NATIONAL AGE GROUP (NAG 2013) @UTP, Tronoh-Perak DR

UPDATE 3 @ 24/1:
Accommodation Hunting. Tronoh Homestay. (Good contacts & referrals by Homestay operators). Due to the "inconvenient location" of NAG 2013, securing local accommodation proved to be a little bit more challenging than the previous 2 outstation chess excursions to KT(MSSM) and Penang(4th Penang Heritage City).

UPDATE 2 @ 20/1:
A few officials from MCF dropped by the RSC Juniors Open competition venue. RSC Juniors event Blog Post HERE.

Zuraihah Wazir was circulating the NAG 2013 flyers to parents in attendance. I took the opportunity to make a direct submission of the entry forms to Haslindah Ruslan (MCF VP & Acting Treasurer). Haslindah also issued an official receipt to me...a rarity in chess competitions as the only other entrance fees receipt that I'd received to-date was from Polgar Chess Academy & Cerdik Catur Enterprise.

Was also informed of a National Arbiters Training/Seminar to be conducted concurrently with NAG 2013 for RM150 (RM80 if participant is nominated by the respective state affiliates).

UPDATE 1 @ 15/01:
New NR included below.


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MCF had just released the NAtional Age Group (NAG) 2013 dates, Refer HERE.

Am hopeful that I can sort out the logistics and budget on my end as NAG 2013 will be held at Universiti Teknologi Petronas(UTP), Tronoh-Perak. Though why the event will be held at an inconvenient place is anybody's guess. Many parents I spoke to are OK with NAG being held at any of the cities be it KL, Penang, Ipoh or even JB and Alor Setar as many of the players come from these cities and accommodation wouldn't really be an issue. Estimated budget to participate in NAG 2013 is at least RM750 (80-Entrance Fees, 300-Accommodation, 250-Transport & 120-Food/Misc)...on second thoughts, better revised budget to RM850 as I don't think We'll only be spending RM120 on food.

NAG 2012 was held in March at Wisma OCM-KL, a convenient location for the majority of paticipants. It was the first time the kids took part in the NAG event. Louisa of PCA recommended that I enter hAnA. In the end, I entered all the kids including Faiz who hadn't taken part in any chess competitions before and as such I had to purchase a DGT timer for RM200(if I recall correctly) just to ensure that he gets used to a
competition environment.

Eldest sister Fathina took part in the Girls U-14 category, hAnA took part in the Girls U-10, whilst Faiz in his maiden competition debut participated in the Boys U-8 section. They were placed 21st, 8th and 18th respectively with 1, 4 and 2.5points earned over 8rounds.

This year, Fathina won't be taking part due to her concentration on the PMR exams. Only the 2 regulars would be participating. Hence, my targets for them are as follows:-
(1) hAnA
7th, Girls U-12 with 5points (NAG 2012 = 4points
Her Competitors: Not sure of their actual age group but I guess it'll be Puteri Munajah, Melanie Koo, Mok Shu Z, Iman Sofea, Zainoor Ikmal

(Note: NAG 2012, 8th Girls U-10 with 4points. Below Zainoor Ikmal, others)

(2) The cHEss pIRATE
10th, Boys U-8 with at least 4points(NAG 2012 = 2.5points
His Competitors: Again not sure of the age-group but regulars would be Ng Shi Yang, Dinesh Kumar, Wong Zi Yue, Cheah Kah Hoe, Ivan Yap & Others

(Note: NAG 2012, 18th Boys U-8 with 2.5points. Below NSY, DK, WZY, CKH, IY)

In terms of competition build-up leading to NAG 2013, am "sharpening" the kids by enrolling them in the Rapid format RSC Juniors Open on 20th January followed by the FIDE-rated Classical format DTCC Golden Special from 24th to 28th January 2013