Sunday, August 19, 2012

OF SACRIFICING 'RAYA'...

In a few hours time, I shall be competing in Datuk Arthur Tan Chess Festival...a strong tournament in which i am seeded number 50 something and according to Mr Hamid Hamid, there will be about 40 plus prizes :(

But honestly I am not really looking for a prize (though I will not complain should I got one) it is competing that matters...absorbing the tense tournament atmosphere...making decision under the ticking of the clock...spraying moves in time trouble...got lucky...got unlucky...those things that makes us comeback (again and again) to the cruel arm of Caissa.

Many things to observe here such as
  • How Malaysian Olympiad Team's member performing here?
  • Will Nicholas Chan bettered Malaysian Olympiad Team?
  • Will I got lucky and won something in Ambank category? :)
and of course, nice to see that Datuk Tan Chin Nam is taking part...and Andrew 'Gilachess' will be around too...but big question is (not only me, but few others found this puzzling too) is why IM Mas is not competing...is he currently making a big preparation for a big comeback ? is he retired from chess (hope not), after his dismay performance at Brunei? is he now working and no longer a chess pro? if there something that we, chess citizen do that has hurt his feeling?

Chess Odyssey sincerely wished Mas to continue playing chess again, actively.

OK, I thought i have make a great Raya sacrifice by competing in this event (on second Raya) but there are few other who have make an even bigger Raya sacrifice.

World University Chess Championship, Portugal
Syazwan, Fadzil Nayan and Dr Syazwani (Hmm, just so many Malaysian doctors that play chess, throw a stone in a tournament hall and most likely it will hit a doctor...and surely you will be sued since i believe, we have many lawyers too actually!) are currently competing at World University Chess Championship at Portugal...they went there few days before Raya, 'celebrating' Raya there and will be back on 26th August 2012.

This is  a very strong tournament in which first seeded in GM Bu Xiangxhi (2670)...enough said!

Chess Odyssey wished them all the best!

 
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2 comments:

  1. hairulov chessmaniacsAugust 19, 2012 at 8:28 PM

    Hi Ilham...all the best. Sacrificing Hari Raya Aidilfitri for chess !? I wonder what u will sac for Hari Raya Korban!

    For Mas, i could safely said that he didn't "merajuk" . I've spoke to him, Insyaallah he will return back shortly after Ramadan and Syawal...if you could understand what i mean :)

    Cheers

    Hairulov

    ReplyDelete
  2. IlhamAugust 20, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    Thanks Hairul.

    Good to know that Mas will return back to chess arena.

    Selamat Hari Raya and Maaf Zahir Batin.

    ReplyDelete