APRIL 2011 RATING REVIEW

The rating review is back! This is where you know whether your rating changes or not. Although sometimes I feel that my effort is not appreciated - those reviewed not even bothered to see their rating change - but I continue anyway because I honestly hope that Kelantan players will use this review as a stepping stone for them to achieve greater heights in the chess.

Overall, there are a lot of changes happened in both ways - an increase of the January rating or a decrease. From my observation, the veterans, which include me, are heading a little downward. Myself, Farouqi, Nik Nazri and even Mas Hafizulhelmi had a slight rating decrease. The reason, IMHO, relates to our increased responsibilities outside the chess board. For me, at least, during the only tournament I entered during this rating period - the Kelantan Closed - I was worried about my wife's departure to KL which was delayed for 6 hours! (she was supposed to depart at 9 a.m. but the bus only departed at 3 p.m.) Now you may argue that this thing is not related to chess, but still, constantly on the phone while the tournament was still ongoing would become a distraction somehow, right?

The younger generation, on the other hand, are on the up. Some of them even shoot up the ranking, gaining more than 100 points! Muhd Faiz Zakaria, Siti Nur Afiqah Mohd Haslam (picture left), Wan Muhd Amirul and Muhd Izani Muhd Tarizi had an increase of +192, +140, +135 and +123 respectively to overtake even the likes of BadBishop and Mumtaz Muhammad. This is a very good trend and it should give them more confidence for the future. I played against Muhd Izani, Mohd Ahza Daisam and Alif Omar in the recent SMACH Open, and I found that their games were not that bad after all. Even though the opening mistakes were still there, a proper training with a proper coach will surely eliminate them. My advice - don't be lazy to study your own games to find the mistakes. This can be achieved by reading your score sheets or the tournament bulletin (For your information, the Kelantan Closed Bulletin will come out soon).

To conclude, I am clearly happy with the direction of where Kelantan chess is going right now. All that we need now is for everybody to support our very own chess association - Persatuan Catur Negeri Kelantan (PCNK). Everybody MUST gel together in one group and Kelantan chess will be strong, insha Allah.

You can view the complete list here or search your rating here or just look at the right hand side of this blog.

SMACH OPEN RESULT

This is the first time I ever got a top 10 result but was not rewarded. Looking at the final standing of the recent SMACH Open, I was left reeling when it was clear that I would not get anything because the organizer allocated the final spot to a female. Here is the final standing in the Open Category:

1. Ahmad Fadzil Nayan
2. Kamaluddin Yusof
3. Nor Azmi Mohd Nor
4. Abdul Rahim Ramli
5. Fairul Yusuf
6. Nik Ahmad Farouqi
7. Muhd Syazwan Zulkifli
8. Baharuddin Hamzah
9. Nik Mohd Nazri Nik Hassan
10. Yours Truly

Nevertheless, I'm truly happy with my performance (except for the 2 losses, anyway) and also the performance of my students I brought with me from SMK Chabang Empat, Tumpat. Their final standings:

74. Wan Mohd Amim Mohd Nasir

89. Muhd Syahrul Ahamad

91. Wan Abu Bakar Samaun

97. Noor Sahida Anuar

100. Nurul Asyikin Anuar

101. Nik Shamiera Adnan

105. Maznie Madri

Now for some pictures:

INFERIORITY COMPLEX (cont.)

From this position, White continues with 21.f4!.

Black's reply 21... exf3 en passant is practically forced so as not to lose a piece without any compensation. 22. Rxe5 fxe5 23.Bxf5+ Kc7

Now, Black has to rely on his passed pawns on e and f files to counter White's extra piece. White, on the other hand, has to find the way to exchange the Rook, or else, he has to play accurately using the combination of his Bishop and Rook (and his King, if needed) to stop the pawns. But first, White has to disrupt Black's pawn formation while at the same time solving his problematic double c-pawns.

24. c4 e4 Black continues his pawn march. Any of 24... d4 or 24... dxc4 will cost him the passed pawns. 25. cxd5 e3

The pawns look menacing, but in actual, it can easily be stopped by the Bishop. All White has to do now was to exchange the Rooks. White continues 26.d6+ Rxd6 27.Rxd6 Kxd6 28.Bg4

The pawns are stopped. 28... f2 29.Be2 Ke5 30.c3 Ke4 31.Kc2

White has to bring his King to visit Black's Queenside pawns. For this, he has to use his a-pawn to help the King. If Black scurries back to defend the pawns, White can switch the plan by attacking the passed pawns instead. 31... h5 32.Kb3 h4 33.Kb4 b6 34.a4 Kd5 35.Kb3 a6 36.Kc2 Ke4 37.Kb3 b5

38.Kb4 bxa4 39.Kxa4 Kf4? Black misses his chance to draw. He should try 39... f1=Q! and the game should draw. For example, 40.Bxf1 Kf3 41.Bxa6 e2 42.Bxe2+ Kxe2 43.Kb4 Kf2 44.Kc5 Kg2 45.Kxc6 Kxh3 46.Kd6 Kxh2 47.c4 Kg3 48.c5 h3 49.c6 h2 50.c7 h1=Q 51.c8=Q 1/2-1/2

40.Ka5 Ke5 41.Kxa6 Kd6 42.Ka5 Kc5 43.Ka4 Kd5 44.Kb4 c5+ 45.Kb5 Kd6 46.Kb6 Kd5 47.Kc7

White has a luxury of time in targeting any of the Black's pawns at c5, h4, e3 and f2. While Black has to constantly guard the squares around them in order to stop White's King. Still, Black's best chance is to queen the f pawn and escorts his e-pawn to force the exchange of White's Bishop. 47... c4

A big mistake. Now White switches his target for the c-pawn. The end is near. 48.Kb6 Kd6 49.Kb5 Kd5 50.Bxc4+ Ke4 51.Be2 1-0

Final position

KOTA BHARU SELECTION

Kota Bharu district will hold its selection at the end of this month. The details:

Date: 21-23 April 2011

Time: 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Venue: SMK Padang Kala

Hopefully, we will see the best of Kelantan's talents in this selection. Many of the Kelantan's state players came from this district last year. Players such as Laila Husna (SMK Zainab 1), Siti Nur Afiqah (SMS Tg Faris Petra), Wan Aemellia Elisya (SMKA Naim Lilbanat), Ihab Fitri (SK Padang Mokkan) and Wan Muhamad Adli (SMIP) need no introduction as they are players with national ratings and actively involved in chess tournaments.

Last year's winners can be read at BadBishop's blog here.

SMACH 2011

SM Sains Machang will hold its annual open chess tournament this week. Those who are interested kindly refer to the details below:

Date: 15 April 2011 (Friday)
Time: 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Venue: Gymnasium, SM Sains Machang

Fees: Open RM15 (Kelantanese) RM20 (Non-Kelantanese) RM10 (Secondary school students) RM5 (Primary school students)

Prizes: There are more than RM1000 to be won in the Open category, while top 4 students in each under-18, u-15 and u-12 (Boys & Girls) will receive cash.

All participants will receive a certificate.

Contact person: Wan Rozuhan (013-938 9819), Muhammad Arshad (012-921 0841)

Last year's winner can be read here.

THE THREE PRINCESSES

The selection had already ended. 3 new faces emerged to represent SMKCE to the state selection early next month. Interestingly, one of them is a beginner, learning the moves just last week, while the two others have played before this, although with limited skills. Now, my task is to hone them to become formidable chess players within a month time. Hopefully, one of them will start playing with the best at the nationals by flying the state flag high.

1. Maznie Madri (1 Arif)

This girl also plays hockey, and was just coming back from a hockey tournament that evening to become third in her chess category. What a glorious day for her as the hockey team also managed to win their game. She has a very aggressive style; I saw her attacking with the Black pieces!

2. Nurul Asyikin Anuar (1 Arif)

A very quiet girl, but unpredictable at the board. She always asks me questions in training whenever she does not understand the position. With time on her side, she will get even better with this studious attitude.

3. Nik Shamiera Adnan (5 Arif)

A complete beginner and an unpolished gem. She has the tendency for quick learning, eventhough she always asks me to become patient for her slowness. However, time is her enemy, because she is already in Form 5. I regret overlooking her last year, but am happy to push her as far as she can go this year.

INFERIORITY COMPLEX

The above position is a game between me and an online opponent. White's position is a nightmare with inferior pawn positions - two doubled pawns, 4 pawn islands and on top of that, a pawn less than Black. However, Black's last move 20... c6 was a mistake. He failed to see White's dangerous threat. I'll let you work out White's 21st move.

Is one of these lovely girls the new 'darling'?

FROM ZERO TO HERO(IN)

Unbelievable! Learnt the moves last week; the rep for PPD Tumpat today! This 17-year-old-to-be was a revelation from the start. She controlled the pieces like she has been playing the game for years. She impressed even me, her first coach, by showing marked improvements from the very first game she played against her fellow beginner friend. It is true after all, that we tend to do something wholeheartedly if we have very high interest in that something. But, on the other hand, if we do something because of others, be it following our friends or adhering to our parents, we will do it disingenuously. This will lead to incomplete work, or work which is below par.

So, has Tumpat got a new 'darling'? We'll wait and see..

As for the selection tournament, it went smooth as planned. The list of representatives for each categories:

Boys U-18

1. Arif Mokhtar (SMKA Falahiah)
2. Wan Muhammad Zikri Wan Mohammad (SMK Tumpat)
3. Abdul Haiyi Ismail (SMK Mahmuh Mahyiddin)
4. Muhammad Ridhauddin Ab Rashid (SMKA Falahiah)
5. Muhammad Alif Azmi (SMK Wakaf Bharu)
6. Wan Muhamad Azmie Wan Abd Rahim (SMK Mahmud Mahyiddin)

Boys U-15

1. Mohd Syazwi Rahman Mohd Rozi (MRSM Tumpat)
2. Mohamad Zaiful Zulhizman Mohd Zaney (MRSM Tumpat)
3. Mohamed Kamal Irfan Mohd Asri (SMKA Falahiah)
4. Mohd Nasrul Azim Abdullah (SMK Tumpat)
5. Mohd Asyraf Mokhtar (SMKA Falahiah)
6. Abdul Azim Ismail (SMKA Falahiah)

Boys U-12

1. Che Mohd Suhaili Saifuddin (SK Chenderong Batu)
2. Nasrul Ubaidillah Ab Aziz (SK Kampung Laut)
3. Muhammad Danial Adnan (SK Chabang Empat)
4. Mohd Adnin Ramli (SK Chenderong Batu)
5. Mohd Lukman Yahya (SK Chenderong Batu)
6. Wan Muhamad Hilmi Wan Zaki (SK Chenderong Batu)

Girls U-18

1. Marlida Md Nor (SMK Mahmud Mahyiddin)
2. Wan Naemah Wan Mahmood (SMK Mahmud Mahyiddin)
3. Nur Faizzeen Mahad (SMK Wakaf Bharu)
4. Auni Maisarah Rumaizi (SMK Mahmud Mahyiddin)
5. Siti Sarah Ibrahim (SMK Tumpat)
6. Nik Shamiera Adnan (SMK Chabang Empat)

Girls U-15

1. Athirah Mohd Bakri (SMK Tumpat)
2. Amyra Jasmine Mohammad Rafi (MRSM Tumpat)
3. Maznie Madri (SMK Chabang Empat)
4. Nur Rosyahirah Rosman (MRSM Tumpat)
5. Nurul Asyikin Anuar (SMK Chabang Empat)
6. Nurul Emiyana Abdul Jamal (MRSM Tumpat)

Girls U-12

1. Wan Nur Fatin Athirah (SK Kampung Laut)
2. Zil Ismatil Husna Zahari (SK Kutan)
3. Anis Nadhirah Mohd Zuki (SK Kampung Laut)
4. Nik Nur Shameera (SK Kampung Laut)
5. Siti Nur Farahim Syahira Mohd Asri (SK Kutan)
6. Wan Nur Nadira Wan Adnan (SK Palekbang)

Some pictures from the selection (click for bigger view):

WHERE'S DARLING?

I was shocked to learn that the darling of Tumpat was not at the venue today. A miscommunication has led to her being left behind at her school. The only Tumpat player (the other was Alham Zuhri, who already transferred to represent Machang) who represented the state last year cannot do so this time around because of this unexpected mishap. So, hopefully, we will have another (or maybe two) darling this year in the upcoming state selection.

Nevertheless, this year, we have more participants compared to last year. The boys under-18 comprises of 38 players, while the under-15 sees 23 players trying to be the district reps. The boys under-12, meanwhile, has 31 players taking part. On the other hand, the girls under-18 reps can be chosen from 17 players and the girls under-15 category is a battle among 15 players. The girls under-12 playing field hosts 16 players.

Some pictures from the first day:

Drama:

One of my beginner students managed to get this position where she missed the opportunity to checkmate her opponent. Unluckily, she went on to lose the game. This is the position where she (playing White) had the move:

What was the move that she missed?

TUMPAT DISTRICT SELECTION

MSSM is around the corner. Every district in Kelantan now are having, or already had, their own tournament to select their best players. Tumpat will hold its own at SK Kampung Laut starting from tomorrow. So far, players from 6 primary schools and 8 secondary schools have confirmed their participation. The schools are:

Primary Schools:

1. SK Chabang Empat
2. SK Kampung Laut
3. SK Berangan (1)
4. SK Chenderong Batu
5. SK Kutan
6. SK Palekbang

Secondary Schools:

1. SMK Chabang Empat
2. SMK Tumpat
3. SMK Wakaf Bharu
4. SMK Dato Bijiwangsa
5. SMK Geting
6. SMK Mahmud Mahyidin
7. SMK Sungai Pinang
8. MRSM Tumpat

My school will send 13 players for 3 secondary school categories.

Boys U-18

1. Muhammad Badrul Hafiz bin Ibrahim
2. Mohamad Firdaus bin Razali
3. Wan Abu Bakar bin Samaun
4. Mohamad Faqih Hazim bin Mohd Yusoff
5. Mohammad Khaidir bin Mahmud Kamaruddin
6. Wan Mohamad Amim bin Mohd Nasir

Girls U-18

1. Nik Shamiera binti Adnan
2. Noor Sahida binti Anuar
3. Nur Diyana binti Mohd Azlan

Girls U-15

1. Nor Izzatul Elanie binti Mustafah
2. Nurul Asyikin binti Anuar
3. Maznie binti Madri
4. Noor Fadhillah binti Ismail