2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 18)

In the final round when Malaysian men played against Bahrain on Board 54, many of us would wonder what happened to IM MAS who was playing on top board. His opponent is just rated with 2134 ELO. IM Mas resigned after 23rd move while his time showed 1 hour 20 minutes left compared to his opponent 44 minutes as per below.

The reason for that is his mobile alarm clock rang during the play even though it was already off. The alarm is for his lunch reminder as already being set everyday since the beginning of the olympiad. It was just unfortunate that the final round was played at 11.00 am in the morning; not at the normal 3 o'clock for final closing. Below is the sms from IM Mas explaining the matter.

:) my phone alarm rang at 12.20, daily alarm for lunch.. Unfortunately last game is played in the morning.. Fon is off but still the alarm rang..

Yes, it is true. The mobile alarm will rang even though it is off. It needs to be set off for it not to ring. During chess tournament, GiLoCatur will make sure that mobile alarm is set to off even though GiLoCatur is not playing. Surely, Mas will remember and take precaution about this matter in future chess tournaments.

GiLoCatur hopes to avoid this sort of matter to happen again in the future, it should be one of the check list items for team captain or manager. Another important aspect that Malaysia should take a look during the post mortem is about having team coach(es). The women champion, Rusia 1, has two coaches during this chess olympiad. Mind that its players are world-class and Grandmasters. GiLoCatur believes our beloved country MALAYSIA can have this too provided that it is properly and well plan at least one year ahead.

Minus the defeat in the last round, IM Mas performance in this olympiad is great. His two defeats in the 7th and 9th round (as per below table) is against higher-rated. His draw with GM Mickey "Spiderman" Adams (England) and win over a Lithuanian Grandmaster are superb. Fatigue is the real challenge. It does not only affect our Malaysian players but also others. As per what GiLoCatur sees and notices, even better and top players like GM Truong Son of Vietnam also experiences it. GiLoCatur also salutes both IM Mok and FM Peter for their endurance and strength to play all the eleven rounds with respectable results taking into consideration of their ages.

Let's analyze the team performance of all the Asean countries as per below table.

Based on initial ranking, only Singapore has much better performance from 73rd to 58th. It improves 15th ranks. Indonesia is at the same standings of 67th. Thailand only better one rank from 94th to 93rd. Malaysia's final rank is down from 86th to 92nd. Both Vietnam and Philippines have poor results. Having two 2600-rated players does not help Vietnam to at least stay at their initial ranking of 27th. Instead, it is placed out of top 50 after just managed to be 52nd. Meanwhile, Philippines is also down 13th spot from 37th to 50th. The winning statistics also do not differ very much. Except Philippines with 5 wins, all just managed to win 4 games. In such, the match points also do not have big gap. It is either 12, 11 or 10 points.

Based on the previous olympiad (Dresden 2008) placings, Malaysia improves from 96th/146 to 92nd/149. Thailand also improves from 100th to 93rd. Singapore improves 4 rank from 62nd to 58th. Indonesia is down from 51st to 67th in this olympiad. Philippines is also down from 46th place to 50th. The worse is Vietnam, falling from 9th spot to 52nd. For both Asean chess horsepowers, Vietnam and Philippines, is it because their top board players are under huge pressure? Both GM Quang Liem and GM Wesley So were on the second board in Dresden 2008. Or is it because their opponents have prepared well since they are more well known now compared to then? Or is it the board order for the other team members affected?

So, MALAYSIA performs quite well and OK after all. Well done to the Malaysian team!

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 17)

The World Chess Olympiad held in Khanty-Mansiysk ends on Sunday, 3rd October. The final results are known already. The players and officials are returning home bringing both sweet and bad memory and experience. GiLoCatur did not follow the last round because busy with some personal activities.

In the open category, the second seed Ukraine had emerged champion topping the top seed, Russia 1. Ukraine that consists of Ivanchuk, Ponomariov, Eljanov, Efimenko and Moiseenko proudly brings home the golden medal after winning 8 games and drawing 3 games. It means Ukraine is unbeaten. Russia 1, the favourite, just managed to emerge the silver medallist after trailing behind with 1 point. Meanwhile, the bronze medal goes to Israel who wins on tie-break over Hungary who includes a lady chess player, Judith Polgar, after a tie with 17 points.

The top 10 performers in the open category

The champion's, Ukraine, score card or individual performance

In the women section, the Kosintseva sisters help the first Russian team to be the champion. The team scores the perfect 22 points after winning all the eleven rounds. Their strategy to put the two sisters on the top two boards and Kosteniuk, the reigning world women chess champion, on the third board really paid off. Meanwhile, China led by Hou Yifan lives up to their second seed by winning the silver medal. The bronze medal is won by Georgia, the 4th seed. The 3rd seed Ukrainian ladies team just managed to be 9th placing.

China and United Stateds are the other countries that are among the top ten for both teams - open and women. In the absence of World Chess Champion, Vishy Anand, and Humpy Koneru who is among the current top three women chess players, India could not manage to be among the top 10 in either categories.

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 16)

World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansisyk is coming to the end. Nine rounds down, two more to go. The tenth round will be played today, Friday, and the last one will be played on Sunday. Saturday is the second free day.

So, what is the current standing? Who are leading? Which teams look to be the champion for each category - the Open or the Women. Can the defending champion make it double? Who are the last (38th) Chess Olympiad in Dresden?

In the Open section, Ukraine is currently leading the pack. In Dresden two years ago, it managed to be at the fourth place with 17 match points from 7 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat. The champion then is Armenia. It records 9 wins, 1 draw and only 1 loss. Ukraine, the 2nd seed, is leading by 2 match points from 7 wins and 2 draws. Russia 1 and France are trailing behind with 15 match points while the defending champion Armenia is at the 10th place. Can Ukraine beat France in the 10th round as per following pairings on the top board to ensure its victory in the 39th chess olympiad edition? Let's wait and see.

How about Malaysia? GiLoCatur's beloved country thus far has accumulated 7 match points from 3 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses. Malaysia is currently ranked at 102nd placing far behind its seeding of 86th. Malaysia loses to Andorra 1.5-2.5 yesterday in the ninth round. It needs to win the final two rounds to earn better placing. Vietnam and Philippines are basically ranked according to their seeding. Singapore is the only Asean country that has better ranking than the seeding as per shown by below chart. It is just 4 ranks better.

In the 10th round, Malaysia will face Wales at table 51. Based on the starting rank, Malaysia should win this match. Malaysia has to. MALAYSIA BOLEH!

(GiLoCatur will continue this entry later ... Friday, 7.55am)

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 16)

Let's take a look at the performance of ASEAN nations and its top players.

IM Mas is the top player for the Malaysian team. He started well by getting a draw against 2700-club player, GM Adams from England. The chess world noticed the feat since the ratings gap is quite big which is more than 300. And in the third round, he made an upset again by beating higher-rated GM from Lithuania. The match is also an upset for Malaysia after managed a draw against much higher-rated Lithuania.

In the fifth round, Malaysian performance is not that good. Malaysia lost to a lower-seeded opponent Bolivia. Even Mas escaped with a draw against lower-rated opponent and IM Mok succumbed to a defeat. Most probably it was the effect that all the Malaysian players were not rested then. Fatigue had taken its toll to our chess players. In the eighth round, when Malaysia decided to rest Mas Malaysia narrowly won over Sri Lanka by half point. Hopefully, IM Mas can play much better after being rested and the others will excel too. GO MALAYSIA GO!

In GiLoCatur's opinion, Vietnam is the strongest team among the ASEAN nations for two reasons. First, its average ratings (2587) and seeding (27th) is the highest. Second, it has two 2600-rated players in GM Liem and GM Son.

From GiLoCatur's observation, GM Liem does not perform superbly. He managed just a draw and two defeats against three 2700-rated opponents. Meanwhile, he drew twice to opponents with lower-rated including one 2500-rated player. But his performance ratings is not that bad either.

Fatigue seems affecting young players like GM Truong Son. He had performed well up to the fourth round. But in the fifth round, he was defeated by Georgian player with 2598 ELO ratings. Once again he lose to 2500-rated opponent in the 8th round.

Both the Vietnam top players are not being rested so far. For sure, Vietnam faced much stronger opponents than its other ASEAN counterparts. It upsets Azerbaijan in the third round, but it just managed draw against lower-seeded opponents in the 7th and 8th rounds.

GM Wesley So is the top board player for the Philippines. He is among the only three ASEAN players with 2600-ratings. He was rested in the 7th round. He has not yet lost a single game, but he only won one and drew the other six rounds even to 2400 and 2500 rated opponents. Considering his strength and ELO ratings, he should had won such games. The upset that Philippines encountered is in the third round when just managed to draw with much lower-seeded Scotland.

GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia is the only 2500-rated player in his team. He plays all the eight round without a loss. Quite an impressive performance. But he has too many draws, 5 to be exact. Besides his 5.5/8 score, IM Halay Taufik (or Taufik Halay, tak sure mana satu) also has impressive performance thus far after scoring 5/7 points.

Indonesia has played to its strength thus far. It won over lower-seeded opponents. Just to add that, Indonesia upsets Israel, the 11th seed, by having a draw. In round 7, Indonesia also managed to draw with higher-rated Latvia.

Singapore top player, GM Zhang Zhong, also has quite impressive performance. He lose only once to the giant killer, GM Jobava Baadur who had defeated Magnus Carlsen, and has many draws. Managed to draw with higher-rated teams, Moldova and Egypt, are among the best results for Singapore.

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 15)

Below are Round 8 updates ... that involve the Malaysian teams

The Malaysian men team captain can be counted on then when he won his debut game in the chess olympiad. With the win, Malaysia won over Sri Lanka, 2.5-1.5. It was a scary moment watching Greg's game live. Early prediction to thrash the lower-seeded team did not materialize. But never mind, a win is important here.

GiLoCatur hopes that the Malaysian juniors are also watching the games live. Experience and learn the tension and pressure environment. Be motivated to improve in chess and represent Malaysian in the future in chess olympiad.

link - http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1001080554

The above info is incorrect for the first board result. It should be 0-1. LOL!

9.28pm, Finally Malaysia women team won over UAE by 2.5 - 1.5 score. Both Alia and Nabila contribute the two points and Roslina gave the crucial half point. Congratulation! Now, all the women players go get good rest and relaxation. Round 8 is over. Raise up the spirit and motivation. Be ready for the next round.

link - http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1000080403&tmnt=2

8.56pm, it is confirmed then that Alia had won. Well done. Malaysia 2, UAE 1.

link - http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1000080401&tmnt=2

8.53pm, GiLoCatur is smiling coz confident that Alia will win her match. If so, Malaysia just needs Roslina to score half-point enough to ensure the win.

8.40pm, not an easy match eh! Malaysia lost a point. Now, Malaysia 1.5, Sri Lanka 1.5. That makes the fourth board game that yet to finish becomes so critical. The result of Greg's game is very critical here for Malaysia to win the match. The captain's game is the decider.

link - http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1001080552

8.37pm, it is a critical endgame for Alia ... Hope she can be calm ... in GiLoCatur's opinion, she can win it. Come on ....

8.34pm, oooooh no ... please don't hang .... what are the results now ...

8.30pm, TKB seems in time trouble. That's what GiLoCatur could observe from the live games showed. Could he survive? Hopefully, Malaysia does not lose again to Sri Lanka.

By 8.15pm (Malaysian time),

Malaysia adds one point in the open/men section making it 1.5 - 0.5 /2 thus far. Just need another one full point to ensure a win and critical 2 match points. Mok's opponent resigned. Im Mok plays the top board in absence of IM Mas who is rested in this round.

link - http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1001080551&tmnt=1

By 8 o'clock, Malaysia and UAE split one point each. UAE won the fourth board through Amna Nuaman Al Ali who played against Mi Yen. Let's wait for the other two boards - the first and the third.

link - http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1000080404

Peter Long, the Malaysian men's third board, drew with his Round 8 opponent from lower-seeded Sri Lanka. Half-point split so far. IM Mas does not play in this round. Surely, he needs good rest for better performance in next rounds. Today, Greg Lau who is the Malaysian men fifth board player and the team captain plays his first game in this olympiad.

link - http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1001080553&tmnt=1

By 7.50pm, Nabila won her game after her opponent from UAE resigned on 31st move. 1 down, 3 to go.

link - http://ugra-chess.com/liveboard?gameid=1000080402

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 14)

Alia (left) and Nabila (right)

Photo from aliaanin.blogspot.com

(Harap Alia beri izin guna foto from her personal blog)

The Malaysian women team succumbed to a defeat by 1-3 score to Ecuador that has higher average ELO ratings. Based on GiLoCatur's observation and results analysis, Indonesian and Philippines players perform better compared to the Malaysian women players. They are able to win over higher-rated or about-equal-rated opponents. Most of the times they won games against lower-rated ratings.

Among our players, Alia performs well after scoring 4/6 points. Having 1904 Elo ratings, her performance ratings so far is 2140. She has about plus 24 ratings-difference. Meanwhile the other four players have minus ratings-difference. GiLoCatur hopes all of them will improve and have better performance. Never ever ever give up. Take the opportunity to raise their games. Learn how to handle the big pressure. Believe in themselves and be confident.

In the sixth round, Alia managed to beat a 2300+ International Master or IM. Bravo! Tahniah! This kind of performance our Malaysian players should attempt.

INA team

Photo from medinawarda.blogspot.com

Let's check out the Indonesian players. No doubt WGM Irine, the top board player, is in her own class. She has collected 5/6 points. She lose to Indian IM, Harika Dronavalli but she won over France GM, Marie Sebag, with 2499 FIDE ratings.

Chelsie Monica and Medina Warda Aulia are the other Indonesian players that perform well. As a strategy, both of them who are Fide Masters (FMs) are the top two bottom board players. Both of them have plus ratings-difference and better ratings performance. Chelsie lose only once from 5 games while Medina also lose once but drew twice. Both have 4 points. Both managed to outwit much higher-rated French opponents.

As for the Philippines team, its top (WFM Chardine Cheradee) and fourth board (Rulp Ylem) are the well performers. The former has 5/6 points while the latter has 4/6 points. Other players score important points when it matters the most.

GiLoCatur wishes that Malaysia will meet Philippines in one of the next rounds. Why? Because GiLoCatur would like to see the match up between the top boards of the two countries - Alia versus Chardine. Interestingly, exactly eight years ago they faced each other in Asean U8 tournament in Singapore. Below is their game.

[Event "ASEAN-ch3 U08 Girls"]

[Date "2002.??.??"]

[White "Camacho Cheradee, Chardine"]

[Black "Bakri Alia, Anin Azwa"]

[Result "1-0"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 e6 5. Bg2 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. O-O Be7 8. d3 O-O 9. Bf4 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. d4 Rd8 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13. Rc1 Qe7 14. e3 Ne4 15. Qc2 h6 16. Rfd1 Nxc3 17. Qxc3 Qb4 18. Qxb4 Nxb4 19. a3 Nc6 20. h3 Be6 21. Nd4 Nxd4 22. Rxd4 Rab8 23. Rcd1 Kf8 24. e4 Rd7 25. exd5 Rbd8 26. g4 Ke7 27. R4d3 Kf6 28. Be4 Ke5 29. dxe6 Rxd3 30. Rxd3 Rxd3 31. Bxd3 fxe6 32. b3 Kd4 33. Bc4 e5 34. Kf1 a6 35. a4 Kc3 36. Ke2 Kb4 37. Ke3 b5 38. axb5 axb5 39. Bf7 Kc5 40. Ke4 Kd6 41. h4 Ke7 42. Bd5 Kd6 43. h5 1-0

Tomorrow, in the 7th round Malaysia will face Pakistan which is seeded lower, about 30 ranks below. GiLoCatur hopes the Malaysian team will take the opportunity to win over the opponent to climb up the ladder. YAKIN BOLEH!

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 13)

Based on the games/results from the official website of the World Chess Olympiad, Malaysia has won convincingly 4-0 over San Marino, the 118th seed, in the sixth round. The win is very critical to climb back the ladder. So, how's the individual performance for the Malaysian men players thus after Round 6?

On the top board, IM Mas has not lose so far. He scores 4.5/6 after 3 wins and 3 draws. On the second board, IM Mok has accumulated 2.5/6 points after 2+1=3- (what formula is this eh?, actually + means win, = means draw and - means defeat). While NM Khai Boon or simply TKB, on the third board, gets 2/6 points. He won a game, drew two games and lose three games (isn't it 123?). Meanwhile, on the last board, FM Peter managed to score 3.5/6 points. 123 also but 1 lose, 2 wins and 3 draws. After six rounds, Malaysia scores 5 match points from 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats.

Mas checkmated his opponent after 31st move.

Mok's opponent resigned when queening is unstoppable.

TKB won when his opponent lost due time trouble.

FM Peter had his opponent resigned after 33 moves.

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 12)

In the fifth round, the Malaysian men team had similar fate as the women's in the fourth round. Malaysia lose to lower-seeded Bolivia. The score was 1.5-2.5 where all players except the second board drew and got half point. What done is done. Just focus to the next round game. Forget the past. Malaysia will play over San Marino which has lower ELO ratings. GiLoCatur hopes Malaysia can win convincingly to earn 2 important match points.

Among other ASEAN countries, Thailand had an excellent result.It scored 3.5-0.5 points against higher-rated South Africa, the 2010 world cup host.

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 10)

Syabas & Tahniah to the Malaysian Men's team for drawing 2-2 with much higher-rated Lithuania that comprises 3 GMs and 1 IM. This kind of result that we the Malaysian chess community would like to have. Such feat, as well as Singapore's victory over Russia 4 (2.5-1.5), has been listed as one of the big upsets in the third round as per published in the popular SusanPolgar chess blog as per here. Could it be the feat of Indonesia's draw with the Israelis and Vietnam's victory over the European champions from Azerbaijan in the previous second round had motivated Malaysia and Singapore to perform well?

Well done, guys! IM Mas performs well thus far. Scoring 2 wins and a draw against a super GM can be an excellent start for a GM norm for IM Mas. It would be sweeter if IM Mok could win also. In the next round, Malaysia will face the 47th seed of Switzerland.

In the Women's Olympiad, our girls managed to get 1 point from Austria that is ranked 32nd in the tournament. An IM opponent with 2400-rating seems too strong for Alia even to get a draw. Kudos to both Nabila and Mi Yen for getting a draw over their respective higher-rated opponents. Not bad at all. Who will be their opponents in the next round? Our girls will play against the lower-rated Sri Lankan team that is beaten by Indonesia in the third round. Do not feel over confident. The Malaysian team has better chance of winning. So, grab it. "MALAYSIA BOLEH!"

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 9)

In the second round for the Women Chess Olympiad team, Malaysia won convincingly 4-0 against lower-rated Ethiopia. Nurul Huda was rested, while Mi Yen played on the fourth board. SYABAS to the team for the win and shall keep on winning especially over lower-seeded teams. Singapore joined the winning fray when they also beat convincingly against its opponents.

India is too strong for the Indonesian girls. Only Warda Aulia Medina managed to draw with her 300-ratings higher opponent. Vietnam and Philippines joined Indonesia for losing 0.5-3.5 against their respective opponents - Cuba and Romania. Thailand, the lowest-seeded among the ASEAN countries, was beaten 1-3 by the Bolivian ladies.

Who will Malaysia meet in the third round for both Men and Women teams?

The Malaysian ladies will play against Austria who was defeated by Azerbaijan in Round 2. While the Malaysian boys will have a tough challenge to beat Lithuania, the 39th seed. With "Malaysia Boleh" spirit, hopefully both the Malaysian teams can win or at least draw.

"Kepada semua rakyat Malaysia, terutamanya komuniti catur, mari berikan kata-kata semangat, peransang dan sokongan kepada pasukan kita yang berjuang di bumi Khanty-Mansiysk."

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 8)

As GiLoCatur expected, the Malaysian Men team won against the lower-rated Hongkong with 3.5 - 0.5 score. The Malaysian third board, NM Tan Khai Boon drew his game. While the others won theirs.

One of the upset in the second round is that Indonesia managed to draw with Israel. IM Tirta Chandra Purnama is the happiest man after he defeated GM Ilia Smirin on the second board. While GM Susanto and IM Irwanto contributes the important halfpoint each so that the Indonesian team is level with Israel with 2-2 score. Malaysia should emulate this kind of performance in next rounds when playing against higher-rated opponents.

Vietnam is even better when its players managed to secure a win against Azerbaijan, the seventh seed. GM Quang Liem, GM Truong Son and GM Thien Hui managed to steal halfpoint each against their respective stronger opponents based on ELO ratings. GM Anh Dung is the hero for securing the critical one point.

Philippines led by GM Wesley So is short halfpoint to join Indonesia to upset stronger opponent. GM Gomez is surely frustrated for not scoring at least halfpoint to make their match up a draw.

Thailand has showed that they are not just a punch bag for stronger teams when managed to draw with Tajikistan that is 30 ranks higher in the seeding list. Its third and fourth board provided the golden two points.

Meanwhile, Singapore found that its opponent, Georgia, is too strong to beat. This kind of results and performance that our country, MALAYSIA, as well as other ASEAN neighbours should emulate. GO MALAYSIA GO.

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 5)

How about our men's team? Who is their first round opponent? The answer is the 12th seed, England. The England team includes GM Michael Adams, a 2700-rated player, the well-known GM Nigel Short, GM McShane, GM Howell and GM Jones. There is a change in the seeding number for the Malaysian men's team. Malaysia is seeded 85th instead of 84th as per in previous entry. For GiLoCatur, a draw is already an achievement for each of our Malaysian player especially to both of our IMs.

GM Adams

Playing against GM Adams (provided that he is not rested) who is the 18th rank in the latest FIDE Top 100 players will be a historical encounter for IM Mas for sure. GiLoCatur hopes IM Mas will play his best in the encounter. Hopefully, their encounter will be photographed and shared with the Malaysian chess community.

GM Short

The same goes to IM Mok who will face GM Nigel Short (also if not rested), considered one of the best Britain's chess players. Among his achievements are winning the British Chess Championship and Commonwealth Championship three times each. Surely, IM Mok will cherish his first round match in the 2010 World Chess Olympiad. Especially if he manages a draw or even a win. We must believe in unthinkable. Whatever it is, just do not afraid to fight and challenge the best if we want to be among the best.

There may be a change order in the Malaysian Men Olympiad chess team. NWM Tan Khai Boon is playing the third board while FM Peter Long is playing the fourth board.

GOOD LUCK GUYS! WE IN MALAYSIA WILL 100% SUPPORT AND BE BEHIND ALL OF YOU!

How about other Malaysian's ASEAN friends?

Vietnam (27th) vs Botswana (100th)

Phillipines (37th) vs Korea (111th)

Indonesia (67th) vs Mauritania (142nd)

Singapore (71st) vs Senegal (146th)

Thailand (93rd) vs Georgia (20th)

2010 Chess Olympiad (Part 4)

The 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk will start today at 3.00pm (Ugra's time). The opponent for the Malaysian Women team in the first round is the 15th seed, Slovakia. Surely, it will be a daunting task for our girls to match up the Slovakian team that has ratings average of 2349. Hey, it is very important to have "Lawan Tetap Lawan" spirit. GiLoCatur hopes that our women team to put up the best fight and performance against the Slovakian opponent whose team members as per below.

IM Eva Repkova

... shall be the opponent who was born in 1975 that Alia will play against

WGM Regina Pokorna

... shall be the opponent that our WCM Nabila will face

Below is one of the games of WGM Regina in this year 11th European Women Individual Championship. She played white against Roberta Brunello.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. Bb3 d6 7. O-O Ba7 8. h3 h6 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nbd2 Nh5 11. Nf1 Qf6 12. Be3 Nf4 13. d4 h5 14. Kh1 h4 15. N1h2 Re8 16. Qd2 Na5 17. Bxf4 Nxb3 18. axb3 exf4 19. e5 dxe5 20. Rxe5 Rxe5 21. Nxe5 Be6 22. b4 Rd8 23. Re1 a5 24. bxa5 c5 25. a6 cxd4 26. axb7 dxc3 27. Qxc3 Bd5 28. Qb4 Bb8 29. Nhf3 Qa6 30. Qe7 Qd6 31. Qxh4 Bxb7 32. Ng5 Qh6 33. Qxh6 gxh6 34. Nexf7 Rf8 35. Nxh6+ Kg7 36. Ne6+ 1-0

The match ups of the other Malaysian neighbouring countries are as below:

Vietnam vs Sri Lanka (81st seed)

Indonesia vs Kenya (105th seed)

Philippines vs Netherlands Antilles (107th)

Singapore vs Russia 2 (5th)

Thailand vs Norway (43rd)

There are seedings changes/updates that involve Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are Malaysia is seeded 72nd, Singapore 62nd and Thailand is seeded 100th.