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?