2010 Chinese New Year (CNY) Holiday

Just got back home in Shah Alam from "kampung" in Sungai Besar for Chinese New Year holidays. For Chinese New Year this year, Malaysia is on public holidays on last Monday and Tuesday. GiLoCatur and family went back to hometown on Saturday morning. We had not gone back for "balik kampung" for about two months. Thus, it's time for GiLoCatur to check on the palm tree farm that GiLoCatur and wife is working on. Surely, it is very "bushy with long grass" that the farm needs to be cleared. The process to do that is called "meracun". GiLoCatur hires someone to perform the task.

Fahim, GiLoCatur's youngest son, decided to be with his father on the second day to supervise the work he he he ... In the above picture, wearing a hat bought while GiLoCatur was in Nairobi, Kenya, Fahim is standing next to the machine used during the "meracun" activity.

A small palm tree in GiLoCatur's farm in Sabak Bernam. The palm trees are still growing and have yet producing.

While awaiting the worker doing his job, GiLoCatur took the opportunity to exercise by "menebas" the grass around several palm trees in front of the land lot. The land lot is about 4 acres in size. Exercising is very important for a chess player.

While busy with the farm and the CNY holiday, GiLoCatur and Fikri still managed to have a chess sparring session on one night. It is very important for a chess player to keep practising since lots of chess tournaments to be played especially for Fikri.

Therefore, after finish unloading the car when arrived at home, without delay GiLoCatur checked on the local chess blogs to know the latest updates on MAS vs SIN friendly chess battle that is ongoing today. It's a good news when Malaysia is leading 22 to 16 in the first round. Hopefully, Malaysian players keep up the winning edge to win this year edition.

Insofar FIDE-rated Tournament - Series #2

Another FIDE-rated tournament for Malaysian chess players!

What?

A FIDE-rated chess tournament - Series 2

The Organizer?

Insofar Chess Academy (since 1996)

Format?

7 rounds, time-control of 90 min + 30 seconds increment

The Arbiter?

Abdul Hamid Majid

When?

Every alternate Thursday nights starting on 18 February 2010. All the games will start at 7.00pm until 11.00pm.

Round 1 : 18/02/2010

Round 2 : 4/03/2010

Round 3 : 18/03/2010

Round 4 : 1/04/2010

Round 5 : 15/04/2010

Round 6 : 6/05/2010

Round 7 : 13/05/2010

Where?

DAT Chess Center, Level 4, Kompleks Wilayah, Kuala Lumpur

The fees?

Deposit (RM 80) - returnable and need to be paid earlier, Fee (RM 90) - can be paid before Round 1 starts

Number of players (participants)?

Limited to 20 players only (both rated & unrated). Rated players MUST be below 2200 Elo ratings.

What are the prizes?

The total money prize is RM 2,000

Champion - RM300

2nd - RM 200

3rd - RM 160

4th - RM 140

5th - RM 130

6th to 7th - RM 120

8th to 10th - RM 110

Additional : Best for Under 2000, Under 1900, Under 1800, Under 1700 & unrated category will receive RM 100 each.

Note :

All winners and participants will get certificate.

The organizer can make changes (except the prizes) if necessary.

1. Interested to participate? SMS your Full Name to 017-203 2051 for an application.
2. Once your application to participate is approved, bank in the deposit of RM 80, MUST BE WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER THE APPROVAL, to MBB account - 158172-805863 (Mat Zaki)
3. SMS to inform date and time of bank in and bring the slip or receipt of payment during the tournament day.
4. Pay the entrance fee of RM 90 before Round 1 start.
5. If absent on any of the rounds, RM 20 per round will be deducted out of the deposit. The full deposit or its balance if there is absence will be returned on Round 7.
6. Chess clocks and sets are provided.

"Penemuan" Satu Kaedah Pembelajaran Catur

GiLoCatur ingin berkongsi "penemuan" berikut ketika "merayau-rayau" di alam siber blogosphere luar negara. "Penemuan" yang dimaksudkan adalah dari laman blog catur Elizabeth Vicary, seorang guru catur 'public school' yang dikenali sebagai IS318 atau Intermediate School 318 di Amerika Syarikat. URL laman blog beliau ialah http://lizzyknowsall.blogspot.com/. GiLoCatur amat berharap pemain-pemain catur remaja kita melawati laman-laman blog catur sebegini untuk menimba ilmu pengetahuan dan belajar sesuatu dalam meningkatkan mutu dan prestasi permainan catur mereka.

GiLoCatur dapati sebagai seorang guru catur, Elizabeth, telah memberi kerja rumah ('assignment') setiap 2 minggu sekali kepada semua pelajar2 caturnya untuk "annotate" salah satu game mereka. Ini satu teknik atau kaedah yang sangat bagus dalam pembangunan dan latihan catur. Rasa-rasanya teknik dan kaedah ini tidak digunapakai oleh guru-guru atau coach catur di negara ini. Jika ada baguslah. Jadi, GiLoCatur amat berharap agar kaedah sebegini diamalkan di negara ini demi pembangunan dan kemajuan catur.

Elizabeth telah publishkan anotasi salah seorang anak muridnya, Pobo Efekoro (GiLoCatur rasa dia berasal dari negara Afrika kalau mengikut namanya), di laman blog caturnya di link ini.

Satu lagi, jika diamat-amati, budaya berkongsi game dalam sesuatu pertandingan diamalkan oleh pemain-pemain dan coach catur luar negara seperti Amerika dan Filipina. Diharap budaya sebegini juga diamalkan di negara ini demi pembangunan catur di peringkat akar umbi. Ingatlah, visi dan misi untuk melahirkan chess Grandmaster adalah tanggungjawab semua pemain, peminat, penggiat, ibubapa, guru dan official catur di negara ini.

Bilakah agak2nya Malaysia akan memiliki chess Grandmaster yang pertama? Siapakah beliau?

Do You Want A Chess GM To Be Your or Your Kids Coach?

GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh

( from chessbase.com )

[ GiLoCatur : What a good opportunity to have a chess Grandmaster to teach and guide you or your children in chess. Since our country has yet to have one, we are lucky to "import" (have one like) him here in Malaysia if you are looking a GM to be your or your kids coach. Or maybe you want to promote chess in your area, book him for a simul or a chess workshop or seminar. How much the cost? You need to check with Najib Wahab. ]

GRANDMASTER IN TOWN!!!! Be on the lookout ...

Come end of February, DAT Chess Center will have a resident Grandmaster (GM Ziaur Rahman) to boost its activities and promote chess learning and teaching to another level. A one year program is currently being prepared which comprises of various events and tournaments featuring GM Ziaur as the “main man”, with chess seminars and classes including out station trips to reach out to all corners of our country, to promote and propel chess onto a higher platform.

Some of the programs that will be available during GM Ziaur presence here in Malaysia and DATCC are:

• Individual chess sessions for serious players who would like to improve their chess understanding and playing skills – personalized tutoring and tips, the ideal way to learn and improve!
• Group classes covering specific topics such as chess preparations, openings, endgames, etc. during the night on weekdays (for those who are working in the daytime) and during the weekends (for those who are from out of the KL)
• Monthly Rapid Events – Get a chance to compete against the GM!
• Quarterly FIDE Rated Event – Improve your rating points by beating the GM (try if you can!)
• Chess Seminars and Trainings (An event for all – players, parents, supporters, officials, organizers, enthusiasts and those who wants to know more about chess)
• SIMUL and Exhibition matches – A kiddie events for our up and coming youngsters!
• For those who love Blitz – a bi monthly event to enjoy chess at lightning speed!!!! And get crushed in the blink of an eye!
• Out station trips – For Chess Affiliates, Clubs and Association, this is your chance to get a GM to visit your state and City/Clubs, and pit the local talent against him

If you are not able to make it to the DAT Chess Center for the classes and would like to get the GM Ziaur to come to your establishments, offices or clubs, or a private tutoring at home, such arrangements will also be considered and can be arranged.

For further information or if you are very eager to make an early bookings for any of the events mentioned above, or just to inquire more information with regards to the rates, dates, events, classes and tournaments that are being prepared, please contact najib.wahab@hotmail.com or +6016 338 2542.

[ GiLoCatur : Ever wonder some facts about Bangladesh? We see many many Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia. In petrol station. In hypermarkets like Mydin and Giants. What is its capital city? answer : Dhaka. How many is its population? answer : about 140 million. In chess, how many GMs it has? answer : 5 compared to none for Malaysia. How many titled players it has? answer : 25 (Malaysia : 18) What is its current FIDE ranking? answer : 57th (Malaysia : 67th) ]

Nak Menang Hadiah Dengan Mengundi? Cubalah ...

Dear Friends,

Turkish Chess Federation has prepared 11 different logos for 2012 World Chess Olympiad. 7 of them selected and a webpage prepared for a world voting contest. Which logo do you want in Istanbul Olympiad? Vote now and win a prize!

Please write your name, surname and e-mail address to win prize.

Prizes:

3 DGT 2010 Electronic Chess clock (All world is elligible)
3 Silverscach electronic chess clock (All world is elligible)
10 professional tournament chess set (All world is elligible)
20 chess books (Only for Turkey)

Voting Page

Voting will end on the 31st March 2010

Ali Nihat YAZICI
President of Turkish Chess Federation

source : http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/

Chess (Tournaments) In Malaysian Schools

GiLoCatur is very happy when many have responded to link chess and schools by the Malaysian chess community. In other words, chess events will be held in schools. If USA has chess-in-schools (CIS) program, so Malaysia is beginning to have chess tourneys-in-schools events. SJ(C)K Kepong is one of the Malaysian schools that is very active to have chess tournaments. SMK Seri Putera just had one last week. Now, two more schools will hold chess tournaments this year. The two schools are MRSM Merbok in Kedah and SMK Seri Kenangan in Segamat, Johor. The latter in fact will hold four chess tournaments in a grand prix format. By having chess tournaments in schools, chess can be promoted and developed at the grass roots. More and more school children can participate and involve in chess. Let's support this and kudos to all who bring chess to schools. GiLoCatur hopes more and more schools will be involved in chess, more and more school chess clubs will be active and more and more teachers exposed to chess.

Event : KEJOHANAN CATUR TERBUKA MRSM MERBOK 2010

Date : 20 Feb 2010, Saturday

Organized jointly by : MRSM Merbok & Jaffolea Chess Cub

Venue : Dewan Serbaguna (Multi-purpose hall) MRSM Merbok

Format : G/30 (30 minute time control), 6 Swiss System rounds

The fees : Open (RM 10), Secondary school students (RM 5), Primary school students (RM 3) - pay on the tournament day. Limited to the first 200 participants ONLY!

[ GiLoCatur applauds and congratulates the organizers for having cheap fees. Hopefully, it will attract more players. GiLoCatur also hopes that the organizers will approach and send the flyer to all nearby schools and PPD. ]

The Schedule

0800 - 0915 : Pendaftaran (registration)

0915 - 0930 : Taklimat Pertandingan (tournament briefing)

0930 – 1030 : Pusingan Pertama (Round 1)

1045 – 1145 : Pusingan Kedua (Round 2)

1200 - 1300 : Pusingan Ketiga (Round 3)

1300 – 1400 : Rehat (Rest)

1400 –1500 : Pusingan Keempat (Round 4)

1515 – 1615 : Pusingan Kelima (Round 5)

1630 – 1730 : Pusingan Keenam (Round 6)

1745 – 1800 : Majlis Penyampaian Hadiah & Penutupan Kejohanan (prize giving and closing ceremony)

Registration Closing Date : 19 Feb 2010. Please sms to Cikgu Putra at 0176263768 or0132809176.

For further details like the prizes check out the school's website here or email tocikguputra@gmail.com.

[ GiLoCatur hopes this tournament is a national-rated event. Just pay a sum of fee and submit the tournament results to IA Lim Tse Pin, the official for national rating.

What is MRSM actually? How many MRSM schools in Malaysia or Kedah state besides MRSM Merbok? What are they? If you wonder about these questions, go to wikipedia link here. ]

*************************************

Event : SMK SERI KENANGAN RAPID CHESS GRAND PRIX

Dates :

1) 6 & 7 Mar 2010 - 1st leg

2) 3 & 4 Apr 2010 - 2nd leg

3) 8 & 9 May 2010 - 3rd leg

4) 3 & 4 Jul 2010 - Grand Final

Organized jointly by : SMK Seri Kenangan Segamat, MSSKL Event Management & MCF

Venue : Dewan SMK Seri Kenangan Segamat JOHOR

Format : G/45 (45 minute time control), 7 Swiss System rounds

Points (actual scores) accumulated from each leg will be used as the basis for qualifying for the Grand Finals, where the top 10 in each section will be given free entry and the top 25 overall finishers* in each section will be given priority in participation.

*The organizers reserves discretion in modifying the number of qualifiers.

The Schedule

Saturday

09:00-10:30 Final Registration

11:00-12:30 Round 1

13:30-15:00 Round 2

15:30-17:00 Round 3

Sunday

09:00-10:30 Round 4

11:00-12:30 Round 5

13:30-15:00 Round 6

15:30-17:00 Round 7

17:30-18:00 Closing & Prize Giving

Categories : 1) Open 2) Junior i.e. Under 18 3) Kids i.e. Under 12

The prizes

The total is RM 7,860.

(All the prizes are in Malaysian Ringgit or MYR)

All participants will be given certificate. The winners will get winning certificates too.

The fees : Open (RM 30), Junior (RM 20), Kids (M 15) - pay three days before each leg. Penalty for late payment. Guaranteed the first 300 participants ONLY! So, pre-register early!! The organizers reserve the rights to accept and reject entries.

How to make payment ? Please make payment to the following account.

MSSKL EVENT MANAGEMENT

Am Islamic Bank Berhad, Cawangan Sentul, Jalan Sentul, 51100 KualaLumpur

Account Number: 227 20 2 200 2489

Contact HP: 010-9634258, or email msskleventmanagement@gmail.com for the registration form or further inquiry.

Uptown Shah Alam Rapid Chess - 20 Feb 2010

Uptown Shah Alam facebook.

To all Shah Alam residents and the nearby areas, Uptown Shah Alam is organizing a 15-minute (G/15) rapid chess tournament. Uptown Shah Alam that is located in Section 24 is a popular night shopping venue. The business starts from 8.00pm until 3.00am. Lots of cheap daily goods are sold by various traders. Many events to promote Uptown Shah Alam have been organized. Check out its facebook as the above link for more photos an stories. So, now it's time for a chess event. GiLoCatur knows that many traders and sellers at Uptown Shah Alam are into chess. Below are the details of the event.

What ? : A chess tournament with the format of 15-minute time control per side and 6 or 7 rounds of Swiss System.

When ? : 20 Feb 2010, Saturday night (malam minggu), 9.00 pm - 3.00am

Where ? : Uptown Shah Alam, Muhibbah Complex (Kompleks Muhibbah), Section 24, Shah Alam [ "berbumbung"]

How to register ? sms or email to Azwan - 0192788471, Suhairi - 0123631591 / suhairihussin@yahoo.com, GiLoCatur - sabdlati@gmail.com

The prizes : RM 1,000 in total + 18 hampers including 8 "hadiah sampingan"

(GiLoCatur was told that the champion will receive RM 300 + hamper.)

Top Ten

1st - RM 300 + hamper

2nd - RM 150 + hamper

3rd - RM 100 + hamper

4th - RM 90 + hamper

5th - RM 80 + hamper

6th - RM 70 + hamper

7th - RM 60 + hamper

8- 10th - RM 50 + hamper

Best Categories - Hampers

• Best lady - must be above 12 years old.
• Best Veteran - above 40 years old (GiLoCatur is eligible for this category :)- )
• Best Under 12 both girl & boy
• Best Under 18,
• Best rating Under 1200, Under 1400 & Under 1600

The fees ? : RM 20 for adults (above 17 years old), RM 15 for Under 17 years old

The playing schedule :

Round 1 - 9 pm - 9.30pm

Round 2 - 9.35 pm - 10.05 pm

Round 3 - 10.10 pm - 10.40 pm

Round 4 - 10.45 pm - 11.15 pm

Round 5 - 11.20 pm - 11.50 pm

Round 6 - 11.55 pm - 12.25 am

Round 7 - 12.25 am - 12.55 am

prize giving : 1.10 am

Extra info

1) The tournament is ONLY for Under 1800 national ratings or unrated players.

2) Certification is ONLY for Under 17 participants

3) Payment can be done by depositing the fees into Maybank account of Azwan Abdul Rahman - 164249-001447.

4) The closing date - 18 Feb 2010, Thursday, No late registration. So, Hurry up! "Cepat Cepat Cepat"

5) Limited entry to ONLY 64 participants, so please register early!

6) The tournament will start at 9.00pm.

7) Minuman ringan disediakan oleh pihak penganjur. (The organizer provides refreshment.)

source : Cikgu Suhairi

Uptown Shah Alam dah start organize chess tournament. Macam mana pulak dengan Uptown Damansara? GiLoCatur ada mengenali beberapa orang peniaga dari Uptown Damansara di beberapa pertandingan catur seperti Terbuka Tanjung Karang dan Terbuka De Laguna Park tahun lepas. Mereka memang minat bermain catur. Sanggup datang tournament walaupun kurang tidur. Ini membuktikan ramai peminat2 dan chess fanatics (gilocatur) di kalangan masyarakat kita dari pelbagai lapisan masyarakat. Pihak-pihak yang berkenaan perlu "outreach" mereka ini.

Jika anda ingin berkongsi info ini dengan rakan2 atau sahabat handai sila emelkan entry ini kepada mereka, atau boleh juga download jpeg info pertandingan dari sini untuk diprint.

dikemaskini : 9 feb10, 8.45pm

Sparring Session on 5th Feb 2010 at McDonalds

On last Friday, 5th February, GiLoCatur managed to join the sparring session. Actually, GiLoCatur had a company appreciation dinner which started at 7.30pm until midnite. At around 10.00pm, GiLoCatur left the function to the McDonalds.

GiLoCatur sit next to Ng6 against a new player.

Nf6 came to the sparring to check out his cousin, Ng6. His presence and attendance had heightened the quality of the sparring session. When offered to spar with Nf6, GiLoCatur just took a rain check to avoid humiliation he he he ... :) Maybe next time.

What do you guys laughing on? Maxtal (left) and Fauzi Ahim were smiling before the start of their sparring game. At the other end, Nik Farouqi was watching the game of between Haq and Nf6. Winner stay, eh? GiLoCatur was amazed and intrigued by the solid play of Nf6.

Based on the latest FIDE website, Nf6 is at number 15th in the Malaysian top 100 chess players with 2141 FIDE rating.

Ng6 (left) versus Azam

Azam is making preparation for the Stonemaster Amateur by coming every week to the sparring session. Right, Azam?

Last Weekend Tournaments Summary

There were four known chess tournaments in the country in last weekend. Below are the summary :

1) KL Chess Grand Prix - Leg 1

Organizer : KLCA, Polgar Chess Asia

Venue : Royal Selangor Club, Dataran Merdeka, KL

Format : G/45, 6 Swiss rounds

Total number of players : 29 participants (Open), 25 participants (Under 12)

Categories : Open, Under 12

Champion : Yeoh Li Tian (6/6) for Open category [RM 300], Subramaniam Sivanesan (5.5/6) for Under 12 [RM 150]

Click here for Open category full result.

Click here for Under 12 category full result.

Or here for cross table results.

2) First Saturday Chess Classic (FSCC)

Organizer : Excel Chess Academy

Venue : EXCEL CHESS ACADEMY, 26A JALAN HUJAN EMAS 4, OUG, JALAN KELANG LAMA, 58200 KUALA LUMPUR

Format : G/90 + 30 secs, 6 Swiss rounds

Total number of players : 10 participants

Categories : Open

Champion : Lim Zhou Ren (6/6) [RM 180 + trophy]

Click here for Open category full result.

3) MMU Melaka International Chess Open

Organizer : MMU Chess Club

Venue : MMU, Bukit Beruang, Melaka

Format : G/45, 7 Swiss rounds

Total number of players : 30 participants

Categories : Open

Champion : Ian Udani (6.5/7) [RM 1,000 + trophy]

Click here for MMU Melaka results.

4) Kejohanan Catur SMK Seri Putera

Organizer : PICA and SMK Seri Putera

Venue : Dewan SMK Seri Putera, Ipoh Perak

Format : G/20, 6 Swiss rounds

Total number of players : ? participants

Categories : Open, U15, U12, U10

Champion : ? for Open [RM 100]

CNY Rapid Chess - 26 & 27 Feb 2010

( picture from www.cardsdirect.com )

VENUE: EXCEL CHESS ACADEMY, 26A JALAN HUJAN EMAS 4, OUG, JALAN KELANG LAMA. POSKOD 58200 KUALA LUMPUR.

The Schedule :

Day 1 - 26th February 2010, Friday

Round 1 : 9.30 - 11.00 am

Round 2 : 11.15am - 12.45pm

Jumaat Prayer : 12.45 - 2.30pm

Round 3 : 2.30 - 4.00pm

Round 4 : 4.15 - 5.45pm

Round 5 : 6.00 - 7.30pm

Day 2 - 27th February 2010, Saturday

Round 1 : 9.30 - 11.00 am

Round 2 : 11.15am - 12.45pm

Round 3 : 1.30 - 3.00pm

Round 4 : 3.15 - 4.45pm

Round 5 : 5.00 - 6.30pm

The format : 10 rounds, 20 minute time control or G/20, 30 seconds increment each move

The fee : RM 35

For further details or to register - contact Mr Jax Tham at 013-323 2280 or EMAIL jaxtham@hotmail.com

Do you want to see how Jax Tham look like during his younger years?? Very handsome, I tell you ... :)- Check it out here.