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. 

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.

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.

 

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.

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