.

If now we have less than 20, let's target to have 30 more to make it 50 in one year time. Chess associations and clubs especially the state should have their program and target for its office bearers or members become FIDE-certified chess trainers or instructors.

Aren't we serious to put chess to greater heights in this country?

KLCA Open 2009 - R2 Results & R3 Pairing

Round 2 Results

Both Sergent Ismail and NM Edward Lee managed to win againts their lower-rated opponents respectively. While the other four Malaysian players, Abdul Haq, Najib, Haslindah and Jianwen could not manage to overcome their respective opponents. Li Ting, on the other hand, makes us smile by winning againts her 1900+ rated Bangladeshi opponent. It is a good news in the Malaysian camp. Hopefully, more and more such result will follow suit.

There are several game results that enchant GiLoCatur. A Vietnamese Candidate Master managed to defeat the Indonesian GM. Firman Syah of Indonesia won againts higher-rated Van Huy Nguyen in the battle of CMs on the 10th board. Both WIM Nafisa Muminova and IM Shetty Rahul won againts their respective higher-rated opponents.

Ian Udani drew with his GM opponent. He mentioned in his text to me that he was in winning position but he could not push further during the decisive moment. But still a draw with a GM is still a good result for him.

Round 3 Pairing

Tomorrow, in the third round, both Ismail and Edward Lee will meet higher-rated opponent - CM Van Huy Nguyen and Tolentino Rustum, respectively.

Four Malaysian players will occupy 21st to 24th board. GiLoCatur believes Li Ting, Abdul Haq and Najib have better chance over their respective opponents. Haslindah may require more effort playing againts Indonesian puteri catur of Medina Warda. While Jianwen needs to be cautious when playing Medina's elder sister, Virda.

Anyhow, as usual, BEST OF LUCK to all Malaysian players. Play your heart out! MALAYSIA BOLEH!

KLCA Open 2009 - R1 Results & R2 Pairing

Round 1 Results

All Malaysian players lost their games except both unrated Abdul Haq and Najib Abdul Wahab where they drew againts their respective opponents. Based on the latest national ratings, Abdul Haq is rated 1855 while Najib is rated 1698 (provided it is correct under the name of Najib Wahab, without Abdul).

Another interesting result is GM Saidali Iuldachev, the sixth seed, drew with Masruri Rahman from Indonesia. The Malaysian-based pinoy, Ian Udani, also cruises smoothly to the second round with a win againts Indonesian player, Sofyan Jafar.

R2 Pairings

In the second round pairing, GiLoCatur is eager to wait whether Abdul Haq could manage a draw againts GM Saidali like Masruri. Four other Malaysian players will be sitting side-by-side from the 16th board to the 19th board. Najib will meet Masruri, Ismail Ahmad will play againts Dissanayake, Edward Lee will meet Chen I-Chen, a woman player from Chinese Taipei and Jianwen will play white againts WIM Beverly Mendoza.

Haslindah Ruslan will meet benjamin Foo while Li Ting will play againts Md Jaynul Abedin, a Bangladeshi player.

So, SELAMAT BERJUANG & SEMOGA BERJAYA, guys!

KLCA Open 2009

The second edition of KLCA Open will kicks off in less than 5 hours. The first round of the nine-round tournament will start at 8.30am Friday morning. 58 chess players from 11 countries will be participating where 6 GMs - 3 from Vietnam, 2 from Uzbekistan and 1 from Indonesia, and 2 strong IMs - Tahir Vakhidov and Richard Bitoon, will be the top 8 leaders to vie for the champion spot.

Seven (7) Malaysian chess players will be among the participants. Seargent Ismail Ahmad will be leading the pack and in the first round, the 30th seed will play white againts GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Vietnam on the top board. What an uphill task for the FIDE 2089 rated player againts the 2589 rated young Grandmaster. On the second board, NM Edward Lee (FIDE 2089) will play black againts another top Vietnamese GM, Thien Hai Dao, another 2500+ rated player. Let's all we Malaysians pray and hope they will produce excellent and gallant fight.

x-World Police champion, Ismail Ahmad

(photo from www.utusan.com.my)

NM Edward Lee

Najib Wahab, the recent DATMO's chief arbiter

(photo from Gilachess' collection)

Abdul Haq Mohamed

(photo from GiLoCatur's collection)

It is a surprise for GiLoCatur seeing Abdul Haq as one of the participants since he is not that very active in chess tournaments lately. In the first round, he will play black againts a 2200+ Indonesian player, Hasian Panggabean, the 24th seed. Considered a strong chess player, GiLoCatur believes Haq has an equal chance to win the match.

MCF Vice President, Haslindah Ruslan (FIDE 1698)

(photo from GiLoCatur's collection)

Representing the Malaysian ladies, Haslindah Ruslan, has to battle againts a Singaporean FM, Daniel Chan Yi-Ren, the 18th seed in the first round. Hopefully, she manages to improve her FIDE rating and win as many games as possible againts higher-rated opponents. Her participation in this tournament hopefully will motivate and encourage more Malaysian chess women to be active and participate in FIDE-rated chess tournaments.

MSSM KL player, Wong Jianwen (FIDE 1763)

(photo from http://mssmkl.blogspot.com/)

GiLoCatur is very happy to see the determination and will of young Malaysian chess players like Wong Jianwen. He just participated in the recent DAT Malaysian Open. Kudos to him! With many exposure and participation in international chess tournaments, he will surely improve and succeed in the future. Who knows, Jianwen will be among our future Grandmasters and GiLoCatur believes strongly he could.

In the first round, his opponent is a Kazakhstan FM, Yevgeniy Pak (FIDE 2348). Hopefully, he will learn a lot from such valuable experience and game encounter. Go Go Go Jianwen!

NWM Tan Li Ting

(photo from GiLoCatur's collection)

NWM Tan Li Ting is the sole representive for Under12 players and young Malaysian girls. WCM Nabila and Fairuz Hamizah, the daughter of Cikgu Fuad, will be busy next week with their UPSR examination. So, let us put our hope on this talented girl to be at par with or even surpass the Indonesian Dream Girls - WFM Dewi A A Citra, WFM (stated WCM in the starting list) Medina Warda Aulia, WCM Chelsie Monica Sihite and Virda Rizka Aulia, the elder sister of Medina. The exposure of playing in a quality chess tournament like KLCA Open surely will help Tan Li Ting to go further in her chess ambition.

Young Indonesian chess masters - 2 WFMs, 1 WCM

(photo from http://potretcatur.blogspot.com/)

SO, all the rakyat Malaysia, let's support and cheer for the above seven Malaysian chess players to play gallantly and excellently in the chess tournament. If we want chess to achieve greater heights let's show our strong support to these seven fighting Malaysian chess warriors by giving good luck wishes and greetings to them. Let's show to our Youth and Sports Minister also how determine and serious we are in promoting and supporting chess in this country. You all can do that by writing in the comments or in the shoutbox. Let's start the ball rolling folks!

What is A Chess Rating?

For most active chess players they already know and understand what a chess rating is. But many especially the parents whose children just started participating in chess tournaments do not really know what a chess rating is and understand how it is derived or calculated. So, basically today GiLoCatur wants to share the knowledge with them.

Understanding Chess Ratings

By Edward Scimia

When talking about chess, you might hear statements such as "I'm a 1600 player," or "we're playing in the under 2000 section." These numbers being thrown around are called chess ratings, and are an important part of the chess community.

What is a Rating?

Ratings are numbers used to represent the playing strength of chess players. Most rating systems are based on the work of Arpad Elo, and are known as Elo rating systems.

The internal workings of chess rating systems can be quite complex, but the basics are simple. Ratings are based on the results of of games between players -- usually, games played in chess tournaments. If a player wins games, his rating will increase; if he loses games, his rating will decrease.

The rating of a player's opponents also effect how that player's rating will change. Defeating a much lower-rated opponent will cause a gain of few (if any) rating points, while defeating a much higher-rated foe will earn a large number of rating points. Losses work the game way, though in the opposite direction; losing to a much stronger player won't effect a player's rating much, but losing to a weaker opponent will cost quite a few points. Draws also effect ratings in a similar manner (drawing a higher-rated player increases ones rating, while drawing a lower-rated player decreases it), though not as dramatically.

Over time, a player's rating should approximate their skill level, allowing players to compare themselves to their peers. As a player improves, their rating will tend to rise.

What do Chess Ratings Mean?

Ratings vary depending on who is issuing them. In terms of United States Chess Federation (or USCF) ratings, a complete beginner who has just learned the rules of chess would likely earn the minimum rating of 100. The average scholastic tournament player has a rating of around 600. A "strong" non-tournament player, or a beginning tournament player that has gained some basic experience might have a rating around 800 or 1000.

The average adult tournament player in the USCF is rated around 1400. Very strong adult tournament competitors -- the top 10% or so of that group -- are rated over 1900.

(Since the latest GiLoCatur's (July 2009) national rating is 1143, it means that GiLoCatur is still a below average chess player. Thus, GiLocatur will work hard to achieve a rating of about 1400 so that GiLoCatur can become a better chess player. So, it is GiLoCatur's next target or mission then.)

Prestigious titles are available to the strongest players. These titles are usually award partially or entirely based on ratings. Experts are players with ratings over 2000. Masters are players with ratings over 2200. Earning the International Master or Grandmaster title requires more than just a high rating, but these players are typically rated over 2400 and 2500, respectively. The best players in the world are rated over 2700; the highest rating ever achieved was 2851, by former World Champion Garry Kasparov.

How do Players Earn Ratings?

A chess rating can be earned in a variety of ways. Online chess sites often offer their own ratings, which are useful for finding appropriate opponents while playing online. Some chess clubs also keep their own informal ratings.

When most people speak of chess ratings, however, they are speaking of ratings assigned by a national chess federation (or by FIDE, the International Chess Federation). These ratings are earned by playing in sanctioned tournaments. After each tournament, the results are sent to the federation rating the event, where they are processed and used to update the ratings of the competitors.

(The sad part in our local chess tournaments is that not many are national-rated ones. For a chess tournament to be a national-rated event, the organizer has to pay a fee and submitted to the authorized ratings officer which is Mr IA (International Arbiter) Lim Tse-Pin. The tournament also needs to fulfill certain criteria like enough minimum percentage of rated players.)

Source : http://chess.about.com/od/chesscommunities/qt/Ratings.htm

For Malaysia, basically we have our own national rating. Normally, the national ratings is maintained by the authorized ratings officer. It will be calculated every quarterly or three months. The latest one is July 2009. Go to this link to check on the national rating or you can download it in MS excel format here.

KBS Janji Kembangkan Sukan Catur di Malaysia

GiLoCatur is very happy when reading an article related to chess in a local Malay newspaper, Sinar Harian. The Minister of Youth and Sports has given a promise for chess in this country. He had officiated the ASTRO Merdeka Rapid Teams championship held in Mid Valley recently.

Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek

KUALA LUMPUR - Menyedari sukan catur kini semakin diminati ramai, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) bersetuju untuk mengatur program pembangunan bagi memperkasakan sukan itu di negara ini.

Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek berkata, sebagai langkah awal membangunkan sukan itu, KBS akan berbincang terlebih dahulu dengan Persekutuan Catur Malaysia (PCM) bagi mengenal pasti langkah terbaik untuk merangka program pembangunan.

“Langkah awal yang perlu dibuat adalah untuk melahirkan seorang ‘grandmaster’ catur yang mempunyai potensi untuk mengharumkan nama negara di peringkat antarabangsa,” katanya.

(This has become an important mission already! So, all young Malaysian chess players, work and practice hard to achieve the mission! The youth and sports ministry will help and assist you along the way. )

Beliau berkata, publisiti terhadap penganjuran sukan seperti itu perlu dipertingkatkan agar sukan catur dikenali oleh seluruh masyarakat di negara ini.

“Apa yang paling penting untuk memajukan sukan ini ialah dengan menarik orang ramai menonton sukan ini.

(Yeah, it is very very true to have publicity and attraction for more spectators. GiLoCatur hopes all Malaysian chess bloggers are united in creating publicity for local chess tournaments and events. Organizers may use their creativity and advertisement to attract more viewers for chess events.)

“Contohnya sukan boling dan kriket yang dahulunya dianggap membosankan kini mendapat tempat apabila perubahan daripada segi peraturan pertandingan dan tempoh masa diubah sesuai dengan penerimaan orang ramai,” katanya.

Ahmad Shabery berkata, pihaknya akan cuba menghulurkan bantuan daripada segi pencarian bakat dan sumber kewangan untuk membolehkan PCM menganjurkan lebih banyak pertandingan peringkat kebangsaan.

Beliau berkata, persatuan sukan tidak seharusnya mengambil sikap lepas tangan ekoran bantuan kewangan, sebaliknya perlu berusaha mencari penaja.

(The above reminder is very critical for all sports associations to look for their own sponsors for the development of the sports including providing the fund for selected players to participate in quality and world class tournaments and championships abroad).

Sementara itu, Presiden PCM, Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib menyambut baik kesediaan KBS untuk memperkasakan sukan catur di negara ini. “Saya harap usaha KBS untuk membangunkan sukan catur di negara ini akan mendapat sokongan semua pihak dan PCM sentiasa menyokong usaha ke arah ini dan kita juga harap mampu lahirkan seorang ‘grandmaster’ catur suatu hari nanti,” katanya.

(It is very important that all parties - players, parents, teachers, coaches, fans, bloggers, organizers, sponsors, arbiters, and associations, make contribution and efforts to promote and help develop chess in this country.)

Sumber : http://www.sinarharian.com.my/com/content/story3709835.asp