"WE WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE, SALUTES YOU" - 2012 MBPJ Chess Open

OFFICIAL RESULTS:
R1,b28: LOST v. Mohd. Hussein Mohd.Jamil(1657, 16th) Castling Blunder
R2: LOST v. M.Fauzi Asmawi(1412, 24th), 1 Illegal Move
R3: WON v. Fahmi(Not Rated, 73rd), Opponent Resigned
R4: LOST v. Abdul Rahim Rais (1522, 36th) Checkmate-Should Have Resigned
R5: WON v. Maisarah(Not Rated, 81st), Checkmate
R6: LOST v. Raimi Rahim(1570,48th), Unexpected Checkmate
R7: LOST v. M.Hassan (Not Rated, 61st), CM
Total: 2 Points. 77th Place out of 87. (BH:22.5 / SB:3.5)
OFFICIAL RESULTS

aROUND the BLOGs:-
1) FireyRook
2) StoneMaster
3) FireyRook


LUNCH UPDATE:
WON 1, LOST 3.
Finally, I got my 1st Point ever in any chess Tournament whilst playing White when my Oppponent-an Engineering Student resigned.
What a relief, having lost to 2 rated players in the previous rounds I.e. Mohd.Hussein (NR:1657)from Klang and M.Fauzi Asmawi (NR:1412) from Cheras.
>>>>>>>

The little ones especially Hana dared me to take part in at least 1 event. I guess they just want to see me make a fool out of myself.

Needing to "WALK the Walk & TALK the Talk" ....here I am in PJ for the MBPJ 2012 Chess Open.

Am hoping for at least a point. Wish Me Luck.

2nd MBPJ Open 2012

( hAnA & Faiz before the Prize-Giving Ceremony )

( YOUNGEST Player Prize - 5 Years 3 Months 2 Weeks & 3 Days )

( Hamper for Youngest Player Prize )

( Amira Farhana, 9th Place: 2nd MBPJ Open U-12 )

( RM50 Cash for 9th Place )

( RM50 Cash for 9th Place )

( Even the Mum Gets A Prize )

OFFICIAL PLACING:
Amira Farhana placed 9th.
cHEss pIRAaTE FAIZ placed 28th out of 45.
BOTH, will be receiving prizes I.e Hana for Top 10 finish & Faiz as YOUNGEST player.
Congratulations Kiddos.

LATEST UPDATE:
Farhana WON 4 out of 6 Games for a 67% winning record. She was 14th in the standings going into the 6th and final round.

cHEss pIRATE Amir Faiz won 2 & drew 1 out of 6 Games. He's placed 29th out of 45participants with 2points going into the final round.
I was informed that he will also get a prize for being the YOUNGEST competitor at 5years, 3months and 20days old.
Note Update: I was hoping that FAiz can record his first 50% record in a National-Rated event. Unfortunately, he fell short at the last round when he can only draw, giving him 2.5 points in total with a 41.67% overall record. His 1st 50% record was at the MAY DAY CHESS CHALLENGE organised by PCU. READ HERE. However, it was NOT a NR event.


Date: SATURDAY, 23 JUNE (10AM-5PM)
Venue: DEWAN ILMU, COMMUNITY LIBRARY, PETALING JAYA
Tournament Name: MAJLIS BANDARAYA PETALING JAYA-MBPJ Chess Open 2012


The MBPJ Chess Open 2012 U-18 and U-12 was held today at the Dewan Ilmu located beside the PJ Community Library. The AMfa family arrived at the venue around 8.30-45AM. I find the venue to be rather cozy as the Cafetaria is just next to the hall coupled with easy access to the Surau, Library and Petrol Convenience Shop across the road. Parking was not an issue as well.

The event had an "international feel" when 5 players from Bahrain took part. Both the U-12 and U-18 is a mixed category event and is touted by the Organisers as the BIGGEST Chess Tournament in Petaling Jaya, Selangor....emmmm....IF xxxx

Due to NGO and Work Commitments at KL International Hotel today, I was unable to be with Hana & the cHEss pIRATE like I normally to do. However, I managed to stick around till the end of the 1st Round where Hana "defeated" her first non-Malaysian player. Unfortunately, cHEss pIRATE faiz lost his first game against an older girl.

Collected Fathina's Mid-Term Report...Maths Teacher mentioned "CHESS"

TODAY, I drove to Seremban to collect Fathina's Mid-Term Report.

Her Maths teacher i.e. Cikgu Juhani mentioned that Amira plays chess for the College and that the game is good for maths as welll......emmmmm!

Finally, after 1 1/2 years....Amira Fathina delivers!!!

...with TIME to KILL.......Registered the cHEss PiRATE & HaNa for MBPJ Open

In between my Hartamas rendezvous and 2 evening appointments in PJ, I had TIME to KILL!
Whilst going through the various permutations of "filler activities"...I'd remembered that there would be a Chess Tournament in PJ sometime during the weekend of the following week.

Thus, I commandeered my Red Junior Ferrari and headed towards the Old Town Library located opposite the Assunta Primary School and was pleased to observed the "regeneration" of the PJ Old Town area where my late father used to take the family out for meals or, shop in preparation for the new school term some 30 odd years ago.

The Library itself surprised me....air-conditioned, modern-looking and well-stocked books complete with courteous attending staff at the counter. Went to the counter and informed them I wanted to register for a Chess tournament sometime next week. Lo and behold, the lady at the counter thought that I'd wanted to register myself.

...with formalities sorted out, I'd registered the cHEss pIRATE and hAnA in the Primary School category for the MBPJ Open Chess Tournament scheduled for Saturday, 23rd June 2012 from 8AM - 6PM. The organisers are charging an entrance fee of RM20 per participang for their category (which is comparable to the fees for the recent 4th KL Scholastic Chess held in May). The 2012 MBPJ Open will be a National Rated event and both kids will be playing at the venue for the very frost time.

MSSM 2012 - Medal Standings & TQ KL Teachers

Before the AMfa family leaves Permai Hotel, Kuala Terengganu - Final Medal Standings for MSSM Chess Tournament 2012:-

(1) SELANGOR. Gold: 4. /. Silver: 5. / Bronze: 3
(2) WP(KL & Putrajaya). 4. / 2. / 1
(3) Pulau Pinang. 3. / 2. / 2
(4) Terengganu Darul Iman. 1. / 0. / 0
(5) Johor Darul Takzim. 0. / 1. / 1
(6) Melaka. 0. / 1. / 0
(7) Kelantan Darul Naim 0. / 1. / 0
(8) Perak Darul Ridzuan.0. / 0. / 2
(9) Sarawak Bumi Kenyalang 0 / 0 / 1
(10) Negeri Sembilan D.K. 0 / 0 / 1
(11) Pahang Darul Makmur. 0 / 0 / 1

Note: Though 2nd in the Medal Standings, WP still improved by 1 Bronze compared to the 2011 MSSM in Penang(4 Gold & 2 Silver @TOP) and big jump from 2010 MSSM in Perlis (1 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze @ 3rd).

Finally, last but certainly NOT the least - AMfa's Family Deepest Gratitude to ALL the FT Chess Teachers who'd Organised, Coached and Managed the FT Team from the initial Centralised Training at S.K.Desa Tun Hussein Onn-KL to the MSSM Tournament proper in Kuala Terengganu. Kudos to Cikgu Suhairi, Cikgu Azwan, Cikgu Shamsuddin, Cikgu Azman, Cikgu Herman, Cikgu Sofi, Cikgu Suhaila and Bapak IM Irwanto Sadikin.

FINAL DAY of MSSM Chess in KT

UPDATE: The prayed for miracle turned into a whitewash. FT lost 0-4 to Penang.
Overall the FT Girls U-12 Team finished 7th.
Final Results:- MSSM Official

Play just started.

Going into the 6th & Final Round, the Team Rankings for the U-12 Girls are:-
1) 10 MP(18.5), Penang
2) 07 MP(14), Johor
3) 07 MP(12.5), Terengganu
4) 06 MP(12.5), Selangor
5) 06 MP(12), N9
6) 06 MP(11), Sabah
7) 06 MP(11), WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN
8) 06 MP(9.5),Perak

Theoretically, if the FT Team can win they have a chance to get a medal.

The Pairings are:-
1) WP (6) v. Penang (10)
2) Johor (7) v. Terengganu (7)
3) Selangor (6) v. N9 (6)
4) Sabah (6) v. Perak (6)
5) Perlis(4) v. Sarawak(4)
6) Melaka (4) v. Pahang (4)
7) WP Labuan (2) v. Kedah (4)
8) Kelantan (4) -BYE-

6th & Final Round: PENANG

Mr. Suhairi informed during the evening FT Team Briefing that FT's final round opponent for the Girls U-12 is Penang.
Short of a Team Disqualification, Penang will be the Champion for this group. IF, the FT Team can get a draw or stage an upset...FT Team will have some bragging rights.

The Final Round tomorrow will start 30minutes earlier I.e. at 8AM due to Friday prayers.
Farhana will be playing against Goh Jie Yie(NR around 1400) and I'm praying for an upset here.
ALL THE BEST to the FT TEAM in upsetting the walk-in champions.

4th Round: v. PAHANG Darul Makmur & 5th Round: v. KELANTAN Darul Naim

5th Round: KELANTAN
----------------------
EVENING UPDATE: Hana lost after the xx move. However, another sterling performance by Iman Sofea and assisted ably by Esther on the 3rd Board coupled with Allaida debut win enabled FT to win the match 3-1. Thus,6 Match Points in the MSSM Chess Tournament with 2 Wins (against Pahang & Kelantan, 3-1 margins) and 2 Draws (against Sarawak & N9).

Kelantan will be the FT opponents in the 5th Round beginning at 2.30pm.
Hana is playing against Nur Faqihah.


4th Round: PAHANG
--------------------
11.30AM UPDATE: Finally, Farhana scored her maiden point in the MSSM Tournament. Checkmate in 30minutes.
The FT Team won the match 3-1 and secured their Maiden win and obtained 2 Matchpoints bringing their total for the tournament to 4 Matchpoints.

FT U-12 Girls Team is drawn against Pahang for the 4th Round.
Hana is paired against Siti Khairunissa on the 2nd Board.

REST DAY & Open Galleries

Today is a REST Day for the MSSM Chess Tournament in KT.

of OPEN GALLERIES
--------------------
The organisers must have valid reason(s) for NOT allowing public access to the viewing galleries located at both wings of the Indoor Stadium. However, one negative aspect of this ruling is spectators participation. A colleague of mine who happened to be in KT for a wedding had wanted to view the tournament on his way back to KL as his son is also interested in chess, having played in the Sentul zone MSSKL competition recently...but, when told that the public gallery is off-limits he decided to give the place a miss and head back to KL.

IF, one of the objectives of the MSSM Chess Tournament is to engage the masses and popularise the game - The ORGANISERS HAVE FAILED!!!
As a comparison, in March of this year the National Age Group(NAG) organised by the Malaysian Chess Federation(MCF) were held at the OCM Indoor Stadium in KL. The Viewing gallery were opened to the public and one can see a more "engaging" competition.

3rd ROUND: v. N9

4.30 PM UPDATE: Hana lost the game against Sasithra whilst playing White. However, Iman Sofea and Esther Tang on the 1st and 3rd Board respectively won their games resulting in the Match being drawn and FT earning their 2nd Match Point.

FT Girls U-12 have been drawn against the Negeri Sembilan team in the 3rd Round.

Amira Farhana is pitted on the 2nd Board against Sasithra.

2nd ROUND: v.SARAWAK

UPDATE: FT Team Drew 2-2 with Sarawak. Hence, 1 Match Point Gained


The Borneo Island seemed to have a "love affair" with the U-12 Girls Team.
Yesterday,it was SABAH NEGERI DI BAWAH BAYU. TODAY, the FT Team have been paired against SARAWAK BUMI KENYALANG.
Sarawak have no rated player and as such will start with an average rating of 1200

As per Yesterday, Farhana is playing 2nd Board and her opponent is Fion Law.

VENUE Familiarisation & 1st Round PAIRING

8.30AM UPDATE:
U-12 Girls Team lost to Sabah 1-3


1.30PM UPDATE:

( The Official Pairings for MSSM GIRLS U-12 Event, Round 1. KL v. Sabah )

FT Girls U-12, Paired Against SABAH.
The U-12 Team will be starting with an average rating of 1222. Sabah only have 1 rated player and thus will start with an average rating of 1201.

FARHANA will be Playing 2nd Board against Siti Zulaikha.
Rest of the Team:
1st Board: Iman Sofea v. (WON)
3rd Board: Esther v. (LOST)
4th Board: Allaida v. (LOST)

( KL Chess Team 2012 to MSSM Chess K.Terengganu. Picture: Courtesy of MSSMKL blogspot )



Time: 8.45AM (0845 hours)
Venue: STADIUM TERTUTUP NEGERI TERENGGANU


9.30AM: Contingents Picture-Taking Session, starting with Perlis, Kedah & Penang. Perak, Selangor & KL next.

The MIND GAMES begins.......VERY EARLY in KT !?!

LATEST UPDATE:
6Rounds INSTEAD of 7 Rounds of Tournament Play. Team & Individual Event being held concurrently. FT rest day on Wednesday.

FIRST, Hotel Rooms were NOT enough...resulting in some Teachers and the Coach having to find alternative accommodation late at night!!! Homestays and relatives in KT seemed to be the preferred choices.

THEN, Schedule earlier announced were NOT adhered to and being changed as and when it suits the hosts whims and fancies!!!

Local Hosts BETTER BUCK-UP...You're "Soiling" the image of KT Chess.
IF you're starting to play your mind games early in order to win more medals for the State, YOU're truly Mistaken!!!

FT MSSM Chess Team Leaves 4 KT

The FT Chess Team just left the Pusat Kecemerlangan Sukan Cochrane (PKSC) for the MSSM Tournament in KT.
Also seen were the FT Softball Team, headed for KT as well.

Teachers Escorting: Cikgu Azwan (sporting a Commando haircut) & Cikgu Azman. Also Coach i.e. IM Irwanto Sadikin.

Good Hunting, Team.