The Hectic Midterm School Break for GiLoCatur Is Over!

The hectic two weeks of midterm school break is over for GiLoCatur and many more other chess parents. Why hectic during the school holidays?

The answer is because of CHESS.

In the first week of the break both Fikri and Anis were participating in the MSSM Chess Championship held in Kangar, Perlis. As to give moral support to them, GiLoCatur and wife had planned to have a vacation there. Both Fikri and Anis went to Perlis on Saturday (5th June) morning with the Selangor chess contingent. They had a one day rest before the championship started in the afternoon of Monday.

Fikri was playing in the Under 15 Boys, i.e. B15L, Individual category while his younger sister, Anis, was playing in the Under 12 Girls Team event. It was the first time that Fikri would represent Selangor in MSSM while it was the second time for Anis. Both of them played seven rounds of G/90 games during the five days between 7th and 11th June. Thank the Mighty Allah, both of them were on the podium among the winners.

Fikri managed to win the 9th placing while Anis won the silver medal. Anis also won the Best Board award after six wins. Alhamdulillah, GiLoCatur and wife presence there was rewarded. On Saturday 12th June, both Fikri and Anis participated in the Kilang Gula Chess Open. GiLoCatur and Fahim also participated. Anis was playing in the Ladies/Women category. It is quite rare and seldom to have such category in the chess open. While Fikri and his eight-year-old brother, Fahim, played in the Under 18 category, GiLoCatur participated in the Open section. Eventhough Fikri and Anis were tired after the MSSM championship, they kept on playing. They managed to be on the podium receiving their prizes from the Perlis MB or chief minister, Dato' Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu.

GiLoCatur and family stayed one more night in Perlis. We checked in a budget hotel in Kuala Perlis after the Kilang Gula Chess Open. We planned to visit Satun Bazaar located on the Perlis-Thai border on Sunday morning and Gua Kelam or Cave of Darkness as part of the family vacation. (GiLocatur will write about the visit later.)

Having rest days on both Monday (14th June) and Tuesday (15th June), both Fikri and Anis participated in the National Closed Chess Championship. Last year they did not participate because we had a family vacation in Langkawi. The tournament started on 16th June and ended on Sunday, 20th June. They had to play nine rounds of G/90, 90 minutes time control, games. They stayed at the hostel. After they completed their last rounds, GiLoCatur and family rushed back home because we need to send back Fikri to his hostel before 6.00 pm.

GiLoCatur believes many have known who are the new Malaysian NM (National Master) and NWM (National Women Master). For those who still don't know, below are their pictures taken from the tournament's official blog - http://nc-2010.blogspot.com/.

Syabas and Tahniah to the new champions!

Congratulation also to all who took part and made the tournament a successful one - the organiser, the sponsor, the players and the parents.

NM Tan Khai Boon

NWM Fong Mi Yen of Perak

The Final Ranking for Men category

(from http://setiachess.blogspot.com/)

The Final Ranking for Women category

2010 MSSM Chess Championship Ends

MSSM Chess Championship 2010 edition ends on Friday afternoon after the prize givin and closing ceremony carried out in several stages. The first one was carried out at around 12 noon at the tournament venue. Only the Best Board winners and the 4th to 10th placing winners for every section were given during that stage.

Two GiLoCatur's children were participating in the event held from 7th until 11th June 2010. Therefore, basically GiLoCatur and wife had camped in Kangar and had been at the Putra Palace Hotel during the tournament.

Anis (left) with all her team mates.

Luckily, both of them would not come back home empty-handed. Fikri (below picture) managed to win the 9th placing in the Under 15 Boys Individual category. For the individual category, the medals are given to the top 10 winners while for the team category, only the top 3 winners will receive them. Besides that, the Best Board are given to the best scorer for each board.

Anis Fariha (the above picture) received the Best Board award after 6 wins and 1 defeat. She played the third board. Her team mate, Puteri Munajjah also won the award. She plays the first board.

All the Selangor chess players.

MSSM 2010 @ Perlis - Before The Final Round (Individual Boys Category)

Current Malaysia's wonder boy, Yeoh Li Tian, is leading the L12 category with halfpoint. Aziz Farhan of Johor managed to draw with him. Harleiff of WP is second while Subramanian from N9 is third.

The defending champion, Yeap Eng Chiam, managed to be on the top in L15 section eventhough he drew at one time. He beat Roshan of Selangor who is second in the fifth round. Two Johor players - Ng Shi Hao and Daniel Iskandar are trailing with 4.5/6 points. In the final round, Eng Chiam will play Lim Chuin Khai. The two Johor players will play against Selangor players. Shi Hao will meet Fikri, GiLoCatur's eldest son while Daniel will face Roshan.

Nabil of Selangor is the leader for L18 section. Four other players are trailing halfpoint. Who will emerge the champion to take the crown from Lim Zhou Ren? The question will be answered after they complete the final round.

MSSM 2010 @ Perlis - Before The Final Round (Individual Girls Category)

Both Selangor P12 players - Nur Najiha and Puteri Rifqah, are the leaders with 5.5/6 points. In the sixth round yesterday afternoon, the former defeated Nithyalakshmi of N9 while the latter beat Tan Li Ting of WP. In the last round, Puteri will play Teh De Zen of PP while Najiha will play Siti Khadijah of Terengganu.

In P15, three players are leading the pack with 5/6 points. They are Amira Syahmina of Selangor, Pavitranayagi of WP and Nur Nabila of Selangor. Interestingly, Nabila lost to Pavitranayagi in the fifth round. Meanwhile the latter lost to Amira. Amira, on the other hand, lost to Nabila. Who will be the champion? Let's wait until the final round to know.

In P18 category, Alia of Melaka is leading the group. Trailing halfpoint are Olivia of WP and Winnie of Selangor. Can Alia win her final round to claim the gold medal?

MSSM 2010 @ Perlis - Before The Final Round (Team Category)

GiLoCatur will sum up the top rank after the sixth round since the broadband is so slow to upload all the pairing (R6 & R7) and results (R5 & R6) in the JPEG files format.

Categories

P12

1. PP - 5 wins, 1 defeat > 10 match points
2. SEL - 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat > 9 match points (16 1/2 points)
3. WP - 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat > 9 match points (16 points)

In the final round, PP vs KEL, SEL vs SBH & WP vs TER. Unless Pulau Pinang is defeated by Kelantan, the former will grab the gold medal from the defending champion of Selangor team.

P15

1. PP - 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat > 9 match points (17 1/2 points)
2. SEL - 3 wins, 3 draws > 9 match points (15 points)
3. KEL - 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat > 9 match points (14 1/2 points)

In the final round, PP vs MEL, SEL vs JHR & KEL vs WP. It is difficult for the reigning P15 champion Kelantan to win it again this year. Both Selangor and Kelantan may be champion if only Pulau Pinang lost to Melaka.

P18

1. SWK - 3 wins, 3 draws > 9 match points
2. JHR - 3 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat > 8 match points (15 1/2 points)
3. SEL - 3 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat > 8 match points (14 1/2 points)

It is a good chance for Sarawak to win a gold medal in this category. What they need to do is just win their final round. Besides Johor and Selangor, there are two other teams with 8 match points - WP and N9. SWK will play PP, JHR will play TER while SEL will play the host team, PER.

L12

1. PP - 6 wins, > 12 match points
2. JHR - 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat > 9 match points (16 points)
3. WP - 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats > 7 match points (15 points)

Four more other states have same point with WP. Pulau Pinang has assured to win this category after scoring full points. Johor will grab the silver medal provided that they win the final round.

L15

1. PP - 6 wins, > 12 match points
2. SEL - 5 wins, 1 defeat > 10 match points
3. WP - 4 wins, 2 defeats > 8 match points (14 1/2 points)

Johor has the same point with the third rank, WP. But they need to beat Selangor to be on the podium. Wilayah Persekutuan must win against Pahang to assure they are among the medalist winners.

L18

1. PRK - 4 wins, 2 draws > 10 match points
2. PP - 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat > 9 match points
3. JHR - 2 wins, 4 draws, > 8 match points

Two more other states have same point with Johor - WP & SBH. Perak must win against Melaka to be the champion. PP is matched up against Sabah while Johor is matched up against Wilayah Persekutuan.

GiLoCatur wish GOOD LUCK to all the players in the Team category including Anis Fariha, GiLoCatur's daughter who plays in the P12 section. Tomorrow is the important day especially for medal contenders.

Mata Ayer Homestay

Perlis

MSSM 2010 @ Perlis - Rank After Round 4 (The Girls Section - Team Category)

Four teams have the same MP (Match Points) leading the P12 category. But PP team is on the top due to tie breaks. PP, WP, SEL dan SWK. PP would lead the pack if it won against WP in the fourth round. GiLoCatur expected WP won in the third round against PRK, but other wise happened. In the fifth round this morning, SEL will play WP on Board 1 while SWK will face PP on Board 2. Can SEL beat WP? Can SWK stop the strong PP team? Let's wait and see.

SEL and KDH are leading 7 match points afte 3 wins and 1 draw.

MSSM 2010 @ Perlis - Rank After Round 4 (The Boys Section - Team Category)

MSSM 2010 @ Perlis - The Schedule

The above is the schedule for the 2010 MSSM Chess Event held in Kangar in the first week of the second school mid-term break. It was posted on the wall yesterday by the organizer. Some parents have gone back home yesterday while some will come today to give support to their young ones who proudly play and represent for their respective states.

Yesterday, after the fourth round ended most state contingents went to Padang Besar for getaway. GiLoCatur along with wife and Fahim, the youngest son, also had visited several places including Padang Besar to have a relaxation and getaway after three gruelling and tiring days. GiLoCatur will write later about the visits.

MSSM 2010 @ Perlis - Rank After Round 4 (The Girls Section - Individual)

MSSM 2010 @ Perlis - Rank After Round 4 (The Boys Section - Individual)

The Photo Journalism - MSSM Chess Championship 2010

"Where is my name eh! Do not see my name lah ..."

The "Oranje" Pahang contingent that includes the three Subramaniam siblings - Sumant, sarika & Shreyes caught GiLoCatur's attention ...

"Wah main chess pun mahu tiru ka?" ... just kidding ma ... jangan ambik hati no!

"Opening apa aku nak main ni?"

A Travelogue To Kangar On Monday

5:30 am

GiLoCatur woke up very early this morning. Why? Actually, GiLoCatur along with wife and the youngest son, Fahim, will drive from Shah Alam to Kangar. Yes, GiLoCatur will be on vacation. But the vacation is to be at the MSSM Chess Championship that will be held from today until Friday. Both Fikri and Anis are representing Selangor in the event. Fikri will play in the U15 Boys Individual category while Anis will play in the U12 Girls Team event.

6:30 am

We started the journey. Expected to arrive at the Putra Palace Hotel, the venue of the tournament, at around 12.:30 pm since it takes about 6 hour-drive. After stopped twice for breakfast and lunch, we arrived at the hotel at about 1:00 pm. We had our breakfast at Tapah R & R and had the lunch at a restaurant located along the Alor Star - Kangar road.

Once arrived at the car park of the hotel, GiLoCatur took its picture for all to view the venue of the 2010 MSSM Chess Championship

1:30 - 3:00 pm

Waited at the lobby area of the Putra Palace Hotel. The first round was supposed to start at 3:00 pm but posponed for about a half and hour due to some pairing issues. GiLoCatur started to take photos of the players who began to arrive starting from 2:30 pm to the hall where the tournament will take place. GiLoCatur met and greeted several parents and players.

The tournament hall

3:30 - 6:00 pm

Waiting anxiously at the hotel lobby. About an hour later, Fikri came out from the hall showing OK sign meaning that he won. Few minutes later, two of Anis team mates came out telling that they had won. Then a bit later, GiLoCatur was informed that Eja, the U12 Girls first board also won meaning that Anis' team had already won against the Johor team. GiLoCatur became more anxious and walked upstairs to peek to the tournament hall to find out about Anis. A coule of minutes later, Anis walked out the hall carrying her score sheet. Quickly, GiLoCatur asked her what's her game result. GiLoCatur was sighing graciously after being told that she won. What a great start. Tomorrow, two more rounds will be played. Until then, GiLoCatur wants to update the the first round pairings at MSSM2010 blog.

MSSM 2010 @ Perlis - Selangor Ches Contingent Departure

It is less than ten hours that the 2010 MSSM Chess Championship will kick off in Kangar, Perlis. The Selangor chess contingent which is also the defending overall champion had arrived in Kangar on Saturday night. The contingent went early to have one day rest after a long bus journey.

Both the players and officials gathered at JPN, the state education department, in Section 4 Shah Alam to join other teams like the cricket team, softball team, tennis team, ping pong team, rugby team and sepak takraw team. The chess team will be joined by the tennis team heading to Kangar whereas the others will head to their tournament venues.

Below are few photos taken by GiLoCatur before the "Red and Yellow" chess contingent that include two of GiLoCatur's children started their journey to the most northern state of Malaysia. They will camp for a week to join chess players from other states in the scholastic MSSM Chess Championship.

GiLoCatur would like to wish Best of Luck to the Selangor chess contingent. Play all your heart out to win another honor and glory. We, the parents, will always pray for the success and victory achieved by the state contingent.

2010 MSSM Chess Championship

Thank God It's Friday (TGIF)!

The school mid-term break will begin after the school session completes today. The mid-term break is two-week long. For most of the school children, they should be very happy because they can have a family vacation either local or abroad, they can visit and stay with their grandparents at kampung, they can play games all day long, they can wake up late, they can surf and socialize on the net and many other reasons. For some of them, they will participate in the MSSM like chess and tennis that will be held during the whole next week in Kangar, Perlis including GiLoCatur's kids. But before that, they need to complete their examinations that will end today.

Fikri, GiLoCatur's son, cannot wait for the event. He had been trying to represent Selangor for two years. Finally, this year he manage to do so after championing his category during the MSS Selangor Chess Championship held in last April. So, he will be on board with the Selangor chess contingent that will start their six-hour journey from Shah Alam to Kangar early tomorrow morning. Surely, not only him but also GiLoCatur and wife will be nervous and anxious for the MSSM event.

Would GiLoCatur be at the venue of the tournament too like last year when it was hosted by Selangor in Klang? Would GiLoCatur cover the MSSM event? Let's wait and see to find out. LOL!

In the late 70's, actually, GiLoCatur represented the primary school named SKST or Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Tengar in the Sabak Bernam district chess competition. In 1979, it was held in SK Sekendi and in 1980 it was held in SK Dr Abdul Latiff. But GiLoCatur did not manage to represent Sabak Bernam to the state chess championship. Ofcourse, GiLoCatur and other teammates were lacking in chess knowledge, materials and competition. One of the reasons is that GiLoCatur's home town is located very remotely in the northern part of Selangor. Even after 3 decades, Sabak Bernam chess players are still far behind than most other districts like Petaling, Gombak, and Kelang. Luckily, GiLoCatur's children are staying in Shah Alam where many chess tournaments are close by. GiLoCatur would like very much for the remote districts like Sabak Bernam to excel in chess.

Chess MSSM 2009 Champions

In 2009 edition, the Selangor chess contingent that includes GiLoCatur's daughter managed to be the overall champion. The contingent won four gold medals, 2 silvers and 2 bronzes. It excelled in Under 12 category where three golds, 1 silver and 2 bronzes were won.

Gold medals - U12 Boys Individual (Yeoh Li Tian), U12 Girls Individual (Nur Nabila Azman) & Under 12 Girls Team

Silver medal - U12 Boys Individual (Mohd Irfan Haqqim)

Bronze medals - U12 Girls Individual (Chew Ee Wen) & U12 Boys Team

The other gold medal was won by Under 15 Boys Team spearheaded by Mohd Nabil Azman while another silver was achieved by Under 18 Boys Team led by Geeneish Sivalingam.

The jubilant Selangor chess contingent

The MSSM 2009 Chess Champion

CATUR MSSM 2010

GILOCATUR PASTI RAMAI YANG INGIN TAHU DI MANA EVENT CATUR BAGI MSSM TAHUN INI AKAN BERLANSUNG. NEGERI MANA YANG AKAN MENJADI TUAN RUMAH. DAN BILA IA AKAN DIADAKAN.

UNTUK MENDAPAT JAWAPANNYA, SILA KE LAMAN BLOG MSSM 2010.

MSSM 2010 - CHESS, Another GiLoCatur's Project

The blog's URL is http://mssm2010.blogspot.com/

As a project for GiLoCatur in the year 2010, a blog dedicated to MSSM has just been created. The blog is a one-stop center for MSS-related activities and news from all over the country. The blog will be covering more chess news, info and activities since the blogmaster will be at the chess events mostly. Input from others - athletes, teachers, officials and parents are welcome to make the project more successful and beneficial to the Malaysian sports particularly.

Your support is important and needed!

"MAJULAH SUKAN UNTUK NEGARA!"