HANIF vs IIUMCHESSMASTER

The game has arrived at the crucial stage. White to move.

SAD...

I'm very sad right now for not fulfilling my promise to my friends who are now battling it out at the Malaysian Inter State Chess Championship held today in Sibu, Sarawak. I had to pull out from the team because of work commitment, which I think is more important than chess. I sure hope that they will find a solution, or else Kelantan will not be represented in the event. Good luck and my prayer will be with you..

Hairulov listed several team player names in his blog (which includes me, unfortunately).

THANK YOU, SALUTE, SALUTE...

Tonight I found a blog which gave a tribute to me as a teacher who strives for scholastic chess. Sorry it took me a while to recognize the tribute, but I thank you very much. Together we lobby and pray for MSSM chess not to be scrapped, insha Allah..

http://gilocatur.blogspot.com/2009/02/salute-guru-guru.html

RAKAN MUDA GACC 2009 - 14th EDITION

University of Calcutta won the this year's Rakan Muda GACC ahead of 19 other teams held recently at the Tuanku Bahiyah Residential College, UM. Nanyang Technological University was second with International Islamic University Malaysia (team A) finished third. Kudos for my former teammates for becoming a strong team after training under a formidable coach, Mr. Fadli 'Stonemaster' Zakaria.

However, this weak edition of GACC makes an interesting observation - has GACC lost its prestigous charm? Looking at the participating teams, there were no more than 4 oversea universities which came to play in the team category. There were no teams from Iran, and regrettably none from our ASEAN countries apart from a university from Singapore. Most of them prefer to participate in the open individual category or ladies category. I missed the time when the format of the championship was solely for teams (GACC 1 - 3) way back in 1996. Nowadays, we hardly feel the pressure playing for teams anymore as the format changes to individual plays.

Not to take the credits away from current IIUM team members, because it is still hard playing in this format. To get 5.5 points from possible 9 is quite an achievement; my best was 5 points in GACC 5 (if I'm not mistaken). It is still the best chance for students to get rating norms freely because their respective universities are paying for that. My rating calculation included GACC games, and with the outstanding fees involved to play an open rated game it is advisable to take part in GACC, if you are still legally capable.

Nevertheless, these are the current IIUM team members:

1. Wan Mohd Fazli bin Wan Nawawi
2. Ahmad Fadzil bin Nayan
3. Abdullah Khairi bin Kamarul Zaman
4. Mohd Musa al-Ashaari bin Mohd Azmi
5. Che Muhammad Hafiz bin Che Ismail
6. Nurul Najmi binti Bakar



Final results:

Team Category

Open Category

Ladies Category

GUILLOTINE FOR MSSM CHESS? NOT AGAIN!

After the revival of MSSM chess in the not so distance past, it will be heading, yes, HEADing, for the guillotine again. According the romours circulating lately, chess will be chopped off from the MSSM calendar next year. One of our chess bloggers is raving about it, writing concerned post in his blog. To follow suit, I'll be writing a piece in my post.

I'm a teacher in Kelantan, and I'm devoted to any development for chess, especially in Kelantan. That is one of the reason I became a teacher; in order to be involved in the root development of chess in Malaysia. I know in order for us to have a Grandmaster, the kids are the subject matter, not the adults like me who already past their prime, or lost in the daily business of family life. Those kids still to learn aplenty, and chess should be part and parcel in that learning process.

However, to stop this development by scrapping chess from MSSM calendar is inacceptable. I could not even imagine the kids faces if they are told that there will no chess for them next year. Without competitions, there will be no training. No training means no chess players. I can see in the near future there will be no more Mas Hafizulhelmis or Anas Nazreens coming out from the schools.

This is totally against the circular from the Ministry of Education which clearly states in para 2(c) that competitions should be held for the sake of its development. And if the MSSM chess competition is not THE competition, then what is? Not everybody can afford to enter the open tournaments, especially in rural areas where money is a rare commodity. This will result in wasting talents which should be spotted in inter-school tournaments.

Moreover, kids ought to play against those in their level in order for them to become more interested in chess. If they enter the open, got beaten everytime without any chances of winning, the frustration will kill every bit of enthusiasm they have. I know this so after 4 years of training the kids in my school.

I hope that if the rumours are true, it will not be the death of chess.

PETRA 2 OPEN CHESS TOURNEY

Norazmi Mohd Nor won all 7 of his games to top this year's Petra 2 Open held today at SMK Sultan Yahya Petra 2, Kuala Krai. Among his victims were Kelantan's MAKSAK player Sahadi Ismail and Mohd Bakri Jusoh, the eventual second place winner. There were 100 participants involved in this successful event. Here are the top 10 winners (source from Chess Results.com):

1. Norazmi Mohd Nor - 7pts
2. Mohd Bakri Jusoh - 6pts
3. Izuddin Ahayat - 6pts
4. Nik Ahmad Nazri - 6pts
5. Che Khairul Azmadi - 6pts
6. Norazlin Juarih - 5.5pts
7. Sahadi Ismail - 5pts
8. Alif Omar - 5pts
9. Sabirin Sulaiman - 5pts
10. Mohd Al Azhari - 5pts

ENDGAME BATTLE

Hanif vs IIUMChessmaster will resume the battle with Rook endgame. Black has the upper hand with an extra passed centre pawn while White has the pawn advantage in the Queenside of the board. Black's King is closer to the centre and his Rook controls the only available line. Who will prevail?

HOW TO LOSE AT CHESS

Kasparov versus Karpov always attract special attention, be it a competitive tournament, or just an exhibition match. Both of them are very contrasting in nature; the calmness of Karpov has always been better perceived than the competitiveness of Kasparov. He is so not used of losing, and he can hardly accepted a defeat. However, this unique quality of his is the reason why he was at the top for a very long time.

The year 2009 saw a rematch between the two Ks which had been organized in Valencia. A total of 12 games had been played. Sure enough, Kasparov won the rapid games 3 - 1 and the blitz 6 - 2. All games brought to you live from Chessdom.

SOLUTION TO 'HOW TO BEAT NICHOLAS CHAN'

From the above position, I continued with 29.Ba5. Granted, it was not the winning move you have been searching for. Moreover, Nicholas Chan was not beaten just because he took the b-pawn, but for the subsequent blunder on move 32 when he exchanged the Rook. The game continued 29...Rxb3 30.Rb1 Rxb1 31.Rxb1 Nb6 32.Bxb6 Rxb6 33.Rxb6 axb6 34.Nc8 Ke8 35.Nxb6 Kd8 36.Kf2 Kc7 37.a5 Kb7 38.Ke2 Bf8 39.Kd3 Ka6


We arrived at a position where White was clearly winning. The Bishop was cornered, and the passed a-pawn could not be taken without a huge loss of material. The game concluded 40.Nd7 Be7 41.Nb8+ Kb7 42.Nd7 Kc7 43.a6 Kc6

44.a7 Kb7 45.Nb6 Kxa7 46.Nc8+ Kb7 47.Nxe7 Kc7 48.Ng8 Kc6 49.Nh6 Kd7 50.Nxf7 Ke7 51.Nh8 Kf8 52.Nxg6+ Kf7 53.f5 exf5 54.Nf4 1-0

THE POWER OF TWO ROOKS

Last night, I was lucky to slam a Queen sacrifice against an online opponent. Starting from the above position, I exchanged my Queen for his two Rooks. The rest, as they say, was history. I'll leave it to you to calculate the remaining moves.

HOW TO DRAW WITH MARCUS CHAN

In the above position, you (white) have the move. What is your best move against Marcus Chan (FIDE 2227) so that he extend his hand to offer you a draw?

SARAWAK TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 2009

I am seriously considering an offer by Abdul Haqq about entering a chess tournament in Sarawak this coming December holidays. This is a chance for me to actually visit East Malaysia. The details of the tournament as below:

Organizers: Sarawak Chess Association and Lanang Chess Association
Date: 25th - 27th December 2009
Venue: Hotel Premier, Jalan Kampung Nyabor, Sibu, Sarawak
Format: 7 rounds Swiss FIDE-rated event

Fees: RM50 per player. Payment can be made to Lim Kian Hwa (Maybank account 111039124500). Please keep the bank in slip as proof of payment.

Dateline: 15th November 2009 5.00 pm

Contact: IR Lim Kian Hwa (Ikhwa@tm.net.my), Tel : 082-203202/082-427772/016-8603180, Fax 082-425240


Term and Conditions

1. This championship is opened to all Malaysian citizens only. However, players who have represented Malaysia in the last Chess Olympiad are not permitted to take part.

2. All players shall take part in a seven (7) rounds Swiss individual event.

3. The Organizer WILL PROVIDE 3 NIGHTS HOTEL ACCOMMODATION and food for four State players of the following states: Sabah, Sarawak, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Wilayah Persekutuan. Other interested players shall take part at their own expenses.

4. The four state players would not be paired against each other.

5. The state players' results shall be added to contribute to the State Team standings.

6. Swiss Manager program will be used for pairing.

7. IA Hamid Majid will be the Chief Arbiter for the event.

8. Players represented the state must be currently staying, working or studying in the state and has domiciled in the state for more then six months or was born in the state.

9. All moves must be recorded.

10. Time control is 90 minutes with 30 second increments from move one

Prizes

State Team Event:

1st. RM2,000.00 and trophy
2nd. RM1,500.00 and trophy
3rd. RM1,000.00 and trophy
4th. RM 500.00 and trophy


Individual Event:

1st. RM2000
2nd. RM1500
3rd. RM1000
4th. RM500
5th-10th. RM200

The top four winners will be sponsored by The Universal Chinese Sports to take part in the Asian Tournament which will be organized by the Universal Chinese Sports in the near future.

Results

Individual result will be based on the following criteria:

1. Final Score
2. Solkoff
3. Sonneborn Berger
4. Cummulative

Team results will be base on the sum of the state representatives on the following criteria:

1. Final score
2. Solkoff
3. Sonneborn Berger
4. Cummulative


Schedule

25 December ( Friday )
Round 1 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Round 2 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm

26 December ( Saturday)
Round 3 8.00 am to 12.00 pm
Round 4 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Round 5 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm

27 December ( Sunday )
Round 6 8.00 am to 12.00 pm
Round 7 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm
6.30 Closing dinner

HOW TO BEAT NICHOLAS CHAN

From the above position, you (playing White) have the move. What is your next move in order for you to beat one of Malaysia's top player?

2nd IIUM INVITATION CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

IIUM, in conjunction with the university's convocation festival, will hold its 2nd Invitation Chess Championship. The details of the tournament as below:

Date: 3 - 4 October 2009
Venue: Kulliyah of Architecture (KAED) Gallery
Dateline: 30 September 2009 (Registration after the dateline will be doubled)
Contacts:
Norsharmila Zabani (03-6196 5393), Ahmad Fadzil Nayan (013-953 1278), Nurul Azlina Bakrin (017-462 5224)

Fax: 03-6196 4749

Email: alan_ruruka@yahoo.com


Under 21 Category/Under 12 Category

Date: 3 October 2009 (Saturday)
Fee: RM20
Prizes:

1st RM250 + medal
2nd RM200 + medal
3rd RM150 + medal
4th RM100 + medal
5th RM80 + medal
6th - 10th RM50 + medal


Open Category

Date: 4 October 2009 (Sunday)
Fee: RM30
Prizes:

1st RM1000 + medal + trophy
2nd RM750 + medal
3rd RM500 + medal
4th RM300 + medal
5th RM200 + medal
6th - 10th RM100 + medal
11th - 15th RM70

Best IPTA/IPTS RM75 + medal
Best Woman RM80 + medal
Best Under 21 RM70 + medal
Best Under 12 RM70 + medal

Best IIUM
1st RM80 + medal
2nd RM70 + medal
3rd RM60 + medal

So, if you happens to be there attending your family's convocation, or just visiting, you are invited to participate in this prestigious tournament. And if you are still under 21 or under 12, you can double your success by entering both tournaments.

Download the tournament form here. More details at stonemaster's blog.

IBCA RULES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Below are the rules I have taken directly from IBCA (International Braille Chess Association) website pertaining to the game which involved visually impaired. It was used in the recently concluded KL'09 ASEAN Para Games.


Rules of Chess

These rules are to be applied as a supplement to FIDE Rules to accommodate the needs of the visually impaired in competitive games between visually impaired and sighted players, and between visually handicapped players.

Tournament directors shall have the power to adapt the following rules according to local circumstances. In competitive chess between sighted and visually handicapped players (legally blind) either player may demand the use of two boards, the sighted player using a normal board, the visually handicapped player using one specially constructed. The specially constructed board must meet the following requirements:

• At least twenty centimetres by twenty centimetres.
• The black squares slightly raised.
• A securing aperture in each square.
• Every piece provided with a peg that fits into the securing aperture.
  
• Pieces of Staunton design, the black pieces being specially marked.

GENERAL RULES

1. The moves shall be announced clearly, repeated by the opponent, and executed on his board. To make the announcement as clear as possible, the use of the following names are suggested instead of the corresponding letters, the algebraic notation to be used:
   A~Anna B~Belia C~Ceasar D~David
   E~Eva F~Felix G~Gustav H~Hector
   Ranks from white to black receive the German numbers:
   1~Eins 2~Zwei 3~Drei 4~Vier
   5~Fnf 6~Sechs 7~Sieben 8~Acht
   Castling is announced Lange Rochade (German for long castling) and Kurtze Rochade (German for short castling). The pieces bear the names: Koenig, Dame, Turm, Laeufer, Springer, Bauer. When promoting a pawn the player must announce which piece is chosen.


2. On the visually handicapped players board a piece shall be considered touched when it has been taken out of the securing aperture.


3. A move shall be considered executed when:
   
   • In the case of capture, the captured piece has been removed from the board of the player whose turn it is to move.
   • A piece is placed into a different securing aperture.
   • The move has been announced.
   
   
Only then shall the opponents clock be started.
As far as points 2 and 3 are concerned the normal rules are valid for the sighted player.


4. A specially constructed chess clock for the visually handicapped shall be admissible. It shall incorporate the following features:
   
   • A dial fitted with reinforced hands, with every five minutes marked with one dot, and every fifteen minutes by two raised dots.
   • A flag that can be easily felt. Care should be taken that the flag is so arranged as to allow the player to feel the minute hand during the last five minutes of the full hour.
   
   
5. The visually handicapped player must keep score of the game in Braille, or longhand, or record the moves on a tape recorder


6. A slip of the tongue in the announcement of a move must be corrected immediately and before the clock of the opponent is started.


7. If during a game different positions arise on the two boards, they must be corrected with the assistance of the controller, and by consulting both players game scores. If the two game scores correspond with each other, the player who has written the correct move, but executed the wrong one, must adjust his position to correspond with the move on the game scores.


8. If, when such differences occur and the game scores are found to differ, the moves shall be retracted to the point where the two scores agree, and the controller shall readjust the clocks accordingly.


9. The visually handicapped player shall have the right to make use of an assistant who shall have any or all of the following duties:
   
   • Make either players move on the board of the opponent.
   • Announce the moves of both players.
   • Keep the game score of the visually handicapped player and start his opponents clock (Note Rule 3.c).
   • Inform the visually handicapped player, only at his request, of the number of moves completed, and the time used up by both players.
   • Claim the game in cases where the time limit has been exceeded and inform the controller when the sighted player has touched one of his pieces.
   • Carry out the necessary formalities in case the game is adjourned.
   
   
10. If the visually handicapped player does not make use of an assistant, the sighted player may make use of one who shall carry out the duties mentioned under points (9.a) and (9.b).

KL '09 ASEAN PARA GAMES

Thank you coach Rizal for enlightening me about the Chess Para Games. Here are the details:

B1 Men - 6 rounds swiss (8 players)
B1 Women - 5 rounds round robin
B2/B3 Men - 5 round robin
B2/B3 Women - Double round robins (4 players)
Physical handicapped men - 6 swiss
Physical handicapped women - double round robins (4 players)
Combine B1/B2/B3 Men 6 rounds swiss
Combine B1/b2/B3 Women 6 rounds swiss

*B1 (means total blind), B2/B3 (means partial blind)


As for the overall medal tally, Malaysia won 8 gold medals, surpassing the initial target of 6 gold medals. It was quite an achievement, and it should be repeated in the next Para Games, inshaAllah.

Here is the link for the overall medal tally for chess.

Mah Hassan and NM Choo Min Wang talking team strategy

MALAYSIA WINS 4 GOLD MEDALS AT KL PARA GAMES '09

Bernama reported that Malaysian Nur Feiqah Maulud Mohd Halil and Choo Min Wang won the gold in the individual events before helping their teams to another gold in the chess competition held on the final day of the ASEAN Para Games at the National Sports Council's Commonwealth Hall. Nur Feiqah, along with Athirah Azman and Teo Suat Mui swept aside other teams while Choo Min Wang teamed up with Mah Hassan Omar and Shahruddin Sidek in the men's team event.

Nur Feiqah

I want to detail their results, but I could not understand what pairing system they used. You can try to figure it out yourself by reading the official website here.

(pictures contributed by Colin Madhavan)

REAL CHESS IN MOVIES

I totally agree when Mr. Jeremy Silman said that 'movies and TV shows make a joke of real chess positions and real chess lingo.' (1) Sparring those chess movies which really portray chess as the main theme or plot, those scenes where the characters played chess just to show that they are geniuses, are filled with fake chess positions and unthinkable chess situations (2) - the boards were not correctly set; the pieces were put in impossible positions; and (the one which I hated the most) the supposedly winners said 'checkmate!' when hardly anybody said that in real life chess games!

I do not want to write about all the chess movies or chess scenes which I have seen or yet to watch, you can read about it in an excellent article at Chessville (3) or watch the pictures at Chess in the Cinema (4), but I want to share here real chess positions from the movies which can actually be set up when chess masters are consulted whenever a chess movie or a chess scene is to be made. Three chess scenes fascinate me because of their authenticity, and I tried my best to pause the movie in order to recreate the positions on my chess board:

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

This position was created by Jeremy Silman, but it was cut by the director for the sake of character developments and therefore lost its chess value. (5)

2. The Luzhin Defense


The credits for the chess scenes goes to GM Jonathan Speelman. This final game between Luzhin and Turatti captured the chess audience completely. (6)

3. The Innocent Moves (Searching for Bobby Fischer)


This is the final game between Waitzkin vs Poe. The position was contrived by Josh Waitzkin himself with the help of Bruce Pandolfini specifically for the film. (7)

Bakri vs Nik Nazri

BAKRI WINS KELANTAN CLOSED

Bakri Jusoh won the inaugural Kelantan Closed held today at the MARA auditorium, Kota Bharu ahead of 29 other participants. He held his nerve and overcame the likes of MAKSAK players Nik Nazri, Baharuddin and yours truly, and also the veterans such as Azahari Mohd Noor and Ghazali Che Cob. He played a steady game and gave me my only defeat when we met in Round 3. The tournament was a disappointment in terms of participation when there seemed to be very few students came. Thus, the organizers had to scrap the students category and put them to play with the others.

The final standings:

Open

1. Bakri Jusoh
2. Nik Mohd Nazri Nik Hassan
3. Azahari Mohd Noor
4. Yours Truly
5. Rosmizal Ibrahim
6. Baharuddin Hamzah
7. Ghazali Che Cob
8. Khairullah Anuar Saidy
9. Syed Azizi Abdul Rahman
10. Rahsliminiza


Under 16

1. Aliff Omar Mohd Saufi
2. Wan Muhd Adli
3. Wan Muhd Aqli


Results and pictures can be read at Bad Bishops blog.

Kelantan vs Terengganu

MAKSAK 2009 FINAL GAME

The situation was tense. Terengganu needed a 4 - 0 whitewash in order to retain their title (even then their hopes would still be in the hands of Sarawak, in the only other match of the last round against Pahang). They also needed at least 3.5 - 0.5 scoreline to overtake KL to the second place. With KL receiving a bye in the crucial last round, it was up to Kelantan to produce their own magic and realize their dream to become a medal winner in this year's MAKSAK edition. Therefore, KL sponsored me, as Kelantan's first board player, a Power Root Isotonik drink in order to secure the important point. Hairulov also commented on this so called 'Armageddon Match' in his blog.

Hashim Jusoh - Yours Truly
MAKSAK (Round 9), 18.07.2009
A17: English Opening

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.d4 Be7 6.Bg2 0-0 7.Nf3 c6 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.b3 Re8 10.Bb2 Bd6 11.Re1 h6

I should have seen White's intention to push the e pawn. Black could make it more difficult by 11...Nb6 12.Qc2 Bg4

12.Nd2 Nf8 13.e4 dxe4 14.Ndxe4 Bf5 15.Nxf6+ Qxf6 16.Qd2 Qg6 17.d5

This move disrupts Black's pawn structure and frees both White's Bishops. I faced a tough decision whether to exchange the pawn and withstand the onslaught or give White a passed pawn and try to blockade it. I chose the latter.

17...c5 18.Nb5 Red8 19.Nxd6 Rxd6 20.Be5 Rd7 21.Qc3 Rc8 22.Rad1 b6 23.Qc4 Rcd8 24.Rd2

I did not know what was his plan with this move, but it sure did not stop Black's knight from coming out of his hiding.

24...Ne6 25.Rdd1

White should have tried 25.h3 when Black has to think about his Bishop.

25...Nc7

My idea was to place this Knight as a blockader at d6, but will gladly accept a better trade for White's dark square Bishop.

26.Bxc7 Rxc7 27.Qf4 Rcd7 28.Re5 Bc2 29.Rde1 f6 30.R5e2 Qf5

I think Black could hold better with Queens off the board. Black will then round up the isolated d pawn with both the Rooks and the Bishop.

31.Qxf5

White should have avoided the Queen exchange, but time really was the factor for this decision.

31...Bxf5

and I went on to win during the time scramble when White blundered away a Bishop.

0-1

Alexandra Kosteniuk

VOTE FOR MISS UNIVERSE CHESS!

The whole chess universe are currently voting for the most beautiful female chess player in the world. For those who want to cast their vote can do so at this website. There are links for each candidates with their pictures, biodata and game. You can carefully read all of them and make your choice.

Guess who I vote for?

KELANTAN CLOSED UPDATE

According to the organizer, there will be two categories. Open and Student. Here are the details and the prizes:

Organizer : Persatuan Catur Melayu Kelantan
Date : 1st August 2009 ( SATURDAY )
Format : 25 minutes & 6 round/player
Venue : Dewan Auditorium MARA, Tingkat 3, Bangunan MARA, Kota Bharu
Contact : Nadzri - 012 6767020, Adzlin - 013 9223707, Rozlisham - 013 7238898


Prizes

1. Open :

1. RM200.00
2. RM150.00
3. RM100.00
4. RM80.00
5. RM70.00
6. RM50.00
7. RM30.00
8. RM30.00
9. RM30.00
10. RM30.00

2. Student :

1. RM100.00
2. RM80.00
3. RM70.00
4. RM60.00
5. RM50.00
6. RM40.00
7. RM30.00
8. RM20.00

Fee

1. Open - RM15.00
2. Student - RM10.00

(Up to 100 players only)

MAKSAK 2009 (UPDATE)

The prizes was given in a ceremony held at the Kelantan Trade Centre hall by Kelantan MAKSAK chief, Dato' Mohd Aiseri bin Alias. Apart from the chess event, Kelantan also won an individual prize in the female dart event.

The players namelist:


My individual performance:

1. beat Mohd Sakri Mohd Amin
2. beat Nasrul Humaimi Mahmood
3. drew Khairul Azmeel Mohd Sukery
4. drew Kamal Arifin Wahiduddin
5. beat Abang Mohamad Reduan
6. beat Mohd Jamal Jamaluddin
7. lost Ismail Ahmad
8. beat Wan Azmi Wan Othman
9. beat Hashim Jusoh


Kelantan chess team performance:

1. Kelantan vs Penjara 4 - 0
2. Kelantan vs Johor 1.5 - 2.5
3. Kelantan vs Negeri Sembilan 2 - 2
4. Kelantan vs Kuala Lumpur 2 - 2
5. Kelantan vs Sarawak 2 - 2
6. Kelantan vs Pahang 1.5 - 2.5
7. Kelantan vs Royal Malaysian Police 1 - 3
8. Kelantan vs Perak 3.5 - 0.5
9. Kelantan vs Terengganu 3 - 1

Results can also be read at chess-results.com uploaded by Muhammad Arshad.


Here are the results of best board prizes:

Board 1: Ismail Ahmad (Royal Malaysian Police)
Board 2: Lim Kian Hwa (Sarawak)
Board 3: Mohd Hezri Che Aziz (Negeri Sembilan)
Board 4: Morsin Ahmad Bahari (Sarawak)
Board 5: Izaruddin Ahmad (Pahang)
Board 6: Kamal Arifin Ishak (Pahang)

Some pictures from the event:

The Kelantan chess team - (from left) Nik Md Nazri, Baharuddin, Nik Mazlan, Sahadi, Anis Rahimi and Yours Truly

Kelantan male dart team

Kelantan female dart team

Ready for the ceremony

The Kota Darulnaim choir team

The Kelantan contingent

KELANTAN BEATS TERENGGANU TO CLAIM 4TH

Kelantan defeated Terengganu in the final round against all odds to clinch 4th place in the MAKSAK Chess tournament held in Kelantan Trade Centre, Kota Bharu. The team, which were nearly kept out of contention after uncharacteristically lost to Pahang in the 5th round, needed to win against last year's champions in order to get a placing. However, boosted by the terrific performance by their first board player, Kelantan, with Yours Truly, Anis Rahimi, Baharuddin, Nik Mazlan, Nik Mohd Nazri and Sahadi in their ranks, got past Terengganu with the likes of Hashim Jusoh, Hisamullah Harun, Norazmi Mohd Nor and Abdul Rahim Ramli with the score of 3-1 which gave them valuable points to leapfrog their opponent. The highlight of the night was the game between Yours Truly and Hashim Jusoh where the latter succumb to time trouble to give Kelantan the most sought after point to overtake them in the final standings.

The final standings (Winners' Pool)

1. Sarawak (18 points)
2. Kuala Lumpur (16)
3. Pahang (14.5)
4. Kelantan (14.5)
5. Terengganu (14)
6. Royal Malaysian Police (11.5)
7. Johor (11.5)
8. Perak (11.5)

The final standings (Losers' Pool)

1. Negeri Sembilan (14 points)
2. Melaka (13.5)
3. Perlis (11)
4. Pulau Pinang (9)
5. Penjara (8.5)
6. Armed Forces (4)

Stay tuned for more results and pictures in the next post.

MAKSAK TRAINING

The Kelantan chess team has been training for MAKSAK at the PKINK building in the heart of Kota Bharu. The six of us gathered together after working hours to polish our tactical and strategical skills. There are also the carrom and dart teams training together in the same room. We are going to make Kelantan proud, insha Allah.

I'm sorry guys, but no pictures this time because the training is TOP SECRET! :) However, we can share with you a position (picture below) occurred today between the top two players. Both sides had a bishop each (different colours) with equal number of pawns. Guess what was the result?

White to move

MAKSAK CHESS

I will again be involved in MAKSAK chess this year, inshaAllah. Kelantan will be the host for the event, which will be held from 16th-19th of July, and I will do my best to steer the team to success. Last year's outing in Penang was a personal disaster for me, mainly because I did not involved in team events for a very long time prior to that event. I yet to know the full team names for Kelantan this year, but I reckon there will be a little adjustment from last year's. A surprise maybe, but I hope that we will do better this year. All Kelantanese, pray for us!