MALAYSIA brings back a SILVER Medal fm WYCC 2013 !

It's good to be back after the 2 weeks sojourn at the "Unta Bertendang" place in Al Ain, UAE.
It was good exposure for both of us.  CP and I actually clapped our hands when we landed at KLIA.......Malaysian Food, Familiar Weather, TV, Mummy etc etc.

More importantly though in a competition participated by more than 100 countries, the Malaysian contingent brought back a Silver Medal from the Girls U-10 Blitz event courtesy of Chua Jia-Tien from Penang who won 6 out of 7 games in the event.
WYCC 2013 Official Results.

Congratulations Chua Jia-Tien for doing the country proud despite "NO hype" given to the Malaysian contingent either when sending off or on arrival compared to other sports and/or events.
It is my fervent hope that you are well rewarded and given the proper recognition by the "powers that be" either in MCF and/or Malaysian Sports.
(PS: Coincidentally, her Mum who we call either Ms.Teh or "Mak Chua" was the Head of Delegation for the Malaysian contingent and from my point of view did a good job in organising the team and representing us in dealings with the organisers despite the limitations. TQVM "Mak Chua" for doing a good job. Do drop me a line when next in KL and we'll give you a Thank You treat.)

The cHEss pIRATE & His Opponents at WYCC 2013

 ( Amir Faiz Amirul aka The cHEss pIRATE in a Corporate Shirt sponsored by The OPA.

Picture taken at KLIA just before the 2PM MH162 Flight to Dubai,UNITED ARAB EMIRATES )

( Malaysian Contingent with Accompanying Supporters at WYCC 2013.
Picture taken at the Entrance to the Playing Venue )

Pictures of Amir Faiz against some of his opponents during WYCC 2013.
(Pictures courtesy of Cikgu Idris Jamal)

Round 1, 18 December 2013
v. Salamov Matin, AZERBAIJAN. Lost
 Note: The opening played in this game is Push Variation, Smith-Morra Gambit, Sicilian (ECO: B20), 
established by the moves 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 d3

Bad start to WYCC 2013. Read Blog POST
After the pushing and shoving coupled with him being unable to find his board,
he was not in the right frame of mind and lost tamely in 49moves.

Salamov Matin finished the tournament with 5.5points and was ranked 80th.

( Non-English Speaking. CP asking Salamov to write down his name for the Notation Sheet )


 ( Exchanging of Souvenirs )

 ( Opening )

( Middle Game )

Round 2, 19 December 2013
v. Mohit Srungarapu, KENYA. Won.
Note: The opening played in this game is Chigorin Variation, QP (ECO: D02),
established by the moves 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nc6.
Won in 39moves.

Mohit finished the tournament with 4 points and was ranked 141st.

Round 3, 20 December 2013

Black v. Poznyak Nazar, UKRAINE. Lost
Note: The opening played in this game is Alapin; Sveshnikov Var, Sicilian; (ECO: B22), 
established by the moves 1.e4 c5 2.c3.
Lost in 44 moves.

Poznyak finished the tournament with 7.5points and placed 18th.

( Round 3: Black v. Poznyak Nazar-UKRAINE. lost)

Round 4, 21 December 2013(AM)
White v. Ramazanov Aidar, KAZAKSTAN. Lost
Note:  The opening played in this game is Dutch Defense; (ECO: A80),
established by the moves 1.d4 f5.

Lost in 28 moves.

Though he lost this game, in my opinion this is his best game in WYCC 2013. 

His rook sacrifice during middle game resulted in him obtaining 3pieces (1 Bishop & 2 Pawns) and Positional Advantage. However, an end game miscalculation led to his defeat.

 

Ramazanov finished the tournament with 5.5points and was ranked 82nd.

 ( Round 4: White v. Ramazanov Aidar-KAZAKSTAN. lost)

Round 5, 21 December 2013 (4PM) 
v.  Lwanga Aguda, KENYA. Won
Note: The opening played in this game is Dragon Variation, Sicilian; (ECO: B70), 
established by the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6.
Won in 34 moves.

Lwanga finished the tournament with 3.5points and placed 156th.


Round 6, 22 December 2013 
v.  Nunez V. Jorge, ECUADOR. Draw
Note: The opening played in this game is Old Sicilian (ECO: B30), 
established by the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6.
His longest game thus far.

 Longest Round ever played by Faiz in World Youth Chess Championships 2013 at 1hr 37mins(Game Ended 5.37PM), resulted in a Draw with ECUADOR's Nunez V.Jorge, 20mins remaining. (CP had 1:27 time left). Hence, 2 1/2points after 6 rounds of Classical Play.

Nunez finished the tournament with the same points as Faiz i.e. 4points and placed 144th.

Round 7, 23 December 2013

Andrew finished the tournament with 5.5points and was ranked 87th.

 ( Round 7: v. Andrew Tang-USA. lost)

Round 8, 24 December 2013
 v. Ohn Jeewon, SOUTH KOREA. Lost
Note:  The opening played in this game is Franco-Indian Defense (ECO: A40), 
established by the moves 1.d4 e6.
Lost in 31 moves after a Rook Blunder.

Ohn finished the tournament with 3.5points and placed 152nd.

 ( Round 8: v. Ohn Jeewon, SOUTH KOREA )

25/12 - REST DAY (Christmas)

Round 9, 26 December 2013
Black v. FM Modi Yashil, SOUTH AFRICA. Lost
Note:  The opening played in this game is Marshall Defense; Knight Defense, QGD (ECO: D06), 
established by the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6.
Lost in 35 moves.
Played his longest game ever at 2hours 15 minutes and had the FM in time trouble mode.
After 35moves - Time remaining at the end of the game, CP(1hr 4mins) v. FM's (16mins 13secs).
Despite being offered a draw he tried to go for a win against a titled player.
However, the defensive strategy adopted proved to be his undoing.
Good Game & Good Learning Curve experienced. Hope he learned a lot from this encounter.

FM Modi Yashil finished the tournament with 4.5points and placed 124th.

 ( Game against FM Modi Yashil. Picture is feature in Chess DB website )


Round 10,  27 December 2013
Black v. Kim Joon(7yrs), SOUTH KOREA. Win


Note: The opening played in this game is Push Variation, Smith-Morra Gambit, Sicilian (ECO: B20),
 established by the moves 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 d3. 

 After 3 straight losses, Amir Faiz managed to win in a "line" game & avenged his defeat(also whilst playing Black) to the same player during Round 6 of the 9th Asian Schools Chess Championship in Sri Lanka earlier this year in Sept.2013.
Opponent tried to play the same winning line but CP remembered & countered with another variation to opponent's e4 opening resulting in a win after 31moves.
Time remaining, Kim(1hr 1min) v. CP(1hr 13mins).

Kim finished the tournament with 4points and placed 148th.


 (27/12, Round 10:  Black v. Kim Joon(7yrs), SOUTH KOREA.)


Round 11, 28 December 2013
White v. Toksombaev Sandzhar, KYRGYZSTAN. Draw
Note: The opening played in this game is Chigorin Variation, QP (ECO: D02), 
established by the moves 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nc6.
 

Amir Faiz's most moves ever in any FIDE-rated tournament he'd played(10 events so far, 6 in 2013)
 such that an additional notation sheet had to be requested from the bewildered arbiter from Syria.
More than 80moves in around 2hrs 30minutes, resulting in a "Fighting" Draw.

T.Sandzhar finished the tournament with 4points and placed 151st.

 

Passed my FIDE IO Examination !!!

Was asked  by IO Theo to check the FIDE website for the examination results. Quite surprised that the results are out on the FIDE website whilst still in Al Ain, UAE.

Official International Organiser(IO) Examination Results:-FIDE Website

Looks like I would have to be part of the Organising Committee of an International FIDE-rated tournament involving at least 3 federations to secure my credentials...emmm!

An Interesting Conversation with a Person Responsible for the WYCC 2013 Finances!

Sometimes out of the blue matters just opens up for disclosure.


In my or rather our instance, we'd wanted to go for Friday prayers in the UAEU university's mosque. Unfortunately, friday prayers are not conducted at the normal place we performed our daily prayers during competition time. Having to take the shuttle bus back, we met a gentlemen who'd also wanted to go for prayers. Since the Secretariat at the Reception was unable to provide transportation for those wanting to go for friday prayers to the mosque outside, he made a few calls and managed to secure transportation....and invited us to come with him.

After prayers, on the way back to the campus the gentlemen introduced himself as a key person involved in the financial matters of the WYCC 2013 and invited me over to the Finance Room nearby the playing venue later the afternoon to "chit chat".

....Emmm....what can I say - it was a real  eye-opener for me.

TakeBacks from WYCC 2013.......

Some TakeBacks for subsequent international competitions:- 

(1) DON'T  change lines.

(2) RECORD & Analyse Games but NOT in free software 

(3) Work on the Game continuously - Remember the French Team!

(4) Chess Aids

(5) "Teach the Rule" & Teach to Protest ESP.when right

(6) Standby Money/Euro to protest. Failure to protest officially can lead to other repercussions in subsequent games.

(7) DON'T expect MCF to provide things like Jersey, Malaysian flag etc especially when there's another more important competition than the World Youth going on at the same time i.e. SEA Games.

(8) Bring Thermos & Food Container when staying at hostel accommodation & Comfortable Prayer Mat and other creatures of comfort.

(9)  Establish contacts with local researchers at the outset.

MALAYSIAN Contingent at WYCC 2013, Al Ain-UAE. 26 December 2013

( Taken at the Entrance to the Championship Complex/Venue.Malaysian Contingent at WYCC 2013)

Finally, after the late night arrival at the UAE University  from Dubai airport on 17/12 and an even more chaotic start to WYCC 2013 (Read POST), the Malaysian contingent took the team pictures today on 26/12 prior to the start of  Round 9. There are 18 players in total 37 in the entourage altogether including officials and parents.

Malays, Chinese and Indians.......a truly Malaysian team. I wonder - How many other games can claim such a multi-ethnic representation!

The cHEss pIRATE is the only one without the Malaysian Jersey....reason being....emmmm....depends on which version you want me to tell, Ahaks!

BLITZ BLUNDER FARCE at WYCC 2013 !!!????

Apart from decision blunders by the arbiters, The WYCC 2013 organisers were simply overwhelmed by the logistics.

At around 8pm & After playing 5 rounds (The U10 Open had only played 4rounds then), the organisers announced that the balance 2 rounds will be played at a later date to be announced. This is to ensure that the Cultural Night are well attended.

Huhhhhh!!! Have never attended a Blitz competition....a FIDE-rated one some more where the blitz event is held on 2 separate days.

In my opinion, they should have either:-
(1) Just Conducted the Open competition on 1 day & Girls event on a separate day; or,
(2) Announce the "break" after the 3rd or 4th round.Definitely NOT after the 5th Round.

Arbiter's BLUNDER.......led to CP's Mood Change & Downfall!

UPDATE 3 @28/12(4pm):

Only now the Filipino CA made a Public Announcement wrt to my contention and complaint(and perhaps many others as well). His clarification, as follows:-

(1) 1st Time: Verbal Warning

(2) 2nd Time: 10seconds added on to the opposing player.

(3) 3rd Time: Game Forfeited

 ...with 2 games left, the announcement of a so-called experienced CA leaves much to be desired especially when 5games have been played. I hope FIDE will look into this matter.

UPDATE 2 @27/12:

Met KK again. He clarified that my complaint was correct - However, I(KK) can't help it if the organisers have decided to be generous.

UPDATE 1 @26/12: 

Double checked w IA KK Chan - I called it right.

He said he'll check again with the CA.

 >>>>>>>

The General Rule in Blitz event....at least when I'd attended the Arbiter's Seminar during NAG 2013 (Read HERE) and in Blitz competitions that we'd participated in is:-

 "IF a player's piece falls, he/she is to place the piece back properly before pressing the timer. 

The reason for this rule is very, very simple - A Player uses his own time and not the opponent's time. If, the piece is only placed back properly on the board after the timer is presses - the opposing player can claim a WIN." At least that's what I thought. 

Unfortunately, this did not happened during an event calling itself "WORLD" Youth C.C.2013. In the first round - CP's Ecuadorian opponent piece fell and he'd only replaced it after pressing the timer. CP called the arbiter after that to complain and claim the win - Unfortunately, to his bewilderment, lo and behold the arbiter asked him to play on.

After the 1st Round - I'd complained to the UAE Arbiter (Refer HERE) and he said that its OK, NOT a Rule. Not happy with his decision and explanation I'd double-checked with the Slovenian Arbiter who said that it's "FAIR PLAY". I checked with an experienced Malaysian chess player i.e. Ismail Ahmad and he said the arbiter's got the decision wrong.

QUESTION??? - So Who Got It Wrong? I or, did the so-called Arbiters' Blundered ???

After what I believed to be a decision blunder by the arbiter's - CP was not in the mood to play and lost his games after that.

FIDE IO (International Organiser) Seminar, Attended

UPDATE 2:

Passed my FIDE IO Examination.

Official Results as follows:- FIDE Website

UPDATE 1: 

IO Examination taken  .

 

>>>>>>>

Having failed to persuade the Islamic Estate Planner to accompany The cHEss pIRATE to WYCC2013, I was thinking to myself - "...what am I going to do over the duration of my almost 2-weeks "sojourn" in Al-Ain, UAE. Decided to checkout the WYCC2013 website and discovered that a few seminars will be conducted in conjunction with the WYCC2013 namely:- Arbiter Seminar, Trainers' Seminar and the International Organiser or IO Seminar. Having attended an Arbiter's Seminar before during this year's NAG2013 in UTP, Tronoh (Read HERE) I decided to register for the rather "light and easy" IO Seminar (Read HERE) coz I know I'm no trainer to attend the Trainers' Seminar to be conducted by a GM...who knows one day, Perhaps!

The FIDE IO Seminar is conducted by IO Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou who is the IO Secretary for the  FIDE Events Commission. Seminar is conducted over 3 days and attended mainly by Middle Eastern/MENA (UAE, Bahrain, Jordan & Egypt) and African(South Africa, Zimbabwe & Kenya) participants plus the odd Russian and nothing better to do Malaysian. All in around 30 participants attended the IO Seminar.

At the end of the IO Seminar, an examination will be conducted.

There were some interesting facts I'd "discovered" during the Seminar. (to be continued) such as:-

1)Registration Dead-lines for FIDE events

2)

4PM START TIME - Good Call by WYCC 2013 Organisers.

During the afternoon round of the first 2 rounds day in the WYCC 2013 event, it was announced that tomorrow onwards - the START TIME will begin at 4PM instead of 3PM.

In my opinion, it's a good call by the organisers. Hence, no more rushing from the lunch Q, to rest/prayers/pre-game prep. and waiting for shuttle busses.

Kudos to the organisers. Apart from that, the running of the event seemed to be running smoothly now....meal Qs are shortened, top boards games are displayed , FOC drinks(water & fruit juices) and light refreshments seemed to be free-flowing in the event venue

WYCC 2013 Memorabilias

( WYCC 2013 Logo )

( Certificate of Participation )

( Chess King - Middle Eastern version )

( WYCC 2013 Notation Sheet )

( Player & Official Pass )

( Gifts Exchanged - KENYA, KAZAKSTAN, SOUTH AFRICA, SLOVENIA )

CHAOTIC START to 1st ROUND of WYCC 2013, Al Ain - UAE

UPDATE 1:

Just found out the actual reason why the start was delayed.

A FIDE official whom I shall not name informed me that the organisers took on more than they could have handled (2 other Open Chess events were also being held concurrently with the WYCC 2013, one of which involves more than 25 GMs Taking part) resulting in there being a shortage or MIA of around 200 tables.

>>>>>>>

The 1st Round of the WYCC 2013 started in chaos and disarray when the start of play was delayed - FIRST from 3pm to 5pm, then FINALLY the first round began at 6PM with the ceremonial move by the FIDE President who was either not aware or oblivious to the pushing and shoving at the entrance. 

During the technical meeting, country officials was informed that the start was delayed to accommodate late arrivals and yet to arrive participants. We were also informed that the Participants' Start List will be published around 2pm and that Pairings was supposed to be published at 4PM but it never happened. In my opinion, the start was delayed more to cover for the organisers' inefficiencies rather than the official reason given.

More worrying is the fact that players...as young as 6yrs old had to push through the crowd to get into the playing venue. In the pushing and shoving at the entrance, some lost the Player Pass in the chaos and the "hopeless" organisers and arbiters just turn a blind eye. My blood started to boil when the bouncers at the entrance shouted - "Players Only" when there are literally hundreds of non-players in the competition venue. WYCC 2013 organisers, DON'T be asinine ...make announcements, get Q lines to form - Don't U all know such basic stuff...even school kids or kindergarten students know what to do. I shudder to think what will happen when the Football World Cup comes to Dubai.

Though the infrastructure or hardware part of WYCC 2013 seemed impressive i.e. whatever money can buy e.g. Digital Boards for most games, superb internet access, decent accommodation which is better than some 2 or 3 star hotels that I can think off - it is the "soft" part of organising the event that leaves much to be desired. From the long Qs at the Dining Hall yesterday during breakfast and lunch, shortage of shuttle busses and the pushing and shoving...much more can be done. Also having a TV in the hostels will be good.. 

WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP (WYCC 2013), AL-AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

UPDATE 3, 19/12:

 ( Ceremonial First Move )

Chaotic start to 1st Round of WYCC 2013

First the start of play was delayed from 3pm to 5pm, then 6PM.

More worrying is the fact that players...as young as 6yrs old had to push through the crowd to get into the playing venue.Some young players lost the Player Pass in the pushing and shoving chaos at the entrance and the hopeless organisers and arbiters just turn a blind eye. My blood starts to boil when the bouncers at the entrance said players only can enter but there are literally hundred of non-players in the venue.."

( 1st Round. v. Salamov Matin, AZERBAIJAN )

CP lost in the 1st Round to a Player from Azerbaijan. Hopefully, he fares better in the second round against a Kenyan player.

 UPDATE 2, 18/12 (After Technical Meeting@

WORLD YOUTH CHESS C'SHIP 2013, Al-Ain UPDATE):

ONLY Today, start time delayed to 5PM to accommodate Newly-arrived & Yet to arrive participants. Other Rules set by WYCC Technical Committee:-
(1) 30mins FORFEIT TIME.
(2) MAX.6-hours Per Game i.e. 3hours per player.
(3) NO Devices with Player even if switched-off. GAME FORFEITED if Caught.
(4) APPEAL Time - 30minutes after the Game in Dispute Ended NOT after the Round is completed. Written or Verbal Complaint to be Submitted together with 200EUROS.
(5) Player to Place "Sticker" after each round & Game will be uploaded.
Note: Long Qs at Dining Hall, Organisers promise to sort it out.
PS: MCF pre-occupied with Myanmar SEA Games. NO Malaysian Jersey provided by MCF.

UPDATE 1

Alhamdullilah, Arrived Safely with all our bags at Al-Ain, UAE for WYCC 2013. A few had their bags going MIA. On Bus A117 which the Malaysian contingent were on there were also other participants or officials from Azerbaijan, Australia and the Fiji Islands. 

Just missed the Opening Ceremony. Quite chilly at night....Tired and Hungry. Unfortunately, dining hall is closed. Have to wait till 7AM breakfast then.

( Bus: Dubai Airport - UAE University, Al Ain )

 

( Bus Registration No. A117 )

Total Traveling Time: Around 14hours.

KL - KLIA - Dubai(Flight MH162) - Dubai Airport(around 90mins) - Al Ain(using bus Reg.No: A117, around 2hours),

PS: Airport Exchange Rate, 1k Dirham = RM997. Better change in KL.

( WYCC 2013 Meet & Greet Counter at Dubai Airport, UAE )

<<<<<<<

A Heartfelt Thank You to Sponsors for Making the WYCC 2013 trip possible

(Had posted earlier on this matter but the post was inadvertently deleted).
Am now at the MAS Office at KL Sentral waiting for our tickets for tomorrow's flight to be issued i.e. MH162(17/12, KL-Dubai) and returning via MH163(29/12, Dubai-KL).

I would like to take this opportunity to All Sponsors who made our trip to Al Ain - UAE possible.
They are:-

(1) Sharman & Faroq via FISSAD (M) Sdn.Bhd.

- Entrance Fees for "Warm-Up" Competitions i.e. Catur FRIM, 6th NJCC & 5th Penang Open.

(2)  PERSATUAN BEKAS PUTERA.

(3) Peter Long & Louisa Yip via POLGAR CHESS ASIA

- Chess Classes at PCA Sri Hartamas

(4) MALAYSIA AIRLINES SYSTEM BERHAD (MAS)

(5) Anonymous VVVIP

Once again, a heartfelt thank you for your generous sponsorship.

My FIRST FIDE-Rated Classical Tournament - 5th Penang Open 2013 (Challengers Section)

From quite some time back, The kids have always harped on the fact that I just know how to comment but have never taken part in any competition. When I took part in the first Rapid event I.e. MBPJ Open 2012, they kept quiet for some time. Then they said I've never taken part in any Blitz event....I addressed that by taking part in a few Blitz events this year like the DCC Opening Blitz, 1st Kedah Open Blitz and more recently the MPSJ PeBT Blitz.

However, my non-participation in any classical event has always been my "Achilles heel" which the kids always use to "attack" me. Hence, I decided to "take the plunge" (so to speak) by signing up for the Challengers Section for the Penang Open...knowing full well that I'll be playing against "kids" and will be humiliated time and again.

 ( My FIRST Participation Certificate for a FIDE-rated Classical Event )

Well...what can I say - there's "more action" as a player as compared to a spectator.
Among incidences:-
(1) Arbiter(Hamid) raising his voice and chasing away a parent of a Taiwanese player for incessantly complaining.
(2) A "bloody" illegal move - my opponent went somewhere, sat down and just drank my water!!!
(3) Crying - player seated beside me was crying after a joyful start due to blunders being.



My advise to parents, before you give advise and/or pass comments that will make you all kinda look stupid (from the player's weltanschauung)...better take part in at least 1 FIDE-rated International Classical tournament and you'll learn more from that event than by just being a mere spectator for 10competitions.

Having participated in my first classical event, there are some matters which I need to review or rather handle delicately when giving comments to the kids in future events.
Amongst them:-
(TBC)
(1)  "Macam mana boleh blunder, didn't you check your pieces?"
(2) " Kenapa tulis tak clear?"
(3) " Why don't you take a walk!? There's lots of time left! "

MMU Debate Open 2013

Was up at 5AM so that we can checkout after Subuh prayers from the Red Rock Hotel (venue of the 5th Penang Open to see eldest debate at the MMU Debate Open in Cyberjaya.

After car heating issues were tentatively resolved by sending to the Workshop and calling theAAM people for assistance.......only around 4.50pm we headed for Cyberjaya. Just managed to get the tail-end of the 3rd Round. One of those rare occasions where I appreciate an event running behind schedule.

...sat in for the Roll Call and it was announced that the Motion for the 4th Round will be:- TH Regrets Intervening in the Central African Republic ". Everybody went.....aargghhh.....urrrghhhh or something to that effect.

Managed to watch the 4th Round "Silent Debate"...Eldest was the Government as DPM whilst Mariam Choo was the PM. BTW there's also the Opposition, Closing Government and Closing Opposition Teams. It was over around 7.30PM just in time to perform Maghrib prayers.

Left CyberLodge around 11am.......Dead Tired after an 18-hours day.

RM600 Chess JOURNEY to 5th PENANG OPEN 2013

UPDATE:
Official Results

Both improved their points haul by 1point compared to last year.
hAnA finished with 4points whilst CP got 3points.

Though a 1point improvement was recorded, am largely disappointed with their performance and attitude especially when compared to the juniors from Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and even Malaysia.

The only memorable point of note is that all got their first half point against FIDE-rated players which should set them on their way to getting their FIDE rating once they can get another point against other FIDE-rated players in future events as the minimum number of FIDE-rated they've played I.e. 10pax have been met ( by hAnA much earlier) in this tournament by CP who finally met his 10th FiDE-rated player in this event.

UPDATE 7 @ 11/12
CP finally won his 1st game against an unrated player in the 4th round. hAnA lost to higher rated player.

UPDATE 4, 5 & 6 @ 10/12

4th Round Pairings
....aaarggh, another 10 year old opponent.

An "incident" happened during the end game part...I would say around 7.30pm and onwards.
First time I'd seen Hamid raise his voice in ordering a parent out as she was deemed to be Interfering with the game. The scene happened on Board 56 in the Open event.

Play in "Dispute" Sequence (Based on my observations):-
1. White King was being checked.
2. Instead of moving king or blocking the check, white player checked the opponent's king.
3. Realising it was an illegal move, white player moved back the piece to its original position & moved another piece.
4. Black player claimed "touch move" as the piece could have been used to block the check.

IT GETS a bit "Hazy" after this.
5. Arbiter/Assistant was called.
6. Game proceeded.
7. Black Player lost.
8. Parent/Entourage complains & are intending to file an appeal.

Heard an appeal might be filed.

My Take based on what I've learnt during the National Arbiter Course I'd attended in February and held during NAG 2013, Read HERE. (NOT intending to pre-empt the appeal):-
1. Player was right to claim touch move and called the arbiter.
2. HOWEVER, once he decided to play on & did not state his intention to appeal the initial decision - he sealed his fate.
3. IF, he had signed the score sheet - "agreeing to the result" than I would say his appeal is doomed as the game is over.
4. SIMPLY PUT, chess is a game between 2 players. Whatever, dispute needs to be settled during the game or, the player should state their intention to file an appeal and do not sign on the result sheet.

>>>>>>>
Detected error in CP's birth year. Asked organiser to rectify the incorrect 2006 stated.

Today's Results: hAnA - 1.5pts/2 / CP - 0.5pts/2 Note: First results against FIDE-rated player.
After 3 rounds: hAnA - 1.5pts/3 (50%) / 0.5pts/3 (16.5%)

3rd Round Pairings

>>>>>>>
2nd Round Pairings

Yesterday was a bad day...ALL lost. On top of that despite being paired to play on the Top Board for the 2nd consecutive event(She played against Tan Li Ting in the 1st Round at 6th NJCC in JB) I felt that hAnA was "deprived" from playing against a higher ranked player when the top seed didn't turn up.
Hoping things will change today.

UPDATE 3 @ 09/12, PM
5th Penang Heritage City International Chess Open 2013 officially opened by the Dato' Bandar (Mayor of Georgetown).Participants from 19countries are taking part in the Open event.                                                        In the Challenger Section, 8 countries are represented - after Malaysia, majority of foreign participants are from Indonesia(25pax), Singapore(12pax) & Philippines(4pax).

UPDATE 2 @ 09/12
Starting List for Challenger Section:- http://chess-results.com/tnr118520.aspx?lan=1

UPDATE 1 @ 08/12

Starting list for Open event:- http://chess-results.com/tnr118481.aspx?lan=1>>>>>>>

The RM400 Journey in 2012, HERE


Having attempted to reduce the entrance fees for 3pax but in vain as no reply was received, we're here in Penang after a short R&R stay in KL after the just concluded 6th National Junior C.C. in JB.

Alhamdullilah, Smooth & Safe Journey - Back in Pulau Pinang for the 2nd Year running to take part in the @5th Penang Heritage City International Chess Open 2013 - Challenger Section. We even got the same room as per last year's. Hope improvements can be achieved. 

The main difference this year...emmm.....we shall see whether the challenge laid down will be taken up!

Expenses:

600      - Entrance Fees

100.60 - Toll (43.30 + 7 + 7 + 43.30 )

250      - Petrol

128      - Red Rock Hotel (128 x ?? Nights @ 8/12 - 14 /12)

500est. - Food & Misc.

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