A BLEAK TIME FOR KELANTAN CHESS

The chess activities in Kelantan is slowing down. Even the bloggers do not update their blogs with news and information. The culmination of which, the non-participation in the upcoming MAKSAK chess tournament which will be held in Perak next month. I received a text from my fellow Johor MAKSAK player, that he was shocked when he saw that Kelantan did not take part in the draw for the group matches. I asked our captain, and he confirmed that Kelantan would not send a chess team this year, the state opted to alternately send the carrom team this year when the honour had been given to chess and dart teams last year, which I unluckily dropped out because of my father's death. Now I have to train for next year, hopefully it will be the chess team's turn.

Let me mourn this decision alone.....

MSSM ALL RESULTS

I downloaded all the results from Terengganu Chess Association's site. Looks like Kelantan players were still far away from other states' level. The two reps from Tumpat also did not perform well. Congratulations to both Wan Mohd Adli (10th in Boys Under 18) and Nik Mohd Haziq (9th in Boys Under 12).

DEATHNOTE 2 (THE LAST NAME)

I just watched Deathnote 2 again, because I was not satisfied with the chess position where L was playing alone while waiting for his death. And sure enough, I found that the position was not in the liking of any good chess player.



From the position, L moved the Black Knight to f6, then the White pawn to d4. It was also hard to determined whether the Black King had already moved or just plain misplaced.

I am really against the film makers who do not consult any chess players when setting up the board and expect us to believe that the character is truly a genius!

SECRET PREPARATION?

Actually, I wanted to put 'Does My Chess Life blog destroy Kelantan's chances in MSSM?' as the topic for this post, but after due consideration, I acted against it.

Admittedly, I, pretty much like all Kelantan chess enthusiasts, am feeling a little anxious right now as to how our MSSM team is doing in Penang. However, we are lucky because Gilacatur is there to update the results of the ongoing championship in the MSSM 2011 blog.

Nevertheless, the purpose of this particular post is not to update the result, rather to write whether My Chess Life (MCL) really is destroying the team's chances in MSSM.

As we all know, MCL posts about Kelantan's chess developments and news, and sometimes posts games played by Kelantan players completed with notes and analysis.

I was called to write on this topic because recently, there was a person who badly wanted the Kelantan Closed 2011 bulletin, which I think would be used as a preparation for his team if paired against the Kelantan team.

In my humble opinion, we, as a chess player, must always improve ourselves. We don't need to worry about somebody studying our games because we must always have something in our sleeves so that we will not become too predictable. There really is no question of 'revealing too many secrets' when we are really prepared for the games.

The front cover

KELANTAN CLOSED 2011 BULLETIN

Kelantan Closed 2011 Bulletin is here! It contains more than 100 games in its 52 pages, complete with diagrams, starting list and final crosstable. Among the players are Nik Ahmad Farouqi (1914 National rating), Nik Mohd Nazri (1789), Syed Azizi (1788), Mohd Amin (1654), Muhammad Ariez (1605) and Baharuddin Hamzah (1533).

For more information on how to get this bulletin, please log on to PCNK website or for some of the games, please log on to Kelantan Chess Network.

CENTRALIZED TRAINING FOR MSSM

SJK (T) Pasir Gajah, Kuala Krai

Kelantan's MSSM chess contingent is now having its centralized training at SJK (T) Pasir Gajah, Kuala Krai. The training will be held until this Saturday. The players will be coached by formidable coaches coming from all over Kelantan. It is hoped that they will bring the best out of these players so that the contingent will become a real challenge for the other states.

We Kelantanese wish you

ALL THE BEST!

PPD TUMPAT MAINTAINED 2 STATE REPS

At last, the state selection ended. PPD Tumpat, like last year, managed to send two of its players to represent the state in the MSSM. The players are:

1. Wan Muhammad Zikri Wan Mohammad (Boys Under 18 Category)
2. Wan Nur Fatin Athirah (Girls Under 12 Category)

The selection, held at MRSM Kuala Krai from 5 - 7 May 2011, saw 64 participants in every categories totaling to 384 junior chess players competing to be the state representatives. The Kota Bharu contingent returned home with the most golds - 5 from 6 categories! Even though the contingent was divided into two - Northern KB and Southern KB - with 12 winners overall, it did not deter the fact that the other contingents still have a lot of catching up to do. Kuala Krai was next with 9 winners in all categories, while Pasir Puteh came third with 5.

1. Kuala Krai (9)
2. Northern Kota Bharu (8)
3. Pasir Puteh (5)
4. Southern Kota Bharu (4)
5. Pasir Mas (4)
6. Tumpat (2)
7. Machang (2)
8. Tanah Merah (1)
9. Jeli (1)

Uniquely, the Boys Under 18 Category saw 6 participants from 6 different contingents, whereas the Boys Under 12 Category was dominated by Kuala Krai. Gua Musang and Bachok did not have a single representative. The names of the winners:

Boys Under 18

1. Wan Mohd Adli (KBU)
2. Mohd Fadhil (PPH)
3. Wan Mohd Zikri (TPT)
4. Nik Muhd Sharifudin (MCH)
5. Fadhil Aiman (KKR)
6. Muhammad Syahmi (JEL)

Boys Under 15

1. Wan Mohd Amirul (KBU)
2. Muhd Ikmal Hakimie (PMS)
3. Alif Omar (PPH)
4. Wan Muhd Imran (KBU)
5. Muhammad Adam Hafiz (KBU)
6. Muhamad Izani (KKR)

Boys Under 12

1. Nik Muhd Haziq (KKR)
2. Muhammad Syakir (KKR)
3. Mohd Firdaus (KKR)
4. Abdul Manaf (KKR)
5. Muhamad Akram (MCH)
6. Muhamad Irfan (KBU)

Girls Under 18

1. Wan Aemellia Elisha (KBS)
2. Ayu Anabihah (TMH)
3. Nabilah (KBS)
4. Wan Zarif Sofea (PPH)
5. Norazlisa (KKR)
6. Aisyah Nabilah (PMS)

Girls Under 15

1. Siti Nur Afiqah (KBU)
2. Najihah (PPH)
3. Laila Husna (KBS)
4. Nur Ain Syahirah (PPH)
5. Nik Nur Ain Sabrina (KBU)
6. Nur Hanis Natasha (KBS)

Girls Under 12

1. Nur Fatini (KBU)
2. Nurfatin Aisyah (PMS)
3. Nik Nur Nadzirah (KKR)
4. Wan Nur Fatin Athirah (TPT)
5. Nik Anisy Syakirah (KKR)
6. Nur Anis Fazliyana (PMS)

Pictures from the event:

The Tumpat Team



Sending a full force in each category, the Tumpat team managed to make the other contingent run for their money. The targets were Wan Nurhazirah (Girls Under 18), Wan Muhammad Zikri (Boys Under 18), Abdul Haiyi (Boys Under 18) and Wan Nur Fatin Athirah (Girls Under 12).

Heartbreak for darling, she only managed to get 7th in her category. She won her games before losing to Aemellia, the eventual champion, in Round 4. Then, she drew all her games before winning her last. Finishing 5.5 points with the strongest tie break did not ensure her a place in the state team.

While Abdul Haiyi only managed to finish 11th when he lost to a player from Machang in Round 7. Although he won his last game, 5.5 points were never enough to secure a top 6 finish.

PPD TUMPAT CENTRALIZED TRAINING HAS FINISHED

After a gruelling 5 days (or half days), the centralized training for the PPD Tumpat chess team has ended. The module for the u-12, u-15 and u-18 has been successfully implemented. The climax - a simultaneous chess display by Cikgu Azizul - was held on the last day against 24 players (u-15 and u-18). The result was never in doubt, but at least all had given their best before succumbing to the head coach. Nevertheless, one managed to squeeze a draw, showing maturity beyond his age. Hopefully, PPD Tumpat will provide more ammunition for the state team, as it already had by providing two of its own, last year. This year, the darling is still hungry for more success, but she is not the only one who is targeted to wear the state colours. But time will tell, whether the PPDT will become more successful than previously.

APRIL 2011 RATING REVIEW

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

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

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

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

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

SMACH OPEN RESULT

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

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

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

74. Wan Mohd Amim Mohd Nasir

89. Muhd Syahrul Ahamad

91. Wan Abu Bakar Samaun

97. Noor Sahida Anuar

100. Nurul Asyikin Anuar

101. Nik Shamiera Adnan

105. Maznie Madri

Now for some pictures:

INFERIORITY COMPLEX (cont.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Final position

KOTA BHARU SELECTION

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

Date: 21-23 April 2011

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

Venue: SMK Padang Kala

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

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

SMACH 2011

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

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

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

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

All participants will receive a certificate.

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

Last year's winner can be read here.

The Three Princesses

THE THREE PRINCESSES

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

1. Maznie Madri (1 Arif)

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

2. Nurul Asyikin Anuar (1 Arif)

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

3. Nik Shamiera Adnan (5 Arif)

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

INFERIORITY COMPLEX

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