tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-178784072024-03-13T19:44:50.549+08:00My Chess LifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger409125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-27705363102072115982018-11-09T10:47:00.000+08:002018-11-09T11:12:13.984+08:00MISTAKES IN FIDE RATING CALCULATION<div style="text-align: justify;">
I haven't played FIDE rated tournament for donkey's years, and when I finally played one last month, I made an effort to find out about the way to calculate FIDE rating. After browsing through the materials, I found a website, <a href="https://chess-db.com/public/elocalc.jsp" target="_blank">ELO Calculator</a>, which really helped me in this aspect. My calculation showed that I lost 3 points from my FIDE rating after the tournament. </div>
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When the latest FIDE rating was published last September, I found mistakes, at least involving me and my teammates ratings. Here are the mistakes:</div>
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<b>Yours Truly</b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxDlTdqqRJQ/W-TuqiVsNvI/AAAAAAAAFnw/YEBDyrqhI70H85hCFzT2mkD_-cM7QCRJwCLcBGAs/s1600/jijoe%2Bchess%2Bresults.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="405" height="143" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxDlTdqqRJQ/W-TuqiVsNvI/AAAAAAAAFnw/YEBDyrqhI70H85hCFzT2mkD_-cM7QCRJwCLcBGAs/s320/jijoe%2Bchess%2Bresults.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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According to <a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr385478.aspx?lan=1&art=9&snr=21" target="_blank">chess results</a>, I played against 5 rated players with 4/5 results. However, according to <a href="https://ratings.fide.com/individual_calculations.phtml?idnumber=5701783&rating_period=2018-11-01&t=1" target="_blank">FIDE rating website</a>, I only played against 4 rated players with 3/4 results. My rating changed from 2014 into 2011. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYcsW9S_6tg/W-TwHdxfVkI/AAAAAAAAFn8/Hrm3coaZTAMB6D0xbEG-YhpXJuXXpFkaQCLcBGAs/s1600/jijoe%2BFIDE.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="709" height="109" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYcsW9S_6tg/W-TwHdxfVkI/AAAAAAAAFn8/Hrm3coaZTAMB6D0xbEG-YhpXJuXXpFkaQCLcBGAs/s320/jijoe%2BFIDE.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Baharuddin Hamzah</b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K5ztQ4Oc8lU/W-Ty9AkSwII/AAAAAAAAFoI/uPKGnHI9atUBu8J-JGVN3oeuj_heCmp4ACLcBGAs/s1600/baha%2Bchess%2Bresults.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="414" height="139" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K5ztQ4Oc8lU/W-Ty9AkSwII/AAAAAAAAFoI/uPKGnHI9atUBu8J-JGVN3oeuj_heCmp4ACLcBGAs/s320/baha%2Bchess%2Bresults.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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According to <a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr385478.aspx?lan=1&art=9&snr=19" target="_blank">chess results</a>, Baharuddin played against 3 rated players with 1/3 results. However, according to <a href="https://ratings.fide.com/individual_calculations.phtml?idnumber=5706610&rating_period=2018-11-01&t=1" target="_blank">FIDE rating website</a>, he played against 4 rated players with 1/4 results. This leads to him being deducted up to 16 points for losing to lower rated player whom he didn't meet at the tournament (Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Mohd)! I don't have to stress that this player gets 10 points for defeating Baharuddin then. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_wKH00H35xY/W-TzZZtxuJI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/D8nEwungRlUPdsjLY9xEeLLd5Oz0Z2MJwCLcBGAs/s1600/baha%2BFIDE.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="705" height="115" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_wKH00H35xY/W-TzZZtxuJI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/D8nEwungRlUPdsjLY9xEeLLd5Oz0Z2MJwCLcBGAs/s320/baha%2BFIDE.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are others who are affected also because of these mistakes. I hope the organiser and FIDE will rectify this promptly. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-5981854245072647462018-09-22T14:57:00.001+08:002018-09-22T14:57:21.428+08:00MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU, IA ABDUL LATIF MOHAMAD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuIrrGZy1VY/W6XmTxdPNuI/AAAAAAAAFeg/IlJVDnhs70YMg3-TzhWcSV-LjIFrL1ZywCLcBGAs/s1600/sifu_profile_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="108" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuIrrGZy1VY/W6XmTxdPNuI/AAAAAAAAFeg/IlJVDnhs70YMg3-TzhWcSV-LjIFrL1ZywCLcBGAs/s1600/sifu_profile_photo.jpg" /></a></div>
I knew competitive chess in 1996 when I was in IIUM Matriculation in Lembah Pantai. The first tournament I entered was IIUM Open held at IIUM Main Campus Petaling Jaya. There I had my first tournament game (a draw against Azhari Mohd Nor) and there also I knew the late IA Abdul Latif Mohamad.<br />
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Then, there was no computer pairing system. It was manually done and he was among the experts at that. It was the first of my many encounters with him throughout the years because he was really close with the IIUM Chess Club members, especially Rizal Ahmad Kamal (one of my coach) and his gang.<br />
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Fast forward 20 years later, his health deteriorated which limited his participation in chess. I hardly ever met him from 2006 onward, mainly because I had already returned to my hometown to become a teacher. News about him came either from reading in the media or through social interaction with chess friends.<br />
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On 20 September 2018, the final news came in sadness. He passed away at approximately 9 p.m. As fellow Muslim, I was grateful because passing away in the eve of a Friday is considered a dream of many Muslims.<br />
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May Allah bless you, IA Abdul Latif Mohamad.<br />
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* I'm still searching for my old chess files because I might have something original to be shared here. As for now, I'll settled with a profile picture taken from his blog <a href="http://sifu.mycatur/">SIFU.mycatur</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iXU8OToI1g/We3iOK6YisI/AAAAAAAAFMA/kwsnm33q37oGAlTJ6KIgQnHdRPFvPJGagCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/10003512_719992298051640_748085825_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iXU8OToI1g/We3iOK6YisI/AAAAAAAAFMA/kwsnm33q37oGAlTJ6KIgQnHdRPFvPJGagCPcBGAYYCw/s320/10003512_719992298051640_748085825_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-60469822189938768662018-08-11T21:55:00.000+08:002018-08-13T22:05:27.902+08:00A FAIRY TALE ENDING TO AFIFAH<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJAD2oTWg-o/W3GL_Ut5tGI/AAAAAAAAFYY/3uxp0P9Ue5EkbD9wjp1S9mB7vpU9Bo84ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180809_154459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJAD2oTWg-o/W3GL_Ut5tGI/AAAAAAAAFYY/3uxp0P9Ue5EkbD9wjp1S9mB7vpU9Bo84ACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20180809_154459.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Do you believe in fairy tales? Even the most skeptical will surely gasp in awe for the <a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370047.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6" target="_blank">achievement</a> of this petite girl from Pasir Puteh. Why? Here is the story. </div>
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Getting <a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr362997.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7" target="_blank">second place</a> in the state selection was the start needed by <b>Nik Nur Afifah Nik Mud</b>. She and her teammates were then involved in the centralised training under the tutelage of Mr. Nik Mohd Nazri, the under 12 coach. Judging by the scores from the selection, Afifah and three others; Fatin, Haifa and Azreen; were equally strong. Coach Nazri and the head coach, Mr. Saufi decided the four of them should be in the team event at the MSSM while the other two would be in the individual event. However, before the <a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr368193.aspx?lan=1&art=20&snr=5" target="_blank">SIC Team Championship</a>, the coaches had a change of heart. Afifah was so strong in the training sessions that the coaches were worried her teammates would stripped her of any chances in getting the medal. The results confirmed their assessment, thus Afifah would be playing in the individual event alongside <a href="https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/wilayah/2018/07/453009/daripada-larangan-tonton-televisyen-ke-juara-mssk" target="_blank">Fatin</a>, the selection champion. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rNvsdcjRBjk/W3GNoeWcTtI/AAAAAAAAFYw/imZzHOk3wnw9ExIO3t3j8jgrOeNBxMmIQCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_2018-08-13_21-54-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rNvsdcjRBjk/W3GNoeWcTtI/AAAAAAAAFYw/imZzHOk3wnw9ExIO3t3j8jgrOeNBxMmIQCLcBGAs/s320/photo_2018-08-13_21-54-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the first three rounds, the coaches were unfazed with her ability to outplay her opponents. They didn't even prepare her, as they believed she could do it again the next game. When she asked me about it the night before the fourth round, I said that we didn't want to 'stop the ball rolling' and continued to focus on preparing the under 15s as I was their coach. Unexpectedly, she replied, 'Do I looked like a ball?', prompting my nervous laugh. Therefore, I assured her that we really cared about her and that we just didn't want to stop her momentum. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P48jbssDYJc/W3GNKGrCCSI/AAAAAAAAFYo/wCCu3xvDbbU7L9C4gmCDGbXS28NnnnfwgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180809_150054.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P48jbssDYJc/W3GNKGrCCSI/AAAAAAAAFYo/wCCu3xvDbbU7L9C4gmCDGbXS28NnnnfwgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20180809_150054.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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True enough. She went all the way. She even offered a draw in the last round while leading the exchange. She had two Rooks and a Bishop compared to her opponents' Rook, Knight and Bishop. Her opponent accepted and got third place. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VVhgurMLP2c/W3GL1tjJADI/AAAAAAAAFYU/_QNOG8tsfcIntWHUgn5Y2ecWTKvk3TbUQCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_2018-08-13_21-33-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VVhgurMLP2c/W3GL1tjJADI/AAAAAAAAFYU/_QNOG8tsfcIntWHUgn5Y2ecWTKvk3TbUQCLcBGAs/s320/photo_2018-08-13_21-33-41.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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One important fact: the final round was on her birthday! So, before the final round, we celebrated her birthday with a cake just outside the main door of the tournament venue. Then, we encouraged her to get the gold as her best birthday present ever. </div>
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The gold medal put Kelantan high in the ranking in terms of gold medal:</div>
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1. Penang 4 gold medals</div>
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2. Selangor 4 gold medals</div>
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3. Kuala Lumpur 3 gold medals</div>
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4. Kelantan 1 gold medal</div>
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However, Kelantan was eighth in terms of overall points tally:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DdJjnGwXFWY/W3GLBY0jc-I/AAAAAAAAFYM/gT57PPD2b8o_ytMnuW3xAfGQy5D30B6vACLcBGAs/s1600/photo_2018-08-13_21-32-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DdJjnGwXFWY/W3GLBY0jc-I/AAAAAAAAFYM/gT57PPD2b8o_ytMnuW3xAfGQy5D30B6vACLcBGAs/s400/photo_2018-08-13_21-32-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-6435914398543200102018-08-08T07:26:00.001+08:002018-08-13T22:58:51.160+08:00MSSM TERENGGANU 2018<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is the second year I'm involved with the Kelantan MSSM squad. It is a team consisting of old and new talented young chess players gathered from all around Kelantan. Even though many of them are either from Kota Bharu or Kuala Krai, there are also some originated from Pasir Puteh, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah, Machang and also Tumpat. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VAZfU04hH8g/W2opdgcE53I/AAAAAAAAFXk/vbjrQ9RBUiIjGNzWIMQwIAq_JEQvkCkZwCLcBGAs/s1600/photo_2018-08-08_07-18-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VAZfU04hH8g/W2opdgcE53I/AAAAAAAAFXk/vbjrQ9RBUiIjGNzWIMQwIAq_JEQvkCkZwCLcBGAs/s320/photo_2018-08-08_07-18-59.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The centralised training was held at SMS Faris Petra during the weekends for the whole of July. In the middle of the training, there was an individual event organised by Persatuan Catur Negeri Kelantan at PROKEL and a team event at Sultan Ismail College. Both tournaments were designed to test the players because they are going to be involved in both events at this MSSM. </div>
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There were a couple of players who won the selection which was held at SMK Pak Badol beforehand, but did not turn up at the training. Both were substituted with the players in the waiting list as we don't want players who cannot give their commitment to the cause. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5C7Z7k7yhbU/W2onTrJR1oI/AAAAAAAAFXY/Q_pnd0Ga8bsEd4LyduTENVNbQMTBqxF5QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180806_080854.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5C7Z7k7yhbU/W2onTrJR1oI/AAAAAAAAFXY/Q_pnd0Ga8bsEd4LyduTENVNbQMTBqxF5QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20180806_080854.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Terengganu MSSM is being held at Dewan Sultan Mizan in the heart of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu premise. It is a very big hall and the playing space is comfortable. Even the praying room and the toilets are very satisfying for me at least. </div>
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As for the team, they are currently doing well, especially the under 12s. They are punching above their weight and there are also two female players who are still with full points from 4 games. This brings hope for the contingent as a gold medal will surely benefit all for they are promised with funds if they succeed in actually bringing it back to Kelantan. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pI9xWTxysn0/W2oqe6akKUI/AAAAAAAAFXw/TCvjnmGYibocXO86d24wuXirkzyhRmx9gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180805_143728.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pI9xWTxysn0/W2oqe6akKUI/AAAAAAAAFXw/TCvjnmGYibocXO86d24wuXirkzyhRmx9gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20180805_143728.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today is the fourth day and there will be 2 more games waiting to be won. Hopefully we will be glorious and lift some medals this year. </div>
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For those who are interested, you can follow the results in chess results website. </div>
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Under 12 Boys (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370036.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Individual</a>) (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370037.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Team</a>)</div>
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Under 12 Girls (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370047.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Individual</a>) (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370049.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Team</a>)</div>
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Under 15 Boys (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370034.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Individual</a>) (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370246.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Team</a>)</div>
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Under 15 Girls (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370048.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Individual</a>) (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370046.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Team</a>)</div>
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Under 18 Boys (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370033.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Individual</a>) (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370032.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Team</a>)</div>
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Under 18 Girls (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370109.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Individual</a>) (<a href="http://chess-results.com/tnr370106.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">Team</a>)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-66956257542718182682017-11-11T10:20:00.000+08:002018-04-27T11:02:55.757+08:004 PLAYER CHESS IS QUITE FUN..... but you should be aware that it is not like the traditional chess.<br />
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However, you can still develop your pieces as usual-the knights to their usual c3 and f3 squares, the bishops need open lines and so on so forth. That was what I did playing this game for the first time, and luckily it still paid dividends. There were four colours - blue, red, green and yellow, and you couldn't choose what colour you would have in this chess.com board.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nz7Jc3U0OpQ/WuKLUnqpeUI/AAAAAAAAFUg/KMo1CAxHI8MxqJJ56akfBfmujasDR9dNwCLcBGAs/s1600/4%2Bchess.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nz7Jc3U0OpQ/WuKLUnqpeUI/AAAAAAAAFUg/KMo1CAxHI8MxqJJ56akfBfmujasDR9dNwCLcBGAs/s400/4%2Bchess.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I was playing, I didn't really know the rules. But I learned as the game went along. One of the players just pushed his pawn up the board and it changed into a queen in the middle of the board! WOW! I was shocked but I managed to neutralized the threat because he wasn't my nearest neighbour. It means he was not sitting on my left, so, there will be a move from another player directly on my left before I replied his. </div>
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Another thing is, you could eat a person's King and get lots of points by doing that! But, that person must be stoned first before his King is permitted to be eaten by anybody or else it would be illegal to do so. By stoning (this is my own word because I don't know the real word for it), I mean he should be out of the game by NOT MOVING WITHIN 1 minute ALLOCATED TIME. Knowing this, I took my left opponent's King after he was stoned. </div>
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In that game, Laserdragon14 was the first one to be stoned WITHOUT MOVING A SINGLE MOVE. I don't know whether he had connection problem or he was also new to this game and didn't know how to play it. His King was then eaten by Salmonete13. Cham2Sul was the second player to get stoned which left me to fight it out with Salmonete13. </div>
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Finally, when I got the hang of the game and controlled the centre, I managed to attack him vigorously. In the end, he could not find the solution and succumbed to the time trouble. This was the final position...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEIT-eqXYYM/WuKR_02dgdI/AAAAAAAAFUw/XOjBIqRacTkOo10LIT1cH5QoG9uzQXvdQCLcBGAs/s1600/4%2Bchess%2BFINAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEIT-eqXYYM/WuKR_02dgdI/AAAAAAAAFUw/XOjBIqRacTkOo10LIT1cH5QoG9uzQXvdQCLcBGAs/s400/4%2Bchess%2BFINAL.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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... and the BLUE team won. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrewmPEWX2g/WuKSStgzTKI/AAAAAAAAFU4/Rc02nN5VVDUedpV7u0oHlUe85PQoEirKwCLcBGAs/s1600/4%2Bchess%2BWON.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrewmPEWX2g/WuKSStgzTKI/AAAAAAAAFU4/Rc02nN5VVDUedpV7u0oHlUe85PQoEirKwCLcBGAs/s400/4%2Bchess%2BWON.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-43286051344801519342017-10-23T20:41:00.000+08:002017-10-23T20:41:04.509+08:00MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU, SHAHIFUL BAHRY<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, one of my chess playing friend died. He was warded for about a month in the ICU, Kubang Kerian Hospital. I only visited him once, and was not able to talk to him then because he was unconscious. </div>
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Now, what remains is the memory of him playing chess against me when we were in high school, SMU (A) Maahad Muhammadi, Pengkalan Chepa. Luckily, I have a habit of keeping games even though they were only casual games, so, I have three games playing against him in my database. I was quite surprise when I reviewed the games again as they were quite entertaining. </div>
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<a href="http://chess.tuxtown.net/game-replayer.php?id=59ede11eb975dd7accdeca59c59f43c4745856258830dddad9874" target="_blank">GAME ONE</a></div>
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<a href="http://chess.tuxtown.net/game-replayer.php?id=59ede148a0665fc5e1c86a1611996a78d1252fb41d9fa2c91b482" target="_blank">GAME TWO</a></div>
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<a href="http://chess.tuxtown.net/game-replayer.php?id=59ede16ea54864caba2a7cc6e3b4f5e70c957fda41e014cea7e6b" target="_blank">GAME THREE</a></div>
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(I'm sorry for only giving the links, it seems that I don't know how to put in game replayers nowadays. They simply don't work!)</div>
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Now let us pray for his well-being the hereafter.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6iXU8OToI1g/We3iOK6YisI/AAAAAAAAFL8/jRCrcJtKLCoM47r4iasunVyVeSxTasegwCLcBGAs/s1600/10003512_719992298051640_748085825_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="960" height="250" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6iXU8OToI1g/We3iOK6YisI/AAAAAAAAFL8/jRCrcJtKLCoM47r4iasunVyVeSxTasegwCLcBGAs/s400/10003512_719992298051640_748085825_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-7996812333092145332017-09-16T09:42:00.003+08:002017-09-16T09:42:40.598+08:00CHESS ANIME?Take my advice - don't start watching them or you'll be stucked.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tctJKs6SB4M/Wbx9hJhJutI/AAAAAAAAFIc/i1kHruzvdbM10w400UD_X9tXbqBmB0h6QCLcBGAs/s1600/ace-of-diamond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tctJKs6SB4M/Wbx9hJhJutI/AAAAAAAAFIc/i1kHruzvdbM10w400UD_X9tXbqBmB0h6QCLcBGAs/s320/ace-of-diamond.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have just finished watching '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_of_Diamond" target="_blank">Ace of Diamond</a>', an anime about baseball. Initially, I wasn't planning on watching any cartoon and wasting my precious time away from my tasks, but one day, I accidentally watched it when my brother switched it on television and I ended up finishing all the 126 episodes! </div>
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I also found out that he has a lot of other animes too, most of them about sports. Among others are:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pw71kUAxwSM/Wbx-DYXyLzI/AAAAAAAAFIk/nMwTD6SWon8j-3ICNj4OVHO92nzyU2zEgCLcBGAs/s1600/baby%2Bsteps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="480" height="188" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pw71kUAxwSM/Wbx-DYXyLzI/AAAAAAAAFIk/nMwTD6SWon8j-3ICNj4OVHO92nzyU2zEgCLcBGAs/s320/baby%2Bsteps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Steps" target="_blank">Baby Steps</a> - an anime about tennis.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh5lGV-63VA/Wbx-nuiQ9vI/AAAAAAAAFIs/Hf6nmDXFiCoVhWg03mkRrrLdMVcsFZLewCLcBGAs/s1600/haikyu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="924" height="183" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh5lGV-63VA/Wbx-nuiQ9vI/AAAAAAAAFIs/Hf6nmDXFiCoVhWg03mkRrrLdMVcsFZLewCLcBGAs/s320/haikyu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiky%C5%AB!!" target="_blank">Haikyu</a> - an anime about volleyball.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HX5CeTpa3OA/Wbx-6YPIldI/AAAAAAAAFIw/bXzxUrbnqnoqdB_hqzcll3DlCvV3PZy6ACLcBGAs/s1600/SLAM-DUNK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1204" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HX5CeTpa3OA/Wbx-6YPIldI/AAAAAAAAFIw/bXzxUrbnqnoqdB_hqzcll3DlCvV3PZy6ACLcBGAs/s320/SLAM-DUNK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slam_Dunk_(manga)" target="_blank">Slam Dunk</a> - an anime about basketball. </div>
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This makes me wonder, if Japan has a lot of animes on sports, does it have an anime on chess? Apparently not. Maybe chess is not a popular sport among Japanese people. However, they do have board games, and one of the animes is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikaru_no_Go" target="_blank">Hikaru no Go</a>, an anime about the game Go. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aD4xKptl2FI/WbyALKSpTYI/AAAAAAAAFI8/QAjOZOYIP4QFN9P85RWGlBsI7vqy91L7ACLcBGAs/s1600/hikaru-no-go-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="800" height="124" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aD4xKptl2FI/WbyALKSpTYI/AAAAAAAAFI8/QAjOZOYIP4QFN9P85RWGlBsI7vqy91L7ACLcBGAs/s320/hikaru-no-go-banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-40174836849182798302017-09-06T10:01:00.000+08:002017-09-10T10:06:16.426+08:00IM YEOH LI TIAN vs GM VISWANATHAN ANAND TBILISI 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tZVfZc5brY/WbSZsZqSW7I/AAAAAAAAFHs/imRdcUrU-O8CzggKw2FdL1JHkuErm5gAACLcBGAs/s1600/FIDE%2BWC%2B2017%2Bparticipants.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="836" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tZVfZc5brY/WbSZsZqSW7I/AAAAAAAAFHs/imRdcUrU-O8CzggKw2FdL1JHkuErm5gAACLcBGAs/s320/FIDE%2BWC%2B2017%2Bparticipants.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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FIDE World Cup had my attention this year. It is held in Tbilisi, Georgia and it featured one of the best current Malaysian player, IM Yeoh Li Tian. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiE_4O9ssn4/WbScl1oKCKI/AAAAAAAAFH4/XwWRwmbjXKMtopc-gQ_gKDeJ_c7oHBb8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Li%2BTian%2Bvs%2BAnand%2BFIDE%2BWorld%2BCup%2B2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiE_4O9ssn4/WbScl1oKCKI/AAAAAAAAFH4/XwWRwmbjXKMtopc-gQ_gKDeJ_c7oHBb8QCLcBGAs/s320/Li%2BTian%2Bvs%2BAnand%2BFIDE%2BWorld%2BCup%2B2017.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was on holidays but I still found some time to watch the games. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdwU0FhFWGo/WbSYf3KLsfI/AAAAAAAAFHg/e0ioQ9KzWCoCxg5oEPw_Jqs4KdvsrN6ZQCLcBGAs/s1600/Yeoh%2B-%2BAnand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdwU0FhFWGo/WbSYf3KLsfI/AAAAAAAAFHg/e0ioQ9KzWCoCxg5oEPw_Jqs4KdvsrN6ZQCLcBGAs/s320/Yeoh%2B-%2BAnand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It only lasted two games, but our own IM made them very eventful. I don't have anything but praise for the way IM Yeoh Li Tian took GM Anand in the games. In fact, many of his moves surprised me as they were really energetic. Going for the Queen sacrifice in Round 1 and taking the initiative with the Black pieces in Round 2 gave me goosebumps. It was clear that the ex-World Champion was going for the draw by choosing the exchange variation so Yeoh was forced to play aggressively. In the end, he went down fighting. </div>
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Congratulations. </div>
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<u><b>The games</b></u></div>
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Round 1</div>
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<a href="http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1884627">http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1884627</a></div>
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Round 2</div>
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<a href="http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1884695">http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1884695</a></div>
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Some video coverage on the games from Youtube</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHOEMp5dhQA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHOEMp5dhQA</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95SEXiMc9dI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95SEXiMc9dI</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFs-2TpUM_4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFs-2TpUM_4</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-68068985323290860172017-08-25T22:00:00.000+08:002017-08-26T03:02:33.910+08:00GOOD LUCK TEAM PARA ASEAN 2017!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tonight I was asked whether I would stop blogging for good. I did not give him a definite answer, but gave him a good hint instead. I cited being busy with school work as the culprit, but I knew that it was not the main reason. Being far away from half of my family really robbed me of weekend treasure. Every Friday and Saturday when I didn't have school events would be filled with programs for my sons and daughters who are currently living separately as siblings. </div>
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However, I managed to arrange a family time even though I am currently reprsenting my state in a chess tournament. In between the two playing days, Kelantan state teams spent some time at Zaaba College, University of Malaya playing chess as friendly gestures with Malaysian PARA chess team which will be playing their games starting on 18 September. The results won't matter, as the experience they got tonight would surely help them to improve before taking on their opponents in the real tournament. </div>
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I played Black with <b>Shaharuddin Sidek</b>. Hopefully he got something from our game.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-46767187719435195392017-04-07T22:35:00.000+08:002017-04-07T23:02:24.729+08:00MSSD TOURNAMENTS COMING UP<div style="text-align: justify;">
Starting this month, each district in Kelantan would be organising their own selections hoping to find their best players for the MSSK event which will be held in July. Here are the dates:</div>
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10-12 April - Gua Musang</div>
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10-12, 17-19 April - Kuala Krai</div>
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17-18 April - Machang</div>
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24-25 April - Jeli<br />
2-3 May - Tanah Merah </div>
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3 May - Tumpat</div>
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3-4 May - Pasir Puteh</div>
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16-17 May - Bachok</div>
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23-24 May - Pasir Mas</div>
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Only Kota Bharu selection is still in the dark. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-67813448626415353252017-04-07T22:16:00.000+08:002017-04-07T22:16:16.475+08:00SO MANY THINGS TO DO, YET SO LITTLE TIME.. <div style="text-align: justify;">
.. and I wonder if I can ever blog again. This is only the second post for 2017 and we are already in April. It was 5 posts for 2016 and 8 posts the year before. It will be just a matter of time before I stop blogging for sure. SIGH. </div>
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I don't like to copy materials from other sources like many bloggers do, and I rely mostly on my own chess experience in order to write something, therefore, the posts will be lesser and lesser as I play lesser and lesser each year. It doesn't help much that I am newly appointed as the head arbiter for MSSK this year, and is re-elected during the Annual General Meeting on 28 January as the PCNK president which means I can no longer play as much as organising chess events in Kelantan. </div>
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At the time of writing, PCNK had already organised and co-organised several tournaments and a coaching clinic:</div>
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28 January - Kelantan Closed & Kelantan Age Group</div>
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11 February - UiTM Open</div>
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25 February - SMK Pahi Open</div>
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25 February - Coaching Course (Beginners)</div>
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4 March - Chess2Care Open</div>
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31 March - Kuala Krai Junior Open</div>
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1 April - Kuala Krai Open (FIDE rated event)</div>
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In the mean time, Kelantan was chosen as the home of this year's Malaysian Chess Championship. The ultimate event was co-organised with MCF and it was held at Al-Khatiri Multi-purpose Hall, Kubang Kerian from 22 - 27 March. The event was nearly called off due to H5N1 outbreak, but with the cooperation of all parties involved, it continued as scheduled. </div>
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With lots of tournaments and courses coming up throughout this year, I would really have to search for suitable time to continue blogging. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-25098274190103250712017-01-25T03:25:00.000+08:002017-01-25T03:37:06.657+08:00MAKSAK KUALA LUMPUR<div style="text-align: justify;">
I might be whining, but this MAKSAK was my worst to date. Three losses in winning positions spelled my doom which ensured my journey home filled with embarrassment and regret. It was all down to one factor - the time control. I accept that not everybody will see eye to eye with me on this one, but, in my humble opinion, the 45 minutes + 10 seconds increment time control was not my cup of tea, especially when I had to write until the end of the game. When my time was in the mercy of the 10-second increments, I basically had 3 seconds of thinking time after I had done all these:</div>
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1. Move the piece</div>
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2. Push the clock button</div>
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3. Take the pen</div>
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4. Write down the move</div>
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5. Put the pen down again</div>
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I did not even see basic tactics - pushing passed pawns, taking free pawns or basic forks and checks as I was too engrossed with writing down moves as per required. I might be smiling and congratulating my victorious opponents at the end of the flag, but deep down, I cursed myself for being incapable of thinking faster, which was something that I've been missing nowadays. One of my teammates suggested fatigue as the culprit, but I beg to differ on his opinion. The time control has to be reviewed, at least, as writing down moves using the 10-second increments is next to being impossible to be done. I saw a lot of players neglected writing the moves, and those who wrote, made mistakes they should have never done if left blitzing without the distraction of writing moves. </div>
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Here are the final positions of the lost games:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LBPh6Ueew1A/WIegA_I4qfI/AAAAAAAAE7A/XW3lKqLq0XkLe2m4CTDUHSL9AFgfXROagCLcB/s1600/Aku%2Bvs%2BNor%2BAzmi%2BMAKSAK%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LBPh6Ueew1A/WIegA_I4qfI/AAAAAAAAE7A/XW3lKqLq0XkLe2m4CTDUHSL9AFgfXROagCLcB/s320/Aku%2Bvs%2BNor%2BAzmi%2BMAKSAK%2B2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game 2: Yours Truly vs Nor Azmi (Terengganu). White to move.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsGkea0jPss/WIegVlHS3JI/AAAAAAAAE7E/ID2JunK6xHwRgNF0_zGvmCfVi5yBgXu6QCLcB/s1600/Aku%2Bvs%2BZaidi%2BSaleh%2BMAKSAK%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsGkea0jPss/WIegVlHS3JI/AAAAAAAAE7E/ID2JunK6xHwRgNF0_zGvmCfVi5yBgXu6QCLcB/s320/Aku%2Bvs%2BZaidi%2BSaleh%2BMAKSAK%2B2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game 4: Yours Truly vs Zaidi Saleh (Melaka). White to move.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-yN2YBCzDY/WIegs4U_2ZI/AAAAAAAAE7I/qnQgA0942ugO_cv-IM97s5HhkGh_Wu-dACLcB/s1600/Aku%2Bvs%2BAmirudin%2BMAKSAK%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-yN2YBCzDY/WIegs4U_2ZI/AAAAAAAAE7I/qnQgA0942ugO_cv-IM97s5HhkGh_Wu-dACLcB/s320/Aku%2Bvs%2BAmirudin%2BMAKSAK%2B2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game 6: Yours Truly vs Amirudin (Perak). White to move.</td></tr>
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The Kelantan team fared badly also. We lost a lot of games we should have won had I not lost my games. I felt guilty and gutted, as playing as a team needs everybody's contribution which I clearly did not provide. The team even got a BYE for the last round because of my loss against Perak. This had caused my teammates their best board prizes, and Kelantan to return home empty handed. </div>
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Here is the final rank (click on the picture for chess-results link):</div>
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<a href="http://www.chess-results.com/tnr259151.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.chess-results.com/tnr259151.aspx?lan=1" border="0" height="279" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTUxwvECAb0/WIejTnPaQxI/AAAAAAAAE7Q/pqoHL1nwgmsgYRauZAlBtZM1EmNys-G9wCLcB/s320/MAKSAK%2BKumpulan%2BLelaki.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZRz_uaHsQE/WIekRVEmgbI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/H9HHVKoUy3I7a_R1_RCgUhde2S1C52WZQCLcB/s1600/MAKSAK%2BTeam%2BPerformance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZRz_uaHsQE/WIekRVEmgbI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/H9HHVKoUy3I7a_R1_RCgUhde2S1C52WZQCLcB/s320/MAKSAK%2BTeam%2BPerformance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This year also saw a handful of beautiful players playing in the women's individual category. It was a start to what I think will be the women team category next year. Each state may have to scramble to search for female players after this. </div>
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As for Kelantan, we brought Mrs. Haslina to compete in this category, and she did okay, I believe. Here is the results for this category:</div>
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<a href="http://www.chess-results.com/tnr259150.aspx?lan=1&art=0&wi=821" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.chess-results.com/tnr259150.aspx?lan=1&art=0&wi=821" border="0" height="242" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRJP7Ki8vB8/WIel371aIwI/AAAAAAAAE7g/BiZWJNZUgbYjvxqjbpvoXBvfPvqjunptACLcB/s320/MAKSAK%2BIndividu%2BWanita.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are some pictures from the event:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ICBL1D6MfQ/WIenGFgSOZI/AAAAAAAAE7o/3LGPZiuJpeAmWxJoD1UF82fMv8YtJ-ELgCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170119-WA0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ICBL1D6MfQ/WIenGFgSOZI/AAAAAAAAE7o/3LGPZiuJpeAmWxJoD1UF82fMv8YtJ-ELgCLcB/s320/IMG-20170119-WA0009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped by at PCNK Vice President's place in Lipis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqKYbJs-xdU/WIenHofcR6I/AAAAAAAAE7w/z6kzYXMBn586YmbTtjPK1ocx2MQvNVXigCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170120-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqKYbJs-xdU/WIenHofcR6I/AAAAAAAAE7w/z6kzYXMBn586YmbTtjPK1ocx2MQvNVXigCLcB/s320/IMG-20170120-WA0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The playing venue</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hkT5HBUhUB8/WIenHt2HqNI/AAAAAAAAE7s/X8gerWSaJn8ZjxB_ynzyVJHc1VQAo1GdwCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170120-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hkT5HBUhUB8/WIenHt2HqNI/AAAAAAAAE7s/X8gerWSaJn8ZjxB_ynzyVJHc1VQAo1GdwCLcB/s320/IMG-20170120-WA0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First game - Lost to Sabah</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVZj81OmgPM/WIenIIK_2MI/AAAAAAAAE70/4u-iaIBJUQ8zZ3Q_IR3GxUCOEFJvXTnYQCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170120-WA0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVZj81OmgPM/WIenIIK_2MI/AAAAAAAAE70/4u-iaIBJUQ8zZ3Q_IR3GxUCOEFJvXTnYQCLcB/s320/IMG-20170120-WA0050.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best line up</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgBsR8v6Wyw/WIeng9ykyII/AAAAAAAAE8E/DUN0dvRWHd0r087dTTP5TLiWBn4tweGKwCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170122-WA0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgBsR8v6Wyw/WIeng9ykyII/AAAAAAAAE8E/DUN0dvRWHd0r087dTTP5TLiWBn4tweGKwCLcB/s320/IMG-20170122-WA0008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The female category contestants</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgiwjTieBPs/WIengTQYYEI/AAAAAAAAE8A/QUnM16uT0r8rtjlrf99JCaBy3jOMydjLwCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170122-WA0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgiwjTieBPs/WIengTQYYEI/AAAAAAAAE8A/QUnM16uT0r8rtjlrf99JCaBy3jOMydjLwCLcB/s320/IMG-20170122-WA0013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BangiStation/" target="_blank">Bangi Station</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vkLnZBHELao/WIenIiG1c1I/AAAAAAAAE74/i3A5HTU1K0QXgeinAmtSne8SFq1C3_0VQCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170120-WA0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vkLnZBHELao/WIenIiG1c1I/AAAAAAAAE74/i3A5HTU1K0QXgeinAmtSne8SFq1C3_0VQCLcB/s320/IMG-20170120-WA0053.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from Bangi Station</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWfQVCvW3gY/WIenJLAUpDI/AAAAAAAAE78/ntfeChGBpmo0vBQ7msEmkXIb6xwY0k9IwCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170120-WA0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWfQVCvW3gY/WIenJLAUpDI/AAAAAAAAE78/ntfeChGBpmo0vBQ7msEmkXIb6xwY0k9IwCLcB/s320/IMG-20170120-WA0054.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baharuddin missed a mate in six moves</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-47162173196363900822016-10-06T23:50:00.000+08:002016-10-06T23:54:55.896+08:00WINNING BY ILLEGAL MOVES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBHFWL-wNIM/V_Zzr03KFUI/AAAAAAAAE1g/w7JYpy3W4Kov1h5LpykmdZCPX6dkQzMqQCLcB/s1600/geass-chess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBHFWL-wNIM/V_Zzr03KFUI/AAAAAAAAE1g/w7JYpy3W4Kov1h5LpykmdZCPX6dkQzMqQCLcB/s320/geass-chess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Nowadays I become an arbiter more than being a player. I have arbitrated the Kelantan Closed back in January, the Kelantan Age Groups 1.0 - 3.0, the Mahabbah blitzes, the MSSK in Kuala Krai and the MSSM in Kota Bharu (although being only a pairing arbiter), UiTM Open in August, Cobra Blitz and SK Temangan Open in September. In two more days, I will be arbitrating the National Sports Day Open.<br />
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I admit that during my arbitration, there were many instances where I made a wrong call. Most recently in Cobra Blitz, I gave a win to the opponent when the other player made an illegal move, retracted it and played a legal move before pushing his clock. When I checked The Official Rules of Chess written by Eric Schiller, page 77, it clearly states that 'An illegal move is completed <b>once the opponent's clock has been started</b>. The opponent is then entitled to claim a win before making a move. Once the opponent has made a move, an illegal move cannot be corrected.'<br />
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This is of course a special rule for the blitz only, whereas in standard games, an illegal move must be replaced with a legal move once the position immediately before the illegal move is reinstated. Of course, it comes with time penalty for the offender. (Article 7.4)<br />
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Most of the tournament held nowadays in Kelantan are rapids, so coaches make it compulsory to equip their players, especially the young ones, with 'the illegal move arsenal'. I've seen a lot of these players won their games after the opponents made illegal moves. They were quick to raise their hands and claim it; you could even see many hands raised at the same time in Under 12 category.<br />
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My advice is, to coaches out there, please teach your players about the illegal move. Although according to <a href="http://chess.about.com/od/tipsforbeginners/qt/illegalmoves.htm" target="_blank">this article</a> it is one of the most difficult concepts to explain to beginners, at least you can teach them this simple rule:<b> a king must never be moved into check, or left in check.</b><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-60655204102462454822016-08-02T22:55:00.000+08:002016-08-02T22:55:26.712+08:00SELECTED GAME FROM MSSK PAHI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-unKe30ZkN4k/V6ApzwtpbmI/AAAAAAAAEyk/FU8uROQDgAkgy9sd0EF01oDj6WAjkW5uwCLcB/s1600/DSCF9955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-unKe30ZkN4k/V6ApzwtpbmI/AAAAAAAAEyk/FU8uROQDgAkgy9sd0EF01oDj6WAjkW5uwCLcB/s400/DSCF9955.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The dust has finally settled at SMK Pahi, Kuala Krai and 36 players from 368 hopeful competitors have been selected to be the representatives for the Kelantan state team in MSSM which will be held next month at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan main hall, Pengkalan Chepa. I was selected as one of the pairing arbiters and am relishing the opportunity to perform the same task in the national chess event. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvOqSPfwCwo/V6AqO0bNsuI/AAAAAAAAEyo/-YaYd4ZOP8INZlEiv-eiA1Is59LJnUuLQCLcB/s1600/DSCF9929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvOqSPfwCwo/V6AqO0bNsuI/AAAAAAAAEyo/-YaYd4ZOP8INZlEiv-eiA1Is59LJnUuLQCLcB/s320/DSCF9929.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pairing arbiters</td></tr>
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The state selection, which was held from 23 to 26 July, produced some interesting games. I saw a Chinese boy checkmated his opponent in the Rook + Bishop vs Rook situation, which was really a hard task to do. Nevertheless, I want to share a game where one of my students from Tumpat district failed to capitalized on his material advantage and drew the game instead. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KO_3yFntths/V6Ao6xcplvI/AAAAAAAAEyc/9fBuNIx5ZYUATGIWN4q2l6hH-aNklIsPgCLcB/s1600/DSCF9993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KO_3yFntths/V6Ao6xcplvI/AAAAAAAAEyc/9fBuNIx5ZYUATGIWN4q2l6hH-aNklIsPgCLcB/s320/DSCF9993.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danial (playing Black) moved his King to c5</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfuF1hPXIeM/V6CGKbZHk7I/AAAAAAAAEzI/xBJ1QurXqjobszIAFRVm_F1yd0WeGjIEgCLcB/s1600/Danial01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfuF1hPXIeM/V6CGKbZHk7I/AAAAAAAAEzI/xBJ1QurXqjobszIAFRVm_F1yd0WeGjIEgCLcB/s320/Danial01.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zull Heikal (KKR) vs Wan Md Danial (TPT)</td></tr>
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From this position, as you can see in the picture above, Danial moved his King to c5. The game continued <b>2.Ke4 Kb5 3.Ke5 Bg4 4.Kf6 Bh5 5.f5 </b>and Danial had a hard time defending his position afterwards. </div>
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However, he should have moved his King to d5 covering key squares and pushing the opponent's King further down the board. </div>
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<b>1... Kd5 2.Kf3 Bf5 3.Ke3 Bg4 </b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3ZW6_-tqHI/V6CtZDjIHBI/AAAAAAAAEzY/4zkMThgPNI81w22zlMfF_z_B7YcBKrwtACLcB/s1600/Danial02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3ZW6_-tqHI/V6CtZDjIHBI/AAAAAAAAEzY/4zkMThgPNI81w22zlMfF_z_B7YcBKrwtACLcB/s320/Danial02.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This move covers f3 so Heikal would have to make way for Danial's King to enter the key square e4 and take the Kingside pawns. As to rub salt into the wound, Heikal went on to represent Kelantan via the play offs while Danial was left painfully outside the top 10 by getting the 11th placing. </div>
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In the under 12 Boys play off, another of my student, Zal Hasani Aqil had a winning position but failed to find the correct move and lost. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ouDBrykAXY/V6CvXALFjqI/AAAAAAAAEzk/ZX6vly98Od4PVIXYMXQaGdR9IrROkpBEACLcB/s1600/DSCF0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ouDBrykAXY/V6CvXALFjqI/AAAAAAAAEzk/ZX6vly98Od4PVIXYMXQaGdR9IrROkpBEACLcB/s320/DSCF0123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zal Hasani Aqil (playing Black) gave check at d3</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCHI_2EoEMk/V6CwiadiC6I/AAAAAAAAEzw/SwjcczildX8gcYqoFkJAfxN-ZzqwONf6gCLcB/s1600/Aqil01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCHI_2EoEMk/V6CwiadiC6I/AAAAAAAAEzw/SwjcczildX8gcYqoFkJAfxN-ZzqwONf6gCLcB/s320/Aqil01.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Md Hanif (TMH) vs Zal Hasani Aqil (TPT)</td></tr>
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From this position, Aqil gave check at d3 and went on to lose the game. Instead, he should have found <b>1... Qh1+</b> which was winning if he really trained his eyes and looked at the board really closely. He too handed over the baton to his opponent when a win would have ensured him into the Kelantan team instead of that opponent. </div>
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As a coach, you would be really upset watching your students lose this way but the experience was priceless if your students could really take something from that. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-57918449735501291572016-07-15T12:49:00.000+08:002016-08-02T12:28:41.708+08:00TUMPAT DISTRICT SELECTION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1_jsn7yKK9I/V4hUpmX7lNI/AAAAAAAAEyE/0thf93jLFcUuHwxufqxViUutdRz01ITwQCLcB/s1600/DSCF9774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1_jsn7yKK9I/V4hUpmX7lNI/AAAAAAAAEyE/0thf93jLFcUuHwxufqxViUutdRz01ITwQCLcB/s320/DSCF9774.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After a week long of Hari Raya holidays, Tumpat chess players started up their engines and, for the first time ever, headed to SMK Sungai Pinang for the selection. It was a good venue for chess, and a good additional choice of venue for next Tumpat selections. As far as I know, the selections have so far been held at SK Kampong Laut, SMKA Falahiah and also SMK Chabang Empat. For your information, other districts have also held, or are currently holding, their selection: </div>
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Tanah Merah (12-13 July 2016)</div>
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Pasir Puteh (13-14 July 2016) </div>
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Kota Bharu (16-17 July 2016)</div>
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Tumpat selection was held for only one day (13 July 2016) and all categories recorded very satisfactory attendance amidst the exams and school programmes:</div>
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U12 Boys (34 players)</div>
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U12 Girls (25 players)</div>
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U15 Boys (25 players)</div>
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U15 Girls (21 players)</div>
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U18 Boys (34 players)</div>
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U18 Girls (23 players)</div>
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Total : 162 players</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7_73PulpyLM/V4g5yXo_EvI/AAAAAAAAEx0/J6tbT6EYYaE6CR5h0H6goSno8jwGGXQVQCLcB/s1600/DSCF9736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7_73PulpyLM/V4g5yXo_EvI/AAAAAAAAEx0/J6tbT6EYYaE6CR5h0H6goSno8jwGGXQVQCLcB/s320/DSCF9736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were 9 secondary schools and 7 primary schools sending their players for the selection: </div>
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SMK Chabang Empat</div>
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SMK Kampong Laut</div>
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SMK Sungai Pinang</div>
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SMK Kutan</div>
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SMK Mahmud Mahyiddin</div>
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SMK Geting</div>
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SMK Tumpat</div>
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SMKA Falahiah</div>
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MRSM</div>
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SK Berangan 1</div>
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SK Kutan</div>
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SK Kampong Laut</div>
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SK Palekbang</div>
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SK Pulau Beluru</div>
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SK Pengkalan Kubor 2</div>
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SK Padang Pohon Tanjung</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vI9Vi2LMv8/V4gw_CsGOyI/AAAAAAAAExk/G6L-uf2SoT0XKOuUSDVohDm1Ac_FEFrLACLcB/s1600/DSCF9738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vI9Vi2LMv8/V4gw_CsGOyI/AAAAAAAAExk/G6L-uf2SoT0XKOuUSDVohDm1Ac_FEFrLACLcB/s320/DSCF9738.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Tumpat District Officer himself handed the prizes to the winners after his motivating speech of urging the sports glory to rival Tumpat being the number one district in Kelantan in the academic achievement. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIjltH876WU/V4gtIrWsagI/AAAAAAAAExY/t2ktNNx2QdIHowbOjQev9r5aspaM6NztwCLcB/s1600/DSCF9810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIjltH876WU/V4gtIrWsagI/AAAAAAAAExY/t2ktNNx2QdIHowbOjQev9r5aspaM6NztwCLcB/s320/DSCF9810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Personally, only one player from my school won the top prize in her category. Nor Muniera Farhin, a fifth former, made it a priority to win the chess selection even though she is a target SPM student for this year. The others were first timers and did not make the Tumpat team. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-74332390438186620742016-03-18T01:05:00.000+08:002016-05-08T01:06:48.957+08:00MAKSAK SELANGOR<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fD6iMBOUwU0/Vy4CSZIhO8I/AAAAAAAAEo4/DgZvctCikXg4xpvX903tnvEZ0Bho7ylfQCLcB/s1600/DSCF7856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fD6iMBOUwU0/Vy4CSZIhO8I/AAAAAAAAEo4/DgZvctCikXg4xpvX903tnvEZ0Bho7ylfQCLcB/s320/DSCF7856.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelantan 2016 MAKSAK Team</td></tr>
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This year MAKSAK was held at the <b>Bluewave Hotel in Shah Alam</b>, starting from <b>11 to 13 March</b>. This time, Kelantan could not field its usual team as Nik Mohd Nazri was waiting for his newborn. Thus, we searched for one of our previous member, Nik Mazlan Nik Soh to complete the team:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Baharuddin Hamzah</li>
<li>Muhammad Ariez Azman</li>
<li>Md Anis Rahimi</li>
<li><b>Yours Truly</b></li>
<li>Nik Mazlan Nik Soh</li>
<li>Mohd Saufi Deraman</li>
</ol>
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Our van, which also brought along a member of MAKSAK Johor team, Dr. Nasrul Humaimi, the Vice President of PCNK, took the usual Kelantan - Pahang - KL - Shah Alam route. We stopped at Lipis for lunch at the home of another Vice President of PCNK, Mr. Rhozisham. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2jxHHA9lR0/Vy4Ck8ozj5I/AAAAAAAAEo8/vF5CfBTaaHYZIinaDtUYhmt8lQDNf2poQCLcB/s1600/DSCF7776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2jxHHA9lR0/Vy4Ck8ozj5I/AAAAAAAAEo8/vF5CfBTaaHYZIinaDtUYhmt8lQDNf2poQCLcB/s320/DSCF7776.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Rhozisham prepared us a very delicious lunch</td></tr>
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We finally arrived at <a href="http://www.intekmaresort.com.my/v2" target="_blank"><b>Intekma Resort</b></a>, a resort under UiTM Shah Alam management, at approximately 5.30 p.m. We checked in after our <i>chief de mission</i>, Tg Petra, confirmed our room numbers. I was with Baharuddin and Ariez at fourth floor while Anis, Nik Mazlan and Mohd Saufi, all of whom were smokers, were in the other room at second floor. The room was okay and the service was excellent, in my humble opinion at least. We even got to know the room service worker, thanks to our talkative Ariez. However, it was not until I wrote this post that I stumbled upon information that the resort was <a href="http://dyapunyabelog.blogspot.my/2015/09/intekma-resort-shah-alam-berhantu.html" target="_blank">haunted</a> as we did not encounter any happenings during our stay there. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0uOZz4kyVzw/Vy4FQ-pz-uI/AAAAAAAAEpM/scWdyzPw_Q4drsUvB5j4BP_dxFFT7uj7wCLcB/s1600/DSCF7789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0uOZz4kyVzw/Vy4FQ-pz-uI/AAAAAAAAEpM/scWdyzPw_Q4drsUvB5j4BP_dxFFT7uj7wCLcB/s320/DSCF7789.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The official resort for Kelantan MAKSAK team</td></tr>
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The playing ground, <a href="http://www.bluewavehotels.com/" target="_blank">the five-star rated Bluewave Hotel</a>, was situated in the middle of the city. The playing hall for chess, however, was quite cramped compared to the playing halls for dart and carom. Therefore, nobody except the officials and the players were allowed inside the hall during the games. There was also a podium where the first pairing locked their horns using digital boards, which broadcasted the games live. The Kelantan team only managed to play on it once, that was in the final game against the eventual champions, Kuala Lumpur. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94K1psCROLc/Vy4MoWa94GI/AAAAAAAAEpc/enHBjBIa860-bZxR7Ul_jx1MRNVQVP7xwCLcB/s1600/DSCF8118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94K1psCROLc/Vy4MoWa94GI/AAAAAAAAEpc/enHBjBIa860-bZxR7Ul_jx1MRNVQVP7xwCLcB/s320/DSCF8118.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours Truly waiting for the opponent</td></tr>
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Imagine our surprise when we saw that the Deputy President of PCNK, Mr. Nik Ahmad Farouqi, was the coach for the Selangor MAKSAK team. Our teams were paired in the second last round, and we eventually drew. I was the last one to draw my game against Syed Abdul Rahman and I regretted it as I was in the winning position which, if won, would surely guaranteed at least a prize. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg7mx3Dxgec/Vy4PNRcYDmI/AAAAAAAAEpo/MU3RHkgRllEkgUf9b5wpjJ9GZyU3HUIfQCLcB/s1600/DSCF8093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg7mx3Dxgec/Vy4PNRcYDmI/AAAAAAAAEpo/MU3RHkgRllEkgUf9b5wpjJ9GZyU3HUIfQCLcB/s320/DSCF8093.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelantan vs Nik Farouqi's Selangor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kelantan team was dubbed as 'the master of draws' for drawing too many times, including games where we should have won. We drew against PDRM in our first game, Pahang in our third game, Selangor in our sixth game and Kuala Lumpur in our last game. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qRJipeyP7Tw/Vy4QlZGmrmI/AAAAAAAAEp0/ylJz_yaZLDExOR0PnlFAMlK9PKwJ03URACLcB/s1600/DSCF7887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qRJipeyP7Tw/Vy4QlZGmrmI/AAAAAAAAEp0/ylJz_yaZLDExOR0PnlFAMlK9PKwJ03URACLcB/s320/DSCF7887.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelantan vs Pahang, one of the games which were drawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Were were seeded sixth because of our last performance in <a href="http://sicilian-najdorf.blogspot.my/2015/07/maksak-kedah.html" target="_blank">Kedah</a>, and were paired against PDRM for the first round. We finally ended seventh after drawing 4 times, winning twice and lost once to Terengganu, which was <b>EXACTLY </b>the same results in Kedah! (We drew 4 times, won twice and lost once to Terengganu also). What a coincidence. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgwUDUm6Mb4/Vy4SXeL2udI/AAAAAAAAEqA/YH1CVMNhnFMWjC-O6-rHdkLCNYPMuvTHACLcB/s1600/DSCF7843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgwUDUm6Mb4/Vy4SXeL2udI/AAAAAAAAEqA/YH1CVMNhnFMWjC-O6-rHdkLCNYPMuvTHACLcB/s320/DSCF7843.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelantan vs PDRM, our first game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our ex-Vice President, Mr. Abdul Haq, who is currently living in Shah Alam, stopped by to see the team. He brought the team for lunch at D-Wok, a branch of Kak Wok rice, in Section 13. We were quite astonished when he informed that there were 5 similar restaurants in Shah Alam area alone. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuCKJ7_Glk4/Vy4UFdXIqJI/AAAAAAAAEqM/6EMzy1xewLY7UZnvcsGAdLRInaYP7z4aQCLcB/s1600/DSCF7876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuCKJ7_Glk4/Vy4UFdXIqJI/AAAAAAAAEqM/6EMzy1xewLY7UZnvcsGAdLRInaYP7z4aQCLcB/s320/DSCF7876.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team having late lunch at D-Wok, Section 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The team performance can be summed up below (taken from <a href="http://www.chess-results.com/tnr211686.aspx?lan=1" target="_blank">chessresults</a>):</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LqtsoFjQDk/Vy4Uqbgfj7I/AAAAAAAAEqU/10Ep1CWgSPQNfPFskemgi5r0lMNChYk5QCLcB/s1600/Players-performancejpg_Page1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LqtsoFjQDk/Vy4Uqbgfj7I/AAAAAAAAEqU/10Ep1CWgSPQNfPFskemgi5r0lMNChYk5QCLcB/s640/Players-performancejpg_Page1.jpg" width="483" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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The final standing:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q8GlIxTRmA0/Vy4VfYyw-8I/AAAAAAAAEqc/iSpaLPPM9S4NkbRm_90adkXV2L5n_gMIgCLcB/s1600/Final-Standingjpg_Page1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q8GlIxTRmA0/Vy4VfYyw-8I/AAAAAAAAEqc/iSpaLPPM9S4NkbRm_90adkXV2L5n_gMIgCLcB/s320/Final-Standingjpg_Page1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This MAKSAK was special to me as I had the opportunity to face one of my respected coach, <b>Mr. Rizal Ahmad Kamal</b>
from Kuala Lumpur MAKSAK team. He was the one who shaped my chess
repertoire during my IIUM days and I am forever thankful to him for
that. Although I initially surprised him by playing one of Kuala
Lumpur's pet line in our game, he, who has vast knowledge in chess
openings, quickly had good positions. Nevertheless, with Kuala Lumpur
needing only a draw, and indeed, all the three boards had already drawn
their games, he gladly offered me a draw. (You may click on the picture below to see our game). </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=106852" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nq855troEXc/Vy4XzF6q4wI/AAAAAAAAEqo/JITrfvusFwUeieHeohzZDSiXEOIaW2xnQCLcB/s320/DSCF8130.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chessvideos.tv/chess-game-replayer.php?id=106852" target="_blank">Facing my mentor, Mr. Rizal Ahmad Kamal</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-34559897829027782112016-01-08T09:51:00.003+08:002016-01-08T09:51:57.757+08:00NEW YEAR, NEW TARGET<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has been a week into the new year and it has been very stimulating in terms of my chess life. Workloads prevent me from blogging all this while, but I try to take some time writing for the start of the year. Sitting at the helm of the PCNK pressures me to become very active in order to deliver the promise that PCNK will be better compared to last year. On top of that, the usual task of arranging teachers' teaching schedule at my workplace has also made it paramount to divide my responsibilities equally. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the PCNK side, we have started a revolution of sorts by publishing a calendar of PCNK programmes for this year. We also collect the annual fee in order to determine the eagerness of the members to be actively involved in the activities. The method of the payment for chess tournament organized by PCNK has also been upgraded. We do not want any delay in tournament schedule anymore and this can be greatly achieved by not accepting any payment on the tournament day. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've recently managed to get in touch with some old friends from IIUM days and they, being Kelantanese, too want to get involved with PCNK programmes this year. It is heartwarming to actually receive some help from them in organizing the planned events as PCNK is a non-profit organization and it is run by committees with other commitments like myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Performance wise, I would like to set myself a target of regaining <b>2000 FIDE</b> rating for stardard games that I've lost last year and to achieve <b>1800 National Rating</b>. In order to do that I must strive to get some FIDE rated events under my belt while keeping National Rated events also in check. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I could see exciting times ahead. MOVE ON!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-48453863117155133702015-10-12T22:02:00.000+08:002015-10-12T22:02:22.040+08:00EVERYTHING IS 8 IN KB BLITZ TOURNAMENT<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjhjmqyb2Fc/Vht53v2dwwI/AAAAAAAAEjk/7M09qYlD9_Y/s1600/Banner_Hari%2BSukan%2BNegara%2B10102015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjhjmqyb2Fc/Vht53v2dwwI/AAAAAAAAEjk/7M09qYlD9_Y/s320/Banner_Hari%2BSukan%2BNegara%2B10102015.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kota Bharu Blitz Chess Tournament was truly a unique event, held in conjunction with the National Sports Day on 10 October 2015. <b>8</b> minutes per player, <b>8</b> Swiss System rounds with prize money starting from <b>RM188</b> for the champion, <b>RM88</b> for the runner up and <b>RM28</b> for the 10th placing. The Under 12 category was also true to the spirit with <b>RM48</b> set aside for the winner. Even the dateline for registration was <b>8 October 2015</b>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ris77qZEkHM/Vht6SvVcdMI/AAAAAAAAEjs/0fZt7_peU-o/s1600/IMG-20150930-WA0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ris77qZEkHM/Vht6SvVcdMI/AAAAAAAAEjs/0fZt7_peU-o/s320/IMG-20150930-WA0030.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjhjmqyb2Fc/Vht53v2dwwI/AAAAAAAAEjk/7M09qYlD9_Y/s1600/Banner_Hari%2BSukan%2BNegara%2B10102015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kelantan Youth and Sports Department was the venue for the event. It started at 2 p.m. to give way for other events such as cycling, running and aerobics to be held in the morning. Millions of Malaysians were involved on the whole in various sports and we were excited to be among the <a href="http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/10/national-sports-day-makes-it-malaysia-book-records" target="_blank">17648 events</a> which made it into the Malaysian Book of Records. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kelantan chess enthusiasts came from all over Kelantan to be involved in this event. Baharuddin, who came from Kuala Krai, won the Open Category while Faridzul Asyraf was second, albeit with the same score. Ariez was half a point behind to take the third prize. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7HJe32bxqs/Vhu0t6A6NcI/AAAAAAAAEj8/eLpgUS8MqHw/s1600/IMG-20151010-WA0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7HJe32bxqs/Vhu0t6A6NcI/AAAAAAAAEj8/eLpgUS8MqHw/s320/IMG-20151010-WA0025.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The champion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b>Open Category</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. Baharuddin Hamzah - 5 points</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. Mohd Faridzul Asyraf - 5 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. Muhd Ariez Azman - 4.5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. Abdul Khair Jusoh - 4.5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5. Ghazali Che Cob - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
6. Muhd Ariji Hasan Basri - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
7. Norazlin Juarih - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
8. Marzuki Yaacob - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
9. Mohd Noor Khairullah - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
10. Ahmad Mujahid - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the Under 12 Category, Muhammad Ajwad proved to be too hot to handle by his peers when he won all his games effortlessly leaving Mohd Syakir Aiman (second) and Adi Safiuddin (third) two points behind. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b>Under 12 Category</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. Muhd Ajwad Md Amin - 6 points</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. Mohd Syakir Aiman - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. Adi Safiuddin - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. Nik Abd Qayyum - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5. Wan Nurul Aisyah - 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhhFR1K3G5g/Vhu4IyWJwKI/AAAAAAAAEkI/twI7w64Vb9M/s1600/IMG-20151010-WA0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhhFR1K3G5g/Vhu4IyWJwKI/AAAAAAAAEkI/twI7w64Vb9M/s320/IMG-20151010-WA0053.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winners with PCNK committee members</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the somber note, the KB Blitz was not without blunders, to use a chess term. The invitation letter to the school students was rejected 3 days before the event by the State Education Department merely because of the RM5 fee. Curiously, it was approved by the director on Sunday before being blocked by his committee three days later. That seriously hampered our effort to reach the primary school students to boost our participants in the Under 12 Category. Personally, I don't see any harm in imposing the fee as we don't want to make them disregard the tournament if they play without any payment. Time and time again we see players leaving tournaments before the last rounds if they think that they couldn't get any prize. At least by imposing some fee, they will finish the tournament to make what they paid worthwhile. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As for me, my appointment letter as the arbiter never reached the school where I work. The day being a school day, I couldn't leave as I please, thus making me late to arrive at the tournament hall because the distant between the hall and my school is around 25 kilometres. The State Education Department, again, said that I had to apply for it through <a href="https://epelepasan.moe.gov.my/" target="_blank">e-Pelepasan</a>, upon which, when checked, has to be made 14 days prior. This is totally new to me; I never really know about this before that phone call I made to the department. I tried to follow the correct procedure in applying for my leave, but it seemed that the correct procedure was never really clear to me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the last round, there was an incident where a player claiming for the illegal move. As the arbiter, I was summoned to the table to look at the dispute. He claimed that his opponent pressed the clock before adjusting a fallen Bishop of his. His opponent, on the other hand, claimed that the Bishop fell after he had pressed the clock. To settle the matter, I asked both of them to continue, as there was no chance that I would know who among them was telling the truth. Angrily, the claimant told that he would settle for a draw instead, but that was another matter whatsoever, because he had to offer the draw and his opponent had to accept it for the game to be declared a draw. Fortunately, his opponent accepted the draw without further ado. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then there was time when the printer's ink was going out, and the technical problem when my laptop which I used to make the pairings failed to respond accordingly, the tournament finished later than expected. Luckily, we only had to play for six rounds, which preciously saved some time. We were able to give out the prizes before 6.15 p.m. which, in my opinion, quite on schedule. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, there were plenty of pluses and minuses which can be taken for holding future tournaments. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-77025272723788231312015-09-16T19:19:00.000+08:002015-09-16T19:24:34.146+08:00MERDEKA TEAM CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP<div style="text-align: justify;">
In conjunction with 12th Malaysian Chess Festival, a team tournament will be held this Friday at Mid Valley, KL. It is organized by <a href="http://datcchess.blogspot.my/" target="_blank">Dato' Athur Tan Chess Centre</a> (DATCC), a prominent name in chess organising in KL area. The details are as follows:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Date:</b> 18-19 September 2015 (Friday-Saturday)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Format:</b> 9 rounds Swiss system with 25 minutes time allocation to the finish for each player. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Venue:</b> Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It will be a FIDE Rated Rapid event and is already mentioned in <a href="https://www.fide.com/calendar/tournaments.html?view=calview&aid=8929" target="_blank">FIDE website</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PCNK will be sending two teams to the event. I am fortunate enough to be in the team as my current performance is not something I am proud of. However, I will do my best so as not to let the other teammates down. They are currently on a high after getting podium finish here and there, notably in <a href="http://pcnk.org/event/ahli-pcnk-mengamuk-di-kejohanan-catur-koperasi-ipgk-tengku-ampuan-afzan/" target="_blank">Pahang </a>recently, and they surely don't want me to disturb the ongoing flow. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As for me, after a mistake which deprived me of taking my students to the <a href="http://pcnk.org/event/kejohanan-catur-1malaysia-uitm-kelantan-2015/" target="_blank">UiTM Open</a> this month, the same mistake might cost me a rest day ahead of the journey to KL. The letter which supposedly arrive at my department this week is yet to be seen, thus, I might have to go to school tomorrow before departing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Hopefully I will get the rest I need before the first round game.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uxFoxDixy0/VflRDPoJN5I/AAAAAAAAEi4/3nTtqWMs-Ps/s1600/DSCF6022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uxFoxDixy0/VflRDPoJN5I/AAAAAAAAEi4/3nTtqWMs-Ps/s320/DSCF6022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Knight jersey we will be wearing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-55967723608442951662015-08-14T05:16:00.000+08:002015-08-14T05:16:32.967+08:00CERDIK CATUR COLLABORATED CHESS<div style="text-align: justify;">
This Saturday marks the first collaboration between PCNK (Kelantan Chess Association) with Cerdik Catur Enterprise (CCE). We have collaborated with many organisations before (UiTM, KTD, SMACH) and this only adds to it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
CCE is managed by Stonemaster Mohd Fadhli Zakaria (<a href="http://ratings.fide.com/card.phtml?event=5700558" target="_blank">FIDE 2024</a>) and is currently one of the most active chess organisations in Malaysia. So far, they have organised many tournaments around the peninsular and now they try to spread their wings towards organising chess events in Kelantan also. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PCNK is only too happy to make collaborations like this and is looking forward to this event. The details:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Date:</b> 15 August 2015 (Saturday)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Venue:</b> <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/''/kolej+teknologi+darulnaim/@6.1601909,102.2688041,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x31b6b174fe0e35ff:0x8e2b0ecd3978c56a!2m2!1d102.303137!2d6.160192" target="_blank">Kolej Teknologi Darulnaim</a>, Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Time:</b> 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vCwqTJlji_o/Vc0IpI9wV3I/AAAAAAAAEd8/ze_KoUFuQ34/s1600/flyers-cerdik-catur.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vCwqTJlji_o/Vc0IpI9wV3I/AAAAAAAAEd8/ze_KoUFuQ34/s640/flyers-cerdik-catur.png" width="435" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hopefully we will see you there this Saturday. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-30118752846221416672015-06-05T07:29:00.000+08:002015-07-11T08:06:01.085+08:00MAKSAK KEDAH<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHnXyIfUnkQ/VaAObfJusyI/AAAAAAAAEVY/1rP3Ne8viWk/s1600/DSCF3945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHnXyIfUnkQ/VaAObfJusyI/AAAAAAAAEVY/1rP3Ne8viWk/s320/DSCF3945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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3 losses, 3 draws and 1 win was all that I could muster at this year's MAKSAK. I continued where I left off from the National Closed, still searching for my old self. I tend to be afraid easily nowadays; even innocent positions became a nightmare for me. Consider the position below taken from my game against Ahmad Mudzafar of Perak. The game was played at night because we had to cram the seven games inside two hectic days so that we could have the closing ceremony early in the morning the next day. The time control was 1 hour to the finish, enough for tired eyes to doze off during complex calculations, especially at night!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsVSWOhH31g/VZ_tLqzPVDI/AAAAAAAAEUU/rqXsZ7uRaps/s1600/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsVSWOhH31g/VZ_tLqzPVDI/AAAAAAAAEUU/rqXsZ7uRaps/s320/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahmad Mudzafar (Perak) vs Yours Truly (Kelantan)</td></tr>
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Black was not far off from development. In fact, I only had to move my Bishop to b7 in order to complete the development. I could even start an attack on his castled King by pushing the pawn to b4. In between these two thoughts, which took me more than 5 precious minutes, I suddenly became wary of his pawn push to d5 square. As though hypnotized, I took my f6 Knight and place it on the d5 square, blundering a piece.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hlt7XXu5uic/VZ_uBAw80AI/AAAAAAAAEUc/nHV2V1fgl9E/s1600/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku%2BNd5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hlt7XXu5uic/VZ_uBAw80AI/AAAAAAAAEUc/nHV2V1fgl9E/s320/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku%2BNd5.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 14...Nd5</td></tr>
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He didn't take too much time to remove the Knight and put it outside the board though. Play continued <b>15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Qxc6</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuDCrpftu7U/VZ_0Phywf1I/AAAAAAAAEUs/WCET4Z8z1dM/s1600/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku%2BQc6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LuDCrpftu7U/VZ_0Phywf1I/AAAAAAAAEUs/WCET4Z8z1dM/s320/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku%2BQc6.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 16.Qxc6</td></tr>
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A Queen standing on the same file with her King always spells danger. However, having just lost a Knight, I failed to see 16...Bf5 where Black can start an attack towards White's King. He has to flee with 17.Kd2 and with Qa5-Rc8-Rc2 to come, he would not be comfortable (17.Qxd5 is out of the question because Black will get back the lost piece with 17...Qc7+ and 18...Be6).<br />
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Instead, I moved <b>16...Bd7</b>. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvrKIRrp9tg/VZ_9iYGvMcI/AAAAAAAAEU8/SSd7tS8KtoE/s1600/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku%2BBd7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvrKIRrp9tg/VZ_9iYGvMcI/AAAAAAAAEU8/SSd7tS8KtoE/s320/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku%2BBd7.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 16...Bd7</td></tr>
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The difference between this move and 16...Bf5 is that White's King gets to defend the Bishop with Kb1. <b>17.Qxd5 Qc8+ 18.Kb1 Be6 19.Qe5 Bxa2+ 20.Kxa2 Qc4+</b> <b>21.Kb1</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ttX-gTUbkfM/VZ_-tjPRRkI/AAAAAAAAEVI/CFb4NpwCPzM/s1600/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku%2BKb1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ttX-gTUbkfM/VZ_-tjPRRkI/AAAAAAAAEVI/CFb4NpwCPzM/s320/Mudzafar%2Bvs%2BAku%2BKb1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 21.Kb1</td></tr>
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Here I thought of sacrificing another of my piece with 21...Bxa3 to get the perpetual, but I saw that White did not really have to take the Bishop. A simple move like 22.d5 will bring the Queen to the defense of her King already, so I scrapped the plan and moved <b>21...Rfe8</b>. After <b>22.Qf5 b4 23.Qd3</b>, Black has no play anymore. <br />
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Our judgment in chess really is related with our emotional and physical condition, thus keeping both of them in tiptop condition is a must in order to play our best game. Family and office problems should be settled before any tournament because they would haunt us time and time again during our calculations. Kids and teenagers really don't have these kind of problems, so they could play their game smoothly. This is what I've encountered during the National Closed, and though none of them were there in MAKSAK, the inability to cope with my problems caused me dearly.<br />
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<u><b>Kelantan Team Performance</b></u><br />
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Kelantan team comprises of:<br />
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1. Muhammad Ariez Azman<br />
2. Md Anis Rahimi<br />
3. Yours Truly<br />
4. Baharuddin Hamzah<br />
5. Nik Mohd Nazri Nik Hasan<br />
6. Mohd Saufi Deraman<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7M-arQF_1g/VaAPZIMHASI/AAAAAAAAEVg/tRnl0xjuzd8/s1600/DSCF4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7M-arQF_1g/VaAPZIMHASI/AAAAAAAAEVg/tRnl0xjuzd8/s320/DSCF4168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Overall, the Kelantan team did very well in this MAKSAK. We lost only once to Terengganu, drew 4 and won 2.<br />
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Won vs Selangor 2.5 - 1.5<br />
Drew vs Johor 2 - 2<br />
Drew vs Perak 2 - 2<br />
Lost vs Terengganu 0.5 - 3.5<br />
Drew vs ATM 2 - 2<br />
Won vs PDRM 4 - 0<br />
Drew vs KL 2 - 2<br />
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(Final standings can be read <a href="http://www.chess-results.com/tnr175278.aspx?lan=1&art=32&wi=821" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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In fact, we should be able to be third if our last player, Mr. Md Anis Rahimi, completed his onslaught on the Kuala Lumpur player. Instead, he missed a win and gave his opponent the opportunity to get a perpetual which made our team sixth.<br />
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This is the position:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrmEKnZ-zVI/VaARu_9IMmI/AAAAAAAAEV0/sgaVn-DpHMA/s1600/Anis%2Bvs%2BRoslan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SrmEKnZ-zVI/VaARu_9IMmI/AAAAAAAAEV0/sgaVn-DpHMA/s320/Anis%2Bvs%2BRoslan.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Md Anis Rahimi (Kelantan) vs Roslan (KL)</td></tr>
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Here, the game continued <b>1.Ng6 Be7 2.Nxe7+ Qxe7 3.Qg6+ Qg7 4.Qxe6+ Kh7 5.Qxd5 Ng6</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiTkqVMCQtE/VaA2GXi0e_I/AAAAAAAAEWE/XtKtfuLwBUY/s1600/Anis%2Bvs%2BRoslan%2BNg6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiTkqVMCQtE/VaA2GXi0e_I/AAAAAAAAEWE/XtKtfuLwBUY/s320/Anis%2Bvs%2BRoslan%2BNg6.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 5...Ng6</td></tr>
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The two connected passed pawns should be enough to force a win. Other teammates by now had already calculated this game as 1-0 and we were ecstatic to finally break the hoodoo and become third for the first time in Kelantan MAKSAK history. The game continued <b>6.e6 Kh6 7.Rc5 Kh7 </b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VAXZtSFq0WA/VaA73RDciRI/AAAAAAAAEWU/8N_qVmnvhRo/s1600/DSCF4103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VAXZtSFq0WA/VaA73RDciRI/AAAAAAAAEWU/8N_qVmnvhRo/s320/DSCF4103.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 7...Kh7</td></tr>
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<b> </b><br />
<b>8.Qxh5+ Kg8 9.Rc8+ Nf8 10.e7! Qxe7 </b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hU7fQsUlgiE/VaA9N6Ug6hI/AAAAAAAAEWk/ewNAt0LtDvA/s1600/Anis%2Bvs%2BRoslan%2BQe7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hU7fQsUlgiE/VaA9N6Ug6hI/AAAAAAAAEWk/ewNAt0LtDvA/s320/Anis%2Bvs%2BRoslan%2BQe7.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 10...Qxe7</td></tr>
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<b>11.Qg6+ ? </b>We could not believe our eyes! The simple 11.Qxg4+ should have won the Rook and the game, and Kelantan would have made the podium finish. Indeed, time trouble makes us do something unbelievable. <br />
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Nevertheless, here are some pictures taken from the event:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZce95-Kb0w/VaBR4EJzgUI/AAAAAAAAEYU/qmMvocPF1tQ/s1600/DSCF3955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZce95-Kb0w/VaBR4EJzgUI/AAAAAAAAEYU/qmMvocPF1tQ/s320/DSCF3955.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelantan vs Selangor 2.5 - 1.5</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U14gBHNUKyA/VaBRl0vokEI/AAAAAAAAEYE/mtY_JzZl6VA/s1600/DSCF3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U14gBHNUKyA/VaBRl0vokEI/AAAAAAAAEYE/mtY_JzZl6VA/s320/DSCF3961.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Kelantan state team official</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Du7XfglmSOg/VaBRobjFCwI/AAAAAAAAEYM/LoArFlvCfn0/s1600/DSCF3966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Du7XfglmSOg/VaBRobjFCwI/AAAAAAAAEYM/LoArFlvCfn0/s320/DSCF3966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team registration form</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9rKKrqh974/VaBSz1yQqwI/AAAAAAAAEYg/GcZKDV_VaQw/s1600/DSCF3986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9rKKrqh974/VaBSz1yQqwI/AAAAAAAAEYg/GcZKDV_VaQw/s320/DSCF3986.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of Holiday Villa, Alor Star</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LdUYUJ5kZrA/VaBTw_AzhZI/AAAAAAAAEZA/q0s_eFOYjQs/s1600/DSCF3997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LdUYUJ5kZrA/VaBTw_AzhZI/AAAAAAAAEZA/q0s_eFOYjQs/s320/DSCF3997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelantan vs Perak 2 - 2</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTljumNwvk4/VaBTX53BGPI/AAAAAAAAEYo/XQOWjGZL-Xs/s1600/DSCF4106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTljumNwvk4/VaBTX53BGPI/AAAAAAAAEYo/XQOWjGZL-Xs/s320/DSCF4106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final standings</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbuA-vJVxw4/VaBT2bCsvaI/AAAAAAAAEZI/v9n7jgS25AM/s1600/DSCF4163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbuA-vJVxw4/VaBT2bCsvaI/AAAAAAAAEZI/v9n7jgS25AM/s320/DSCF4163.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The champions - KL</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok5jabyh9Ro/VaBTpRTJ23I/AAAAAAAAEYw/Nlspe6pwfPA/s1600/IMG-20150603-WA0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok5jabyh9Ro/VaBTpRTJ23I/AAAAAAAAEYw/Nlspe6pwfPA/s320/IMG-20150603-WA0027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nik Mohd Nazri won best board prize</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GoPliLEhy8A/VaBTs22LZNI/AAAAAAAAEY4/5CeBOYylLDg/s1600/IMG-20150604-WA0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GoPliLEhy8A/VaBTs22LZNI/AAAAAAAAEY4/5CeBOYylLDg/s320/IMG-20150604-WA0049.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johor vs Kelantan 2 - 2</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_701821215"></span><span id="goog_701821216"></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-69492654060728730102015-05-20T07:55:00.000+08:002015-05-20T08:12:02.486+08:00NEW RESPONSIBILITY<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the recent Annual General Meeting held during the ZADANO Kelantan Open, PCNK members who were present unanimously voted me to be the new president for 2015-17. This shocked me as I predicted Dr. Nasrul or even Mr. Nik Azrihan to fill the post vacated by Dato' Zaimi. Although I found it hard to take at first, I came to term to their beliefs and will carry on with it as responsibly as I can. I will have to juggle my time wisely between the tasks I already have with the hope that I will not disappoint those under my care. </div>
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<u><b>Coach of SMK Chabang Empat, Tumpat</b></u></div>
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I managed only 4 district representatives this year, with the fifth player declined the opportunity to play for Tumpat merely because he did not want to get behind in his studies. Maznie, Nur Asyikin, Nor Muniera Farhin and Muhammad Syahiran Nazwa were the players who trained with me everyday and I was proud of them for getting into the district team. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZvbG8h_szk/VVvM-7f1EfI/AAAAAAAAEPs/ilR7PB1TDts/s1600/DSCF3305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZvbG8h_szk/VVvM-7f1EfI/AAAAAAAAEPs/ilR7PB1TDts/s320/DSCF3305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Chairman of Tumpat District Chess Technical Committee</b></u></div>
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It was an unfortunate last day for the Tumpat team as Maznie and Mursyid, who were both on 5.5 points, needed at least a draw to cement the place in the state team. Instead, they lost to their respective opponents and forfeited the golden opportunity. No words could describe my disappointment that day but I know they had fought tooth and nail. It is still a mountain to climb for Tumpat team to be on par with the likes of Kuala Krai and Kota Bharu teams, but it is possible with the proper management of the human resources and talents I currently have. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb2M7LHqaVU/VVvMRlYNtXI/AAAAAAAAEPk/Yf6A3Gz4vV8/s1600/DSCF3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb2M7LHqaVU/VVvMRlYNtXI/AAAAAAAAEPk/Yf6A3Gz4vV8/s320/DSCF3632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>President of Kelantan Chess Association (PCNK)</b></u></div>
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This is my new responsibility. So far, PCNK had organized, or co-organized, at least an event each month, and this should be good for PCNK members or chess enthusiasts in Kelantan on the whole. The Junior Rapid, UiTM Open and ZADANO Kelantan Open in February, KTD Open in March and SMACH Open in April were among the tournaments held to satisfy chess players in Kelantan. Hopefully, with the new selected committee members of PCNK, we will continue to hold tournaments, workshops and will collaborate with any organizations in holding chess related activities. </div>
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<u><b>Kelantan State Player (The Red Knights)</b></u><br />
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So far, I was disappointed with <a href="http://sicilian-najdorf.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-touch-of-reality.html" target="_blank">my performance in the National Closed</a>, and I feel that I have also let Kelantan team down. Although it was not a team game, still it was a tournament where the players fought under the state name. My next task would be the MAKSAK Team Tournament which will be held in Alor Star at the end of this month, and I hope I will do better this time. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-90288681071907170132015-03-25T19:22:00.000+08:002015-05-19T19:25:12.722+08:00A TOUCH OF REALITY<div style="text-align: justify;">
Reality hurts. A lot. I must accept the fact that I am not as strong as I once was. Losing to lower rated opponents repeatedly confirms that I am now on the decline. I just could not see what was happening on the board anymore. I developed the pieces and then lost my way in the calculations. I thought finishing marking my students' papers would help me focus on the task, but it did not. The downfall was apparent since game number one where I could not finish off my opponent in an easy endgame.<br />
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10 years elapsed since my first FIDE rating of 2065 which eventually went up to 2068 in 2011, and now it stands at 1943, <a href="http://ratings.fide.com/id.phtml?event=5701783" target="_blank">a massive 125 points drop</a> because of a single tournament, The National Closed. This was a tournament I never entered before, and this will be a tournament I will hardly play in the future, considering that I could not even beat a 16++ opponent which will make my task in the upcoming selections harder.<br />
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Diagnosing on the factors, I do believe the inability to successfully solve the problems I currently have is the <i>numero uno</i>. Even though I hid them in the back of my head, they still unconsciously disturbed my calculations. Until I am free from these disturbances, I can never play my best games. Sadly, I cannot see a solution to these problems in the near future, which will mean that my best games are still going to be far, far away.<br />
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Hopefully, I could drag myself out of these mess sooner rather than later. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDBWqQrfdWQ/VVsaZo7CSiI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/ShDqAJaAN9k/s1600/DSCF2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDBWqQrfdWQ/VVsaZo7CSiI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/ShDqAJaAN9k/s320/DSCF2592.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Knights</td></tr>
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<br /><u><b>The Red Knights</b></u><br />
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As for my teammates, I am glad that they had fared better. Two of them (Dr. Nasrul and Nik Ahmad Farouqi) were among the top 15 in the Open Category while Najihah was 11th in the Female Category. Even though none of the Red Knights managed to become national flag bearer this time, we were proud of our achievement.<br />
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You can read more about this in <a href="http://pcnk.org/blog/2015/03/sorotan-the-red-knights-di-kejohanan-tertutup-kebangsaan-2015/" target="_blank">PCNK website</a>. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-67093396508334560312015-03-13T01:49:00.000+08:002015-03-13T01:49:39.599+08:00MY CHESS ACTIVITIES FOR 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 2015, Kelantan chess fans are treated with tournaments for all levels of play, starting with NCCS Rapid Chess Series for age groups, which was held on 19th February at SMK Raja Sakti, Kota Bharu and the much awaited ZADANO Kelantan Open, an international FIDE-rated event, a day later. A turn-out of more than 160 players for each tournament means that Kelantan chess enthusiasts are really craving for playing time after nearly tournament-less year of 2014. </div>
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Personally, I was involved in both. Here are my views on each : </div>
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<u><b>NCCS Rapid Chess Series</b></u></div>
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Youth players competed in three categories of Under 12, Under 15 and Under 18, respectively. The tournament was a great sparring prelude for the upcoming MSSM which will be in June, as well as respective district and state selections. I was told that there will be other similar tournaments (hence the word SERIES) which will be held at the same venue. I think this is very good for the target group as there will be plenty of tournaments to toughen them up before the big game. </div>
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I brought some of my Project Squad from Tumpat, and one of them did very well in winning the best female under 12 category. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYPA5KbiA2c/VQHDcfii6aI/AAAAAAAAEL0/pYhEqXkl5Bk/s1600/DSCF2195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYPA5KbiA2c/VQHDcfii6aI/AAAAAAAAEL0/pYhEqXkl5Bk/s1600/DSCF2195.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>ZADANO Kelantan Open</b></u></div>
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I was personally involved with this one, as the organizer and also a player. It was daunting, but it was rewarding. Objectively, the tournament was held to fund the purchase of chess clocks for PCNK. We got what we wanted, and we also got more than we bargained for. Bonds with SMKA Naim and also the Kelantan Sports & Youth Department were sealed, as well as ties with players from Lipis and Kuantan. There will also be new FIDE rated Kelantan players to be added to the existing ones. </div>
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The list of ZADANO winners can be read <a href="http://catur.my/blog/2015/02/senarai-pemenang-zadano-terbuka-kelantan-2015/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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PCNK General Meeting was also held in the eve of the first day, but the turnout was still far from satisfying. Nonetheless, new committee was formed and, reluctantly, I was chosen as the new President for 2015 - 2017 (read about the new committee <a href="http://catur.my/about/majlis-tertinggi-pcnk-2015-2017/" target="_blank">here</a>). </div>
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Anonymously, the meeting agreed that the representatives for the National Closed (a) would be taken from the best in this very tournament, while (b) taking into account their rating qualification. After the final round, this is the final verdict : </div>
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1. Nik Ahmad Farouqi</div>
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2. Wan Mohd Adli</div>
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3. Yours Truly</div>
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4. Nik Mohd Nazri</div>
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5. Bakri</div>
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There are two slots for State Representatives for the Open Category and another two slots for Female Category. With the FIDE rating of 2063 and National Rating of 1979, Nik Ahmad Farouqi qualified hands down for the first slot. Wan Mohd Adli, with National Rating of 1485, on the other hand, did not qualify because of (b) rating qualification. Therefore, the next best was Yours Truly with the FIDE rating of 2068 and National Rating of 1696, who qualified based on both (a) and (b). Najihah and Nurwahida Atira completed the remaining slots. </div>
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So, here I am, on the verge of competing in a FIDE rated classical time control for the first time since 2011. Hopefully I can do something in this National Closed. I already completed marking for all my students for March test to focus on this tournament. My games at ZADANO were far from convincing, yet, I still believe. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17878407.post-57273088194962142212015-01-19T05:13:00.000+08:002015-01-19T05:14:31.000+08:00MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU, CM AHMAD FADZIL BIN NAYAN<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://ratings.fide.com/card.phtml?event=5702615" target="_blank">CM Ahmad Fadzil bin Nayan</a></div>
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Died 18 January 2015, 9.08 p.m. </div>
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I had high hopes for him. I regarded him as one of the candidates to ever get a Grandmaster title for Malaysia. Even though I never had a chance to play against him in tournaments, I know that he was a very gifted player. I really like him as a person, even more so because he represented the very same team I once represented - the IIUM chess team. Although the name has been changed into IIUM Mustangs (IIUM Knights previously), it is of the same honour. I once pictured a <a href="http://sicilian-najdorf.blogspot.com/2009/01/current-iium-players-vs-ex-iium-players.html" target="_blank">contest between the current IIUM Mustangs versus IIUM Knights</a> in my post but now, the Mustangs team will never be the same again. </div>
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The latest news I have heard about him was when he fell sick in the Malaysian Chess Festival held here in Kuala Lumpur after <a href="http://en.chessbase.com/post/zhang-zhong-has-comeback-win-in-malaysia" target="_blank">drawing with Grandmaster Zhang Zhong</a>. He recovered but his death came as a surprise to me. Leaving the world at a very young age is not in anybody's plan yet God's plan is greater. Let us pray together so that Allah grants his place in the heaven.</div>
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Here are some pictures taken from fellow chess players in tribute to him:</div>
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If you want to share your stories or your pictures with him in this post, please do so in the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=17878407&postID=5727308819496214221" target="_blank">comments</a> below. THANK YOU.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2