1st Sunday Chess UTM

1 Jan 2012, Kuala Lumpur - Here are the results of the first Sunday Chess Tournament University Technology Malaysia (UTM).

1.Mohd anuas habib,
2.Ng sau chyun,
3.Ong wei bin,
4. Ng han loong,
5.Dr. Haizal,
6.ilyas ramdzan,
7. Ng hong yuan,
8.Pratama jujur wibawa,
9. ahmad justin,
10. T. Mandar.

(source : Mohd Zullghafari Saparmin)

Insofar Combined Tournament

30 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur - Here is a new upcoming combined chess tournament from Insofar Chess Academy slated for 29 Jan 2012.

New Year Blitz Chess

30 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur – An announcement from DATCC on an upcoming blitz chess event after New Year.

What better way to usher in the New Year than playing blitz! After all the partying and happening that you may experience on New Year midnight, and nursing the hangover, the tiring and "painful" experience of celebrating the coming of 2012, perhaps it is best to relax and enjoy some chess - on the 2nd day of the New Year. 

It will be a good time to reflect with others - on chess related issues, on how we (or I) can improve our chess playing skills for 2012. For me, perhaps its about reflecting whether I should continue (or discontinue with chess) and seeing friends and chess players, may just nudge that desire into higher gear (or lower - looking at the flip side of the coin).

In any case, do drop by at DATCC on 2nd January for us to get some serious cracking on Blitz Chess - DATCC style!

A total prize fund of RM500 has been set aside with the winner set to take home RM200 for his (or her!) effort. It will be a 15 rounds of pure fun chess with entry fees set at RM20 each player - regardless of age (and title!!! Just in case Mok Tze Meng wants to play....)

Registration starts at 10:00am with Round 1 schedule at 10:30am. Round 1 to 8 will be played before lunch (until 12:30pm) and Round 9 will restart at 2:00pm and Round 15 is expected to start at 3:30pm and conclude at 3:45 pm, just in time for the prize giving ceremony at 4:00pm.

Entry forms can be downloaded via www.chess-malaysia.com/Blitz2012.pdf and inquiries can be directed to Najib Wahab at +6016.338.2542 or via email najib.wahab@chess-malaysia.com

Tribute To World Champions

30 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur – The StarOnline written by SS Quah discusses about the performance of the two current World Champions of both gender. Interestingly enough both champions are from Asia, one from China (women) and the other from India.

To read more, please visit The StarOnline or click here.

ASEAN Men 2011

 

27 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur – The 2nd ASEAN Men is currently being held as part of the Singapore Chess Festival 2011 from 26 – 31st Dec 2011 in Singapore. IM Mas Hafizulhelmi (top right pix) and IM Lim Yee Weng, both of Malaysia are participating in this single round robin tournament with GM Bitoon Richard of Philippines, GM Cao Sang of Vietnam and GM Megaranto Susanto of Indonesia participating in this 10 man tournament.

So far IM Mas has gained two draws from two rounds while IM Lim Yee Weng has no points to show yet.

Meanwhile WCM Nur Nabila bt Azman Hisham (top left pix) has entered in the 2nd ASEAN Women tournament. She is the sole representative from Malaysia. So far no points yet on her scoresheet to show from three rounds.

Results for rounds 1-3:

To see more results, please visit chess-results.com or click here.

8th Singapore Open 2011

 

27 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur – The 8th Singapore Open is now ongoing in Singapore from 26th – 31st Dec 2011. Two Malaysians are participating namely, Lim Zhuo Ren and Lim Kian Hwa from Sarawak.

After two rounds, both Lims are at 1 point. Lim Zhuo Ren (top left pix) got them through two draws and Lim Kian Hwa (top right pix) with a win against Ong Wah Peng John in the second round. Meanwhile FM Susilodinata Andrean of Indonesia is leading with 2 full points. Another 8 players are also with 2 points including GM Gasano Eldar (2458) of Ukraine. Meanwhile top seed GM Mchedlishvili Mikheil (2636) of Georgia forfeited his second round game against Foo Benjamin of Singapore, the Sarawak Open 2011 winner.

Rank after round 2:-

To see more results, please visit chess-results.com or click here.

Mas Hafizul Declared SCC Grand Finale Champion!

 

Pix 1. IM Mas Hafizulhelmi, Champion of SCC Grand Finale 2011.

24 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur – Mas Hafizul (pix top) clear winner at SCC Grand Finale with a perfect 7.0 points from 7 rounds of play. Mas beat Ali Akhbar in the last round on top board. Second was Kamaluddin Yusof with 5.5 points, Kamaluddin beat Khair Wahiduddin on second board, and third Zarul Shazwan Zullkafli, also with 5.5 points. Zarul beat Syazwan on third board of the last round.

                     

Pix 2. Kamaluddin Yusof.       Pix. 3. Zarul Shazwan Zullkafli

(Photos courtesy of official website – http://kuantanrapidchess.blogspot.com)

Round 7 Results:

To see more results, please visit chess-results.com or click here.

Mas Hafizulhelmi Leads In SCC Grand Finale 2011

24 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur – The one day rapid SCC Grand Finale 2011 took off today in Kuantan with IM Mas Hafizulhelmi in the driving seat after six rounds of play. IM Mas beat Asian Masters Champion, Ahmad Fadhil Nayan on top board giving IM Mas 6 points from six rounds.

Thirty four players are participating in the Grand Finale, with tournament director, Khairunnisa Wahiduddin playing as well. Chief arbiter is Najib Wahab.

Ranking after round 6 indicate IM Mas is the leader with Zarul Shazwan Zullkafli in second with 4.5 points and third, Ali Akhbar Kuning, also scoring 4.5 points. Fourth placed is Mohd Khair Wahiduddin (pix above) who beat Ruzenan Abu Bakar on third board of the sixth round.

Ranking after round 6:-

Round 7 pairings:-

In the 7th round, Mas Hafizulhelmi will face-off with third placed, Ali Akhbar Kuning on top board, while Kamaluddin Yusof meets Mohd Khair Wahiduddin on second board. Second place, Zarul Shazwan Zullkafli meets Muhd Syazwan Zulkifli, the UIAM Open Champion 2011.

China Continue To Win, WWCT 2011

22 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur – In Turkey, China continued their winning ways in the World Women’s Chess Team Championship 2011. The official website of the tournament reported that round 4 did not bring many surprises. China won against Vietnam 3-1, scoring on the two lower boards (Zhao Xue - Nguyen Thi Thanh An 1-0 and Hoang Thi Nhu - Tan Zhongyi Y 1-0) and remain in the lead with 100 percent match points.

 

India scored 3,5 board points against Armenia. Only Lilit Mkrtchian was able to draw against Harika Dronavalli on the second board. India is on the second rank with 7 match points.

    

Here is the round 4 game between IM Maria Muzychuk of Ukraine and IM Yelena Dembo of Greece, which was won by Maria. The Sicilian Opening was played during the game. Ukraine beat Greece, 3.5-0.5.

[Event "FIDE WOMENS WORLD CHESS TEAM CHAMPIONSHI"]
[Site "MARDIN"]
[Date "2011.12.21"]
[Round "4.13"]
[White "IM M.MUZYCHUK (UKR - 2460)"]
[Black "IM Y.DEMBO (GRE - 2468)"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "111"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nf3 e6 5. O-O Ne7 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Ne2 Qb6 8.a4 Nc6 9. c3 dxc3 10. dxc3 a6 11. Bd3 Be7 12. Be3 Qc7 13. f4 b6 14. Qe1 Na5 15.Qg3 O-O 16. f5 Qxg3 17. Nxg3 Rb8 18. e5 f6 19. exf6 gxf6 20. Nh5 Nc6 21. Bh6 Rf7 22. Rf3 Kh8 23. Rg3 Bc5+ 24. Kh1 Bf8 25. Bxf8 Rxf8 26. Rg7 e5 27. Be4 b5 28. a5 Nd8 29. Bd5 Nb7 30. g4 Nd6 31. Re7 Re8 32. Rxe8+ Nxe8 33. g5 fxg5 34. f6 Nd6 35. Rd1 Bb7 36. Bxb7 Nxb7 37. Rxd7 Nc5 38. Re7 Ne4 39. Rxe5 Nd6 40. Rxg5 Re8 41. Rd5 Re6 42. Rc5 h6 43. Rc6 Re1+ 44. Kg2 Nf7 45. Nf4 Rb1 46. b4 Rb2+ 47. Kg3 Rc2 48. h4 Kg8 49. Rc8+ Kh7 50. Rc7 Kg8 51. Kg4 Rf2 52. Re7 Rc2 53. Ne2 Rb2 54. Kf5 Rb1 55. Re8+ Kh7 56. Ke6 1-0

 

To read more, please visit the official website or click here.

(Photos courtesy of official website)

Nur Sisters Dominate Girls NJCC

22 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur - Both Nur Nabila and Nur Najiha Azman Hisham are at the top of the girls National Junior Chess Championship 2011 being held at DATCC, Wilayah Complex, Kuala Lumpur.

Nur Nabila is ahead with 5.5 points while Nur Najiha has scored 5.0points after 6 rounds of play.

Roshan Creates Upset In NJCC 2011

22 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur – In yesterday’s round 6 of the National Junior Chess Championship 2011, Roshan Ajeet Singh met Muhd Nabil Azman Hisham (pix left) on top board and Roshan created an upset by beating the top seed of the tournament, Nabil.

With that win, Roshan and Nabil both scored 5 points after round 6. Roshan now heads the leadership board overtaking  Nabil. In third is now Mark Siew and fourth, Yat Guo Jie. CM Amier Hamzah is in eighth position.

A total of 54 players are participating in this year’s National Junior Chess Championship 2011 being held at the DATCC, Wilayah Complex, Kuala Lumpur from 19-23 Dec 2011.

Rank After Round 6:

Round 7 pairings (9 am, 22 Dec 2011):-

To see more results, please visit chess-results.com or click here.

2nd Cerdik Catur Semi Pro Chess Championship 2012

20 December 2012, Kuala Lumpur – Stonemaster and Cerdik Catur are organising the 2nd Cerdik Catur Semi Pro Chess Championship 2012 on 15 January 2012, Sunday at DATCC, Kuala Lumpur.

To get more details, please contact CM Fadli Zakaria – 014-2312370.

Or visit http://stonemaster.info for details.

World Women Chess Team In Turkey 2011

China defeats Turkey in women's world chess team championship
(Xinhua)
09:06, December 19, 2011

ANKARA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese team defeated the Turkish team in the first round of the 2011 World Women Chess Team Championship (WWTC), which started in Mardin province of southeastern Turkey on Sunday.

The top seeded Chinese team was a clear favorite against the young ambitious Turkish team with 2.5:1.5 in the WWTC first round.

Chinese coach Ye Jiangchuan confirmed that Chinese players Tan Zhongyi and Zhang Xiaowen defeated their Turkish rivals in the WWTC first round, adding that Turkish player Kubra Ozturk on the second board took an upper hand on Chinese player Zhao Xue and the first board game Turkish player Betul Cemre Yildiz vs. Chinese player Ju Wenjun ended in a draw.

Ye said: "the Turkish women chess team has been developing fast and has become an important rival for the Chinese team."

Russia defeated Vietnam, Georgia defeated South Africa, Armenia defeated Greece, Ukraine and India ended in a draw in the first round.

China has won the championships in both 2007 and 2009.

For the 2011 championship held in Mardin province between Dec. 18-28, China has dispatched five players of Hou Yifan, Ju Wenjun, Zhao Xue, Tan Zhongyi and Zhang Xiaowen.

Source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn

 

Official website: http://wwct2011.tsr.org.tr

(Photo courtesy of official website)

Nakamura’s Game vs Adams, London Chess Classic

18 Dec 2011, Kuala Lumpur – Eventhough Vladimir Kramnik won this year’s London Chess Classic 2011, the game of the day belonged to Hikaru Nakamura of the USA vs Michael Adams of the UK.  In the last round of the recent London Chess Classic 2011, Nakamura chose the King’s Gambit Opening against Michael Adams.

[Event "3rd London Chess Classic"]
[Site "London ENG"]
[Date "2011.12.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nakamura, Hi"]
[Black "Adams, Mi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C36"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Nxd5 6. O-O Be6 7. Bb3 c5 8.
Kh1 Nc6 9. d4 c4 10. Ba4 Bd6 11. b3 c3 12. Qd3 O-O 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nxc3 Re8
15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. c4 Be4 17. Qc3 a5 18. a3 f6 19. Bb2 Ra7 20. Rad1 Rae7 21. b4
axb4 22. axb4 Kh8 23. Qb3 Rb7 24. Bc3 Qb8 25. b5 cxb5 26. c5 b4 27. Bd2 Bf8 28.
Rde1 g5 29. Qc4 g4 30. Nh4 f3 31. d5 fxg2+ 32. Nxg2 Bf3 33. Kg1 Rc8 34. c6 Rb5
35. Nf4 Bc5+ 36. Be3 Bxe3+ 37. Rxe3 Qb6 38. Rfe1 b3 39. Qc3 Rf8 40. Ne6 b2 41.
c7 1-0

John Saunders at the London Chess Classic 2011 reported that the game of the day was Hikaru Nakamura versus Mickey Adams and was earmarked as such from the moment that Hikaru played the King’s Gambit. As with the previous outing in the tournament for this museum piece of an opening (when Nigel Short played it against Luke McShane), initial exuberance soon gave way to caution and tentativeness as Hikaru tucked his king away on h1 and allowed a c4 counter-thrust. A pleasantly piratical game ensued, with White launching a pawn assault on the queenside as Mickey Adams pointed his bishops at the white kingside.

Julian and Stuart enjoying their exchanges with the audience.

Watching in the VIP room was a fascinating experience as the super-GMs who had finished their games were joined by Garry Kasparov and other former greats of the game. GMs Julian Hodgson and Stuart Conquest were the commentators there but for once they were heavily outgunned by the audience. Black seemed to hold sway for much of the game but eventually the great pendulum swung in White’s direction. Garry Kasparov it was who first spotted the change in wind direction: “38 Rfe1 and now it looks better for White.” A blunder followed and White duly triumphed, taking Hikaru Nakamura to clear second in the table and condemning poor Mickey Adams to last place. Credit to both players, though, for providing the last round audience with a feast of chess entertainment.

Round 9

H.Nakamura - M.Adams

King’s Gambit

1 e4 e5 2 f4

A surprise, although Hikaru has been known to play it in rapid play and minor US domestic events. “I felt inspired by Nigel... and felt like taking a chance.” (Nakamura) At which point GM Chris Ward interjected: “Can we just clarify: you’re not so happy with one or two of the openings your other coaches having been giving you and you’re following Nigel’s openings from now on?” The rather arch emphasis which Chris placed on the words “other coaches” and “Nigel” indicated a wicked, joking reference to Hikaru being trained by Garry Kasparov. A knowledgeable audience spotted the reference and laughed, as did Hikaru, ruefully. “I followed Magnus yesterday and Nigel today!”

2...exf4 3 Nf3 d5 4 exd5 Nf6 5 Bc4

The speciality of GM Joe Gallagher (a true Brit, though now qualified for Switzerland).

5...Nxd5 6 0–0 Be6 7 Bb3 c5

“The best move and makes 7 Bb3 a bad try” (Nakamura)

8 Kh1

“8 Kh1 has to be wrong but I was trying to come up with complications. After 8 d4 cxd4 9 Qxd4 Nc6 10 Ba4 Rc8, I wasn’t sure what I was doing here.” (HN)

8...Nc6 9 d4 c4 10 Ba4

10 Bxc4 would involve an exchange for a pawn sacrifice after 10...Ne3 11 Bxe3 Bxc4 12 Bxf4 Bxf1 13 Qxf1 Bd6, etc.

10...Bd6 11 b3 c3

11...cxb3 12 axb3 is not so good as White can soon play c4 and undermine the f4 pawn’s main defender. Hanging onto the f4 pawn is a key factor in Black’s plan at this stage.

12 Qd3 0–0 13 Bxc6 bxc6 14 Nxc3 Re8 15 Nxd5 Bxd5 16 c4 Be4 17 Qc3 a5

Hikaru felt Black was a fair bit better here but that Mickey had been unable to maintain the pressure.

18 a3 f6 19 Bb2 Ra7 20 Rad1 Rae7

Hikaru didn’t like this though the computer disagrees. If 20...Rb7, the b-pawn is restrained but then 21 Rfe1 applies a little pressure to the e-file.

21 b4 axb4 22 axb4 Kh8 23 Qb3 Rb7

Hikaru overlooked that the rook can double back in this way.

24 Bc3 Qb8 25 b5 cxb5 26 c5 b4 27 Bd2 Bf8

Black now has an extra pawn but his structure is far from ideal and it is not so easy to exploit.

28 Rde1 g5 29 Qc4!

This move takes courage. White is worried that Black will organise a support for Black to play Bd5 “and it will be pretty much game over”. But the advance of the b-pawn looks equally scary.

29...g4

It is easy to say with hindsight but the more obvious 29...b3 looks more promising, when White has to stay active with 30 c6 Ra7 31 Bc3 b2 32 Nd2. The computer comes up the lively 32...Bxc6!? 33 Qxc6 Rc8 34 Qxf6+ Bg7 35 Qxg5 Rxc3 but that would take some calculating for a human. However, the problem with the text move is that it leaves Black’s kingside pawn structure very shaky.

30 Nh4

Hikaru thought perhaps he should have preferred 30 Ne5!? Bxg2+ 31 Kxg2 fxe5 32 dxe5 f3+ which may come down to a draw.

30...f3

30...b3 is still a strong candidate here. Rybka considers it to be winning after 31 c6 Ra7 32 Bc3 Qd6 33 Qxb3 Qxc6, etc.

31 d5

Hikaru characterised this as a ‘blunder’ but that may be overstating it.

Video link of the game: 

http://youtu.be/KnVULOrMD98

 31...fxg2+ 32 Nxg2 Bf3

This is what Hikaru had not seen and caused him to berate himself. “I should just be losing here now.”

33 Kg1 Rc8 34 c6 Rb5

34...Bd6 was a move looked at by the commentators, but 35 Bf4!? is a possible antidote.

35 Nf4

Hikaru felt that, after 35 Rxf3 gxf3 36 Nf4, Black can play 36...Bd6 and he is just losing.

35...Bc5+ 36 Be3 Bxe3+?

Black starts to go wrong. Both players thought 36...Qb6 would just win for Black here, e.g. 37 Bxc5 Rxc5 38 Qd4 and now 38...R5xc6! is the key move that Mickey failed to find, when he would have a fairly simple win.

37 Rxe3 Qb6 38 Rfe1

Suddenly White’s position has become more solid and he can think about offensive action. He is probably better now.

38...b3??

A blunder which falls victim to a four-move combination. 38...Rc5?? is equally terrible after 39 Re8+ Rxe8 40 Rxe8+ Kg7 41 Ne6+ Kf7 42 Nxc5 Kxe8 and now 43 d6! and White has some crushing threats. The best the computer can find is 38...Ra5 but Black is not on the defensive.

39 Qc3!

Suddenly Black has a problem defending the f6 pawn.

39...Rf8 40 Ne6! b2 41 c7! 1–0

If 41...b1Q 42 Qxf6+! Rxf6 43 c8Q+ and mate in a couple.

(source: London Chess Classic 2011, photo by John Saunders)