HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY FIKRI SALEH ON 13.11.2019

Hari ini 13.11.2019.

Dua puluh tiga tahun yg lalu, pada hari ini kelahiranmu anak sulung ayah dan ibu merupakan satu berita yg paling menggembirakan. 

Kelahiranmu Abang agak unik dan istimewa. Tidak seperti bayi2 lain. Tidak seperti ayah, ibu, kakak dan adik yg semuanya lahir di bumi Selangor, Abang lahir di KL dengan kod negeri 14. 

Kelahiranmu Abang di bulan November juga sangat istimewa. Ayah dan Ibu disatukan juga dalam bulan yg sama iaitu November. Jadi hari lahirmu Abang agak istimewa dalam bulan sama dengan Wedding Anniversary ayah dan ibu.

Abang tidak mewarisi minat ayah membaca, tetapi Abang warisi sifat pemalu dan pendiam ayah. Terpaksa ayah dan ibu lancarkan Projek Buku Nilam dan aktiviti ke PNM setiap hujung minggu ketika berusia 11 tahun agar minat membaca dan sebagai persediaan untuk UPSR. 

Ayah sangat tidak menjangka dan menyangka, dalam diam-diam Abang belajar chess dengan rakan-rakan di sekolah. Ayah juga tidak pernah terfikir dengan penglibatan dalam sukan catur, Abang berjaya ke peringkat Daerah, Negeri dan seterusnya Kebangsaan (MSSM). 

Abang mengorak langkah dan membuka jalan kepada adik-adik dalam sukan catur. Ayah masih ingat betapa kecewanya Abang tidak dapat ke MSSM selama dua tahun berturut-turut. Malah Anis pula yang berjaya mewakili pasukan catur MSS Selangor ke MSSM lebih awal daripada Abang. 

Sudah pasti Ayah juga ikut sama kecewa. Ayah nekad berusaha lebih gigih agar Abang juga dapat mewakili kontinjen catur MSS Selangor. Maka jadilah Ayah, GiLoCatur. 

Rupa-rupanya ada hikmah Abang gagal sertai MSSM edisi 2008 dan 2009. Walaupun Abang hanya sempat bermain di empat edisi MSSM - dua edisi dengan MSSS dan dua edisi dengan MSSWPKL, tetapi pencapaian Abang lebih baik dari Kakak dan Adik. 

Kini Abang sudah tinggalkan alam persekolahan. Alam kolej dan universiti pun Abang sudah melepasi tahap kedua. Samada mahu meneruskan alam universiti atau masuki alam pekerjaan, 

Ayah dan Ibu doakan Abang cemerlang dan berjaya. 

Semoga Abang jadi insan dan warga berguna, beradab, berbudi pekerti, berjasa dan bermanafaat kepada agama, negara dan bangsa. 

Jangan Abang lupa jatidiri dan leluhur kita etnik KAMPAR. Walaupun Abang tidak fasih "becakap awak", jan dilupo susur galur dan salsilah Abang yang datuok niniok berasal dari Pulau Belimbiong, Kuok.

Abang suku Piliang Tok Sati (pembetulan: kekabu) samo seperti ibu. Ayah pulo suku Domo. 

Selamat Ulangtahun Kelahiran ke 23, Eid Milad Mubaraq dan Happy 23rd Birthday my eldest child, FIKRI BIN SALEH! 

Ayah dan Ibu doakan sukses dan semua yg terbaik buat Abang! Ameen

Below are the photos of Fikri Saleh at different age from GiLoCatur Photo Collection. 

Fikri with Ayah at aSiS

Fikri with Ibu at aSiS

Fikri at SMK Seksyen 18 Shah Alam

Fikri at his first MSSS Chess Championship in 2008

Fikri and Ayah at CM Collin's Simul Chess

Fikri in his 3rd MSSS Chess Championship

Fikri at SMK Seksyen 18 Shah Alam in Form 2

Fikri was one of the winners in MSSD PP Chess Championship

Fikri and hist MSSWPKL winning Gold medal in the MSSS L18 Team Event

Fikri with Ayah at an open chess tournament in Tanjung Karang

Fikri at Majlis Anugerah Sukan MSSWPKL 2012 after winning Gold medal in L18 Team event

Fikri was one of the winners in L15 event of MSSD Petaling Perdana

Fikri represented SKBJ chess team in the MSSD PP L12 chess championship

Fikri enjoying Family Day

Fikri represented his university team

Fikri was one of the winners in a local open chess tournament

Fikri represented UiTM in the GACC in 2018

#23rdBirthday
#13Nov2019
#FikriBinSaleh

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".

Sayonara MSS Selangor Chess Championship for Anis

The MSS Selangor chess championship had been held last week from 20th until 23rd of April 2015. For this year edition, PPD Hulu Selangor is the host. The venue for the championship is Kuala Kubu Baru sports complex hall.

GiLoCatur's only daughter, Anis Fariha, took part in the championship. It is the final MSSS chess championship for her. Anis had been taking part in the championship since 2009 representing PPD Petaling Perdana for two years (2009 - 2010) and PPD Kuala Selangor for five years (2011 - 2015) respectively. 

Alhamdulillah, Anis has won three (3) Gold medals, four (4) Silver medals and two (2) Bronze medals. As a father, surely GiLoCatur is very proud with Anis' achievement in the MSSS which GiLoCatur never achieve before. GiLoCatur had even never taken part in any MSSS championship during the school days.

Another feat for her is since her debut in the MSSS chess championship in Sepang 2009 edition until recently concluded Hulu Selangor 2015 edition, Anis is one of the MSS Selangor chess contingent in the MSSM chess championship.

Here are another interesting facts.  All the other three team mates in both 2013 Sepang (P15 Team Champion) and 2015 Hulu Selangor (P18 Team Champion) editions are her KUSESS school mates. KUSESS is Kuala Selangor Science School or its Malay name, Sekolah Menengah Sains Kuala Selangor.

Below are several photos of Anis in the MSSS chess championships.

MSSS 2012 - 1 Gold & 1 Silver medals (P15)

MSSS 2014 at UKM Bangi

MSSS 2015 - 1 Gold & 1 Silver medals (P18)

MSSS 2015 - P18 Team Champion

MSSS 2015 - Anis and her KUSESS team mates

MSSS 2013 - P15 Team Champion

2014 MSSS Chess Championship - Team Event Summary

From previous three entries, it is obvious that MSSD Petaling Perdana (PP) has won the most Gold medals in the team events. It had won three. It dominates the Under 12 categories. Meanwhile its twin, MSSD Petaling Utama (PU) dominates both Boys secondary school categories. Hence, the district won two Gold medals.  

The last Gold in the team events went to MSSD Klang. So, in summary:

Petaling Perdana - 3

Petaling Utama - 2

Klang -1

MSSD Petaling Perdana (PP) chess contingent

2014 MSSS Chess Championship - Under 18 Team Event Champions

The champion for Under 18 team event are MSSD Petaling Utama (PU) for the Boys section and MSSD Klang for the Girls section.

Boys (L18) Category

Roshan Singh helps his MSSD PU L18 team to win the Under 18 Boys category. His other team mates are Shivendran Gandhi, Ethan Wong Hsien Aun and Teh Zee Hoe. Like MSSD PP L12 team, the MSSD PU L18 team had a solid performance. They won 17/20 games and all their five rounds.

MSSD PU L18 team
(from left) Roshan, Ethan, Shivendran & Zee Hoe

Girlss (P18) Category

The fight is tough in the Under 18 Girls team event. MSSD Klang P18 team which comprises of Gan Xiang Hua, Sherene Kaur Seranna, Hong Hui Wen and Teo Sze Woon managed to edge MSSD PP P18 team even though having the same game (13) and match points (7).

MSSD Klang P18 team

Congratulation to both champion teams.

2014 MSSS Chess Championship - Under 15 Team Event Champions

MSSD Petaling Utama (PU) and MSSD Petaling Perdana (PP) won the Under 15 team event for Boys and Girls category respectively.

Boys (L15) Category

Comprising of Yee Jian Yang, Emir Rusyaidi, Kabir Singh and Bryan Yap, the MSSD PU L15 team emerged on top after winning three and drew two games. The team accumulated 14/20 game points. It is enough to put MSSD PP team in second place which was trailing by half point.

MSSD PU L15 team
(from left) Jian Yang, Emir, Kabir & Bryan

Girls (P15) Category

MSSD PP P15 team
(from left) Nurul Hana, Christine, Nurul Izzah & Sabrina

The MSSD PP P15 team managed to edge the defending champion in this category in last edition, MSSD Kuala Selangor (KS). The team which comprises of Nurul Hana Syuhada, Lee MeiYen, Nurul Izzah and Sabrina Sofea won four games and drew one. With 13.5/20 points and having more one point than their closest rival, the team were smiling and happy to be on the podium as the Gold medal winner.

GiLoCatur would like to congratulate both MSSD PU L15 and MSSD PP P15 teams for their respective achievements.

2014 MSSS Chess Championship - Under 12 Team Event Champions

Thursday, 13th February 2014

MSSD Petaling Perdana (PP) dominates the Under 12 Team events in the MSSS chess championship which has just concluded today. Both its Under 12 teams - Boys and Girls, emerged as champion and thus won the Gold medals.

Boys Category

Represented by three SKBJ pupils and one SK Seksyen 9 pupil, MSSD PP L12 team won all the five rounds scoring 17 out of total 20 points. For GiLoCatur, it was a solid performance. This team reminds GiLoCatur of the MSSD PP L15 team of 2010 edition that comprised of Low Jun Keat, Fikri Saleh, Suniil Kalivanan, dan Muhd Khidhir Muhd Zamani. The team won 18 out of total 20 points. Click here to view further info.

MSSD PP L12 team
(from left) Fahim Al-Faqeh, Muhammad Faqih, Raja Bazil & Iskandar Hakimi

Girls Category

The MSSD PP Girls Under 12 team is represented by two SKBJ pupils and one each from SK Seksyen 9 and SK Bandar Anggerik. The team won four games and lost 1, thus accumulating 8 match points. The team scored 15 1/2 game points, 1/2 point more than the first runner up,  MSSD Hulu Selangor (HS). 

MSSD PP P12 team
(from left) Nur Faiqah, Nurul Farhana, Yasmin Irdina & Raja Bazilah

An interesting fact is that, there are three siblings pairs in the MSSD PP Under 12 teams.

Congratulation to both MSSD PP Under 12 teams!

2014 MSSS Chess Championship - Tentative Schedule

Wednesday, 12th Feb 2014

The MSS Selangor chess championship for 2014 edition is entering its final day tomorrow. The championship started on Monday, 10th February. The championship is participated by 10 MSS districts and has six categories - Under 12, Under 15 and under 18 for each Boys and Girls sections. For each category there are four players for each districts. Mathematically, there are forty (40) participants for each category. Thus, since there are six categories, the total number of chess players compete in the championship is two hundreds forty (240). Each player will compete in two events - Individual and Team.

credit : Cikgu Ghalib

Today, the Individual event completed. The participants play seven (7) rounds of one-hour-per player game in the Individual event. The first two rounds of total five rounds of the Team event had been played today. Three more rounds will be held tomorrow, the final day. For this event, the game format is 30-minute-per-player. 

Below is the tentative schedule of the 2014 MSS Selangor chess championship being held at UKM Bangi.

The championship schedule

2014 MSS Selangor State Chess Championship

GiLoCatur strongly believes that all the ten Selangor MSSDs have completed their respective chess tournaments by now and already have the list of players to represent their respective MSSDs in the upcoming MSSS chess championship. 

When and where the championship will be held? Maybe many parents have yet acknowledged. 

For this year edition, MSSD Hulu Langat will be the host. As per announcement in two MSSDs i.e. Petaling Perdana and Kuala Selangor, closing ceremony and MSSD Petaling Utama Chess FB page, the venue for the tournament will be UKM Bangi. UKM is one of the public universities in Malaysia located in Bangi, Selangor. UKM is the acronym for Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia or the National University of Malaysia. The tournament is scheduled to be held less than two weeks from now. The tentative schedule is from 10th untuk 13th February 2014. 

the venue for 2014 MSSS chess tournament

a meeting at PPD Hulu Langat

GiLoCatur believes all the MSSDs have their training next week after the Chinese New Year holiday. Not much time left for the players who will represent the ten Selangor MSSDs to train and make preparation. Surely all are vying to be in the MSS Selangor chess contingent in the MSSM chess championship to be held in Sarawak during the first school break in late March.

2014 MSSD Chess Championships in Selangor

This is a photo report on several MSSD chess championships held in Selangor last week. The photos are borrowed from facebook namely of Hero Sifu Raja Aljubs, Razali Hamzah aka Ng6, Cikgu Aida, Cikgu Zarul Shafiq and SK Kota Warisan's blog. 

MSSD Gombak

SK Taman Melawati chess team

SMK Taman Melawati chess team with their coach Ezmi

U12 event

U12 event

MSSD Hulu Selangor

Cikgu Zarul Shafiq and his school winning chess players

MSSD Petaling Perdana

Venue : SMK Setia Alam

U12 event

U12 event

DGT electronic chessboard

SK Seksyen 9 chess team (under coach Sarjan Ismail Ahmad)

SKBJ chess team (under coach Sarjan Ismail Ahmad)

MSSD Petaling Utama

venue : SMK Bandar Seri Damansara 2

Ng6 with his son's school chess team

L12 section

MSSD Sepang

SKKW chess team

Top Board match on screen

U12 Girls section

U12 Boys section

GiLoCatur notices lots of improvements in the MSSD chess championships nowadays especially in Selangor. Many school chess teams have started to hire chess coaches. Furthermore, more and more chess parents are more supportive by spending time at the championships giving moral support to their beloved children. Several MSSDs have used DGT electronic chessboard showing Top Board games on LCD projector. 

More and more school chess club teachers are taking seriously on the development, training and performance of their chess players. More and more chess parents assist their children' school chess clubs  in various ways. This parents-and-school chess clubs collaboration should continue and growing. More and more quality junior chess players need to be developed and groomed. Come on all Malaysian chess community - coaches, players, parents and teachers, let's work together to build better and bigger chess community and develop more young chess players. The keyword is CHESS DEVELOPMENT. WE LOVE CHESS, don't we?