REST DAY & Open Galleries

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

of OPEN GALLERIES
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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.