NO SHOW at 1st Johor Open 2014

Event INFO.

Despite being the first few to sign up for the event in April, paid the entrance fees and booked the hotel room we unfortunately have to give the event a miss.
Reason being hAnA is applying for a place in a few residential schools for Form 1 next year and there are application forms to be submitted, selection programmes to attend in addition to the odd interview etc. etc.

All the best to the participants in the inaugural event.

MISSING NATIONAL Rapid & Blitz for RBS@Melaka!

The National Rapid competition was supposed to be hAnA's swansong for the U-12 age group. However, due to her being called by KYS (refer 11 October 2014 blogPOST ) to attend a Residence-based Selection or RBS which is supposed to whittle down the applicants from 250 to the final 100 from 22 till 25 November, we have to give the event a miss.

Could have still made arrangements for CP to compete but when asked as to whether he wants to compete or not he said - "..it'll spoil my classical game la ayah!". Hah! I thought since when has he ever been bothered? Perhaps he's become conscious after being asked not to play in the U8 category in the recent Term Break tournament (read 17 November 2014 blogPOST ). Additionally, a KL teacher also ask that CP plays more games  against 1400-1600NR opponents.

All the best to those taking part in the Nationals at UTP Tronoh starting tomorrow.

MAJLIS ANUGERAH CEMERLANG 2014

UPDATE 1:

 ( 2 prizes for hAnA)

( Anugerah Holistik Tahun 1 - Amir Faiz Amirul )

>>>>>>>
Its prize-giving day today or officially called "Majlis Anugerah Cemerlang" for academic purposes and both hAnA and CP received an invitation earlier in the week on a green-coloured letter to attend the ceremony which is supposed to begin at 8AM.

After yesterday's Majlis Anugerah Kokurikulum,, its the second day running that hAnA gets to go on stage. hAnA gets her "regular" academic prizes which we have come to expect. It is also CP's second day running to go on stage after yesterday when the school finally "re-awarded" his 10th Asian School's Runners-Up Trophy (read August 2014 blogPOST). Based on the invitation received, CP will be given the "Anugerah Holistik". What the anugerah is for I've no idea but perhaps its something academic related.

TOKOH KOKURIKULUM 2014 - Amira Farhana Amirul

( Tokoh Kokurikulum S.K.Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (1) Kuala Lumpur 2014 - Amira Farhana Amirul )

It was announced during the Majlis Anugerah Kokurikulum today that hAnA is S.K.TTDI(1)'s TOKOH KOKURIKULUM for 2014.

Based on what was read out during the ceremony, I believe this was how the school classified her participation:-

INTERNATIONAL
Chess - Team Bronze(rapid), 15th ASEAN Age Group C.C.
Australian Examination - English, Maths & Science
Open University Malaysia(OUM) - Certificate in Financial Literacy

NATIONAL
Choral Speaking

STATE
Choir

DISTRICT
PRS

SCHOOL
Badminton
Art/Colouring Competitions
Ketua Darjah / Pen.Ketua Darjah
President, Chess Club
Ketua 6 Sekawan, Pengakap

Alhamdullilah and Congratulations hAnA. Hope the award increases your chances of a scholarship to a school of your choice.

TOP in SCHOOL - S.K.TTDI(1) STD.6 Closed.

In a competition organised for standard 6 students only, hAnA took the top spot over the twins Nafiz and Nazif. Further down were her team mates who represented Bangsar Zone in the MSSWPKL finals earlier this year.

Congratulations hAnA...still can play a bit despite the long break.

Term Break Chess Tournament - THiRD,U14

Event INFO

Over the weekend CP was supposed to to perform in his first simul in PJ with 20-30 students but the event was cancelled. Thanks to Ms.Louisa managed to register him at the last minute for the Term Break tournament the good thing of which it starts at 11am. However, to improve his game he cannot play in the U8 event.

In an event he rarely participates in i.e. U-14, CP emerged third with 4 points(3 wins & 2 draws) from 5 rounds. The 2 persons he drew with finished 1st(4.5 pts) and 2nd(4 pts).

Part 3 - 1st among EQUALS...80m CHAMPION!

( Amir Faiz, Champion 80m Dash flanked by 2 Yellow House Runners )

The final day of the postponed(postponed due to the haze earlier in the year) SKTTDI(1) Sports Day took place under the hot blistering sun. Spectators were either seeking shelter under the trees' shade or holding umbrellas. The fortunate few were seated under the limited grandstand space. I could have easily wringed my pagoda shirt!

Against this backdrop, Amir Faiz took the lead in the first 20metres and by about 1-2 feet  took the gold in the 80m dash from 2 yellow house runners. His second gold in consecutive days and an "upgrade" from last year's 30m gold during KAFA Sports Day. He will now represent the school in the next inter-school relay. Perhaps it's time to invest in spikes for him!?

Part 2 - 1st among EQUALS...in SCHOOL!

CP just won his first primary school athletics gold medal when as the first runner, he led the Blue House Team to a relay gold.

1st among EQUALS...in BLUE House.

In the 80m dash today, CP finished 1st amongst Blue House members and in the process earned the rights to represent Blue House for tomorrow's 80m dash finals.

Hopefully, he can continue from last year's performance and earn a medal in the sprint event (Read 28 April 2013 blogPOST).

Whatever happens though, bragging rights still rests with his Grandparents(Kedah) and Mum(NS) who represented the state in athletics.

MAGNIFICIENT 7th for CM Amir Faiz Amirul - CHAMPION U8, 20th Kepong Juniors 2014

( CP having his hands full with the prizes - Challenge Trophy, Trophy, Hamper, Cash & Achievement Certificate )

* Pictures courtesy of Megat Khushairi *

Event INFO
Official RESULTS

Celebrating his CM title being officially registered by FIDE and being Malaysia's Youngest CM , Amir Faiz marked the occasion by winning the 7th title in his career.

CONGRATULATIONS to CM Amir Faiz bin Amirul aka The self-proclaimed cHEss pIRATE (Read HERE) for adding a SEVENTH title to his name i.e. 20th KEPONG JUNIORS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 - CHAMPION, U-8 Age Group Category.

In a field of 81 players, Faiz played 7 Games and finished the event with a 100% record of 7 Wins.

CONGRATULATIONS Amir Faiz @ The cHEss pIRATE...May You continue to win more titles in the future, InsyALLAH.

Titles to-date:-
(1) 2012 (Sept: 2) PCA MALAYSIA DAY CHESS CHALLENGE, U-7 CHAMPION.
(2) 2013 (June 30) 2nd THE SUMMIT JUNIORS OPEN, U-7 CHAMPION (100%).
(3) 2013 (July 20) 1st SStwo MALL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP, U-12 CHAMPION (100%).
(4) 2014 (Feb.9) SHAH ALAM AGE GROUP - BELOW 1300NR, U-12 CHAMPION (100%).

(5) 2014 (Feb.26-28): MAJLIS SUKAN SEKOLAH MALAYSIA KUALA LUMPUR, U-9 CHAMPION(100%).
(6) 2014 (Apr.25-27): NATIONAL AGE GROUP C.C, U-8 CHAMPION (100%).

LATEST (7) 2014 (November): 20th KEPONG JUNIORS, U-8 CHAMPION (100%).

20th KEPONG JUNIORS 2014

Event INFO
Official RESULTS

 ( U8 Category - 1st: Amir Faiz, 2nd: Megat Imran, 3rd:Iskandar Haikal )

* Pictures courtesy of Megat Khushairi *

Having missed last year's event due to late registration, I registered and paid early this year i.e. on 14 September (almost 2 months early)...and despite that I still missed the early bird gift for the 1st 100 early birds...well that speaks for the response garnered.

CP had played in this event before in 2012 (read 4 November 2012 blogPOST) but I could not accompany him and hAnA due to a public speaking engagement in Yayasan Restu. Hence, it is my first time attending this event and now I know why this event is always "sold out" weeks or even months in advance.

List of plus points:-
(1) Value for Money - for RM25 entrance fee which other event can one think of which also provides lunch(after R3) and tea(after R5)? In addition, participants were given a clip file with the words "Malaysian Book of Records"
(2) Better Prizes - Top 3 winners get a sizeable trophy, cash, a decent hamper and achievement certificate.
(3) Honouring Past Winners - Previous Winners were honoured with a flyer listing the names of all category winners from the 1st year of the event to last year's. Again, I can't recall any event in Malaysia (even for FIDE-rated events) which remembers past winners like Kepong Juniors.

The only glitches were the 19minutes delay in start time compared to event info and the lack of a prayer room(which was rectified by the organisers after a request was made by Muslim parents attending the event).

Overall, I would recommend this event to the chess fraternity to participate in next year. I look forward to coming again next year and seeing CP's name in the Past Winners flyer. Congratulations and well done to the organisers.

OFFICIAL - YOUNGEST Candidate Master(CM) in Malaysia's History, CM AMIR FAIZ!

Refer FIDE website:- AMIRUL, AMIR FAIZ

( Picture used for Accreditation Card in WYCC2013 & 10th ASCC 2014 )

It's official, FIDE has registered his CM title and in the process making Amir Faiz Amirul @ The cHEss pIRATE as the Youngest Candidate Master (CM) in Malaysia's history. He obtained the CM by virtue of his 2nd place finish (Tie on points with Champion)  at the recent 10th Asian Schools Chess Championship 2014 held in Taichung-TAIWAN. (Read 29 August 2014 blogPOST).

 ( Prize Presentation. Note Prize already damaged due to his football kick. )

 ( Malaysian Contingent at 10th ASCC 2014 in Taichung-TAIWAN )

( Washington High School@Taichung - Venue for 10th Asian Schools 2014 )

Thank you very much to all family members, relatives, friends, chess players/chess fraternity and sponsors for the support extended throughout the years. Credit must also go to CP's Coach i.e. FT Peter Long for the achievement as well as all the trainers at Polgar Chess-Sri Hartamas.

"Discovery" Drive to 1st KTJ Chess Tournament 2014

Event INFO
Official RESULTS

I can't recall ever travelling to this part of the country before and even if I did it must have been during the last millennium when I was an Islamic banker and financial institutions were basically "giving out" bridging and end financing packages to the plethora of development mushrooming as a result of the construction of KLIA. The drive to KTJ itself and back  to KL using the LEKAS highway was relatively peaceful with low traffic volume.

CP did relatively well by emerging Champion in the U8 category (7th overall in U12) and pocketing RM100. Despite his defeat to the top seed Perak player JGB( who finished  4th in the  MSSM Kuching U12 individual event while CP only placed 8th with 4points), he managed to force his opponent to think till only 3:37 of the 25minutes alloted was left. He also drew with KT who was placed 3rd overall in the 4th round. I do have an issue however with his other draw. As for hAnA, IMO considering she had not played in any event since June's 15th ASEAN Age Group due to UPSR she was "rather steady" with 4.5points from 7 rounds.

A special note of thanks goes to Mr.Sharman Johan & Mr.Faroq Iskandar who are directors of FISSAD (M) Sdn. Bhd., an advertising agency for sponsoring the kids participation in this event. Further info on FISSAD can be gleaned from their website:- http://www.fissad.com/aboutus.html


On a side note: The main reason for registering hAnA & CP to the event is to "checkout" the KTJ campus itself as I was informed scholarships were being offered.
Upon inquiry, the lady Registrar explained that scholarships(or discounts) of 25%, 50% & 75%  of the fees were offered in about the same ratio e.g. Out of 19 scholarships, 6students@25%, 6@50%, 6@75% and perhaps 1 student will get a 100% scholarship as they are rarely given out. The main criteria apart from academic excellence is an outstanding co-curricular record. She gave the example of students being in KTJ on a tennis or squash scholarship.
On the surface, the infrastructure of KTJ seemed to be better than KYS Melaka. The student demographics were 75% Malaysian students with the rest being foreigners (mostly Mat Sallehs) with Malay students constituting around 20%. The downside for me is when asked about religious activities - the respondent weren't able to answer the question and asked a student to answer...to which he said they organised Raya gatherings etc. Red flags were raised when the student mentioned that he's not a member of the Islamic Society.