STORIES FROM TOURNAMENTS....

THE THEORY

Happened during Asian Amateur last two years, I was playing white against one Bruneian player. The opening is a sharp Giucco Piano (which I know with correct play from both side, it will be just a draw) and in which in that complex position, my opponent started to think longer and deeper.I was hoping that he did not know the theory and will make a blunder in a complex, messy Giucco Piano position.

...still he played all the correct moves and after I have sacrificing few pieces, game ended in a draw by perpetual check.

“Damn it. He just got lucky and managed to find all the correct moves. Damn!" I silently cursed myself after the game.

After the tournament ended I re-visit the game, consulted engines and chessbase etc...I found one game that exactly followed my game against this Bruneian player and to my surprised, player in that chessbase game is my opponent at Asian Amateur!

Actually few years before that he played white against another opponent and his long thinking is not so much to encounter my move..but more of thinking what is i am up to?...what is improvement that i have prepared? None, actually.

Gee...terrible me! How could I have doubted whether my opponent know about Giucco Piano’s theory when he IS THE THEORY!  

MY READER

Sit in front of me at one of the weekend rapid chess tournament is a boy, must be below 12, all smile and very polite looking...I mean he stand up when shaking my hand as I approached the board and also correctly spelled my name, complete with my father’s name, on his chess notation book (Most players his age will asked me to write down my name on their chess book...).

So after the game, he (still) smiled at me and said “You write that Odyssey blog, right?” I said yes. And then with that ‘awe struck’ look on his face, he smiled and said “I always read your blog” “Oh, Thank you!” I replied.

Nice to know I have a young fan :)...but most important...that haunted smiley face always reminded me...Ilham, be careful with what you write since children are also reading your blog.

Noted.  

THE HINT

My opponent, an Indian citizen, is having a habit of shaking his head, unconsciously, whenever he is not feeling comfortable with his position. So as the game progress (and my attack is getting stronger), his shaking of his head is also getting stronger.

Suddenly i feel like playing against my Fritz...i mean whenever playing against the engine, i always after making a move, will look at the evaluation point to see whether my move is good or not. And against this opponent, after making a move i will look at the movement of his head to know whether my move is any good or not.

Game ended when he smiled, extended his hand and of course, gave me that head shaking.

After the game, i cannot help thinking that good he chose chess...i cannot imagine how disadvantage he will be should he chose...say, poker?

MEMO FROM MAGNIFICENT RAPID

When I arrived at DATCC this morning to take part in Magnificent Weekend not many players can be seen. General thought this is due to some that when to Thailand and some who are soundly slept after taking part few hours earlier in Fadli Tanjung Karang’s chess tournament held from 10pm till 3am! (Yeap, no typo here. 10pm till 3am!...Vintage Fadli).

Man i was wrong...there suddenly appeared “Tanjung Karang’s players” Kamaluddin, Kamal Ariffin, Razali etc. My respect for these guys...they basically have played tournament chess from 10pm a night before and almost not sleep yet....and here they are for another round of chess tournament

Well, those sleepy eyes... good sign there for me! :)

Tournament Proper

Top 4 seeded

1. Hermanu

2. Kamaluddin

3. Kamal Ariffin

4. Ilham

Top 3 Finishers

1. Ilham

2. Kamal Ariffin

3. Hermanu

Sorry guys, since Najib yet to post the full result at chessresult.com...i can only recall above from memory and not usual top 5 Seeded and Top 5 Finishers.

Anecdotes.

1. Only 20 players took part and basically Najib run this tournament at loss. “ Don’t worry” Najib assured players “No matter how many players turn up. I will still run the tournament”

“Janji ditepati” Najib concluded...this election season, of no surprise Najib will be saying this phrase...Albeit different Najib!

2. “...but i cannot run tournament at loss forever” lamented Najib. “There will be limit...” Understand and wish your next tournament a much bigger crowd...and i won’t mentioned sauna or hypothermia...i promised (while raising my right hand) :)

3. Cameo appearance, Jax Tham, Fadli (he is conducting his chess class here) and Mohd Arshad. Arshad can be seen following the afternoon Thailand Open game between Wong Jianwen and GM Mageranto from his laptop.

4. During games, one of player car alarm went off...he went out to his car, fixed it and continued the game. I bet none chess players must surely puzzled...i mean you lose if you handphone emitted soft beep beep sound...but did not lose if your car emitted that 200 decibels sounds!   

5. To celebrate my win (...and RM300 richer!), I and Arshad went to watch The Host at Capsquare’s TGV. Bad mistake...boring like hell...I gave the film 2 stars out of 10.

INSOFAR MARCH EDITION'S REPORT

This event took place more than a week ago but only now i do the posting, blame it on that cursed 4 letter words (L.A.Z.Y.)

Openings

Before the start of Insofar March Edition, Hairulov, myself and Pak Herman are busy talking about Malaysian chess.

“I don’t understand Malaysian chess players...” so said Pak Herman Latif in his thick Indonesian accent on bright Sunday morning 31^st March 2013 at DATCC “All they studied are opening, opening and opening” he continued with a disgust look on his face.

“They should focus more on endgame. Myself for example, studied more than 1000 endgames” added Pak Herman enthusiastically.

I and Hairulov just nodded politely. Couldn’t agree more.  Silently i cancelled my thought of asking Hairulov’s on Carlsen’s latest opening move...well, not in front of Pak Herman’s obviously.

Tournament Proper

Top 5 seeded

Hermanu

Ilham

Md Monir

Hairulov

Irwan Syah

Top 5 finisher

Ilham

Hermanu

Syazwan Zin

Zulfaqar

Hairulov

Anecdotes

1. Not many strong players taking part in which maybe because of that controversial 4 letter words (G.I.F.T.)

2. Hairulov can be seen conducting a simultaneous games against his son and daughter before the start of round 1.

3. Najib, the arbiter, had a busy times when almost in every rounds in category two, kids, in their shrieking voice, can be heard asking for arbiter's help, mostly on touch and move issues...arbiter! arbiter! Much reminds me of Tattoo's The plane!...The plane! :)

4. Not sure whether it is because of Pak Herman’s lecture on endgame, me and Hairulov quietly bought endgame book (100 endgames you must know) from Najib during the tournament.

5. Blitz appearance by Dato Tan who dropped by for a game of chess with one Percak member.

6. Hamid Majid also dropped by in which we discussed about books. With Hamid i can discuss about books the way i discuss openings (or endgames in Pak Herman’s case) with my fellow chess players...I mentioned currently i am reading Catcher In The Rye (He immediately comment that i should naturally progress to Catch 22 after Catcher...ok, noted) and after The Fountainhead, he now recommends me to read ‘Sidharta’...can’t wait!

7. Honesty...is such a lonely word...everyone is so untrue...so sang Billy Joel. One player, Amirul Haji Mohd, contrary to the song... is so true and declined Veteran player prize by admitting his age did not qualify him to be categorized as Veteran player. Class act! ...Honesty is hardly ever heard,
And mostly what I need from you!

8. I won RM150 and theoretically won RM3000 in scholarship money. How i loved and blessed those 4 letter words (C.A.S.H) !

SPEEDY GONZALES BLITZ...(CAISSA IS ONE CRUEL...)

Caissa is one cruel mistress...

Last week i mentioned that DAT was a ‘sauna’ (Sorry Jib!) and yesterday...in Speedy Gonzales, 20 players took part and in a first round, due to my 5^th seeding, i was seated exactly under that big, gigantic, fully blast, ceiling air cond...brrrrrr! (Served me right!)

Lucky it was a blitz event so i do a lot of active movement with my hand (though sadly cannot say the same with my brain...), i can only imagine if it is a classical time control...I risked to be  in hypothermia state...(here we go, Ilham the complaint blogger! ;) )

Tournament Proper

Top 5 seeded

1. Kamaluddin Yusof

2. Sumant

3. Syazwan

4. Abdul Shukor

5. Ilham

Top 5 finisher

1. Sumant

2. Abdul Shukor

3. Kamaluddin

4. Chan Sheng Yip

5. Shreyes

I finished 8...a bit disappointed (though i still won RM20)...especially with the quality of my play.

Stories

1. Najib informed that after 3^rd moves, even though there is misplaced of pieces etc, no matter what play should go on. Mustafa Said cheekily asked “How about if after 3^rd moves, players discovered that one side got two Kings?”  Wow! That is one tough question that did not even cross my mind...blame it on my mind that is always thinking of having more than one ‘queen’ instead of more than one king!

2. Still on Mustaffa Said, in his first round game against Syazwan, he was down a queen, rook, pawns ...don’t know what else ...but still managed to stalemate himself. Draw!

3. In between rounds Najib could be heard mentioning he plans to organize an event (future event) in which spectators are allowed to suggest moves, give hints to players...Najib’s wish become reality when immediately after that one poor spectator suggest a move or maybe a hint on a game that is still on going...much to the chagrin of the player!  Well, Be careful with what you wish...

4. Shreyes vs Sumant...Shreyes is winning (!) and nearly checkmated his older brother. Result? Draw! Both players ‘lost’ on time...ahh, sibling rivalry!

5. A dispute on touch and move resulting in one lady could be heard sobbing...DATCC become eerily silent when heaven burst and angel cries...

Caissa is one cruel teacher...

CAS (CHESS AND SAUNA) ALLEGRO

8.30am (Sunday, 24 March 2013)
Arrived at DATCC and noticed there are lots of people, unusually lots of people, gather outside DATCC.

This could be two things, i think, either an overwhelming good response to CAS Rapid or a disaster, a crime scene,and we Malaysian are famously like to stick glued at any disaster scene. Which scenario is the correct one i wondered...

Actually, both scenarios are correct...overwhelming response to CAS Rapid and a disaster, a crime scene...(someone with key has obviously wake up late hence DATCC is still closed as at 8.30 am!) Ah, cannot blame DATCC, weekend chess is always played in early morning after Saturday Night Fever...Ah, ha, ha, ha stayin' alive, stayin' alive, ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' aliveeeeee, ha ha....

At the door Tse Pin can be seen standing and collecting entrance fee money...ticking name on a sheet of paper etc. The scene reminds me of that movie scene in which bookie collecting money before the big fight...sorry Tse Pin...could not help it! :)

I quickly approach the sweating Tse Pin and paid him RM30, placing a bet on Nor Ilhamuddin aka myself! my odd to win is 6 out of 32...

Tournament Proper
Top 5 seeding
1. Kamaluddin Yusof
2. Jianwen
3. Syazwan
4. Ismail Ahmad
5. Nabil

Top 5 finishing
1. Jianwen
2. Syazwan
3. Fariz
4. Mohd Diya
5. Kamaluddin Yusof

I finished 8..oklah i guess

Anecdotes
1.Cameo appearance...Hairulov, Saprin, Farouqi, Jax Tham and few others...i think i saw Khairunisha and Nurul Huda at carpark after the prize giving ceremony.

2.Poor Nabil...in his last round game against Mohd Diya, he is just completely winning...a rook up, an exchange up, maybe few pawns up also (who cares about pawns in such a winning position)...but somehow overlook a knight fork...he lost. Of no surprise when his name is being called as number 10 winner, he is nowhere to be seen...cabut already (and must surely thought he did not win anything).

3.3 most popular topics that are being discussed are Magnus Carlsen's lucky escape against Radja (Hairulov can be seen recalling this game from memory!) and about National Closed (as a tickets to Malaysian Master) and about Li Tian's performance at Vietnam.

4. There are more than 100 players at DATCC (plus parents, CAS officials and spectators) temperature inside DATCC is warm. Good! Paid RM30 and you got 7 rounds of chess and free sauna session...

5. Player that received loudest, very loudest in fact, clapping when receiving prize is Janet Chan Choi Po...

6. Everybody is talking about new MCF..Tse Pin, in between rounds and Encik Safruddin during prize giving ceremony...could sense their optimist view! 

Of New Ruling...
1. Each player will be registered with only one state/ association (and cannot be change at will). Quickly i registered myself as Terengganu player!

2. CAS can be seen collecting IC number from players for rating purposes.

3. No walk in for National Closed. Each states can only send 4 players (There is also a minumum rating that could play at National Closed).

4....and most surprising, according to CAS, under new COS ruling, state association should not have individual member. Example for Selangor Chess Association, they could have a member such as Klang Chess Association or Shah Aalam Chess Association but they could not have say Ali bin Abu as a member. Ali bin Abu however can become member at Klang Chess Association...wow,make sense but i still puzzled...only a month ago i registered myself as a member for Terengganu Chess Association...

For Selangor Open, players that registered themselves as Selangor players are entitled for discount.

HATS OFF TO A NEW MCF

Hats off to a new MCF that within less than two weeks times (…and in between getting to know each other, electing person at new post and cracking head to answer some ‘urgent’ letter…) has managed to pull out many pleasant surprises out of the hat. In less than ten days time!!... that’s pretty impressive! Bravo!! Hope MCF could continue to maintain this energy...

Two pleasant surprises that attract my attention are:

New Website

As mentioned in my old posting here, MCF is in need of more professional website. In my day duty whenever there is a respectable organization that is using blogspot as their website (or yahoo or gmail as their official e-mail), I am not feeling comfortable and smell a rat. Having a professional website is surely a help to boast image.

Ofcourse beside having good looking website, updating the info regularly and answering letters and e-mails within stipulated standard time is important to further boast the image and compliment that professional looking website.

Malaysian Master

Congratulations and many thanks to MCF's new Deputy President,  Dato’ Seri Edmund Santhara, who has agreed to cough up some  serious  money in the form of organizing Malaysian Master in June this year. More info Here.

Round robin event...highly expected to have a generous prizes... allowance for players (appearance fee?!), this is a good move, a bit devilish I would say, by letting our players to feel how is it like to play in really good event by invitation to fire up their quest to success in chess. Ah, just like many current millionaires, who let themselves to have a moment of luxury, when they are yet a millionaire, to inspire them to work harder to achieve their goal. 

All in all, good move, MCF!

Ofcourse other good spillover effect from Malaysian Master is by indirectly bring a shine to National Closed (as an event to obtain that 3 'wildcard' Master tickets).

So what is the requirement to play in this Malaysian Master? Am i qualified to play?

Top 6 in Fide Rating

Quickly I checked at FIDE’s website whether I am in Malaysia’s top 6. Damn! I am not in top 6, in fact I am not even in top 36 (6 x 6) in Malaysia…I am just an obscure, mediocre number 37.

MCF choice

Err…I don’t think MCF will chose me….:)

Top 3 in National Closed

Aha! This lie my chance! :)

Rumour has it that National Closed this year will be held at Terengganu. Good! Any place that is far away from Kuala Lumpur or Penang is a good location!

I think i need to suggest the followings to Terengganu Chess Association and stating below reasons, mentioned it politely many times in good language until they become boring to argue with me, and maybe i should claims that i got supports from other member and all chess players, ofcourse those that did not support me is a bad guy and i have to mentioned that this suggestions will not benefits me etc.  (actually, all below reasons are to benefits me, hehehe) 

1.Organized it not during school holidays or weekend (for the comfort and safety of contestant, road is less jam and shopping place is less crowded) 
2. Organized it at some remote islands or at Taman Negara (So contestant able to discover authentic Terengganu)

·         3.To have many rest days in between rounds.1 round followed by 1 rest day. (Chess is taxing game. So players can relax in between rounds)

·         4.Contestant must produce IC and Birth Certificate (To ensure they are really Malaysian citizen, IC alone is not enough. Must  bring IC with Birth Certificate)

·         5.Deposit of RM500 per player (will be forfeit if players went AWOL halfway. Don’t worry it will be return two months after satisfied that contestant did not breaking any law)

·         6.Contestant must show their bank account (To show that contestant got money to go home if they did not win any prize)

 

(Ah if this really come true, good chances I will finished top 3!) shhh, don’t tell anybody about my plan above. Lets keep it secret between us, okay?

Disclaimer

Above suggestions on National Closed are just fiction. Not to be taken seriously. The rest you can take it seriously.