Selangor Open & Encik Hamid Majid

The Selangor Chess Open is on going at this moment. This year is its 42nd edition. GiLoCatur and family began to take part in the longest local chess tournament in its 35th edition in 2008. 

In the 2008 Selangor Open, GiLoCatur took part with Fikri and Anis. GiLoCatur still remember we rushed from Gombak after Fikri finished his MSSS chess championship debut to the tournament's venue at the Selangor Pewter building. 

In this entry, GiLoCatur would like to share with GiLoCatur's blog readers the photos of Encik Hamid Majid who was the arbiter in the 35th edition and is also the arbiter in the 42nd edition this year. 

One question in GiLoCatur's head right now, how many Selangor Open that En Majid has arbitered until today? Is there anyone besides him who can answer?

2008 - photo by Andrew Gilachess

2015 - photo by GiLoCatur

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

Latest Chess Ratings

GiLoCatur believes many of us are familiar what KPI is. By the way, let's GiLoCatur copy paste here the definition of KPI that GiLoCatur gets from the internet. 

1. A Key Performance Indicator is a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively a company is achieving key business objectives. Organizations use KPIs at multiple levels to evaluate their success at reaching targets.

Why GiLoCatur is talking about KPI?

Actually, GiLoCatur wants to talk about the KPI of chess. What is the KPI of chess? What measurement to determine your chess performance has improved or otherwise. The answer is chess RATINGS. 

What is Chess Ratings?

Let's google. Below what GiLoCatur found.

1. A chess rating system is a system used in chess to calculate an estimate of the strength of the player, based on his or her performance versus other players. They are used by organizations such as FIDE, the US Chess Federation (USCF), International Correspondence Chess Federation, and the English Chess Federation.

For Malaysian chess players, the MCF Rating is being used. Unlike FIDE Rating that has different ratings for standard, rapid and blitz chess categories, MCF Rating includes all the three categories together.

The latest MCF Ratings has just been released about two weeks ago. For the Malaysian chess community that is new to MCF Ratings, it is released quarterly. In other words, it will be released in every three months. So, there would be FOUR MCF Ratings in a year.

Let's take a look at the MCF Ratings of GiLoCatur and children. 

Fikri, the eldest son

In October 2014 release, Fikri's MCF Rating was 1727. He gained 19 points for the January 2015 release to 1746. His MCF Rating has another increase in the latest April 2015 release by similar 19 points. Thus, the current Fikri's MCF Rating is 1765. The 2014 Chess Ratings Mission has successfully been achieved in 2015. Hopefully, Fikri will continue to gain more points taking part in national-rated chess tournaments.

Anis Fariha, the only daughter

In October 2014 release, Anis' MCF Rating was 1487. Not very active playing in local chess tournaments, she managed to increase her MCF Rating to 1513 for the January 2015 release. Unfortunately, Anis lost 52 points in the NAG 2015 making her latest MCF Rating decreases to 1461. Anis will not participate in chess tournaments this year except MSSM chess championship since she will sit for SPM examination in early December. 

Fahim, the youngest child

In October 2014 release, Fahim's MCF Rating was 1620. He lost 19 points for the January 2015 release to 1601. His MCF Rating has another decrease in the latest April 2015 release by 8 points. Thus, the current Fahim's MCF Rating is 1593. For Fahim, the 2014 Chess Ratings Mission has not been achieved. Hopefully, Fahim will improve his MCF Rating this year by gaining more points taking part in national-rated chess tournaments.

How about the MCF Rating for GiLoCatur? GiLoCatur took part in only one national-rated local chess tournament since October 2014 which is the UPSI Open. GiLoCatur lost 5 points in that tournament. The current GiLoCatur's MCF Rating is 1492, 8 points short from 1500.

Below is the MCF Rating change (the last three releases) for GiLoCatur and children.

MCF Rating change GiLoCatur and children

Finding The Chess Blitz King

**** Important Notice ****

GiLoCatur was informed that due to certain circumstance, this event is postponed to a later date to be informed later!

Are you King of Chess Blitz? Are you very good at playing Blitz chess? Do you dare to win TWO THOUSANDS RINGGIT MALAYSIA?

What?

If you are, there is a chess tournament that you can participate. What is the chess tournament name? When and where the tournament will be held?

When? Where?

You do not believe the prize is 2K, do you? Check it out below prizes structure.

Two Thousands MYR? Really?

Register quickly. Limited to 100 participants only.

March 2015 Local Chess Tournaments - WOW, SO MANY!

Today is the second day of March 2015. How time flies.

Lots of Malaysian chess tournaments will be held in this month notably - the Malaysian National Closed and the National Age Group or simply known as NAG. Below are some of them.

1. Kolej Mara Seremban Chess Open

This tournament will be held on Saturday, 7th March 2015 at Kolej Mara Seremban which is located on Jalan Aminuddin Baki. There are three categories in the tournament, namely the Open, Under 18 and Under 12 or primary school children. GiLoCatur is not sure whether all the participants in all categories will play in one tournament or separate one. Basically, this tournament is organized by the students of the college including GiLoCatur's friend's son.

The entrance fee is RM 25 for the Open, RM 20 for the Under 18 and only RM 15 for the Under 12. So, GiLoCatur believes all the players near Seremban and Melaka will be there to test their chess improvements.

2. Perak Grand Prix Chess Championship - Kampar Leg

If you are too far in the northern part of the country to take part in the Kolej Mara Seremban chess open, you can take part in the Preak Grand Prix Chess Championhsip. 

Sponsored by Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, its 2015 third leg will be held on Sunday, 8th March 2015 at Grand Kampar Hotel. 

The closing date for registration on 5th March 2015. Go to Perak Chess Association blog here to download the entry form.

3. The National Closed

As per advertised in the Biro Catur Wanita MCF Blog, this year edition of National Closed (NC) will be a FIDE-rated event. But are you eligible to take part? To find out, check this link.

4. KL Junior Chess Open

On Sunday, 15th March 2015, KLCT with the assistance of Cheras Chess Academy will organize a six-round rapid chess tournament. The venue of the tournament is at SK Wangsa Maju Seksyen 10. The detail of the tournament is as per below flyer. 

KL junior chess players will surely not miss the event since most KL chess players will take part before the state chess championship that is scheduled in early April this year.

Info on KL Junior 2015 chess tournament

To download the entry form, please go to www.kids4chess.com at this link.

5. The National Age Group

The 2015 NAG chess championship is basically for Malaysian junior chess players aged below 18 years old. Only Anis and Fahim of GiLoCatur's children that are qualified to take part in this year edition. 

GiLoCatur wonders how many each of GiLoCatur's children have taken part in the NAG, what is the best achievement and which edition that they have not taken part? GiLoCatur will try to write a specific entry on this. 

For 2015 edition, most probably only Fahim, the youngest child, will take part. Anis will most probably skip the championship making priority to her SPM examination preparation.

For Selangor juniors, go to CAS Blog to register under the Selangor flag.

For parents who want their kids to play under KLCA flag, go to its Secretary's blog here.

For Perakians, please go to PICA's Blog here to get all the needed information to register under Perak Chess Association.

Or you can visit Biro Catur Wanita MCF Blog to get the details for both National Closed and NAG chess championships.

6. SMK TBR 1 Chess Open

GiLoCatur received the flyer of SMK TBR 1 (Taman Bunga Raya) chess championship. The chess tournament will be held on Saturday, 28th March 2015. The time control is 25-minute per player in seven-Swiss-system-round format. Many MSS Selangor chess players are expected to take part since its Chess Technical Chairman, Puan Sufiah is the key person of the tournament.

Info on SMK TBR 1 chess tournament

So, enjoy the month of March 2015 in which there will be chess tournament on every weekends.

Syazwan Zulkifli Emerged Champion in UiITM Kelantan Chess Open

Congratulation to Syazwan Zulkifli (below picture) after emerged champion in the UiTM Kelantan Chess Open held yesterday ie Saturday, 28th February 2015. 

Syazwan Zulkifli
(photo from facebook, Empty Bench is believed to be the photographer)

Final Ranking - Top 10
(Click here for full ranking list)

Syazwan scored the perfect 6/6 points after winning all his games in the championship. 

Syabas & Congratulation To Ng6 and His Son, Syukur

GiLoCatur would like to congratulate one of GiLoCatur's chess buddies, Razali Hamzah also known as Ng6. 

Today, his son, 12-year-old Muhammad Syukur, and his school chess team emerged as the First Runner Up in the MSSD Petaling Utama (PU) team scholastic chess competition in Under 12 Boys (L12) category. 

GiLoCatur was told that this year the individual and team event are held separately unlike in the previous years where for team event the points are accumulated from individual points. GiLoCatur hopes MSSD PU keeps this next year and in future years. It will be good for the Malaysian chess.

Even though the MSSM Chess event will be held in June this year, some districts and zones have started and completed their respective district-level scholastic chess competitions early. 

Below are several photos that GiLoCatur downloaded from Ng6's facebook.

A primary school boys team

A primary school boys team

Primary schools girls team

Secondary schools boys team

Razali Ng6 (in the middle) with his son's SKSS7 chess team
Syukur, Ng6's son, is wearing the yellow shirt

SKSS7 Boy chess team - the First Runner Up in Under 12 Boys (L12) Team Event
with their teacher (most left)

Congratulation!

"How To Get A FIDE Rating"?

GiLoCatur was asked How To Get A FIDE Rating several days ago by a local college chess player. GiLoCatur believes there are still many chess players as well as parents especially among the Malaysian chess fraternity do not know how to get a FIDE rating. 

First, what is a FIDE rating?

FIDE rating is a rating given to a chess player by FIDE, the World Chess Organization. 

How to get the rating?

First, you have to take part in a FIDE-rated chess tournament. In other words, you have to play in a chess tournament recognized (ie registered with) by FIDE like the recently concluded 19th GACC.

Is it sure that I will get a FIDE rating after taking part in a FIDE-rated chess tournament? 

Not yet buddy. You have to play against opponents who have ELO ratings. Playing against unrated opponent will not count. 

Is there any minimum number of FIDE-rated opponents that I have to play?

YES. You need to play against NINE (9) rated players. 

Hopefully, the above explanation will answer the above question.

If you want to find out further about FIDE rating or some call it Elo rating, please read this article.

Or you can read and try to understand about it from FIDE itself at this link.

If you still cannot understand after reading it from the official FIDE handbook, the explanation by chesselo.com is quite simple and easy.

Hey GiLoCatur, do you have an Elo/FIDE rating?

GiLoCatur has yet to have one. But GiLoCatur already has the FIDE ID. GiLoCatur gets the ID after taking part in the 35th Royal Selangor Internation Chess Open in 2008.

GiLoCatur's FIDE Chess Profile

Let's get the FIDE (Elo) rating!

19th GACC - the UiTM Players Standing

The 19th Grand Asian Chess Challenge (GACC) International Inter-Varsity Chess Championship had just ended about a week ago. 

GiLoCatur's eldest child, Fikri, took part in his maiden appearance in the championship. He represents Universiti Teknologi Mara or UiTM along with 4 other male and 6 female chess players. As to GiLoCatur's checking, UiTM had not taken part in 2012, 2013 and 2014 editions for sure. 

So, how is the the performance of the UiTM chess players?

Final Ranking of the UiTM players in the 19th GACC

Three players had scored 5.5/9 points. All of them are placed 22nd, 25th and 29th respectively. Two players each scoring 5 and 4 points. The five pointers are the male players while the four pointers are the female players. Whereas the other four female UiTM players scored 3.5/9 points. 

A very commendable performance GiLoCatur thinks for all the UiTM chess players. GiLoCatur believes that they have gained lots of experience and exposure that will be beneficial in local chess scene. 

Fikri (most right) with his UiTM male teammates

the UiTM chess players in the 19th GACC

19th GACC - Top 25 Final Ranking

The 19th GACC or Grand Asian Chess Challenge had ended several days ago. Who emerged champion? The top seed, IM Vitalijs Samolins of the Nanyang Technological University was declared as the champion after scoring 8.5/9 points. 

As clearly shown by below Top 25 Final Ranking, only one Malaysian player who are in the Top 10 list. His name is Ng Shi Hao. He is unrated and is placed 6th. Shi Hao represents Nanyang Technological University (NAN).

Top 25 Final Ranking

The best Malaysian player who represents Malaysian university is Chan Sheng Yip. He is ranked 12th the same as his seeding.Sheng Yip is currently studying at Sunway University. Muhd Syazwan from University Malaya is 15th place with 6/9 points. 

Fikri, GiLoCatur's eldest child, was playing his debut in the tournament scoring 5.5/9 points. Entering his second semester at UiTM Segamat, Fikri is one of eleven players representing UiTM. 

GiLoCatur hopes more Malaysian players will be among the Top 10 in future GACC. Do not give up, practice harder and smarter to compete against foreign opponents.