chess in SAUDI ARABIA!

Finishing in the Top 4 in the U-8 category during the recent NAG at UTP, Tronoh-Perak ( Results HERE ) and being qualified to be the "official" Malaysian representative...whatever that means ( HERE ), I'd wanted to enter the cHEss pIRATE for the ASEAN Age Group 2013 competition in Chiangmai, Thailand with the men escorting him i.e. Tok Ba and myself whilst the ladies i.e. Tok Mama, Mummy, eldest Amira and hAnA performs the umrah at the holy land. Main reason for this arrangement is that the cHEss pIRATE can be a bit "difficult" to handle due to his track record of going AWOL or MIA in Shopping Complexes, Hotels and other places in Malaysia. A change of policy by the Saudi Arabian authorities vis-a-vis "tumpang muhrim" resulted in the whole family going instead.

Alhamdullilah, I've no complaints for this twist of fate. Was informed by a Jemaah(not sure whether its true or not) that kids below a certain age will not be issued umrah visa. Praised to the Almighty that the family is here in Mekah now. At times, after praying in Masjidil Haram...I can hear the cHEss pIRATE uttering some "chess Doa" though I can't really hear what he's uttering. Am just hoping that he didn't doa that "I can't beat him in chess forever and ever....or, infinity!".

At the same time an old alumni, requested for a rematch at the hotel where we're staying...emmm, should be interesting IF the game happens!

(Zuhur Time on 2nd June 2013 with Alumni KZ & Amir Faiz)

Note: Had also wanted to enter hAnA for the National Closed Women's event in KT since the minimum requirement/eligibility is a NR of 1400 (cHEss pIRATE did not qualify due to his 1433 NR whilst 1650 is the minimum requirement for the Men's category). However, had to scrap that idea due to clash of dates.

(Amir Faiz performing Sunnah Prayers after Zuhur in Hijir Ismail on the last Day in Mekah after I'd finished Tawaf Wida'. Stood behind to "protect" him & Managed the Shot)

(View of Panchor Emas from Hijir Ismail after Zuhur in June. Shot whilst standing behind Amir Faiz & Waiting for him to complete Sunnah prayers )