MSSK KELANTAN REPORT

Today MSSK Kelantan selection finished. 36 players of 6 categories were picked to represent the state team.

Boys U-12
Ihab Fitri (KBS)
Alif Omar (PPH)
Ismat Wafri Haziq (KKR)
Ahmad Syafiq (MCH)
Muhd Alham Zuhri (TPT)
Mohd Firdaus (KKR)

Girls U-12
Fatih Nur Sahariah (KKR)
Wan Ainul Basyira (KBU)
Nor Atikah (MCH)
Farah Ishami Faqihah (KBU)
Siti Khalilah (KBS)
Nur Hanis Natasha (KBS)

Boys U-15
Zurayus Azrul (MCH)
Fadhil Aiman (KKR)
Muhd Ikmal Hakimi (PMS)
Muhd Afham Haikal (MCH)
Mohd Fadhil (PPH)
Wan Muhd Imran (KBU)

Girls U-15
Laila Husna (KBS)
Najihah (PPH)
Siti Nur Afiqah (KBU)
Alia Farhana (KBU)
Nur Ain Syahirah (PPH)
Taibah Lailie (PPH)

Boys U-18
Ahmad Zulhilmi (KBU)
Ahmad Syakirin (MCH)
Mohd Syazwan (KKR)
Wan Muhd Adli (KBU)
Ahza Daisam (MCH)
Mohd Faisal (KKR)

Girls U-18
Wan Aemellia Elisha (KBS)
Ayu Anabihah (TMR)
Nabilah (KBS)
Wan Nurhazirah (TPT)
Khairun Anisa (BCK)
Wan Zarif Sofea (PPH)


Analysis

PPD KBU - 7
PPD KBS - 6
PPD PPH - 6
PPD KKR - 6
PPD MCH - 6
PPD TPT - 2
PPD TMR - 1
PPD BCK - 1
PPD PMS - 1

Amir Syariefuddin planning the demise of his opponent

MSSK KELANTAN STARTS TODAY

Tumpat will send a squad of 30 students for this edition of MSSK Kelantan chess tournament which will be held at SMK Dato' Ismail, Pasir Puteh. The most promising player in Tumpat will be the U-12 boys champion, Amir Syariefuddin from SK Chabang Empat. I hope that he will try his best to be a state rep.

KELANTAN SELECTION FOR NATIONAL CLOSED 2010

Good news for Kelantanese chess players. The selection for National Closed will be nationally rated! The details of the selection have been posted in the PCNK website. So far, I have compiled 66 nationally rated Kelantan chess players. I hope that those who are still unrated to make this selection as the stepping stone for them to get their national rating. Here are the names according to the strength of rating order (please notify me if your name and your national rating is not in this list):

2294 Mas Hafizulhelmi
2126 Azahari Mohd Noor
2112 Ahmad Maliki Mohamed
1863 Nik Ahmad Farouqi Nik Abdul Aziz
1849 Abdul Haq Mohamed
1780 Nik Mohd Nazri Nik Hasan
1681 Mohd Azizul Mat Daud
1636 Mohd Bakri Jusoh
1597 Shahril Sulaiman
1574 Wan Tarmizi Wan Sulaiman
1561 Nasrul Humaimi Mahmood
1557 Ghazali Che Cob
1545 Sahadi Ismail
1540 Muhd Nor Khairullah
1548 Noor Hisyam Ahayat
1509 Khairul Aznan Mohd Kamal
1509 Mohd Rezal Che Man
1497 Baharuddin Hamzah
1491 Norazlin Juarih
1476 Mumtaz Muhammad
1473 Ahmad Termizi Abdullah
1448 Muhd Bukhari Mohd Sulkifly
1440 Ahmad Zulhilmi Sahadi
1423 Mohd Sulkifly Ibrahim
1417 Alif Omar Mohd Saufi
1415 Ahmad Hafiza Yusoff
1411 Laila Husna Sahadi
1409 Mohd Faizal Hafizie Shukri
1401 Nik Zaharuddin Nik Hasan
1397 Muhd Zuhari Mohd Sulkifly
1388 Fatih Nor Sahariah Abd Jalil
1386 Muhd Ariez Azman
1379 Najihah Mohd Saufi
1345 Mohd Lokman Mat Daud
1339 Wan Aemellia Elisha Wan Azzlan
1335 Ihab Fitri Ziad
1328 Wan Muhd Adli Wan Muhd Yusuf
1319 Nuraihan Zaidi
1286 Nurulhana Syuhada Mohd Sulkifly
1270 Nurwahida Atira Nordin
1265 Nurul Adlina Mohd Sulkifly
1263 Nur Aifaa Zulkifli
1240 Nur Hanis Natasha
1238 Muhd Azha Daisam Ruslan
1232 Wan Zarif Sofea Sazali
1227 Wan Ainul Basirah
1224 Muhd Zulfikri Mohd Sulkifly
1222 Wan Mohd Alif
1215 Mohd Abhar Akmal Hamid
1214 Wan Mohd Aqli
1195 Mohd Noor Al-Maarif
1195 Zulhashime Sulkefli
1177 Hammad Burhanudin
1175 Nur Ain Syahirah
1149 Nor Safura
1146 Jamidah Dzurie Nasuhah Yahya
1144 Muhd Alif Fitri Hanipa
1141 Norazlisa
1137 Wan Nur Farzana Wan Rozuhan
1135 Nabillah Muhd Najib
1120 Ahmad Wafi Razali
1101 Ahmad Amar Aiman Zulkifli
1100 Nor Elisa
1096 Ikmal Hakimi Roeslan
1062 Mohd Fadhil Mohd Saufi
1041 Mohd Afiq Aiman

TOPALOV STOPS ANAND'S CATALAN WINNING STREAK

At last, Anand's Catalan was stopped. After disastrous tries in Game Two and Game Four, Topalov managed a draw against the Catalan in Game Six. The players repeated the moves from Game Two until Anand deviated with 10.Bg5 (previously he played 10.Bd2). This time he had to part early with his Catalan bishop and subsequent play lead to the same passed b-pawn for Anand, albeit with different result. Whereas in Game Two the pawn ensured his victory, this time the pawn did not get the marching orders. I wonder what will happen if Anand played 34.Nb4 blockade instead of the actual 34.Nc5 and pressurized the d4 pawn? Nevertheless, Anand still leads with a point heading to the third recess.

Viewing the live video telecast, I shared non-chess players views on whether chess game should be aired on the tube. Looking at the participants sitting at the table without even a twitch will surely bore the viewers. I wonder if even chess players enjoy watching the match if there is no live commentary by GM Zurab. Maybe the cameras should zoom to the face of each players to see their face expressions throughout the match, and not statically placed like what they provided at the official website.

ANAND vs TOPALOV WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2010

After the first recess, Game Three started peacefully (really?). True to his word, Topalov did not offer a draw or shake Anand's hand. Instead, the three-fold repetition forced the share of the point. However, Game Four was another matter. Anand masterfully finished his opponent with a sound mating attack, reminiscent of his younger playing days. Another recess followed before Anand's Slav held Topalov's attack once again in Game Five. Before the start of game 6 tonight, Anand still has the upper hand with the scoreline 3 - 2.

ANAND vs TOPALOV WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2010

I'm following the duel between two great masters of the game; an Asian versus an European. The championship started colourfully when Anand had to travel overland after the Icelandic volcanic eruption which prompted him to ask for a 3-day postponement. The organizer rejected his appeal but luckily Anand managed to arrive on time. However, he eventually succumbed to Topalov's knight sacrifice in Game One. Topalov then invoked a small rule of 'silence' which clearly incensed Anand and his team. So it's only natural that Anand bounced back in Game Two to level the score before they rest.

All the games can be watched live at the official website.

THE DATELINE STORY

The characters in this story are imaginary and not to be mistaken with any particular real characters in the real world.

The Day Before the Tournament

Player A: Do you want to participate in tomorrow's tournament? The dateline is today and I have confirmed my participation several days ago. It was so easy; I just have to SMS my name and send to the contact person as per advertised in the local blogs weeks ago.

Player B: I don't know yet. I will see tomorrow whether I am free or not. Besides, the dateline is not conclusive; the organizers will accept my registration. I just have to be at the tournament venue tomorrow to register. This is only a small matter.

Organizer A: The dateline is today. So far there are only 15 names registered after the dateline at 5 p.m. This is not good. We will incur some losses if we continue with the tournament. Is it hard to call or SMS their names to us to confirm their participation? I have to key in the names in the pairing program so that we will start the tournament on schedule at 9 a.m.

Organizer B: Let us wait tomorrow. Surely there will be participants who will come and register. The program is very easy. We will be able to accept several participants more and key in their names before the first round starts. Don't worry.

The Day of the Tournament

Player A: I am on my way to the tournament. I will be on time for the scheduled first round at 9 a.m.

Player B: I am free today. I can go and play in the tournament. But first, let us have a breakfast. You can't play with your stomach empty, right? Don't worry, there is still time.

Organizer A: There is only an hour left for the first round to start. I should get ready with the chess pieces and clocks so that the tournament will be smooth.

Organizer B: Wait! I'm still accepting these players registration. I will key in their names in the pairing program. There is plenty of time. After all, everybody knows that chess tournaments in this country starts rather late; it is a custom! We will get as many number of participants as we can before we start the first round.

The Day After the Tournament

Player A: Yesterday's tournament started 2 hours late. My winning mood vanished completely. That's why I lost the games.

Player B: They should have not accepted my late registration. I was caught in the traffic jam and arrived an hour late but still they accepted me.

Organizer A: I don't think this tournament was a success. There were so many complaints that the tournament started very late. Consequently we had to cut the time of play for each round. Many were not happy.

Organizer B: I think it was a success. We got so many participants and recovered our money. The players had to blame themselves for not registering before the dateline and caused this delay.

And that is what usually happens in our local chess scenes. Who is to be blamed? The players or the organizers?

CHESS LESSON LINKS

My colleague from MSSD Tumpat asked me to list some links to good chess lessons for him so that he can teach his students better chess. Here are the links which I think would be helpful for him:

Logical Chess
Chess Teacher Lessons
Teaching Your Child Chess
Chess Teaching Manual
Chess Corner

However, the coach must know how to effectively use these materials for the benefits of his charges. Examples should be taken from his/her own games so that the students will feel involved in the lessons.

Happy coaching!

UPDATE ON TUMPAT MSSD REPS

We have finalised the MSSD Tumpat players names for the upcoming MSSK Kelantan which will be held at SMK Dato' Ismail, Pasir Puteh on 6th - 9th May 2010. This is because previously in our selection tournament under-15 category was not contested. Here are the names:

Boys U-18

1. Muhammad Nuramin bin Ibrahim (SM Agama Falahiah)
2. Abdul Haiyi bin Ismail (SM Mahmud Mahyiddin)
3. Badrul Munir bin Zakaria (SM Agama Falahiah)
4. Arif bin Mokhtar (SM Agama Falahiah)
5. Wan Muhammad Zikri bin W Mohammad (SMK Tumpat)

Girls U-18

1. Wan Nurhazirah bt Wan Abdul Halim (SM Mahmud Mahyiddin)
2. Fatin Amira Shakira binti Musa (SMK Geting)
3. Nur Faizeen binti Mahad (SMK Wakaf Bharu)
4. Tg Haryani Norlaini binti Tg Hanafi (SMK Chabang Empat)
5. Siti Sarah binti Ibrahim (SMK Tumpat)

Boys U-15

1. Muhammad Alif bin Azmi (SMK Wakaf Bharu)
2. Muhammad Aiman Zakwan bin Rosli (SMK Wakaf Bharu)
3. Shahir bin Sani (SM Agama Falahiah)
4. Mohd Luqmanul Hakim bin Rosli (SM Agama Falahiah)
5. M Faris Aiman bin M Sanusi (SMK Wakaf Bharu)

Girls U-15

1. Marlida binti Md Nor (SM Mahmud Mahyiddin)
2. Nor Izzatul Elanie binti Mustafah (SMK Chabang Empat)
3. Wan Naemah binti Wan Mahmood (SM Mahmud Mahyiddin)
4. Auni Maisarah binti Rumaizi (SM Mahmud Mahyiddin)
5. Nur Lidiya Amani binti Abdul Aziz (SM Mahmud Mahyiddin)

Boys U-12

1. Amir Syariefudden (SK Chabang Empat)
2. Wan Muhd Syazwi (SK Kutan)
3. Muhd Alham Zuhri (SK Chabang Empat)
4. Muhd Zaiful Zulhizman (SK Chabang Empat)
5. Muhd Ikram (SK Palekbang)

Girls U-12

1. Wan Nur Fatin Athirah (SK Kampung Laut)
2. Siti Zubaidah (SK Kampung Laut)
3. Anis Nadhirah (SK Kampung Laut)
4. Nur Nadzirah (SK Kampung Laut)
5. Nur Amani Balqis (SK Kutan)

SAPO NOK MAING WOKEL KELATE?

Kepado anok Kelate hok segho nok maing wokel negeghi kito dale National Closed bule Jung nih, silo wi namo nga alamat (tok kigho la alamat ghumoh ko, emel ko, FB ko, tipong ko) ko kawe denga nulih komeng bowoh post kawe nih sebeghapo segegho. Kawe nok update senagha namo pemaing ceh Kelate dale database.

Translation:
For all Kelantanese who wants to be the state representative in the upcoming National Closed which will be held in June, please jot your name and contact (home address, email, FB or phone number) in the comments box below as soon as possible. We want to put a list of Kelantan chess players in a database.

Nik Nazri - picture taken from Terengganu Chess

NAZRI WINS SMACH OPEN 2010

Kelantan MAKSAK player, Nik Ahmad Nazri, won the SMACH Open today. He was better than the others with a mere 1/5 points. The final round was tense as no more than 3 players could claim to be the champion. However, Nazri got the point he needed from non other than YOURS TRULY! I was unlucky to be paired against the in-form teacher from Gua Musang in the last round, and lost on time contesting a completely equal position. The other game I lost was against Bakri Jusoh, repeating his feat from last year's Kelantan Closed.

Full results:

• Open and Under-18 (boys),
• U-18 (Girls) and U-15 (boys & girls)
• U-12 (boys & girls)

Pictures here.

SMACH 2010

SM Sains Machang will hold an open chess tournament in conjunction with its convocation. Those who are interested kindly refer to the details below:

Date: 17 April 2010 (Saturday)
Time: 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Venue: Gymnasium, SM Sains Machang

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

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

All participants will receive a certificate.

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

CHANGE OF MSS KELANTAN DATE

I was notified by Mr. Anis that the new date for the MSS Kelantan, which initially scheduled for tomorrow, will be on the 6th - 8th May 2010. However, he did not tell me the exact venue, but I think it is still under PPD Pasir Puteh. So, train harder, for you have another month of preparation. Identify your weakness, and rectify it. We will have a stronger state team, insha Allah.

FAMILIAR NAMES FOR KB

Ahmad Zulhilmi (Faris Petra), Wan Aemellia Elisha (Naim Lilbanat), Wan Mohd Imran (Ismail Petra), and Laila Husna (Zainab 1) were all reps for Kelantan team last time out at Selangor. This year, they won their respective categories again, and expected to pass the final hurdle this coming Kelantan state selection, which date is yet to be confirmed.

Full results at Bad Bishops blog. Pictures here.

BLOGGERS AT WAR!

Today I was at SMK Chengal to watch Kota Bharu players battle it out to be the district reps. I bumped into Bad Bishops (BB), who went to cheer for his students. Unfortunately, my camera was not available and I did not take any pictures. The selection was held for two days (3-4 April 2010) and the winners will be announced tomorrow.

In the mean time, BB and I played a game while waiting for the third round to commence. It started as a French (I played Black), and after a series of exchanges, BB was true to his name when he had two Bishops against my two Knights (I was captain of IIUM Knights several years back, before they change the name to IIUM Mustangs nowadays). Consequently, further exchanges leads to an interesting pawn endgame where Black had double f-pawns.

Here is the position; Black to move and end the game:

Answer: 1...f5! 0-1