FULL Results 2008 Sarawak Chess Open

Due to some request for the FULL results of the 2008 Sarawak Chess Open, I hereby publish them as per the above. It is good to know that many have followed and want to know the details of the tournament. It shows a very high interest on local chess events. I hope the coverage of this tournament will spark more interest and appeal more chess players to participate in local tournaments especially rated ones either national or FIDE level.

... 10:15 am, Borneo Hotel 106 ...

The Final Results for 2008 Sarawak Chess Open Tournament

The closing speech from YB Dr Abang Haji Abdul Rauf :

• he is a chess player and loves chess
• once participated in Bangkok Open
• believes that chess is a very good activity for school children
• understands how FIDE-rating is very important to local chess players
• very supportive and committed to chess e.g. brought his son to play at international tournament in Brunei few years back eventhough the fee is US 200
• believes that Malaysian youngsters should be exposed to FIDE-rated and international chess tournaments
• hopes that more tournaments organized by SCA (Sarawak Chess Association) in future

Fikri and Irfan with the 1st runner up, Ian Udani

some of the tournament participants

Fikri and Irfan with new chess brothers from BRUNEI.

Me with Fikri and Irfan.

The 2008 Sarawak Chess Open Champion, NM Mohd Kamal Abdullah, with the organizing members.

Me and the boys with Mr Lim Kian Hwa, the president of Sarawak Chess Association.

Fikri and Irfan with Abg Mahathir Abd Mohd Nor and Afiq Afyfy Ahmad from Kuching.

The Results ...

Open category

1st - NM Mohd Kamal Abdullah (7 1/2 - TB: 52 1/2)

2nd - Ian Udani (7 1/2 - TB: 52)

3rd - David Hukom (7 - TB: 54 1/2)   INA

4th - Abdullah Che Hassan (7 - TB: 53)

5th - Lim Zhuo Ren (6 1/2 - TB: 53 1/2)

6th - Aaron Chua (6 1/2 - TB: 49 1/2)

7th - NM Kim Han Edward Lee (6 1/2 - TB: 48)

8th - Abang Mohd Reduan (6 1/2 - TB: 47)

9th - FM Mok Tze-Meng (6 - TB: 52 1/2)

10th - Lim Kian Hwa (6 - TB: 49 1/2)

U16 category

1st - Tan Ken Wei (6 - TB:42 1/2)

2nd - Afiq Afyfy Ahmad (5 1/2 - TB: 50)

3rd - En-Tian Mark Ho (5 1/2 - TB: 39 1/2)  SIN

4th - Faeznor Razali (5 1/2 - TB: 39 1/2)

5th - FM Daniel Howard Fernandez (5 - TB: 51 1/2)  SIN

6th - En-Huei Danielle Ho (5 - TB: 46 1/2)  SIN

7th - Aida Faridah Mohd Shaiden (5 - TB: 41)

8th - Muhd Irfan Haqqim Azhar (5 - TB: 40 1/2)

... 11:20 pm, Borneo Hotel 106 ...

The FINAL Round (9) Sarawak Chess Open

Final Round Pairings

Only three players have equal score of 6 and 1/2 points leading the group. On board 1, Ian Udani played white againts Lim Zhuo Ren. On board 2, the defending champion was up againts National Master (NM) Mohd Kamal Abdullah. 

As per the time of 4:30pm, both Ian Udani and NM Kamal Abdullah won their respective games. So the tie break will determine the champion of 2008 Sarawak Chess Open.

Tbl 28: Fikri vs Awang Mustapha Awang Mahbi (1/2-1/2)

Fikri managed to secure a draw when he was in losing position. He lost in the previous round. That is the game of chess. Once you made a mistake, known as blunder among the chess players, you may end up losing or draw eventhough you were in the winning position.

Thus, Fikri scored 3 and 1/2 points and played againts TWO Fide-rated players and won a game.

Tbl 20: Irfan vs Shahrin Abdullah (1-0)

Irfan managed to secure an important win in the final round. So, he has accumulated 5 points and managed to play againts THREE FIDE-rated players.

Tbl 26: Me vs Abang Aminurashid Naser (0-1)

Once again I was playing againts a Sarawakian state chess player. He moved his pieces very fast. In the end, I resigned when he had a rook and two pawns for promotion. It is a different style of play with fewer pieces attacking but ahead in development and aggressive too. It is a very experience for me, but that is secondary. The most important thing is the development of my son, Fikri, to advance in his chess career. My mission is to make him a Grand Master but let's see how it goes because lots of efforts need to be done and many obstacles need to tackle.

... 4:45pm, 3rd floor Ultimate Professional Center, Kuching ...

The final game of the tournament has just finished. It is between NM Edward Lee and WPM Ismail Ahmad on board 6. Both have 5 and 1/2 points. It is the former who won.

So it is the end of 2008 Sarawak Chess Tournament. Awaiting for the closing and prize giving ceremony.

... 5:15pm, 3rd floor Ultimate Professional Center, Kuching ...

Pictures at 2008 Sarawak Chess Open

Enjoy the pictures of 2008 Sarawak Chess Open, 31 October - 3 November 2008 at Ultimate Profesional Center, Jalan Bukit Mata Kuching.

Eighth Round Sarawak Chess Open

Round 8 Pairings

As per shown by the above pairings, Ian Udani was up againts NM Kamal Abdullah on board 1. They drew. So, they are among the leaders with 6 and 1/2 points. On board 2, FM Mok is having the winning edge. Provided no surprise news, he most surely join the leaders group.  On third board, NM Edward Lee is fighting againts Lim Zhou Ren. The winner will also join the leaders group. If they both draw, only three players have the highest score and will fight for the champion spot that offers RM 2,000.

Tbl 24: Fikri againts Toh Shen Nelson Kiu

Tbl 21: Irfan vs Awangku Kamarunsalehin (1/2-1/2)

Tbl 28: My opponent, Mark Song, is awaiting my move while I am taking pictures.

  My opponent is quite strong. He knows the basic openings and has smart moves. Our pieces were about equal, just I was down a pawn. We had a queen and both rooks as well as pawns. He offered a draw and I accepted it.

Irfan just gets down from the third floor and told me that he drew his game.

... 10:20 am, Restoran Wawasan 2000, Jln Bukit Mata Kuching ...

Cerita Ceriti Di Kuching

Di antara perkara yang menarik perhatian sepanjang aku berada di Kuching ialah kipas yang ada remote control. Kipas seperti gambar di atas adalah di  Restoran Wawasan 2000 tempat sebahagian pemain-pemain catur bersarapan pagi dan makan tengahari termasuk Ian Udani. Dan remote control adalah untuk setiap satu kipas. Kalau tak silap aku tak kurang dari 5 buah.

syeikh_cd di meja 32

Di samping itu dapat juga aku berkenalan dengan pemain dan peminat catur terutamanya yang datang dari Sarawak seperti Abang Azree, Faeznor, Afiq Afyfy dan Morshidi aka sheikh_cd. Di antara topik-topik perbualan ialah tentang opening apa yang bagus dan dilema samada nak tumpukan pada pelajaran atau catur.

Sempat juga aku buat coaching kepada yang masih baru dalam chess tournament. Berkongsi ilmu atau pengalaman mungkin lebih tepat sebab aku pun belum mencapai tahap expert lagi. 

... 12:02 tgh malam, Hotel Borneo 106 ...

Puzzle From Sarawak Chess Open Game

Black to move. Can black win this game? Or is it a draw? Please give your answers in comments or shoutbox.

Seventh Round Sarawak Chess Open

Round 7 Pairing

Six players share 5 points. On board 1, Ian Udani and Abdullah CH drew. FM Mok Tze-Meng, NM Kamal Abdullah, Masrin Erowan and Lim Zhou Ren won againts their respective opponents. The Sarawak CA president, Mr Lim Kian Hwa, won againts FM Soon Wei Yee. He scores 4 and 1/2 points. Three other players with the same point are Aaron Chua, NM Edward Lee and Japeri Reduan.

Tbl 27: Fikri vs Nadzri Izzbullah (1/2-1/2)

Tbl 17: Irfan vs Michelle Ho (1/2-1/2)

Tbl 29: Me vs Chee Han Mervyn Nyam (1-0)

Both the boys drew their games tonite. My expectation was that they both could win the games. But that's chess. You may win againts stronger opponent but you also may lose to weaker opponent.

As for me, I enjoyed my game tonite. The game can be viewed by clicking this link.

... 11:33 pm, Borneo Hotel ...

Sixth Round Sarawak Chess Open

Round 6 Pairing

The results become more interesting!! The top board of Round 5 drew. Thus Ian Udani and Abdulllah CH, both 4 and 1/2 points, will play each other on the top board. The defending champion will be playing on board 2 againts Morsin Ahmad who defeated Kamaludin Yusof  earlier. WPM Ismail Ahmad was defeated by Lim Zhuo Ren.

That's the latest update from 3rd floor, Ultimate Professional Center, Kuching Sarawak.

... 1:50 pm ... 

Tbl 22: Fikri vs Shahrin Abdullah (0-1)

Tbl 11: Irfan vs Kamaludin Yusof (0-1)

Tbl 26 : Me vs Awang Mustapha Awang Mahbi (0-1)

As per now, both me and Fikri lose our games. Irfan is still playing. Next round tonite we need to get back on our feets to win all our games especially for the boys who are on the mission to play againts FIDE-rated players and get FIDE rating points. Three more rounds to go!!

... 3:45 pm ...

The result of Irfan's game is he succumbs to a defeat! He lost a pawn where his opponent got the momentum. NEVER MIND! WE WILL COME BACK WITH VENGANCE (betui ka? hehehe) TONITE!

Sarawak Open Starting List

As promised yesterday, the starting list for the Sarawak Chess Open is displayed above.

Fifth Round Sarawak Open

Round 5 Pairing

Some updates on the top boards. Abdullah CH won the game yesterday night to make him the only one who has not lost yet. Top seed and last year's defending champion, FM Mok Tze-Meng drew with an Indonesian player, David Hukom. NM Edward Lee was defeated by the Singaporean youngster, FM Daniel Howard. Ian Udani won to meet the Singaporean FM on second board. The games for Boards 6, 7 & 8 are drawn. FM Soon Wei Yee, Kamaludin  Yusof, and NM Kamal Abdullah won their respective games.

Tbl 13: Fikri was against the President of Sarawak CA, Mr Lim Kian Hwa

In this round, Fikri got the chance to play againts a 1900-rated player. In some point he had winning position but could not translate it to a win. It would be a huge victory for him had he win the game. Last night sweet victory could not continue this morning. (:-

Tbl 11: Irfan was up againts the third seed, Sulaiman Amir Fakhry

Irfan drew this game. It is a very important 1/2 point for him. So far, he had played two games againts FIDE-rated players.

Tbl 24: Me againts AzharHaji Abu Bakar

In this fifth round, I played black againts him. With slight headache, I could not focus on the game 100%. A bit slack in the opening but I defended quite OK I think.  So far I just managed to win 2 games and lost another 3.

My Fourth Round Game

As promised earlier, please go to this link to view my Round 4 game.

Third Round Sarawak Open

Round 3 pairing

Table 30 : Prabhaharan Rajendra vs Fikri (1-0)

Table 11: Tan Ken Wei vs Irfan (0-1)

Table 28: Me vs Brynnon Bedindang (0-1)

Again my endgame has caused my defeat. Or maybe I need to strengthen my midgame so that I can have over the edge on the endgame. Never mind, I will analyze the game and try to improve my next games.

Need to pray for solat now, Asar & Zuhur. Maghrib will be coming soon. It is at 6:30 pm here in Kuching.  I will update later. 

... 5:30 pm at Borneo Hotel ...

Second Round Sarawak Open

Round 2 Pairing

Fikri vs Halim Haji Led on Table 19.

Fikri could not manage to secure a win in the second round againts an adult player whose national rating is about the same as his. Playing white he resigned after 50th moves.

Irfan vs Michelle Lim Wan Chen on Table 18.

Irfan crushed his opponent in quite a short time. He won after 14 moves and the game is among the earliest to finish.

My 2nd round opponent, a Sarawak state player with 1927 FIDE rating.

I was againts a FIDE-rated player, Faeznor Razali in the second round. My time was more than 1 hour while his was less than 10 minutes. Even I could draw this game but I was for ultimate challange, either I win or I lose. Unfortunately, my ending skill is not enough to secure a win from a top young Malaysian player. Even I blundered very badly in the endgame stage. What a pity!! What a miss!!

In the top ten boards, the results are as expected. Except on Table 2, Lim Zhou Ren upset the third seed and on Table 8, David Hukom won againts the 9th seed. And on Table 9, WPM Ismail Ahmad drew with Charles Lucas.  

First Round Sarawak Open

YB Dr Abang Haji Abdul Rauf made a chess move to officiate the tournament. 

The first round game started at around 9:00 pm. After the opening ceremony officiated by YB Dr Abang Haji Abdul Rauf, the sponsor of the tournament, the briefing and the first round pairing had been carried out. 

Below are the first round games for me, my kid, Fikri, and Irfan.

Fikri vs Yahaya Ahmad from Kedah on Table 36.

Playing black, Fikri drew the game after 44 moves.

Irfan vs Mr Robin Chong on Table 30.

Playing black, Irfan also drew in the first round.

My opponent for the first round on Table 38, Arnold Ong.

A good start for me as I checkmated my opponent after 34 moves. I wonder who is gonna be my next opponent in the second round.  Other results, most of the higher rated players won their respective games. One big upset is when a Singaporean FM was defeated by a top Sabahan player, Abdul Sahim Wising.

Not a bad start for the three of us. After the game finished, we had our dinner at McD. While walking home to the hotel we snapped few pictures in front of the "Kucing' monument. Really need a rest since there will be three rounds tomorrow.