Saturday, February 28, 2009

IUUM EngiTex'09 Chess Tournament

This weekend there is a chess tournament held in IIUM Gombak. According to Encik Azhar MS, the participation is not very good where only 22 players for Under 18 and Under 12 categories. These two categories have to be merged into one.
To all chess lovers, chess players and chess parents come to support the chess tournament so that it will not discourage organizers. Call the organizer as per below or come to the chess tournament venue tomorrow morning as I believe the entry will be accepted.
Dear chess lovers, chess players and chess parents. Let's support our chess industry!




Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Johore Chess Festival


Johore chess festival 2009 incorporating :
 
1.   Bandaraya Chessmaster Johor Open Team championship on Saturday, 18th April  2009
 
2.  13TH Bandaraya Chessmaster Johore open championship (Individual) Sunday, 19th April
      2009  
 
The champion  will be receiving RM3000.00 and the champion for the team will be receiving RM2000.00
 
Narayanan Krishnan
Tournament Director
Johore Chess Academy


1) Bandaraya Chessmaster Johore OpenTeam Championship 2009
 
Organiser : The tournament is organized by the Johore Chess Academy, MBJB and the
                     JB Chess Association
Venue       : JB Indoor Stadium, Johor Bahru ( Stadium Bandaraya Johor Bahru )
Date & Time : Saturday, 18th April 2009 From 9.00 am to 6.00pm. Participants are to 
                     report by 8.30 am
Time Control : Swiss System of 7 rounds with 25 minutes per player to complete the 
                     game
 
Entry Fee  :   RM 100.00 per team
Closing Date : Shall not be later than 16th April 2009

Prizes :   
  • Champion : RM2000.00
  • Second     : RM1500.00
  • Third       : RM1000.00

Late entries and entries without payment will not be accepted. Entry fees are not refundable. In the event of any disputes ( outside the Law Of Chess), the organizer's decision shall be final and no further correspondences shall be entertained
 
Additional Prizes :
  • Best Government Department : RM200.00
  • Best University/College           : RM200.00
  • Best Bank/Financial Institution : RM200.00
 
Rules & Regulations
 
1. 3 players in a team without reserve
 

2) 13TH Bandaraya Chessmaster Johore open championship (Individual)

Organiser      : Johore Chess Academy , MBJB and JB Chess Association
 
Venue           : JB Indoor Stadium, Johor Bahru ( Stadium Tertutup Bandraya JB )
 
Date & Time  : Sunday, 19th April 2009
 
Time Control  : Swis system of 7 rounds with 25 minutes per player to complete the game
 
Entry Fee      : RM 60.00 for Open
                          RM 12.00 for Under 16
                          RM 10.00 for Under 12
 
Prizes           : Open Category ( 1st to 10th placing )
                        ( RM 3000.00 , RM 1000.00, RM700, RM600, RM400, RM300, RM300,
                        RM 200, RM200, RM200 )
 
                      Under 16 (1st to 10th placing )
                      ( RM500, RM200, RM100, RM80, RM70, RM50, RM50, RM50, RM 50, 
                        RM50 )
 
                      Under 12 ( 1st to 10th placing )
                      ( RM300, RM150, RM80, RM70, RM60, RM50, RM50, RM50, RM50
                        RM50 )
 
Closing Date  : Shall not be later than 17th April 2009


Those interested in participating in this team tournament, kindly email to me at jb_chess_association@yahoo.com

 
For more information, kindly contact :
Narayanan Krishnan
Tournament Director
Johore Chess Academy
H/P N0 : 013.771.7525

Pertandingan Catur Berpasukan UM Ditunda!


GiLoCatur terima emel dari penganjur UM seperti di bawah tentang postponement Pertandingan Catur Berpasukan Tun Syed Zahiruddin. Selain itu, Pertandingan catur D'Laguna Kelang juga ditunda ke satu tarikh yang akan diberitahu kelak.

Hi..Sy pengarah projek catur ni...Sy nak buat 1 pengumuman kat blog ni ye..

Di atas permintaan ramai berikutan pertindihan tarikh pertandingan ini dgn kejohanan Catur MSSM (14-20 Mac) & kejohanan Kebangsaan Wanita & Lelaki (20 - 24 Mac), dan atas nasihat Mr Hamid (arbiter dr MCF), pihak kami telah menunda tarikh pertandingan kepada 29 Mac 2009 (Ahad). Segala kesulitan amat dikesali. Harap maklum ya

(nota: maaf lewat post sebab baru baca emel). 


Tuesday, February 24, 2009

MSS Selangor Chess Championship - First Day

PP has a very strong player for L18 category. Its champion, Joshua Panir Selvam, won all his games so far. PP has very good chance to win this category. Bukhari could not continue his winning streak in the first two games in Round 3 and 4. So, he has four points so far. Azwan Ansori also just managed to win two games. He lost to Geeneish a/l Sivalingam, the other favorite player,  from Kelang in Round 2. Going to Round 4, the last team member of L18 for PP, Eng Pi Zern, won a game and lost the other two.  

There is no one player familiar to GiLoCatur in P18 category. If not mistaken, Rabiatul Adawiyah Wahid was a dominant player in last year's tournament. Petaling Perdana seems not so strong in this category.  By the way, hopefully they manage to get good results tomorrow. The players for PP team are Musfirah Ghafarullahhuddin, Atiya Najiyah Ahmad Kamal, Choong Sy Ying and Hazirah Mohd Zailani.

Both Mohd Nabil and Mohd Syakir are dominating the L15 category. Two Kelang players are the other two players who have perfect 3 scores going to Round 4. PP's champion Low Jun Jian is following not far. He drew with his younger brother, Low Jun Keat in Round 3. GiLoCatur's son, Fikri, succumbed to a defeat to a Sabak Bernam player in the first round. He managed to win all the next three rounds. So he has 3 points thus far. Muhd Iskandar, the other PP's player, could not manage to win his fourth round. He lost to a Petaling Utama's player. He has two pints so far.

Winnie Hong is smooth crusing to victories. She will face her tough challenger Amira Syahmina tomorrow morning. Her sister, Vickie Hong, was upset by Gombak player, Nur Madhiatul Husna in the first round. Their other teammates, Nur Fariha Jamri and Nurul Adlina scores 2 and 1 1/2 points each going to Round 4. GiLocatur does not have the results for the fourth round.

Yeoh Li Tian from Petaling Utama is dominating L12 category. His two other teammates, his elder brother Li Yuan and Roshan, are the other players who won all games until Round 3. Roshan won againts Mohd Irfan Haqqim from Kuala Langat, who is another perfect scorer going to Round 3.

While for Petaling Perdana players the results are not so bad. Irfan Rendrawan and Affan Amrish managed to win three games each. Irfan lost to Li Tian whereas Affan lost to Irfan Haqqim in Round 2. Both Aminur Nirza and Ihsan Syahiran lost their Round 4. They both have two points going to Round 5 tomorrow morning.

Going to Round 4, both Azman daughters, Nabila and Najiha, are among the four P12 players who score perfect games. The other two are Fatin Afiqah from Sepang and Ee Sun Xin from Petaling Utama. Puteri Rifqah drew with her younger sister in Round 3. 

As for Petaling Perdana, Anis is still leading her team with 3 points. She succumbed to a defeat to PU player in the first round. Nur Faqihah lost to Puteri Munajjah in Round 4 on board 4. She has two points. Nurul Hana won her Round 4 game to score 2 and 1/2 points. While Reshara managed to win Round 4 game. In Round 2, she had to face her team mate Nurul Hana.


HOPEFULLY, PETALING PERDANA SQUAD WILL WIN MORE GAMES TOMORROW IN THE SECOND DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT. IN THE THIRD DAY, TEAM EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE. PETALING PERDANA HAS BRIGHT CHANCE TO WIN THE TOP THREE IN MOST OF THE CATEGORIES.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Artikel Catur di Akhbar

Sumber : Laman blog Hairulov 


Sewaktu browsing laman blog Hairulov, GiLoCatur terbaca tentang posting artikel mengenai anak-anak GiLoCatur di Sinar Harian hari Rabu 18 Februari 2009. Pada hari yang sama artikel mengenai anak-anak Azman juga keluar di akhbar Kosmo. Ini sangat bagus untuk sukan catur di negara ini. Diharap artikel-artikel tersebut akan menjadi pemangkin kepada kemajuan sukan catur di negara ini. 

Sebenarnya, pada hari tersebut GiLoCatur telah membeli akhbar-akhbar Kosmo dan Sinar Harian, yang sememangnya GiLoCatur beli hari-hari, di awal pagi sewaktu menghantar anak bongsu ke sekolah agama. Tetapi GiLoCatur tidak baca terus akhbar-akhbar tersebut. Sewaktu isteri GiLoCatur membaca Kosmo beliau terbaca artikel tentang Nabila dan keluarga Azman Hisham. GiLoCatur kemudian publish mengenai artikel tersebut dalam laman blog ini. Dan sewaktu browsing laman blog Hairulov, didapati beliau lebih awal telah posting mengenai artikel Nabila. Baru GiLoCatur tahu tentang artikel anak-anak sendiri di Sinar Harian di shoutbox laman blog Hairulov.

Terima kasih kepada blogger Hairulov yang scankan artikel tersebut dan publish dalam blog beliau.

Satu lagi perkara mengenai NM Edward Lee yang tidak kelihatan dalam Kejohanan Catur MSSD Petaling Utama. Rupa-rupanya kehilangan beliau dari pertandingan tersebut adalah kerana beliau menyambung belajar di ASCI Singapura. Untuk berita lanjut, boleh layari laman blog Marcus Yeoh di URL berikut - http://marcusyeoh.blogspot.com/2009/02/nm-edward-lee-in-anglo-chinese-school.html.


TAHNIAH PASUKAN CATUR SK BUKIT JELUTONG

GiLoCatur baru saja update blog catur SKBJ Chess Club. Agak lambat sikit kerana GiLoCatur agak sibuk last few days ni. In fact, sewaktu menulis entry ini GiLoCatur masih berada di Labuan kerana urusan pejabat. Pagi nanti akan pulang ke Shah Alam menaiki flight pada pukul 8:10 pagi transit di Miri. 

Pasukan catur SKBJ sangat cemerlang di pertandingan peringkat daerah pada 16 & 17 Februari yang lalu. Pasukan lelakinya telah memenangi ke empat-empat tempat teratas dan akan mewakili daerah Petaling Perdana ke pertandingan peringkat negeri Selangor. Kedua-dua pasukan lelaki SKBJ telah mendominasi tempat Pertama dan Kedua.

Bagi pasukan perempuan pula, pasukan A telah berjaya mengungguli sebagai Johan. Sementara pasukan B pula hanya kurang 1 mata untuk mendapat tempat empat terbaik. Dua orang pemain pasukan A, telah berjaya mendapat tempat Pertama dan Keempat. Ini bermakna, enam pemain catur SKBJ akan mewakili Daerah Petaling Perdana ke peringkat negeri. Sila ke laman Kelab Catur SKBJ untuk mengetahui keputusan lebih lanjut.

Minggu hadapan, tumpuan GiLoCatur akan ke pertandingan peringkat negeri Selangor di Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi pula. Kedua-dua anak GiLoCatur telah berjaya di peringkat daerah. Alhamdulillah! Semoga mereka akan terus cemerlang dalam sukan catur sehingga ke peringkat paling tertinggi.

Di bawah adalah link mengenai Pertandingan Catur MSSD yang GiLoCatur temui.



Wednesday, February 18, 2009

NJWM Nabila Dalam Kosmo Hari Ini


Rencana tentang NJWM (National Junior Woman Master) Nabila Azman dan catur ada disiarkan dalam akhbar Kosmo hari ini dalam Ruangan Rencana Utama. Semoga artikel tersebut memberi galakan kepada lebih ramai kanak-kanak di negara ini untuk menceburi sukan catur. 

Sila baca rencana tersebut di sini.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Pertandingan Catur MSSD petaling Perdana peringkat Sekolah Rendah

Pertandingan catur Daerah Petaling Perdana sedang berlansung sekarang di Sek Keb Seksyen 9, Shah Alam. Untuk info terkini sila ke laman blog http://skbjchessclub.blogspot.com/.

11th CAS-Octagon First Quarter Allegro Result

About 100 chess players participated in the above tournament. 

Open Category

  1. Ian Udani (6.0)
  2. Sumant Subramaniam (6.0)
  3. Faris Shafruddin (5.5)
  4. FM Anas Nazreen Bakri (5.5)
  5. IM Mas Hafizulhelmi (5.5)
  6. Gerald Soh Han Loong (5.5)
  7. Muhd Nabil Azman Hisham (5.5)
  8. Mohd Zambri Mohd Shariff (5.5)
  9. Norazman Ismail (5.5)
  10. Ahmad Fadzil Nayan (5.0)


Saturday, February 14, 2009

MSSD Petaling Perdana (Primary Schools) Chess Tournament

MSSD Petaling Perdana Chess Tournament for secondary schools had been done last week. Next week the event for primary schools will be carried out at SK Seksyen 9, Shah Alam. GiLoCatur's daughter, Anis Fariha, will represent her school i.e. SK Bukit Jelutong. Last year she was in Girls Team B, while this year she will be leading the Team A. 

His elder brother, Fikri, got second place in Boys 15 category. He will be representing Petaling Perdana District in the MSSS event. Hopefully this year Anis will follow him too by winning the slot to represent the district in Girls 12.

To know who are her teammates to the tournament, check out this URL - http://skbjchessclub.blogspot.com/2009/02/skbj-mssd-2009-chess-team.html.


Friday, February 13, 2009

Pertandingan Catur Terbuka Piala Tun Syed Zahiruddin 2009

Pertandingan Catur Terbuka Piala Tun Syed Zahiruddin 2009.

Date : 15 March 2009 (Sunday)
Time : 8 am - 6 pm
Venue : Kolej Kediaman Tun Syed Zahiruddin (KK9), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
Format : Swiss Formats (6 rounds)
Arbiter : Mr Abdul Hamid (MCF)

Fee : RM80 per team (4 persons in a team)
Duedate : 1 March 2009
Registration is opened for the first 50 teams.

Lunch will be provided for all participants.

Grand Prizes.
  • 1st place : RM 1,500
  • 2nd place : RM 1,000
  • 3rd place : RM 700

Consolation Prizes: Best University, Best Family, Best School (RM200 each)

* Each contestant will be given certificates.

* We are also trying to call the medias so that they can do a coverage on
this event. You might end up seeing your pics on the newspaper. Hehehe..

For more details, please contact : 
  • Rheitta (director) 013-2006847,  myra_ct2000@yahoo.com
  • Genga (2nd director) 012-9045391
  • Rina (secretary) 012-5087379

Thursday, February 12, 2009

SALUTE GURU-GURU!!

Memang tidak dinafikan golongan guru memainkan peranan yang sangat penting dalam memajukan sukan catur di negara ini terutamanya di peringkat sekolah. Di antara contoh terbaik ialah Allahyarham Cikgu Rahman, bapa kepada pemain utama catur negara Mas Hafizul. Jasa guru-guru ini perlu dihargai dan diberi perhatian. 

GiLoCatur tertarik dengan dua orang guru di Kelantan yang mempunyai laman blog catur sendiri. Ini menunjukkan bahawa mereka mempunyai minat yang sangat mendalam dalam catur sehingga mengorbankan sebahagian masa mereka dengan melatih anak-anak murid mereka. Diharap mereka akan terus memberi sumbangan dan jasa melatih anak-anak bangsa bermain catur semoga Malaysia lebih cemerlang di masa hadapan.

GiLoCatur telah menambah link laman-laman blog mereka. Semoga mereka berdua akan terus blogging dan meriahkan blog-blog catur tempatan. Teruskan usaha melatih anak-anak bangsa dengan catur.




(nota: GiLoCatur difahamkan salah seorang daripada blogger tersebut iaitu masterchess91 bukanlah seorang guru, tetapi seorang pelajar lepasan sekolah yang sedang menunggu keputusan peperiksaan SPM. Walaupun beliau bukan seorang guru tetapi effort beliau melatih pemain-pemain catur sekolah di Kelantan untuk pertandingan catur MSS amat bagus sekali. Syabas dengan usaha beliau tersebut. Semoga lebih ramai yang boleh mencontohi beliau. TQ Badbishops for the correction.)
 

SMK SEKSYEN 18 Results in MSSD Petaling Perdana Chess Championship

SMK Seksyen 18 Chess Team

Below are the chess team players for SMK Seksyen 18.

Boys 18 Team
  1. M Hanif (5 Umar)
  2. M Anwar Zambri (5 Umar)
  3. Wan M Syakirin (5 Umar)
  4. W M Razif (5 Umar)

Girls 18 Team 
  1. Iylia Athira (5 Hamzah)
  2. Durrah Ain (5 Anas)
  3. Nurhusnina (4 Uthman)
  4. Sakinah (4 Umar)

Boys 15 Team
  1. Fikri Bin Saleh (1 Anas)
  2. Wan Mohd Syafiq (3 Abu Bakar)
  3. M Fikri Mansor (3 Abu Bakar)
  4. Asyraf Hafizudin (2 Anas)

Girls 15 Team
  1. Nurhaziqah Izan
  2. Nurul Alia Sham
  3. Nurul Aqilah
  4. Ana Syakirah


SMK Seksyen 18 Boys Team

SMK Seksyen 18 Girls Team


Two of SMK Seksyen 18 chess players won the top 10 medalist in the recent MSSD Petaling Perdana Chess Championship held at SMK SSAAS, Section 2, Shah Alam. Fikri Saleh of 1 Anas won 2nd place in Boys 15 category after winning 7 rounds out of 8 total. He lost only to Low Jun Jian of SMK USJ 12, the eventual champion. By such winning, Fikri will represent PPD Petaling Perdana in the state-level chess championship in next two weeks.

Fikri Bin Saleh (1 Anas)

Nurhusnina of 4 Uthman won the 10th place in Girls 18 category. She only lost 2 games and scores 6 points. Since she is still in Form 4, she has the chance in next year's event.

Nurhusnina (4 Uthman)

In the team event, below is the results for SMK Seksyen 18 Chess team.

Boys 18 - 22nd place out of 45 with 16 points.
Girls 18 - 8th place out of 25 with 18 points.
Boys 15 - 7th place out of 32 with 19.5 points.
Girls 15 - 8th place out of 22 with 17 points.

Fikri and  Bukahri, both 2nd place in Boys 15 and Boys 18 respectively.


MSSD PETALING PERDANA (SECONDARY SCHOOLS) CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP



MSSD Petaling Perdana chess tournament had just completed yesterday. It was a two-day event held at SMK SSAAS (Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah) in Section 2, Shah Alam. The 8-round tournament was held in Dewan Tun Sri Lanang of the hosting school. Three rounds had been played on the first day which was on 10th February whereas the other five had been carried out on the second day, Wednesday 11th February.



The tournament is divided into four categories - Boys 18, Girls 18, Boys 15 and Girls 15. Boys 18 category attracted the most participants. 169 players from more than 4o schools took part for the category. Boys 15 category follows with 121 participants from 32 schools. The girls category had lower participants where Girls 18 had 84 players from 25 schools while Girls 15 just had 75 players from 22 different schools. 

The lower participation from girls shall be studied since most schools are co-ed. Is it girls do not (and can not) play (or have interest) chess as the boys? Or is it the girls are more focus on their studying than the boys? GiLoCatur hopes the relevant authority and parties like Jabatan Pendidikan, PPD and schools will look into this matter seriously in order to bring back the glory in Malaysian schools co-curriculum, sports in the country and provide opportunities for our young generation to develop their capability, skills and talent. GiLocatur also challenge all the girls in Malaysia to excel in all aspects of co-curriculum similar to the boys. 



And below are the winners for each category. The top four winners from each category will represent Petaling Perdana District in the next Selangor (state-level) Chess Championship to be held in Sepang from 23rd to 26th February.

Boys 18
  1. Joshua (SMK Subang Utama)
  2. M Bukhari (SMK Seri Indah)
  3. Azwan Ansori (SMK Alam Megah 2)
  4. Ang Jian Yao (SMK USJ 12)
  5. Eng Pi Xern (SMK Seafield)
  6. Shahrul Amin (SMK Seksyen 24)
  7. M Razuqni M Razali (SMK Seksyen 7)
  8. Yong Bang Xian (SMK Taman Sri Muda)
  9. Teh Wee Zhun (SMK USJ 12)
  10. M Syafiq Aminudin (SAM TTAJ)

Girls 18
  1. Musfirah (SAM TTAJ)
  2. Choong Sy Yiing (SMK SubangUtama)
  3. Hazirah (SMK Seksyen 9)
  4. Atiya Najiyah (SMK Seksyen 19)
  5. Siti Hajar (SAM TTAJ)
  6. Nur Syuhada (SAM Bestari)
  7. Nur Asyiqin (SAM Bestari)
  8. Lim Wei Mund (SMK Seafield)
  9. Chim Ei Lynn (SMK USJ 8)
  10. Nurhusnina (SMK Seksyen 18)

Boys 15
  1. Low Jun Jian (SMK USJ 12)
  2. Fikri Bin Saleh (SMK Seksyen 18)
  3. M Iskandar (SMK Seksyen 19)
  4. Low Jun Keat (SMK USJ 12)
  5. Samuel Tan WK (SMK Subang Jaya)
  6. Ashman Raziuddin (SMK Bukit Jelutong)
  7. Tiam Wen Yong (SMK Subang Utama)
  8. Chen Chuin Hao (SMK Subang Utama)
  9. A Hafiz Amri (SMK TTDI Jaya)
  10. Samuel (SMK Subang Utama)

Girls 15
  1. Winnie Hong (SMK Bukit Jelutong)
  2. Vickie Hong (SMK Bukit Jelutong)
  3. Nur Fariha M Jamri (SAM Bestari)
  4. Nurul Adlina (SMK Seri Indah)
  5. Nur Amalina (SAM TTAJ)
  6. Nur Khairunnisa (SMK SSAAS)
  7. Nur Raidah (SMK Seri Indah)
  8. Nur Irsalina (SMK Bukit Jelutong)
  9. Amirah Fazira (SMK Bukit Jelutong)
  10. Nurul Atiqa (SAM Bestari)

School Team Winners

Boys 18
  1. SMK USJ 12
  2. SMK Subang Utama
  3. SMK Seafield (A)
  4. SAM TTAJ

Girls 18
  1. SAM TTAJ
  2. SAM Bestari
  3. SMK SSAAS
  4. SMK USJ 8

Boys 15
  1. SMK Subang Utama (B)
  2. SMK USJ 12 (A)
  3. SAM Bestari
  4. SMK Bukit Jelutong

Girls 15
  1. SMK Bukit Jelutong
  2. SAM Bestari
  3. SMK Seri Indah
  4. SMK SSAAS

Below are some of GiLoCatur's observation on the results of the MSSD Petaling Perdana (secondary schools) tournament.

  • There are few sibblings among the winners especially to represent the PP District - Low Jun Jian and Low Jun Keat (Boys 15), Winnie and Vicky Hong (Girls 15), and M Bukhari (Boys 18) and Nurul Adlina (Girls 15)
  • SMK Bukit Jelutong has strong Under 15 teams while SAM TTAJ has strong Under 18 teams
  • SMK Bukit Jelutong Girls 15 team is so dominant where all its team members are among the top 10 winners
  • SMK SSAAS has strong Girls teams whereas SMK USJ 12 has strong Boys teams
  • SAM Bestari has strong teams in all categories except Boys 18

TAHNIAH! to all the winners. GOOD LUCK! to all players who will represent the PP District in the state-level chess championship. For those who are not among the winners list, DO NOT GIVE UP. LEARN and PRACTICE MORE. BE SERIOUS IN CHESS. DO NOT JUST PARTICIPATE TO GET THE CERTS. BECAUSE CHESS HAS LOTS OF BENEFITS AND WILL HELP THEM IN THEIR STUDYING.

GiLoCatur also hopes that the school chess club teachers will be more serious in their school chess teams by providing chess facilities and programs, chess coaching and practices and chess tournaments experiences.



Monday, February 9, 2009

MSSD Petaling Perdana Secondary Schools Chess Tournament


FIKRI

Tomorrow, 10th February 2009, will be held the Petaling Perdana District (MSSD) Chess Tournament for secondary school at SMK Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz (SAAS) Section 2, Shah Alam. All secondary schools, more than 40, under PPD Petaling Perdana will be sending their chess players to participate in the tournament's four categories - Boys 18, Boys 15, Girls 18 and Girls 15.

Top four individual winners from each category will be representing the Petaling Perdana District to the Selangor State Chess Championship scheduled from 23rd to 25th February 2009 in Sepang. Fikri, GiLoCatur's eldest son will be representing his school, SMK Seksyen 18 for Boys 15 category. He told me that he is set for the first board.

Low Jun Keat, last year's MSSD Petaling Perdana Boys 12 team member along with Fikri, will be playing for SMK USJ 12. 



17ChessClub Players Start Winning in Chess Tournament

Cikgu MIZI

D4 SAM

YEDMAN

17ChessClub members are starting to win medals in local chess tournaments. In the recent Kelang Chess Open, three of its members won prizes. (For the other tournaments can check at their club chess blog here.) The first one is D4 SAM Capablanca, one of GiLoCatur's favourite chess world champions, and the second one is Syed aka YEDMAN Topalov. The third one is Cikgu MIZI. Congrats to all three of them. Keep it up guys! GiLoCatur met with one of the 17ChessClub members, SAHIR Botvinnik in Round 4. 


Tahniah! GilaChess is among the top 100 chess blogs


Click here for the ful list.

Congratulation! to Andrew. His chess blog is ranked number 59 in the Top 100 blogs in chess. Hopefully, this will boost up his spirit to continue blogging for chess. It is very important especially to the Malaysian chess industry to give due recognition and attention to him in continuing to help the local chess scene. 

For GiLoCatur, Andrew is an icon for chess blogging. Keep it up! GiLoCatur hopes that the project of online chess tournament registration that he visions will be materialized. 



Sunday, February 8, 2009

Keputusan GiLoCatur di Kelang Chess Open

Mendapat seeded nombor 85 dari 146 peserta dalam kategori terbuka, GiLoCatur bertemu Jax Tham (national rating-1770) di meja 12 dalam pusingan pertama. Bermain buah putih, seperti biasa GiLoCatur guna pembukaan  Queen Gambit ala Alekhine. Bermain menentang pemain catur yang hebat seperti Jax memang agak payah kerana beliau amat mahir dengan banyak opening. GiLoCatur cuba bermain sebaik mungkin agar tidak dibelasah oleh beliau.



Di pusingan kedua GiLoCatur bertemu dengan pemain catur wanita. GiLoCatur bermain buah hitam. GiLoCatur bermain agak agresif dengan menyerang walaupun bermain buah hitam. Kalau tidak silap, GiLoCatur castling Queenside. 


GiLoCatur berjaya checkmate pemain lawan dengan menggunakan kelebihan extra rook. Di pusingan ketiga, sekali lagi GiLoCatur menentang pemain wanita, kali ini dengan bermain buah putih. GiLoCatur menang pusingan tersebut. 

Di pusingan keempat, GiLoCatur bertemu pula dengan Sahir, salah seorang pemain 17ChessClub, yang memiliki rating 1615.  Boleh tahan permainan GiLoCatur, boleh membuat upset tetapi rupanya GiLoCatur masih kurang finishing skills, yang penting sekali tidaklah memalukan he he he ... 

Dalam pusingan kelima, Cikgu Zullkafli (gambar di bawah) pula menunggu GiLoCatur. Ingatkan GiLoCatur kena belasah dengan beliau, tetapi rupa-rupanya mampu juga memberi persaingan sengit. Sayang GiLoCatur tidak cukup finishing touch untuk membuat upset terhadap Cikgu Zul yang mempunyai rating kebangsaan 1558. Jika tidak TPR GiLoCatur akan bertambah baik.



Entah apa yang GiLoCatur fikir kerana gerakkan Rhg1 (nota: sebenarnya Rab1, baru perasan board terbalik rupanya :)- ). GiLoCatur boleh dapat capture rook dengan gerakkan Qa8+ (nota: Qh8+). Mungkin ada chess expert boleh membantu GiLoCatur move apa yang terbaik untuk checkmate pemain lawan dengan posisi seperti di atas. (NG6? Sahir? Yedman? mungkin boleh bantu :)- )


Dalam pusingan keenam, GiLoCatur resign di posisi buah seperti di atas ketika menentang Shamsuddin Sabri, kalau tidak silap. Walaupun beliau tidak memiliki rating kebangsaan dalam kejohanan ini, tetapi beliau merupakan seorang pemain catur yang bagus. 


Pada pusingan ketujuh, sekali lagi GiLoCatur bertemu dengan pemain wanita. Pemain wanita ini merupakan seorang OKU dan berasal dari Thailand. GiLoCatur berjaya checkmate beliau. Pada pusingan terakhir, GiLoCatur bermain buah hitam menentang seorang pelajar IPT. Beliau resign bila GiLoCatur berjaya queening.

Jadi, dalam pertandingan ini GiLoCatur menang 50% (4 game) dan kalah 50% (4 game). Permainan GiLoCatur memang agak meningkat dan diharap akan menang lebih banyak game di kejohanan-kejohanan catur di masa hadapan.

Tidak pula GiLoCatur bertemu dengan chess buddies dalam pertandingan ini seperti Zali Ng6, Max, Faizul dan Cikgu Rashid Jamaluddin.

Kelang Chess Open Winners


Today, a chess tournament in Kampung Jawa, Kelang atrracted a record of 411 participants. Organized by Majlis Guru-guru Besar Sekolah  Agama Daerah Kelang at Pusat Sumber Pendidikan JAIS, Kampung Jawa Kelang. The rapid chess tournament was divided into four main categories - Open, Under 18, Under 12 Open and Under 12 PAID.

Some Winners


The Top 3 winners of some categories.

Open Category:

Champion : Ong Thian Loon
1st Runner Up : FM Anas Nazreen Bakri
2nd Runner Up : FM Mok Tze-Meng

Under 18 Category:

Champion : Muhd Nabil Azman Hisham
1st Runner Up : Muhd Syakir Shazmeer
2nd Runner Up : Geeneish Sivalingam

Under 12 Open Category:

Champion : Mohd Aziz Farhan
1st Runner Up : Nur Najiha Azman Hisham
2nd Runner Up : Muhd Sirajudin Munawir

The final full results of all categories can be accessed here.






Friday, February 6, 2009

Final Standings of Boulevard Rapid Chess

Dear chess friends,

The Brunei Chess Team led by BCF President Zainal Ali consisted of 7 other players namely, Leong Voon Choon, Yap Choow Tun, Pg. Abdul Rahman Yusof, Zaidi Dollah, Leong Yung Fu, Iscramuon Bajau and Pg. Khashiem Hassan. The mission of their trip was to conquer Mount Santubong and Kuching Chess players. However, they found both the mountain and chess players in Kuching were tough for them. Only 2 managed to get to top 5.

The final standings of Boulevard Rapid Chess Competition which attracted 77 players are:

Champion: Morsin Ahmad 6.5 
Runner Up: Pg. Abdul Rahman Yusof 6
2nd Runner Up: Abg. Mohd. Reduan 6
4th: Leong Voon Choon 6
5th: Japeri Reduan 5.5
6th: Ahmad Afiq Afyfy 5
7th: Lim Kian Hwa 5
8th: Mohd. Nasir Hussain 5
9th: Tan Shu Hwa 5
10th: Mohd Taufiq Nasir 5

16 & Under
Champion: Mark Song 5
Runner Up: Nelson Kiu 4.5
2nd Runner Up: Asang Hurai 4

12 & Under
Champion: Nadzriq Izzfar
Runner Up: Ahmad Afiq Adzly
2nd Runner Up: Afiq Shahmi Saiden

Ladies
Champion: Audrey Chong
Runner Up: Aida Faridah
2nd Runner Up: Jesslyn Kho Hui Yee

On behalf of Persatuan Catur Sarawak, I wish to thank Brunei Chess Federation for contributing B$200 towards the prize fund. We also thank our Patron YB Dr. Abang Hj. Abdul Rauf, Assistant Minister of Environment for gracing the ceremonies.

Regards,

Lim Kian Hwa
President,
Sarawak Chess Association


KRISIS POLITIK DI PERAK

Di pagi Jumaat yang amat barakah ini, GiLoCatur ingin menyentuh tentang krisis dan pergolakan politik di negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan.

Krisis dan kemelut politik di Perak amat mengejutkan dan menyedihkan kebanyakan warga Malaysia. Walaupun hanya seorang pemain dan peminat catur, GiLoCatur amat mengambil berat tentang peristiwa ini. Sebagai seorang warganegara Malaysia, GiLoCatur amat prihatin dengan berita dan perkembangan terkini tentang apa yang sedang berlaku di Perak. GiLoCatur akan terpaku menonton berita di TV dan membaca akhbar-akhbar selain di internet. Dan GiLoCatur juga percaya ramai di luar sana terutamanya di negara-negara Asean juga sedang mengikuti apa yang sedang berlaku.

GiLoCatur berharap pemain2 dan peminat2 catur di Malaysia, tidak kira yang dewasa mahupun yang muda, juga mengambil berat dan tahu tentang peristiwa penting yang sedang berlaku. Sekurang2nya kita perlu berdoa kepada Tuhan semoga ia berakhir dengan segera dan aman.

GiLoCatur agak bersedih dengan kemelut dan krisis politik yang sedang berlaku di negeri Perak. Walaupun GiLoCatur adalah warga dan anak Selangor, tetapi negeri Perak mempunyai nilai sentimental dan sejarah seperti berikut:

  • Di negeri Peraklah nenek moyang GiLoCatur bertapak bila berhijrah dari Sumatera iaitu di Sungai Balai, Bagan Datoh.
  • Jasad-jasad sebahagian besar nenek moyang GiLoCatur bersemadi di bumi Perak - seperti Haji Hassan Basri bin Sulaiman  (datuk sebelah ayah), Opah Ghaini Binti Djamin (nenek sebelah ayah) dan adik beliau Kasid Bin Djamin (datuk sebelah emak)  dan moyang Langgi (datuk emak GiLoCatur).
  • Kedua ibubapa GiLoCatur bernikah dan berkahwin di Perak sewaktu zaman Jepun.
  • Moyang GiLoCatur (Djamin) pernah memiliki sederet kedai di Teluk Anson (Teluk Intan). 
  • Arwah ayahanda GiLoCatur (Haji Abdul Latif bin Haji Hassan Basri) bersekekolah di Teluk Intan dan Gunung Semanggol.
  • Keluarga GiLoCatur memiliki sebuah rumah di Jalan Manggis, Teluk Intan.
  • Ramai ahli keluarga GiLoCatur merupakan warga dan anak negeri Perak.
  • Keluarga ayah mertua GiLoCatur juga berasal dari Perak, iaitu Selekoh, Bagan Datoh.

GiLoCatur amat berharap dan berdoa agar kemelut dan pergolakan politik di negeri Perak akan berakhir dengan aman dan baik. Memandangkan rakyat Malaysia sedang berdepan dengan kegawatan ekonomi, diharap masalah politik ini tidak berpanjangan.

Marilah semua rakyat Malaysia berdoa semoga krisis politik ini berakhir dengan aman dan sejahtera.

YA ALLAH! KAU SELAMATKAN DAN PELIHARALAH BUMI MALAYSIA AMNYA DAN NEGERI PERAK KHUSUSNYA DARI SEBARANG MALA PETAKA DAN KEMUSNAHAN. AMIN YA RABBAL A'LAMIN.
 

Monday, February 2, 2009

Sports in Malaysia


GiLoCatur tertarik dengan satu artikel berkenaan sukan di negara ini. Di antara point-point yang GiLoCatur rasa menarik adalah :

  • Ramai yang bersetuju bahawa budaya sukan sememangnya terhakis di peringkat akar umbi i.e. sekolah.
  • Masyarakat di negara ini lebih mementingkan bidang akademik dan membelakangkan bidang2 lain seperti sukan. 
  • Para ibubapa lebih menumpukan bidang akademik dan keputusan peperiksaan.
  • GiLoCatur kurang bersetuju bahawa setiap orang perlu dipersalahkan terhakisnya budaya sukan.

Apa yang boleh dilakukan supaya budaya sukan boleh kembali bertapak?
Tidakkah pihak kerajaan boleh berbuat sesuatu terutamanya kementerian2 berkaitan? 
Kenapa jabatan2 kerajaan kurang menggalakkan budaya sukan di kalangan pegawai2nya?
Kenapa masyarakat terlalu mementingkan bidang akademik?
Kenapa para ibubapa lebih mementingkan keputusan peperiksaan? 
Kenapa guru2 sekolah lebih mengutamakan pencapaian akademik? 
Siapa yang perlu mengambil peranan dalam mengembalikan kecemerlangan budaya sukan di negara ini?
Kenapa di negara lain sukan maju walaupun pencapaian akademik juga diutamakan?
Apakah di negara-negara lain fenomena mengutamakan akademik daripada yang lain tidak berlaku?

Banyak persoalan2 yang boleh dicari jawapan. Diharap pemain-pemain catur juga dapat memikirkan sama tentang kemuraman dunia sukan di negara ini dan menyumbang tenaga, buah fikiran dan kewangan untuk memulihkan kecemerlangan sukan Malaysia. 

Bak kata Nabil Raja lawak, LU PK LA SENDIRI! 

All guilty of killing sports, says Mazlan
Sports supremo Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad strongly believes schools are not to be blamed when it comes to the lack of sports culture at the grassroots.

An adviser on sports to the Education Ministry and chairman of the Sports Advisory Panel, Mazlan insisted all parties should shoulder the blame for creating an academically driven society.

“I admit there are flip flops in the system. Everyone knows it. But it is unfair to simply blame the schools solely on this matter,” said Mazlan.

“The culture of turning fields into commercial and residential area started outside the schools over the years. Is that the Education Ministry’s fault?”

Parents naturally are only interested in the academics. Can you blame them for thinking so? After all, which company will allow their employee time off for centralised training?”

Mazlan took a swipe at Malaysia society for its lack of interest in sport.

Everyone is to be blamed for killing the sports culture. This is a fact, that is how it is in this country.”

Nevertheless, Mazlan pointed out that there have been initiatives taken by the relevant ministries over the years to help promote and develop sports in schools.

“We never had a school catering for athletes. Today we have the Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar Sports Schools with more to come.”

“There is also the emphasis of high performance sports involving seven various disciplines in schools. There are sports activities throughout the year especially during the school breaks, so it is unfair to simply say that sport is dead in schools.”

When pointed out that such tournaments only involved a handful of students while physical education is almost dead toward the end of the schooling term, Mazlan had this to say: “Of course any parent or student will choose education over sports especially when it is near a major examination. You can’t change things overnight and there is a bigger picture to it.

“Changes will only happen if every one of us are serious in making it happen.”


Source : http://www.mmail.com.my/All_guilty_of_killing_sports,_says_Mazlan.aspx

Unitar Amateur Open Results

The Unitar Amateur Chess Open was started with doa recital by Ustaz Zainal Abidin from Malacca. 148 players had participated in the 8-round SWISS rounds. The time control was 25 minute. 


For full result please go to here

Three players who are under 12 years old were among the top 10 winners. Aron Teh from Taiwan (note:  actually from Ipoh, Perak and also a local youngster. Sorry for the error. GiLoCatur) and a participant in last year's World Youth Chess Championship (WYCC) in Vietnam was placed fourth. Whereas local youngsters - Aziz Farhan and Mohd Faizal, won seventh and eighth place respectively. 


Some photos taken during the tournament as per below.


GiLoCatur in deeper thought if the game could be won or drawn at least. :)-

As for GiLoCatur, it was a good tournament since the tournament rating achieved was 1429 compared to the national rating of 939. In Round 1, GiLoCatur played againts the eventual champion, Cikgu Rizal Jusoh, on board 7. 


GiLoCatur could not capitalize below position during the critical time pressure. But having excellent defending for the champion's solid and superb attacking position, as per above picture,  is good enough for GiLoCatur and a win would be a bonus.


Being quite tired for the first round game, GiLoCatur succumbed to a defeat in second round to a young boy named Muhd Farid. In the third round, GiLoCatur won againts a secondary school student named Muhd Hafizuddin. But in the fourth round, GiLoCatur lost to another secondary school player named Saiful Reeza Latif. If not mistaken he is from Kolej Yayasan Melaka school.

In Round 5, GiLoCatur had to put sympathy aside to demolish an inexperienced Under 8 player. The same goes for Round 6 game where GiLoCatur won decisively againts an U17 Muhd Zikri. Round 7 is really a great game for GiLoCatur. GiLoCatur made an upset by winning againts Mohd Zullghafari Saparmin, a much higher-rated player. GiLoCatur could not cruise further when in the last round GiLoCatur lost to a junior national player, Puteri Rifqah, Azhar MS's eldest daughter.

So, GiLoCatur won 4 games and lost the other 4. GiLoCatur hopes to have better games and results in next week tournament at Kelang Chess Open.


Sunday, February 1, 2009

25th Anniversary!

Siapa orang tua ini? Apa istimewanya beliau? Kenapa GiLoCatur letak gambar dia dalam blog? Siapa nama beliau? 

Nama beliau ialah Denis Strenzwilk. Istimewanya beliau di mata GiLoCatur ialah beliau yang berasal dari Maryland, USA tidak pernah terlepas daripada menyertai Kejohanan Catur Terbuka Bermuda selama 25 tahun berturut-turut. Wow! Sungguh hebat! Satu rekod yang cemerlang.

So, nak juga GiLoCatur tahu. Ada tak pemain Malaysia yang seperti beliau tidak pernah miss menyertai kejohanan catur seperti Royal Selangor atau Malaysian Open yang mempunyai sejarah tersendiri setiap tahun. Mungkin pemain-pemain catur Malaysia, termasuk GiLoCatur, boleh mencontohi orang tua istimewa ini.

Di mana GiLoCatur dapat maklumat ini? Dari laman blog seorang pemain catur wanita USA yang bernama Polly Wright di alamat http://castlingqueenside.blogspot.com/2009/01/bermuda-international-open-day-1.html