Ngeteh Bersama FA Azhar MS - Chit Chat Tentang Catur

Bersama dengan FA Azhar MS Zaha Sharm dan isterinya beberapa hari lalu sebelum Ramadan 1416H di Shah Alam.

Perkenalan kami sudah lama, sejak 2009. Beliau merupakan seorang abang dan sifu bagi GiLoCatur tentang chess.

Banyak perkongsian ilmu dan insights tentang catur khususnya sebagai chess parents.

Azhar MS merupakan antara chess parents berjaya di negara ini bagi GiLoCatur. Dua orang anak perempuannya adalah pemain Olimpiad wanita negara dan title player. Ditambah lagi anak lelaki sulung yg berjaya mewakili Olimpiad lelaki Malaysia.

3 orang anak di satu kejohanan catur Olimpiad adalah satu pencapaian terbaik sudah pastinya.

Alhamdulillah, dek tidak lokek ilmu dan pengalaman, dapat juga GiLoCatur tempias pencapaian anak2 dalam sukan catur.

Anak2 kami seringkali bersama satu sekolah, satu universiti dan satu pasukan di MSSS dan MSSKL.

Anak tunggal perempuan GiLoCatur berada di satu sekolah dengan 3 orang anak beliau dan isteri, Noor Seroja di Kuala Selangor bersama anak2 dua lagi sahabat family catur kami.

Manakala anak bongsu GiLoCatur berada di satu sekolah pula dengan anak keempat beliau di mssd Pudu, KL.

Kami sering berbincang dan berdiskusi tentang isu2 catur di negara ini. Antaranya:

- isu hala tuju sukan catur di negara ini
- isu pengadil iaitu arbiter
- isu pengedalian dan pemilihan pemain2 yg mewakili negara di kejohanan2 catur peringkat antara bangsa
- isu program pembangunan catur di negara ini
- isu peranan persatuan catur samada peringkat kebangsaan mahupun negeri
- isu pajsk bagi kejohanan2 dan pertandingan2 catur tempatan
- isu kejohanan catur dalam talian
- isu chess parents dan players

Sebagai seorang arbiter kejohanan dan pertandingan catur, banyak kes2 dan isu2 yg dihadapi oleh beliau dikongsi dan dibincangkan.

Ya, GiLoCatur sangat bersetuju ada sebahagian arbiter kurang layak dan tidak menangani kes2 yg berlaku dengan baik. Ditambah pula sebahagian coach tak menerang dan mengajar chess students mereka tentang peraturan2 permainan catur yg betul di kejohanan dan pertandingan catur.

Maka berlakulah banyak salah faham. Menurut Azhar MS, ada peraturan yg jelas dan clear cut. Tetapi ada juga peraturan yg memerlukan tafsiran pihak arbiter.

Ada juga organizer dan tournament director yg tidak membuat tournament rule yg boleh jadi isu.

Antara contoh2 isu ini adalah 50 moves rule dan promoting pawn.

Panjang lebar penerangan Azhar MS kepada GiLoCatur tentang isu2 dan kes2 yg dihadapinya sebagai seorang arbiter.

Para pemain catur as well as chess parents perlu jelas, arif dan jujur tentang tournament rules agar tidak berlaku insiden2 yg tidak diingini di petandingan2 dan kejohanan2 catur khususnya local.

GiLoCatur dan FA Azhar MS & isterinya, Pn Sham

Sebagai sebahagian komuniti catur Malaysia, marilah kita bersama2 sentiasa belajar dan perbaiki kelemahan agar lebih berjaya dan baik sehingga mampu melahirkan Grandmaster pertama negara.

GENS UNA SUMUS!

#coachgilocatur
#SukanCatur
#ChessConnectsUs
#caturmalaysia

PAI JENJALAN KODAH 2024 - Part 1

 

Setelah mengharungi lebih 400 km pemanduan di atas Lebuhraya PLUS arah Utara dengan exit di susur keluar 173, maka sampailah GiLoCatur dan isteri ke tempat bermalam pertama di sebuah chalet.

Usai bersarapan pagi di sebuah restoran masakan Kelantan berhampiran rumah, GiLoCatur memulakan pemanduan.

Singgah mengisi petrol di stesen minyak di LATAR, kereta merah yang dipandu memasuki lebuhraya kira-kira pada jam 10 pagi.

Setengah jam kemudian kereta merah mulai meninggalkan Negeri Merah Kuning dan memasuki Negeri Yeop. Pemanduan agak lama di negeri tersebut. Alhamdulillah perjalanan lancar kecuali sekali dua terpaksa mengharungi kesesakan dek kerana penutupan lorong for road maintenance.

Sekali dek kerana sebuah lori melintang terbalik di atas lebuhraya seperti gambar di bawah.

Lori terbalik di tengah2 lebuhraya arah ke Selatan

Sudah agak lama GiLoCatur tidak memandu ke utara. Ketika Projek JIM dahulu, GiLoCatur kerap memandu kereta putih ke utara outstation.

Ketika anak2 aktif menyertai kejohanan catur, GiLoCatur kerap memandu kereta kelabu ke utara khususnya dari tahun 2008 hingga 2015.

Ketika pemanduan semalam, GiLoCatur sempat bernostalgia tentang pemanduan ke utara berseorangan diri atas urusan kerja di SP, WK, PB dan BKH. Ketika itu GiLoCatur gemar memandu di waktu malam walaupun cuaca tidak sepanas ketika ini.

Kurang pasti berapa suhu ketika itu kerana kereta putih tidak secanggih kereta merah. Yang pasti di bawah 30 darjah celcius.

Semalam, dengan kecanggihan dan teknologi kereta merah merekodkan suhu tertinggi antara 37 dan 38 darjah celcius.

Setelah Check In di Kg Yan Chalet, 7007 > 7416 km, 38 darjah celcius

Ya, cuaca sangat panas di kala ini. Global Warming adalah salah satu puncanya.

Kira-kira pada jam 12:45pm, kereta merah telah memasuki ke negeri yang terkenal dengan ferinya pada satu ketika dahulu. Tidak lama pemanduan di dalam negeri tersebut. Pekan Jawi adalah tempat pertama yg akan ditempuhi di atas lebuhraya ke utara di negeri yg namanya bermula dengan perkataan Pulau.

Tidak lama kereta merah berada di negeri tersebut. Hanya setengah jam sahaja. Ketika memandu kereta putih dahulu, GiLoCatur akan membayar tol di Ipoh.

Ketika memandu kereta merah semalam, GiLoCatur tidak perlu bayar tol di Ipoh. Bypass sahaja. Sebaliknya tol dibayar sebelum keluar negeri yg terkenal dengan jambatannya.

Pada jam 1:15pm, GiLoCatur dan isteri telah memasuki Negeri Jelapang Padi pula. Perlu mengambil tiket tol dan keluar di Susur Keluar nombor 173. Bayaran tol sebanyak 5.80.

GiLoCatur tidak sangka boleh memandu straight to the destination. Ingat akan berhenti di salah satu R&R untuk ke bilik air. Al maklum usia pun bukannya masih muda. Sudah lebih mid 50s.

Setelah check in di chalet yg telah ditempah kelmarin, berehat sebentar dan mandi untuk menyegarkan badan. Cadang nak makan di sebuah restoran yg berkonsepkan pokok nipah, tetapi dek kerana tutup terpaksa mencari tempat makan lain.

Memandangkan Tanjung Dawai yg terkenal dengan belacannya tidak jauh dari chalet, GiLoCatur bergegas ke sana. Sebab perut sudah lapar.

Beli Belah produk Tanjung Dawai spt belacan

Begitulah coretan pemanduan GiLoCatur semalam.

Semoga sahabat GiLoCatur Abdul Rahman Ahamad yg bertanya ke mana pemusafiran kali ini, sudah dapat jawapannya. Pemusafiran selama tiga malam je. Pemusafiran bajet.

#pemusafiranfeb2024
#healinghealingbakkatagenz
#fajarrabu28feb2024
#coretangilocatur

TALI PINGGANG HIJAU

Generasi muda ramai yg tak tahu tentang item seperti gambar di bawah.

Tali Pinggang Hijau

Generasi GiLoCatur majoriti pasti kenal.

Sebenarnya ini tali pinggang yg diguna pakai oleh generasi datuk dan moyang malah arwah ayah di zaman mereka khususnya ketika mengerjakan Haji di Mekah.

GiLoCatur tiada info bila moyang Hj Jamin Bin Mahkota pergi ke Mekah. Yg pasti sebelum 1909 kerana pada tahun tersebut beliau meninggal dunia.

Bagaimana GiLoCatur tahu? Ada bukti sahih seperti dokumen?

Ya. Dalam dokumen geran tanah pusaka di Sungai Balai Bagan Datoh.

Balu Tok Jamin iaitu moyang perempuan GiLoCatur, jalur maternal side of arwah ayah dan jalur paternal side of amak, ambil kuasa dan masukkan nama kedua-dua orang anak lelaki Moyang Jamin iaitu Mat Siri Bin Haji Jamin (Tok Sidik) dan Mat Kasip Bin Haji Jamin (Tok Kasid ayah amak).

GiLoCatur juga tiada info yg tepat bila arwah Tok Hasan Basri menunaikan Haji di Mekah. Cuma yg pasti time frame dari bulan Nov 1928 hingga Nov 1931. Ini juga berdasarkan nama beliau dalam geran tanah.

Pada 22 Nov 1928, nama Tok Basri dalam geran tanah rumah kelahiran GiLoCatur di Kg Sungai Tengar adalah Sarin Bin Haji Suliman.

Manakala pada tarikh 20 Nov 1931, nama beliau dalam geran tanah lot belakang adalah Haji Basri Bin Haji Suliman.

GiLoCatur kurang pasti dari pelabuhan mana Moyang Jamin, Moyang Suliman dan Tok Basri bertolak ke Jeddah dan Mekah untuk mengerjakan Haji samada dari Tanjung Priok Batavia atau Acheh atau Singapura atau Port Swettenham Pulau Pinang.

Tetapi GiLoCatur yakin mereka adalah sebahagian jemaah Haji Tanah Melayu atas faktor mereka telah menetap di Hilir Perak dan Utara Negeri Selangor.

Sedikit kajian ringkas tentang jumlah jemaah Haji Tanah Melayu adalah seperti berikut.

Jumlah jemaah Haji pada tahun 1900 adalah seramai 6,861. Ia bertambah hampir 2 kali ganda iaitu setamai 12, 184 pada tahun 1927.

GiLoCatur percaya Tok Basri ke Mekah samada pada bulan April 1929 atau Mac 1930. Jumlah jemaah Haji dari seluruh dunia ke Mekah untuk urusan Haji ketika itu adalah sekitar 130K hingga 140K.

Statistik yg GiLoCatur temui adalah 60, 786 pada musim Haji 1921 dan bertambah dua kali ganda kepada 123, 052 pada musim Haji 1928.

Arwah ayah pergi ke Mekah bersama tiga orang anaknya, isteri, adik dan emak mertua pada musim Haji 1963. Mereka bertolak dari pelabuhan Pulau Pinang ketika itu.

Boleh bayangkan kepayahan dan cabaran yg mereka tempuhi dalam perjalanan dalam kapal, bas dan sebagainya. Apatah lagi dengan dua orang anak kecil. Arwah ayah berusia 46 tahun manakala amak berusia sekitar 33 tahun.

Kelebihan dan advantage arwah ayah adalah pengalaman luas dalam bab musafir dan berjalan. Arwah ayah sering ulang alik ke Singapura menaiki keretapi di tahun 1940an dan 1950an.

Di tahun 1930an pula arwah ayah sudah biasa ulang alik dari Bagan Datoh atau Teluk Intan ke Gunung Semanggul.

Ayah boleh berbahasa Arab dengan fasih walapun beliau tidak pernah belajar di Universiti Al Azhar.

Ringkasnya, tali pinggang hijau seperti gambar di bawah di guna pakai oleh Moyang Haji Jamin, Moyang Haji Suliman, Tok Basri dan Ayah Haji Abdul Latif sewaktu mereka melakukan umrah di kota Mekah pada musim Haji yg berbeza.

Malah GiLoCatur juga mengguna pakai tali pinggang hijau ketika mengerjakan Haji pada tahun 2010 (ofcourse tali pinggang dalam gambar di bawah ):-

Semoga entry ini sedikit sebanyak mengandungi info dan maklumat sejarah keluarga bagi cucu cicit keturunan Haji Abdul Latif Bin Haji Hasan Basri, Tok Basri Bin Haji Suliman, Tok Mat Kasip Bin Haji Jamin, Moyang Haji Jamin dan Moyang Haji Suliman (actually Sulaiman) khususnya anak cucu cicit Haji Saleh Bin Abd Latif.

#talipingganghijau
#moyanghajijaminclan
#tokbasriclan
#tokmatkasipclan
#hajiabdullatifclan
#hajjahrahmahclan

KISAH RAKAN SEKOLAH GiLoCatur - Zainal Abidin & Ahmad Razali

Dua keping gambar di bawah adalah foto GiLoCatur dengan dua orang rakan sekolah yg berbeza.

Rakan sekolah rendah dan sekampung di tahun 1970an. Zainal Abidin Ghazali namanya. Hari ini Zainal jadi "Raja Sehari".

Lebih 4 dekad GiLoCatur tidak ke rumah tempat  beliau lahir dan membesar di Kg Sungai Tengar.

dari kiri, Roselawati, Isteri Zainal, Zainal Abidin, GiLoCatur & Hashim
Rakan SKST 1975-1980

Alhamdulillah dapat bertemu dengan dua orang lagi school mate yg GiLoCatur tak pernah jumpa setelah tamat sekolah rendah iaitu Hashim dan Roselawati di majlis walimah Zainal.

Hashim background seperti GiLoCatur juga dalam bidang IT tetapi divert to agensi umrah buat sales dan marketing. Manakala Roselawati pula dalam bidang pendidikan sebagai seorang guru.

Semoga sahabat sekelas 6 Kuning GiLoCatur, Zainal kekal bahagia dengan isterinya. Selamat Pengantin Baru, Nal!

GiLoCatur & Ahmad Razali aka Amat Ijok
MH 1981-1983, KIK 1984-1985

Foto yg satu lagi adalah ketika GiLoCatur ziarah rakan sekolah menengah bawah di Kajang dan sekolah menengah atas di Kelang, Ahmad Razali Isnin. GiLoCatur panggil beliau Amat Ijok.

Amat Ijok diuji dengan kesihatan. Tak perlulah GiLoCatur sebut secara detail sakitnya. Sempatlah kami catching up dan nyembang-nyembang esp tentang masalah kesihatannya.

Semoga Amat Ijok diberi syifa' dan kesembuhan. Semoga diberi kekuatan untuk kembali bekerja dan menghadapi ujian dari tuhan. Ameen ameen ya robbal alameen

 
#kisahrakansekolahGiLoCatur

#ZainalAbidinGhazaliSKST

#AhmadRazaliIsninMHKIK

HARI PENGUNDIAN AWAL PRN 2023 - 8 OGOS 2023

Berita tentang peratusan (%) keluar mengundi bagi Undi Awal hari ini sehingga jam 11:00 pagi seperti screenshot di bawah susah untuk digambarkan dalam bentuk perangkaan dan statistik. 

Statistik Peratusan Undi Awal 
sumber: Astor Awani & SPR

GiLoCatur key in peratusan tersebut dalam Microsoft EXCEL agar data peratusan tersebut dapat di"visualize" dalam bentuk yg mudah difahami.

Dari Tabular Excel di bawah, info dan maklumat Pengundi Awal di kalangan anggota Polis & pasangan adalah paling tertinggi di Negeri Selangor. 

Tabular Peratusan Undi Awal

Manakala Pengundi Awal di kalangan anggota tentera & pasangan adalah paling tertinggi di Negeri Sembilan.

Berapakah jumlah Pengundi Awal "voters turn out" pada hari ini? Dengan mengemaskini data peratusan di Tabular, jawapan akan diperolehi dengan cepat dan pantas. 

Bukankah lebih mudah jika jumlah Pengundi Awal dikeluarkan instead of peratusan? 

#PRN2023
#gilocaturpemerhatipolitik 

Happy 25th Birthday To ANIS FARIHA (2023)

Today is the fifth day of May month in the year of 2023. It is a special day for both GiLoCatur aka Hj Saleh and Hjh Nor Azizah because 25 years ago our only daughter was born. 

Her name is Anis Fariha. At first GiLoCatur wanted to name her just Fariha means joy or happiness in Arabic. Since the first child was named with the letter F, her name should start with the letter F as well.

GiLoCatur felt something is missing and not right. Then GiLoCatur added ANIS for the first name. Now the name made sense and right. Thus, the daughter got her name registered in her Identity Card as Anis Fariha Binti Saleh.

Anis is the first one who were born in Shah Alam. Her elder brother, Fikri, was born in Kuala Lumpur. She had both her elementary and secondary schools only in Selangor. Then she continued her Diploma studies in Perak and came back to Selangor for her Degree. 

In terms of Kampar ethnicity, Anis carries the "SUKU" in her blood. Since Kampar ethnic uses a matriarch lineage, Anis got her Piliang suku from her mother. For her knowledge of Kampar tradition, GiLoCatur would like to record her lineage here. Anis Fariha > Nor Azizah > Dahniar > Saadiah > Bina (not sure her full name). 

Anis and Dad (GiLoCatur)
Raya 2022 Photo

In someway, the matriarch lineage is connected to GiLoCatur's paternal grandma (Raini Binti Jamin) and great grandma  (Tando Binti Kaeo). GiLoCatur's dad knew about this much much better. He is a distant cousin to Bina (Anis mom's great grandma).

Hopefully this info will be kept in Anis' memory. As long as she has a daughter and grand daughter, the SUKU Piliang and matriarch lineage continues.  

Anis and Mom (Zah)
Raya 2022 Photo

HAPPY 25th BORNDAY to GiLoCatur's only daughter, ANIS FARIHA! Ayah wishes you great health, "murah rezeki", happiness and joy. And wish you as "anak solehah" to us Ibu and Ayah. Ameen ameen ya robbal 'alameen.

The birthday greeting is on 2022's FB Post Birthday Wish :)-

#cincodemayo2023
#05052023
#anisbornday

Mini Reunion of Ex TOEFL1986 Group 9 KPP/ITM Shah Alam at Dato' Suhaimi's Son Wedding Reception

Yesterday on Sat 06.05.2023, an 1986 toefl group mate of us Dato' Ahmad Suhaimi Endut had a wedding reception in Putrajaya for his son.

GiLoCatur with Dato' Ahmad Suhaimi Endut
fondly know as Bro Mie in our Group 9

Alhamdulillah, GiLoCatur could attend with wife Nazizah Sulaiman and daughter the reception event.

GiLoCatur is blessed for having met two other ex group mate Prof Zulkifli Mohd Nopiah and Mahfidz Hussin.

Mahfidz who has been in Engineering field for many years drove from JB with his wife and few of his children. Meanwhile, Prof Zul who fondly GiLoCatur called Ajoi drove his super bike from Bangi. His field of study is Mathematics.

GiLoCatur, Prof Ajoi aka Minang aka Zul & Mahfidz
ex Group 9 toefl kpp/itm 1986 shah alam

Grateful to Allah because the four of us received scholarship to further study abroad namely in the United States.

This year is basically a private retirement age for all of us. But Prof Zul and Dato' Suhaimi will continue to serve the country and Malaysian community since they work in the public sector.

It was a sweet and beautiful experience in 1986 for the four of us learning and improving English with our local English lecturers such as Mama Jo and Ms Chong.

That is our story of ex TOEFL Section 6 Group 9 mates.

#toefl1986
#exgroup9

Majlis Resepsi Anak Nor Azli Sham & Marzilah

Alhamdulillah dapek menghadiri Majlis Walimah anak2 mantan jiran & rakan sekerja Azli & Mar, Iskandar dan adiknya Aisyah. (nota: pada 14 hb Mei 2022 yang lalu) 

Iskandar sebaya Fikri Saleh, manakala Aisyah sebaya Anis Fariha. 

Begitu pantas masa berlalu. Kira2 dua dekad lalu, kerap ngeteh dengan Azli di kedai mamak depan apartment kami di TTDI Jaya. 

Sekarang, ada juga ngeteh dengan beliau tetapi tidak sekerap dulu kerana sudah tidak berjiran. Sesi ngeteh bertanya khabar dan catching up tentang perkembangan diri & keluarga masing2. 

Semoga Raja Sehari berbahagia & berkekalan dengan pasangan masing2 hingga ke jannah. 

Selamat terima anak menantu kpd Azli & Mar. 

Berikut adalah koleksi foto GiLoCatur bersama keluarga di Majlish Walimatul Urus anak2 Azli Sham & Mar.

Zah bersama Adik & Kakak

GiLoCatur dengan ayah pengantin, Azli

Zah dengan ibu pengantin, Mar

GiLoCatur & isteri

GiLoCatur, isteri, Abang & Kakak

#majliswalimah14may2022

GiLoCatur Passed 1400 Rating In chess.com

GiLoCatur played two 10-minute chess games on chess.com this early morning. (note: four years ago from this blog post)

Target to cross the 1400 rating. Before the games started, GiLoCatur's rating was 1389. So, 11 points to score to reach the 1400 rating.

Alhamdulillah, GiLoCatur won the two games. After winning the first game, GiLoCatur gained 7 points. So, the rating jumped to 1396. 

GiLoCatur needs another win. Playing black, GiLoCatur started with h5 move, an usual opening of Ware Defense. Normally for Black, GiLoCatur starts with e6. 

After the first chess.com game win, the rating became 1396

Having an about equal (4 against 4) piece, GiLoCatur's opponent resigned when his clock was at 5:42. His black Bishop was stuck and GiLoCatur could exchange Black B and R with N and R. 

Winning the second game, GiLoCatur gained another 6 points, and the rating now becomes 1402. GiLoCatur stopped playing so that can enjoy the 1400 rating for a while LOL. 

After the second chess.com game win, the rating passed the 1400 mark

GiLoCatur loves to play chess. Since got married and having children GiLoCatur began active and involve in chess almost 12 years ago. 

GiLoCatur still remember, Fikri Saleh took part in his first chess tournament in mid June 2007 while he was in Year 5. Since then GiLoCatur became very active in chess not only bringing the kids to participate in chess tournaments but blog about chess as well. 

For the past few years, GiLoCatur has slowed down and very seldom taking part in local chess championships as well as updating GiLoCatur's chess blog. 

Now GiLoCatur just plays chess online on chess.com. The kids play just a number of chess tournaments. The two elder children are into chess arbitering now. 

Nowadays children are very lucky because there are so many chess tournaments to participate, parents are so supportive, and chess tutorials and coaching is abundant.

This fb post is due to the urge for GiLoCatur to blog about chess. GiLoCatur really miss the chess activities GiLoCatur used to be involved and was part of. 

#GensUnaSumus

#14thDayof2019Ramadan

#fbposton19052019

SKBJ Was "HEBAT CATUR"!

Sunday, 9th April 2017

Today is the second day of the 3rd SKBJ Junior Chess Championship. There are two categories for the primary school pupils - Under 9 Years Old and Under 12 Years Old (ie 10 to 12 years old). 

Looking at the Ranking List after Round 6 as below, GiLoCatur is quite sad because "SKBJ HEBAT CATUR" looks gone. Only two SKBJ players in the Top 10 List for Under 9 category at 3rd and 7th place respectively. While no SKBJ player in the Top 10 List for Under 12 category.  

Ranking after R6 - Under 9 

Ranking after R6 - Under 12

Being the SKBJ pupils between 2003 to 2014, all the three of GiLoCatur's children were part of "SKBJ HEBAT CATUR".

Fikri (2008)

Having played chess for less than a year, Fikri was the only SKBJ L12 chess player managed to represent MSSD Petaling District in the 2008 MSSS Chess Championship. And he anchored the SKBJ L12 chess team for a Silver medal in the L12 team event. He made SKBJ proud for being on the podium for both Individual and Team Under 12 Boys event in the state championship. It was a bit unfortunate for him for not representing MSS Selangor in the MSSM Chess Championship after a play-off selection.

Fikri at MSSS 2008

Fikri - MSSS 2018 L12 Individual Winners

Fikri and his PP MSSD L12 Team Mates

Anis Fariha (2008 - 2010)

Anis joined his elder brother in the MSSD chess championship in 2008 when she was in Standard 4. She missed to represent the Petaling Perdana MSSD after just being 6th in the final ranking P12 Individual event. Alhamdulillah, she was also on the podium after winning the fourth place in the team event with her three other team mates.

The 2009 and 2010 editions of the Petaling Perdana MSSD chess championship were the great moments for Anis and SKBJ. She helped SKBJ to become "HEBAT CATUR" after becoming champions for both the Individual and Team P12 events.

Anis were among several SKBJ pupils who represent the Petaling Perdana MSSD in the MSSS chess championship. She continued to bring glory for SKBJ in the MSSM chess championship after winning one Gold medal and one Silver medal. To the knowledge of GiLoCatur, the Gold medal won by Anis in the 2009 MSSM chess championship is the first one for SKBJ in the championship.

Anis Fariha at MSSM 2010 - Silver medal & Best Board medal

Anis Fariha at MSSM 2009 - Gold medal

Anis Fariha at MSSS 2009 - 6th Place P12 Individual

Fahim Al-Faqeh (2010 - 2014)

Unlike his elder brother and elder sister, Fahim began early in playing chess.  Fahim had represented SKBJ in the MSS chess championships since he was in Standard 2. 

Among Fahim's achievements in the MSS scholastic chess championship during the five years tenure for "SKBJ HEBAT CATUR" which include 5 consecutive years in MSSD (2010-2014), 4 consecutive years in MSSS (2011-2014) and two consecutive years in MSSM (2013 & 2014) are:

• Gold medal in L12 Individual event (2014, MSSD)
• Gold medal in L12 Individual event (2013, MSSS)
• Best Board medal in L12 team event (2013, MSSS)
• Gold medal in L12 Team event (three consecutive years, 2012, 2013, 2014, both MSSD and MSSS)
• Silver medal in L12 Team event (2011, MSSS)
• Silver medal in L12 Individual event (2014, MSSS)
• Bronze medal in L12 Individual event (2013, MSSD)
• 5th Place in L12 Individual event (2014, MSSM)

Fahim at MSSS 2014 

Fahim at MSSS 2013 

Fahim at PP MSSD 2011

Both GiLoCatur and wife are very grateful to the Mighty Allah for these achievements by all the three of our children in chess especially in the MSS scholastic chess championships and for SKBJ "HEBAT CATUR" but, honestly, a bit frustrated for a lack of appreciation from the school and its administrators for all the contribution to make SKBJ becomes "HEBAT CATUR".

GiLoCatur Family & MSSM Chess Championship - Part 1

MSSM Chess Championship. What it is all about?

MSSM is a Bahasa Melayu acronym form Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia. In English, it is Malaysian Schools Sports Council. There are 26 sports that includes Chess in the MSSM calendar. MSSM Chess Championship is a scholastic chess competition. 

MSSM Chess Championship is the final stage where representatives from all Malaysian states will compete for the honor of becoming the champions or being winners at the national level.

While GiLoCatur were at schools - SKST (primary), SMKU MH (junior high school) and KIK (senior high school), GiLoCatur did not have the chance to represent Selangor in any sports. GiLoCatur even never passed the district level. 

When Fikri picked up chess (after football ofcourse) in mid 2007, GiLoCatur began to realize that GiLoCatur needs to do something to provide the opportunity for GiLoCatur's children to represent Selangor in the MSSM championship. 

Fikri began his Road to MSSM in 2008. He managed to be among the Top 4 winners in the Petaling Perdana MSSD in chess competition in L12 (Boys Under 12)  category. At the MSS Selangor chess championship, Fikri managed to be among the Top 6 winners. Unfortunately, he was not in the MSS Selangor chess contingent in the 2008 MSSM chess championship after a slip up in the selection play-offs.

MSSM chess 

The MSSM chess championship 2015 edition is around the corner. It will be held in the second week of the mid term school holidays between 7th to 13th June. Pulau Pinang will be hosting the event.

Are the chess athletes who will represent their respective state ready for the championship?

WAKE UP, GiLoCatur!

Wow, GiLoCatur has not updated this blog for more than a month. What happen, man? Have your lost interest in chess? Or have you lost interest in blogging? 

Lots of events both chess and non-chess that have happened like the recently concluded World Cup 2014. Even lots of "interesting" stories in the Malaysian chess circle especially regarding the Chess Olympiads selection. Not interested to write about it?

For sure, the number of visitors will decline when the blog is not updated. Below statistics on visits and page views of this blog verify the fact.

GiLoCatur Blog - Visits & Page Views Past Year Stats

 WAKE UP, GiLoCatur!

Thank you, Gilachess ...

Today during the final round of 2014 NCC, GiLoCatur is candid by two chess bloggers. One is Gilachess as per below picture. Who is the other one? Can you guess? ha ha ha ha ... 

Oh Noooo, GiLoCatur was sniped ... digitally!!

Mmmmm now GiLoCatur knows how he looks like while blogging ... Thank you, Gilachess!

GiLoCatur's Blog Visits and Page Views Analysis

One of GiLoCatur's new 2014 year resolutions is to become more active blogging. It is very obvious that GiLoCatur's blogging activity in the year 2013 was declining and at the lowest point. Part of the reasons might be two of GiLoCatur's children were sitting important examinations last year. Fikri for SPM while Anis for PMR. 

It has been more than 5 years since GiLoCatur created this blog. Let's do some analysis about this blog. 

5 years (2009 - 2013)

First, let's check the blog's number of posts or entries. 

Put 2008 and 2014 aside. 2008 is not complete blogging year. 2014 has just started.

In which year GiLoCatur was very active updating the blog? Which year has the lowest posts between 2009 and 2013?

It is no doubt that last year GiLoCatur's Blog had the lowest update. Only 52 entries had been posted. The highest number of entries had been submitted in year 2010. Hopefully, year 2014 will be a record-breaking. GiLoCatur's target is 380 posts. Can GiLoCatur do it? Let's wait until 2014 end.   

GiLoCatur uses Sitemeter to track the number of visits and page views of this blog. Just for a record, this blog's codename for the Sitemeter is s32gilocatur. 

Surely, many of you would like to know what the heck is Sitemeter.

Let's GiLoCatur provide the brief info on website visits and page views. Because these two will be the essence for next charts.

So, now you already know what is a visit and page view by Sitemeter's definition. What is the difference between the two. 

2009

GiLoCatur will use 3,000 as the benchmark for the number of page views.  In 2009, this blog had only 3 months not passing the benchmark number. It has the highest number of page views in November. The entries in this month is the second highest (39) in 2009. Why November had the highest page views in that year? The answer is most probably due to GiLoCatur's coverage and entries on wycc or world youth chess championship. 

2010

GiLoCatur's Blog enjoys improvement in audience visits and page views in 2010. For ten consecutive months since January in 2010, the number of page views surpasses the benchmark i.e. 3,000. In January, March and June, even the number had reached 6,000. In March 2010, GiLoCatur had little coverage on NAG. While in June the same year, the updates on the National Closed had attracted many blog visitors.

2011

In 2011, the attraction of this blog had declined from the previous year. It is most probably due to the number of of entry updates had reduced half from 357 entries to just 229 entries. GiLocatur's Blog had surpassed the 3K benchmark on visits only one occurrence which is in June.

2012

Surprisingly, in following year i.e. 2012, even though the number of blog posts had reduced again from 229 to just mere 111, the number of page views is over the benchmark most of the months.

2013

It is very obvious in year 2013, due to GiLoCatur's inactive blogging, the number of page views had dropped significantly to below 1,500 especially in the second half of the year.

New National Chess Rating ID

What is your latest national chess ratings?

The above questions is for the Malaysian chess player. The October or Quarter 3 (Q3) release had been published by the Malaysian rating officer, Lim Tse Pin, in his chess blog (here) several days ago. For the info, 19 chess events had been submitted for the national rating. Please go to Tse Pin's chess blog to find the list of the nationally-rated chess events. In fact, a chess rating ID has also been introduced starting this Q3. It is a 9-Alphanumeric ID. It is something new. BRAVO for the effort.

Below is the national chess rating ID for GiLoCatur's family:

MCR000212 - Fikri

MCR000591 - Anis Fariha

MCR000386 - Fahim Al-Faqeh

MCR000479 - GiLoCatur 

What is your national chess rating ID?

Rating wise, only Fahim's changed. He took part in two nationally-rated local chess tournaments namely KUSESS Team Open and Swensen Age Group. Fortunately, Fahim gained points in both tournaments. He gained 29.4 in the former and 17.4 in the latter. Thus, having accumulated 47 points in total, Fahim's national rating improves from 1482 to 1529. 

So, what is the national chess rating of GiLoCatur? The answer is 3 more points to 1500. Get it? GiLoCatur hopes to take part in at least one nationally-rated chess event in Quarter 4 and managed to pass the 1500 mark. 

Both Fikri and Anis have not been playing in chess tournaments since the MSSM chess championship. They have big examination this year. As of now, Anis had taken her PMR exam, while Fikri has less than one month for his SPM exam. Fikri is rated at 1624 nationally while his sister, Anis, is rated at 1466.

Beside the national chess rating, there is another chess rating being used in Malaysia. It is Cerdik Catur Rating or CCR in acronym. Neither GiLoCatur nor GiLoCatur's children has the CCR. It is because we have yet participate in any CCrated-chess event. Except Fikri, we will have CCR after taking part in the "Kejohanan Catur Rekreasi Alam Sekitar FRIM" next month.

A Look At GiLoCatur's Blog Entry Statistics

It had been about three weeks that this blog had not been updated. Wow! What's happening to GiLoCatur? Does he lose interest in blogging? Does he lose enthusiasm in chess? Is he really very busy at work? 

Basically, the answer for the above questions is NO. So, in that case WHY? Actually and honestly, GiLoCatur does not have the real answer. LOL ...

In this entry, let's take a look at the statistics of this blog's number of entries since its beginning in May more than four years ago. In the seven months of the first year of GiLoCatur's blog existence, ninety eight (98) entries had been written. The highest entry in 2008 was in the month of November with thirty seven (37) entries. 

In the next two years i.e. 2009 and 2010, GiLoCatur wrote more than three hundreds entries. GiLoCatur wrote almost everyday especially in 2010, the highest number of annual blog entries so far. Then, the number decreased to just about two hundreds entries last year. And it continues the declining trend where this year the number of entries has yet pass the one hundred mark.

GiLoCatur would like to say TQVM (Thank you very much) from the bottom of GiLoCatur's heart to all the visitors and readers of this blog. GiLoCatur will try to write more in the future. Hopefully, the Almighty Allah bestows great mood, motivation, energy, enthusiasm, passion and creative ideas to GiLoCatur to elighten the Malaysian chess blogging community.

Let GiLoCatur end this entry with a couple puzzles. Not chess puzzles ya!

In what year and month that this blog had the highest entry? In which quarter i.e. Q of year, the highest number of entries was achieved? (clue or hint : nearly 150 entries in 3 months). Good luck ...

GiLoCatur is Back!

Alhamdulillah, GiLoCatur and wife had been backed home from Hajj in Mecca this early morning. GiLoCatur had been away especially from the "chess stage" for more than 40 days. Eventhough still tired and jetlagged after more than four hours delay flight from Jeddah yesterday, GiLoCatur could not resist from updating this blog.

GiLoCatur was out of touch with local chess news since had to concentrate on the hajj mission and activities. One sad news that someone had texted GiLoCatur is about the demise of the late Mr Lim Chong. Hopefully, the condolences that GiLoCatur wished was relayed to his family. By the way, GiLoCatur would like to convey the condolences again to Mr Lim's family.

GiLoCatur would like to apologize to this blog readers and followers for not telling about the hajj mission. GiLoCatur thinks it is better be personal.

So now, it is back to normal. GiLoCatur and the children have to skip the Penang Heritage due to no more leave.

Blogger Fireyrook Was Paparazzied by GiLoCatur

Do you know what a paparazzi is? I think many of you know what it is. But by the way let's GiLoCatur explains what the word means.

Taken from Wikipedia, a paparazzi is an Italian term used to refer to photojournalists who specialize in candid photography of celebrities, politicians, and other prominent people. Paparazzi tend to be independent contractors, unaffiliated with a mainstream media organization.

GiLoCatur became a paparazzi during the recent Cerdik Catur Chess Challenge when candidly took the picture of a Malaysian chess blogger, fireyrook, while he was busy updating his blog. Sportingly, fireyrook was aware and allowed himself to be photographed so the element of paparazzi was not really there. LOL

Do you notice the ICT tools or gadgets used by fireyrook for him to carry out his mobile blogging? What really caught GiLoCatur's attention and eyes is the P1 wireless modem. It looks sophisticated eh, compared to GiLoCatur's celcom broadband modem.

But anyway, GiLoCatur hopes Mr fireyrook keeps on blogging and updating his chess blogs to provide latest news, info and updates particularly to the Malaysian chess community. WELL DONE and KUDOS to fireyrook.

GiLoCatur Jengok Kebun Sawit Hujung Minggu - 24 Julai 2010

Pada hujung minggu yang lalu, 24 & 25 Julai 2010, GiLoCatur sekeluarga pulang ke kampung di Simpang Lima dan Sabak Bernam. Di antara aktiviti utama GiLoCatur jika balik ke kampung sejak kebelakangan ini adalah untuk menjengok dan memantau kebun sawit yang GiloCatur dan isteri, Azizah, sedang usahakan.

GiLoCatur sebenarnya masih baru dalam menguruskan kebun kelapa sawit. Masih banyak perkara yang perlu dipelajari. Kebun sawit GiLoCatur tesebut berkeluasan 4 ekar atau 11 baris kelapa sawit. "Berapa batang pokok kelapa sawit dalam sebaris?", GiLoCatur bertanya kepada anak-anak ketika membawa mereka sama ke kebun tersebut. GiLoCatur berpendapat, mereka perlu didedahkan kepada hal-hal seperti ini agar mereka menghargai penat lelah untuk mencari wang pendapatan. Adalah satu perkara yang merugikan jika anak-anak tidak diberi exposure dan knowledge di luar kelas. Ilmu akademik semata-mata tidak mencukupi dan memadai. Pembelajaran sewajarnya tidak terhad di dalam kelas. Itulah prinsip dan pandangan GiLoCatur.

Anak-anak pokok sawit yang sedang membesar. Rumput rampai perlu diracun agar pembesaran anak-anak pokok sawit tidak terganggu. Aktiviti tersebut dipanggil MERACUN.

Tidak semua anak-anak pokok sawit tumbuh dengan elok dan subur. Banyak juga yang mati. Antara puncanya ialah dimakan babi hutan. Ya, ada babi hutan yang merosakkan anak-anak pokok sawit. Anak-anak pokok sawit tersebut perlu diganti atau diSULAM. Mengikut data dan statistik untuk kebun sawit GiLoCatur, sebanyak 48 pokok perlu diSULAM. Ini bukan kali pertama, semenjak mula ditanam GiLoCatur dan isteri telah membeli sulaman pokok sawit sebanyak 3 kali. Mengikut ingatan, 10 pokok kali pertama, 50 pokok kali kedua dan 10 kali ketiga.

Pada hujung minggu yang lalu, GiLoCatur dan isteri membeli sebanyak 30 anak pokok sulaman lagi (gambar di atas). Berapa ongkos yang diperlukan untuk aktiviti sulaman tersebut?

pokok sulaman >> 30 pokok x RM 10 = RM 300

upah menyulam >> 30 pokok x RM 3 = RM 90

Ditambah dengan upah meracun, 11 baris x RM 10 = RM110 dan harga racun >> RM 86. Jadi, keseluruhan ongkos yang keluar dari kantong isteri GiLoCatur adalah sebanyak RM586.

Sebenarnya pelbagai jenis racun untuk pokok sawit terdapat di pasaran. Untuk aktiviti meracun kali ini, GiLoCatur beli racun yang dikenali sebagai ECOMEX. Sebelum ini GiLoCatur dan isteri beli racun WEED HOE, racun lambat mati. Nak tahu berapa kuantiti racun diperlukan untuk kebun sawit GiLoCatur yang seluas 4 ekar tersebut? 8 liter atau 2 pek / botol racun seperti gambar di atas.

Nampak tak pokok sawit di atas sudah mula berbunga? Hah! Tak lama lagi lah tu, kebun sawit mula berbuah dan mengeluarkan hasil. Banyak udah keluor belanje tu yeop, tak sabor nak nunggu kutip hasil. he he he ...