Update On Cheras Chess Challengers

At this moment, the final round i.e. seventh of the Cheras Chess Challengers is ongoing at Pusat Kecemerlangan Sukan Cochrane, KL. The four-day tournament is a FIDE-rated event and held for four days starting from Wednesday, 17th March 2010. Two chess academies - Cheras Chess Academy and Excel Chess Academy are the organisers with the help of PERCAWI, Persatuan Catur Wilayah. With another chess academy, Insofar which synonymes with Zaki Mat Yeop, Cheras Chess Academy sponsor the tournament that is rare in the country previously. 36 chess players including two rated foreigners are participating.

Going to the final round, the top seed Abedin Md Jaynul and the 4th seed Norazman Ismail are leading with 5.5/6 points. Both drew in the third round. Who is going to be the champion? Is either one of them or maybe Paul Parimanam if he wins and the top seed lose? Check out the final results and other tournament details at Kids4Chess website here.

More Malaysian Chess Blogs ...

It is a very positive sign of Malaysian chess that is getting better and better especially in the aspect of communication and media. More and more chess blogs are created and alive in the Malaysian blogosphere to provide the info and news of chess-related activities and events both local and overseas. Today, GiLoCatur just noticed about the above blog. "KUDO" is actually the Knights in Malay, in an ethnic of Minangkabau dialect. It also means a Horse. "CATUR" actually means chess. GiLoCatur is very honored if KUDO CATUR is transpired from the word of "GiLoCatur" which means chess fanatic. The creator and owner of "KUDO CATUR" sees the identity which he or she wants to follow. But what really GiLoCatur hopes is that the blog will always be updated and maintained. It does not necessarily every day, but at least once in three days.

KUDO CATUR blog can be accessed here.

Make sure that you always check the blog here to know about the details of chess tournaments he organizes at his chess academy.

Excel Chess is another new chess-related blog in the country. It is related to Jax Tham and his Excel Chess Academy (ECA) which is situated in OUG. GiLoCatur salutes to people like Jax who continues to organize chess tournaments every month and during festive holidays and weekends. With the then First Friday Chess Classics (FFCC) and now First Saturday Chess Classics (FSCC), he promotes standards chess tournaments (G/90 or 90 minute time-control) which is lacking here. He also introduces and popularizes 10.20.30 chess tournaments. What is 10.20.30? 10 rounds of 20 minute time-control with 30 seconds increment. Besides organizing, he is also playing. Even he won few of the tournaments.

Jax Tham, an active chess organizer, coach and player

GiLoCatur prays that Jax Tham is blessed with good health for him to conduct and organize more and more chess tournaments, not just tournaments but quality ones for the good of Malaysian chess fraternity.

Christmast Chess Rapid (10.20.30) at JAX's Excel Chess Academy - 26th & 27th December 2009

In the Klang Valley, for those who have free time and going nowhere during the Christmas weekend, there is a rapid chess tournament. Where?

VENUE: EXCEL CHESS ACADEMY, 26A JALAN HUJAN EMAS 4, OUG, JALAN KELANG LAMA. POSKOD 58200 KUALA LUMPUR.

GiLoCatur and family have to go back hometown for a "majlis" or function of a close relative. So, we can not participate in this tournament.

GiLoCatur was in the dark what the hell is 10.20.30 all about as per in the above entry tittle. Actually, what it means is the 10 refers to 10 rounds of games played in the tournament, the 20 refers to 20 minute time-control and the 30 refers to 30 seconds increment.

"MALU BERTANYA SESAT JALAN" is the Malay idiom which literally means that if you are shy to ask question you will be lost in finding the direction. So, the moral is ask question if you don't know.

The Schedule :

Day 1 - 26th December 2009, Saturday

Round 1 : 9.30 - 11.00 am

Round 2 : 11.15am - 12.45pm

Round 3 : 1.30 - 3.00pm

Round 4 : 3.15 - 4.45pm

Round 5 : 5.00 - 6.30pm

Day 2 - 27th December 2009, Sunday

Round 1 : 9.30 - 11.00 am

Round 2 : 11.15am - 12.45pm

Round 3 : 1.30 - 3.00pm

Round 4 : 3.15 - 4.45pm

Round 5 : 5.00 - 6.30pm

The format : 10 rounds, 20 minute time control or G/20, 30 seconds increment each move

For further details - contact Mr Jax Tham at 013-323 2280 or EMAIL jaxtham@hotmail.com

Muhd Izz Saifuddin, The Champion of JAX's December's FSCC!

Muhd Izz Saifuddin (the above picture) was the champion of the December's First Saturday Chess Classics held at Jax Tham's EXCEL CHESS ACADEMY on 5th and 6th December. He scored 5/6 in the tournament which include several strong Malaysian chess players like Nabil (Haji Rapid Champion), Abdullah Che Hassan, Lim Zhou Ren, Yeap Eng Chiam and Syakir.

TAHNIAH and SYABAS!

The six rounds of 90 minute + 30 seconds tournament is an excellent ground for the local players especially the young guns to have exposure for international chess tournaments. It is an excellent effort by the organizer, Mr Jax Tham, a strong chess player himself. Bravo!

The full results can be viewed at fireyrook's chess blog here.