Latest NR of AMfa FAmily: July-September 2012

The July-September 2012 Malaysian National Chess ratings aka NR were just released.
Details, can be observed HERE

The AMfa FAmily's latest NR are as follows:-

(1) AMir FAiz aka cHEss pIRATE = 1112.
Gathered from 2 competitions:-
A. 4th KL Scholastic ( - 0.8 )
B. MBPJ Open ( + 11.2 )
NETT = 10.4 + 1102(Previou s Ratings)

(2) AMira FArhana aka hAnA = 1242.
Accumulated from 3 tournaments:-
A. 4th KL Scholastic ( + 38.42 )
B. 2012 MSSM in KT ( - 74.11 )
C. MBPJ Open (+ 73.19 )
NETT = 36.8 + 1205

(3) AMira FAthina = 1077
NO CHANGE. Even though she took part in the Seremban Zone MSSNS Chess competition, her ratings have NOT changed as the Seremban Zone competition was NOT a National-rated event.

(4) AHM = 1383
Debut NR in Chess after taking part in his maiden competition i.e. the MBPJ Open in response to hAnA's challenge.

Discussing Matters Related to Chess in School

Today, after school hours I went to see hAnA's Class Teacher(Cikgu Nur Halim) & the School's Principal(Pn.Hajjah Nik Nab) as well.

I was concerned that hAnA's continued absence from class and school due to Chess(around 2-3weeks) and Choral Speaking(1-2 weeks) is starting to take it's toll on her academic performance. Never before had I seen in hAnA's class standing a position any lower than 3rd but, I saw it this year when I collected her report card last week.

Hence, I requested that an official letter be inserted into hAnA's records stating that from January-June of this year she had missed classes due to her representing the school in Choral Speaking.......and of course, hAnA representing the SKTTDI School (@ SK Seri Hartamas), Bangsar Zone (@ SK Desa Tun Hussein Onn) and Federal Territory (@ Kuala Terengganu for MSSM Chess) Team for Chess.

The school Management were very supportive of my request and promised to do so within a week. Puan Hajjah Nik Nab was very supportive and gave hAnA some words of encouragement to work harder at her chess game so that hopefully she can even represent Malaysia in the future.

My sincere thanks to the Principal of SKTTDI(1) - Pn.Hajjah Nik Nab, her Senior assistant - Puan Kamariah and Cikgu Nur Halim for the support given. Not forgetting, Ustaz Rosdi and Puan Norliana for handling the SK.TTDI(1) Chess Team.SYUKRAN, SYUKRAN.

MSSM 2012 - Medal Standings & TQ KL Teachers

Before the AMfa family leaves Permai Hotel, Kuala Terengganu - Final Medal Standings for MSSM Chess Tournament 2012:-

(1) SELANGOR. Gold: 4. /. Silver: 5. / Bronze: 3
(2) WP(KL & Putrajaya). 4. / 2. / 1
(3) Pulau Pinang. 3. / 2. / 2
(4) Terengganu Darul Iman. 1. / 0. / 0
(5) Johor Darul Takzim. 0. / 1. / 1
(6) Melaka. 0. / 1. / 0
(7) Kelantan Darul Naim 0. / 1. / 0
(8) Perak Darul Ridzuan.0. / 0. / 2
(9) Sarawak Bumi Kenyalang 0 / 0 / 1
(10) Negeri Sembilan D.K. 0 / 0 / 1
(11) Pahang Darul Makmur. 0 / 0 / 1

Note: Though 2nd in the Medal Standings, WP still improved by 1 Bronze compared to the 2011 MSSM in Penang(4 Gold & 2 Silver @TOP) and big jump from 2010 MSSM in Perlis (1 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze @ 3rd).

Finally, last but certainly NOT the least - AMfa's Family Deepest Gratitude to ALL the FT Chess Teachers who'd Organised, Coached and Managed the FT Team from the initial Centralised Training at S.K.Desa Tun Hussein Onn-KL to the MSSM Tournament proper in Kuala Terengganu. Kudos to Cikgu Suhairi, Cikgu Azwan, Cikgu Shamsuddin, Cikgu Azman, Cikgu Herman, Cikgu Sofi, Cikgu Suhaila and Bapak IM Irwanto Sadikin.

FINAL DAY of MSSM Chess in KT

UPDATE: The prayed for miracle turned into a whitewash. FT lost 0-4 to Penang.
Overall the FT Girls U-12 Team finished 7th.
Final Results:- MSSM Official

Play just started.

Going into the 6th & Final Round, the Team Rankings for the U-12 Girls are:-
1) 10 MP(18.5), Penang
2) 07 MP(14), Johor
3) 07 MP(12.5), Terengganu
4) 06 MP(12.5), Selangor
5) 06 MP(12), N9
6) 06 MP(11), Sabah
7) 06 MP(11), WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN
8) 06 MP(9.5),Perak

Theoretically, if the FT Team can win they have a chance to get a medal.

The Pairings are:-
1) WP (6) v. Penang (10)
2) Johor (7) v. Terengganu (7)
3) Selangor (6) v. N9 (6)
4) Sabah (6) v. Perak (6)
5) Perlis(4) v. Sarawak(4)
6) Melaka (4) v. Pahang (4)
7) WP Labuan (2) v. Kedah (4)
8) Kelantan (4) -BYE-

6th & Final Round: PENANG

Mr. Suhairi informed during the evening FT Team Briefing that FT's final round opponent for the Girls U-12 is Penang.
Short of a Team Disqualification, Penang will be the Champion for this group. IF, the FT Team can get a draw or stage an upset...FT Team will have some bragging rights.

The Final Round tomorrow will start 30minutes earlier I.e. at 8AM due to Friday prayers.
Farhana will be playing against Goh Jie Yie(NR around 1400) and I'm praying for an upset here.
ALL THE BEST to the FT TEAM in upsetting the walk-in champions.

4th Round: v. PAHANG Darul Makmur & 5th Round: v. KELANTAN Darul Naim

5th Round: KELANTAN
----------------------
EVENING UPDATE: Hana lost after the xx move. However, another sterling performance by Iman Sofea and assisted ably by Esther on the 3rd Board coupled with Allaida debut win enabled FT to win the match 3-1. Thus,6 Match Points in the MSSM Chess Tournament with 2 Wins (against Pahang & Kelantan, 3-1 margins) and 2 Draws (against Sarawak & N9).

Kelantan will be the FT opponents in the 5th Round beginning at 2.30pm.
Hana is playing against Nur Faqihah.


4th Round: PAHANG
--------------------
11.30AM UPDATE: Finally, Farhana scored her maiden point in the MSSM Tournament. Checkmate in 30minutes.
The FT Team won the match 3-1 and secured their Maiden win and obtained 2 Matchpoints bringing their total for the tournament to 4 Matchpoints.

FT U-12 Girls Team is drawn against Pahang for the 4th Round.
Hana is paired against Siti Khairunissa on the 2nd Board.

REST DAY & Open Galleries

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

of OPEN GALLERIES
--------------------
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.

3rd ROUND: v. N9

4.30 PM UPDATE: Hana lost the game against Sasithra whilst playing White. However, Iman Sofea and Esther Tang on the 1st and 3rd Board respectively won their games resulting in the Match being drawn and FT earning their 2nd Match Point.

FT Girls U-12 have been drawn against the Negeri Sembilan team in the 3rd Round.

Amira Farhana is pitted on the 2nd Board against Sasithra.

2nd ROUND: v.SARAWAK

UPDATE: FT Team Drew 2-2 with Sarawak. Hence, 1 Match Point Gained


The Borneo Island seemed to have a "love affair" with the U-12 Girls Team.
Yesterday,it was SABAH NEGERI DI BAWAH BAYU. TODAY, the FT Team have been paired against SARAWAK BUMI KENYALANG.
Sarawak have no rated player and as such will start with an average rating of 1200

As per Yesterday, Farhana is playing 2nd Board and her opponent is Fion Law.

VENUE Familiarisation & 1st Round PAIRING

8.30AM UPDATE:
U-12 Girls Team lost to Sabah 1-3


1.30PM UPDATE:

( The Official Pairings for MSSM GIRLS U-12 Event, Round 1. KL v. Sabah )

FT Girls U-12, Paired Against SABAH.
The U-12 Team will be starting with an average rating of 1222. Sabah only have 1 rated player and thus will start with an average rating of 1201.

FARHANA will be Playing 2nd Board against Siti Zulaikha.
Rest of the Team:
1st Board: Iman Sofea v. (WON)
3rd Board: Esther v. (LOST)
4th Board: Allaida v. (LOST)

( KL Chess Team 2012 to MSSM Chess K.Terengganu. Picture: Courtesy of MSSMKL blogspot )



Time: 8.45AM (0845 hours)
Venue: STADIUM TERTUTUP NEGERI TERENGGANU


9.30AM: Contingents Picture-Taking Session, starting with Perlis, Kedah & Penang. Perak, Selangor & KL next.

FT MSSM Chess Team Leaves 4 KT

The FT Chess Team just left the Pusat Kecemerlangan Sukan Cochrane (PKSC) for the MSSM Tournament in KT.
Also seen were the FT Softball Team, headed for KT as well.

Teachers Escorting: Cikgu Azwan (sporting a Commando haircut) & Cikgu Azman. Also Coach i.e. IM Irwanto Sadikin.

Good Hunting, Team.

FT Call-Up for Amira Farhana - MSSM @Kuala Terengganu, June

( The 2012 WP-KL Contingent to MSSM Chess Competition in Kuala Terengganu )

At 1.23pm today, I received a call from Cikgu Rosdi(S.K.TTDI-1 Chess Teacher).

Cikgu Rosdi informed that the school had received news via fax and follow-up phone call that Amira Farhana have been selected to represent the Federal Territory Chess team in the Girls U-12 category for the MSSM Chess Tournament which would be held in Kuala Terengganu during the mid-year school holidays in June. Additionally, Farhana is supposed to report for Centralised Training at S.K.Desa Tun Hussein Onn w.e.f. Tomorrow at 10am.

Alhamdullilah & Well Done Farhana for your selection to be a FT player whilst in Standard Four. Hana - Always be Humble & Appreciate ALL those that had helped you on your journey.