The Three Princesses

THE THREE PRINCESSES

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

1. Maznie Madri (1 Arif)

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

2. Nurul Asyikin Anuar (1 Arif)

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

3. Nik Shamiera Adnan (5 Arif)

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

The champion, Nik Ahmad Nazri withstands the last hurdle from BadBishop

NIK NAZRI IS USM CHESSMASTER

Nik Ahmad Nazri justifies his top ranking by winning the USM Chessmaster held today. He creamed all his opponents to finish the tournament with 6 points. The absence of many establish names from this event, is the perfect opportunity for Nik Ahmad Nazri to shine. A strong player himself, the teacher from Gua Musang just has to brush aside challenges from Muhd Bakri Jusoh and BadBishop to become the champion.

The hall

Yours Truly's brother, Mohd Hafidz (right), was among the winners

Muhd Bakri Jusoh won his last game against Laila Husna

Yours Truly, who only managed to visit the last round, came across this game between the eventual runner-up and Kelantan brightest female talent.

Black had just moved his pawn to h6, in order to facilitate his Rook to avoid a backrank mate. However, White failed to capitalise on this mistake by moving his Bishop to c7 to initiate a fork. It proved to be an error after Black managed to force the parting of White's Bishop, thus weakening his castled position. The game continued: 1.Bc7 Rd1+, 2.Kh2 Bd6+, 3.Bxd6 Qxd6+, 4.g3 and the castled position was weakened.

Better, in my opinion, was moving the Knight to h4 in view of giving a check at g6. Sample variation: 1.Nh4 Rd1+, 2.Kh2 Bxf2, 3.Ng6+ with a better prospect for a draw.


The final results can be read at chessresults.com

Alexandra Kosteniuk

VOTE FOR MISS UNIVERSE CHESS!

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

Guess who I vote for?