Young KLCA Players Perform

Report by Amirul Mohamad


The 10th Asian Schools Chess Championship 2014 just concluded with the Prize-Giving ceremony at the tournament venue i.e. Washington High School in Taichung, Taiwan.

Immediately after, a farewell banquet was hosted by the organisers. The hospitality extended by the organisers were second to none. From escorting newly arrived players/accompanying persons to the food counter at the nearby mall to order food on behalf as most cashiers do not speak English to forming a line from the bus door to the venue whilst holding umbrellas to ensure that players/guests are covered from the rain, the organisers had certainly set new standards not seem before!

Against this backdrop, Players from KLCA performed well and will be coming back with a newly minted FM and WFM as well as 2 CMs. Fresh from the Tromso Olympiad, WCM Tan Li Ting could have skipped the last 2 rounds and still win the title. Rather wisely, she did not do so and emerged undefeated in the combined Girls U1517 category with a 100% record of 9 wins from 9 rounds and making her Malaysia's newest WFM.

Not to be outdone, Dilwen Ding also managed to remain undefeated in the 7-rounds round-robin category with 6 points coming from 5 wins and 2 draws to emerge champion in the U17 event and thus will be Malaysia's newest FM. In the U13 Open category, Ng Jeng Sheng faced a last round match which he could not afford to lose in order to finish at least third. He drew the game with a player from UAE and finished the event on 6.5 points and got third place which entitles him to be a CM.

The baby of the team, 7 year old Amir Faiz Amirul also faced a last round match which was must win in order to finish amongst the medals. Playing against a Sri Lankan opponent which he had previously played against in last year's championship, he secured the full points and finished the championship with 7 points. While level on points with the eventual champion from India, he lost out on tie-break to be the runners-up and as consolation will become Malaysia's youngest CM. 

Overall, a splendid outing by the KLCA players and congratulations to all parties involved are in order.

See full details at: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr142817.aspx?lan=1

KLCA to participate in the 8th Asian Dragons International Chess Tournament 2014

The Kuala Lumpur Chess Association will be sending a team to participate in the invitational 8th Asian Dragons International Chess Tournament 2014.

A long time developmental event eagerly looked forward to each year by players from Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong and South Korea, there are two sections, Open and U-16, but players have to be rated under 2200. 

Traditionally Singapore is the only other country invited to join the four above and its representatives often win the bulk of prizes available.

Held in Taipei from 12-19 July 2014, and played over 9 rounds using the Swiss System with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30 second increment from move one, this FIDE rated event is a wonderful opportunity to KLCA juniors to gain valuable exposure.

Members interested are to contact Peter Long immediately as limited places are available and will be on a first come first served basis.

Congratulations Masters Champion Tan Li Ting!

Photo courtesy of Andrew Ooi

The Kuala Lumpur Chess Association congratulates Tan Li Ting on winning the Malaysian Masters held from 30th April to 4 May 2014 with 6.5/9, one point clear of the rest of the field.

Our current national junior champion, Li Ting also qualifies for the coming Tromso Olympiad.  

It's Three Times in a Row for Tiviakov

(Group photo before final battle - some sadly absent without zero start enforced - and so still at breakfast)

Sergei Tiviakov and Aravindh Chithambaram drew their game after three hours of play, a result that confirmed that Tiviakov would successfully defend his title and in doing so become a three time winner of the KL Open.

But for young Chithambaram, it was also a fantastic result as with the draw the 14 year old IM elect remained unbeaten and also achieved his second GM title norm.

So in first place is Tiviakov with 7/9, and in second to eighth places on 6.5/9 are Chithambaram, the also unbeaten M.K. Venkatesh, Nguyen Duc Hoa, Dzhumaev Marat, Haridas Pascua, Nguyen Anh Dung and Andika Pitra.

For Pascua, this result was his third and final norm to complete the requirements of International Master while for Pitra it was his second International Master title norm.

  

Round 9 Board 1 Live

It Promises to be an Exciting Last Round

(Tiviakov against the always dangerous Marat, the game was double edged but still only a draw)

The advantage is clearly with Sergei Tiviakov who on 6.5/8 has a half point lead and his favourite White pieces in the last round.

But it may not be over yet as his opponent is the highly rated 14 year old FM Aravindh Chithambaram who last year shot into prominence by winning the Chennai GM Tournament held concurrently with the Anand-Carlsen Match and has continued to impress with every tournament.

Chithambaram is sharing second-third places with M.R. Venkatesh on 6/8.

In a big group a further half point behind, 5.5/8 are Deepan Chakkravarthy, Nguyen Duc Hoa, Kirill Kuderinov, Nguyen Van Huy, Dzhumaev Marat, Haridas Pascua, Niaz Mursehd, Nguyen Anh Dung, Ramnath Bhuvanesh, Richard Bitoon, R. R. Laxman and Pitra Andika.

The leading Malaysian is still IM Jimmy Liew with 5/5 and he faces fellow IM Moulthon Ly with hopes of further turning back the clock.

Tiviakov leads by one with two to go

A tense top board encounter ended with top seed and defending champion Sergei Tiviakov taking a one point lead with two rounds to go. The acknowledged master of the minimal advantage once again showed this special talent with the advantage of the white pieces.

For Moulthun Ly, a win, even a draw, would have all but ensured his maiden grandmaster title norm but he made his 2600 rated opponent work very hard indeed.

So Tiviakov has 6/7 to be alone in first place while on a large group sharing second to twelveth places on 5/7 are Ly, Richard Bitoon, John Paul Gomez, Nguyen Van Huy, M.R. Venkatesh, Nguyen And Dung, Niaz Murshed, Dhzumaev Marat, Pascua Haridas, Aravindh Chithambaram, and Kirril Kuderinov.

With his win over Fong Yit Ho, veteran IM Jimmy Liew is now the best of the Malaysians with 4.5/7, Yit Ho joining another loser in Yeoh Li Tian and a winner in younger brother Yit San on 3.5/7. 

We Have Two Leaders, Many Challengers

With his second successive win Mouthun Ly has joined Sergei Tiviakov on top of the leaderboard with 5/6 and is now also in contention for a GM title norm.

Ly beat fellow IM Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy while Tiviakov with the black pieces took a quick draw against John Paul Gomez. Both leaders will now meet in round seven.

Sharing third to eight places on 4.5/6 are Gomez, M.K. Venkatesh and Nguyen And Dung who drew each other, Niaz Murshed and Richard Bitoon who also drew each other, and Nguyen Van Huy who joins them after an easy win over Mari Joseph Turqueza.

Two young players who are impressing are 17 year old WGM Medina Warda Aulia (photo above) and 15 year old FM Aravindh Chithambaram (photo below) and are showing they easily belong amongst the group on 4/6. Both are unbeaten despite playing numerous grandmasters and are in contention for the International Master title norm. 

Tiviakov Leads

(Photo by Kristianus Liem)

Top seeded Sergei Tiviakov is now the sole leader with 4.5/5 after beating a visibly disappointed R.R. Laxman.

Earlier Nguyen Anh Dung and John Paul Gomez decided to preserve energy and had a quick draw to share second to eighth places on 4/5 with Moulthun Ly who managed a win over Deepan Chakkravarthy in what looked like an equal ending, Richard Bitoon and M.K. Venkatesh who had a long hard fought game, Niaz Murshed who beat Irene Sukandar and Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy who crushed Nelson Mariano III.

Six In The Lead After Round Four

 (GM John Paul Gomez - Photo by Kristianus Liem)

With 3.5/4, GM's Sergei Tiviakov, R.R. Laxman, Nguyen Anh Dung, John Paul Gomez, Richard Bitoon and M.R. Venkatesh are all sharing the lead after four rounds of play in the DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah KL International Open Championships.

The two Filipino GMs Gomez and Bitoon had important wins in round three against strong opponents in Nguyen Van Huy and Dzhumaev Marat respectively to move into a share of the lead as the other leaders failed to make further progress.

On the home front, young and leading Malaysian prospect Yeoh Li Tian found his second GM in a row in R.R. Laxman a bit too difficult but it was the same result with veteran GM Niaz Murshed who beat the Indonesian FM Kaisar Jenius Hakki.

(WGM Irene Sukandar - Photo by Kristianus Liem)

Two specially interesting match-ups was between Birthday girl and WGM Irene Sukandar and 13 year old Indian Tejaswini Sagar who is clearly with a bright future, and between FMs Pitra Andika and Nelson Mariano III, ending with Sukandar and Mariano prevailing.

Round 5 Board 1 Live

Live streaming video by Ustream

First Small Success For a Malaysian

It was a good day for 15 year old Yeoh Li Tian, the third ranked Malaysian according to the April 2014 FIDE rating list, and after a first round draw when unable to break down his much lower ranked opponent's defence, the top seeded local hope had two excellent back to back results including a win against yet another grandmaster in India's Neelotpal Das.

The leaders are GMs Sergei Tiviakov, M.K. Venkatesh and Nguyen Anh Dung, all three experienced professionals on a perfect 3/3.

But with 2.5/3, Li Tian joins GMs Suat Atalik, Deepan Chakktavathy, Dhzumaev Marat, John Paul Gomez, R R Laxman, and Richard Bitoon, IMs Nguyen Van Huy, Rolando Nolte, Ramnath Bhuvanest, Nguyen Huynh, Minh Huy and Mouthon Ly and FM Aravindh Chitambharam, on 4th to 17th places.

Sunday 6 April is a rest day before two demanding rounds, four and five, on Monday 7 April, games that could put a shape to this year's KL Open and even throw up a clear favourite or sole leader.   

Early Surprises in Round Two

After two rounds of the KL Open and we already have a surprise. While the top seeds Sergei Tiviakov and Suat Atalik lead GMs M.R. Venkatesh, Nguyen Anh Dung, Deepan Chakrravathy, Dzhumaev Marat and Vladimir Lazarev, IMs Kirril Kuderinov, Nguyen Van Huy, Nguyen Huynh Minh, Rammanth Bhuvanesh and Rolando Nolte, WGM Bhakti Kulkarni and FM Aravindh Chithambaram on 2/2, they are joined by unknown and untitled Yoseph Majella.

Yoseph Majella

Majella came as the Assistant Manager of the Indonesian Team and decided to play so that the tournament would not have a bye but with a highly impressive victory over one of the pre-tournament favourites in IM Nguyen Duc Hoa, he has now shown he is not just here to make up the numbers! And that the Indonesian players would now have to get their own drinks!

IM Arghyadip Das and WGM Bhakti Kulkarni

WGM Bhakti Kulkarni also showed her class with a convincing win over IM Arghyadip Das who, recently having married, is probably now quickly over his honeymoon period.

Other notable results - minor upsets - included WGM Medina Warda Aulia holding GM John Paul Gomez, WGM Anda Safranska making an easy half point against GM Niaz Murshed, GM Neelotpal Das frustrated by 13 year old Tejaswini Sagar and perhaps even the draw between GM R R Laxman and veteran local IM Jimmy Liew.  

Round 3 Board 1 Live

Live streaming video by Ustream

The KL Open Has Started

(Photo by Kristianus Liem)

The DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Kuala Lumpur International Open Chess Championship has begun with 88 players competing for honours in an event held at the Olympic Sports Hotel that in previous years has had proud champions in Anton Filipov, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Hou Yifan, Oliver Barbosa and Sergei Tiviakov.

Tiviakov is the only player to repeat as champion, and is looking to defend his title by winning for the third time in a row.

With the sudden arrival of last minute entry Dzhumaev Marat, the top seed will now however be amongst 12 GMs participating from amongst 46 titled players from 19 countries including 5 WGMs, 13 IMs, 3 WIMs and 8 FMs (see http://chess-results.com/tnr129676.aspx?lan=1&art=13&turdet=YES&wi=821) with the main competition for the DYTM Raja Nazrin Shah Challenge Trophy expected to come from GMs Tiviakov, Suat Atalik, John Paul Gomez and Deepan Chakkravarty, IM Nguyen Duc Hoa and young FM Aravindh Chithambaram.

(Photo by Kristianus Liem)

The KL Open is now its seventh year, and was again made possible through sponsorship from the Malaysian Intellect Development Foundation, and is being organised by Polgar Chess Asia, together with official media partners Chessdom and Capital TV, for the Kuala Lumpur Chess Association.

Final Entry List is Published on Chess-Results

The April FIDE Rating List is out and we have updated the Final Entry List for the 11 a.m. Technical Meeting on 4 April 2014 at the Olympic Sports Hotel.

See: http://chess-results.com/tnr129676.aspx?lan=1

The tournament statistics are as above: 19 countries represented by 88 players, of which a surprising 17 are from Malaysia with India, Philippines and Indonesia also having very good representation.

We have 16 GMs (11 men and 5 women), 16 IMs (13 men and 3 women), and 11 FMs ( 8 men and 3 women) so a total of 43 (45 if including CMs which I have said before is to encourage young players yet to get a proper title and so really means nothing in terms of helping an event make title norm requirements), and so a touch under or above 50 percent titled players depends how you what to count.

Bottom line is the KL Open this year (as always) is providing IMs real changes for GM norms, and the WGMS and FMs very good chances for IM norms while the 2200 level players will have the chance to increase their ratings.

Collection of Entries for National Age Group Championships

The Kuala Lumpur Chess Association has agreed to a request from the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) to collect entries on their behalf for the coming National Age group Championships from 12-14 April 2014 during the DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Kuala Lumpur Open Chess Championships held at the Olympic Sports Hotel from 4-11 April 2014.

Please ensure that the forms are fully filled up together with payment and any necessary endorsements and we will then compile and pass it on to MCF.

Two Weeks To The DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah KL International Open Chess Championship 2014

It is now just two weeks to go to the start of the DYTM Raja Nazrin Shah KL International Open Chess Championships so it is time to remind all participants to take a look at the tournament prospectus earlier posted at http://www.klchess.com/2014_01_01_archive.html#6437743226790159300 and to read it carefully especially as regards to schedule, prizes and entry fees.

As always there are some reminders:

1. Let's start with entry fees. Except GMs/WGMs, all have to pay USD 100, and for those under 1800 and without FIDE rating that we have allowed to take part, it is USD 150.

2. Note that unless requested for, all players are expected to check out on 11 April (the hotel has kindly agreed to after last round game is finished but latest is two hours before the 4 p.m. closing ceremony) and with many of the players being advised to fly the same night to Bangkok by the organisers of our sister tournament there, that is the sensible thing to do. I too will be on a 8.50 p.m. flight that night, which gives just about enough time to get to LCCT if going straight from the hotel.

3. Where possible we are trying to provide airport pick ups (especially for those coming for the first time) but for those arriving when we are doing the final set-up late 3 April and early 4 April, it is not difficult and inexpensive (significantly less than RM 100) to jump on a budget taxi to Olympic Sports Hotel in Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur.

4. The Swiss Manager file will only be put online on www.chess-results.com (with a link on this website) after we have updated the ratings of players from the 1 April FIDE Rating list but subject to any last minute emergencies, the final list of participants should be as follows:

Grandmasters
1. Sergei Tiviakov (NED)
2. Niaz Murshed (BAN)
3. Richard Bitoon (PHI)
4. John Paul Gomez
5. Nguyen Anh Dung (VIE)
6. Vladimir Lazarev (FRA)
7. M.R. Venkatesh (IND)
8. Deepan Chakkravarthy J.
9. R.R. Laxman
10. Neelotpal Das
11. Suat Atalik (TUR)
12. Tahir Vakhidov (UZB)
13. Susanto Megaranto (INA)

Woman Grandmasters
14. Bhakti Kulkarni (IND)
15. Anda Safranska (FRA)
16. Irine Kharismar Sukandar (INA)
17. Medina Warda Aulia
18. Hoang Thi Bao Tram (VIE)

International Masters
19. Oliver Dimakiling (PHI)
20. Rolando Nolte
21. Aleksander Wohl (AUS)
22. Moulton Ly
23. Arghyadip Das (IND)
24. R. Ramnath Bhuvanesh
25. Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy (VIE)
26. Nguyen Van Huy
27. Nguyen Duc Hoa
28. Farid Firman Shah
29. Kirril Kuderinov (KAZ)
30. Bogdan Borsos (UZR)
31. Mahmood Lodhi (PAK)
32. Jimmy Liew (MAS)

Woman International Masters
33. Bhagyashree Thipsay (IND)
34. Chelsie Monica Shite (INA)
35. Beverly Mendoza (PHI)
36. Hoang Thi Nyu Y (VIE)

FIDE Masters
37. Ram Aravind L.N (IND)
38. Aravindh Chithambaram
39. Haridas Pascua (PHI)
40. Nelson Mariano III
41. Kaisar Jenius Hakiki (INA)

Woman FIDE Masters
42. Swati Mohota (IND)
43. Savant Riya
44. AA Dewi Citra (INA)

FIDE Rated Players
45. Vu Phi Hung (VIE)
46. Ngo Thi Kim Tuyen
47. Nelson Villanueva (PHI)
48. Jelvis Calvelo
49. Gabriel Paril
50. Deleon Marohom Jr.
51. Xavier John Verdun
52. Franz Robert Grafil
53. Edsel Montoya
54. Martin Greenwood (ENG)
55. Azarya Jodi Setyaki (INA)
56. Diajeng Theresa Singgih (F)
57. Aris T.L.S.
58. Mark Vucak (AUS)
59. Fedja Zulfic
60. Fahad Rahman (BAN)
61. Poompong Wiwatanadate (THA)
62. Thanadon Kulpruethanon

63. Tesjawinin Sagar (IND) (F)

64. Siya Rajenda Sagar (F)

65. Cyrus Low (SIN)
66. Vasanta Wettasinha
67. Kamarunsalehin Kamis (BRU)
68. Zain Izzuddin
69. Jamal, Danar (IRQ)
70. Ismail Ahmad (MAS)
71. Lim Kian Hwa
72. Tan Li Ting (F)
73. Yeoh Li Tian
74. Fong Yit Ho
75. Fong Yit San
76. Abel Jinwei Yap
77. Hermanu Latif
78. Tan Jun Feng
79. Mukhriez Shah Mahmood
80. Lim Meng Xian
81. Justin Ong

Unrated
82. Ferdinand, Hutabarat (INA)
83. Krassen Mitev (USA)
84. Dlsoz Omer (IRQ)
85. Michael Cheong (MAS)
86. Amir Faiz Amirul

(Yes, there some foreign players who entered earlier and whose name had appeared elsewhere on posts in this website, but are not listed above and this is because we have not gotten the final confirmation as asked for, either through receipt of payment or your flight ticket and we appreciate that some are still waiting for visas, but if you are present at the 11 a.m. Technical Meeting on 4 April, we will certainly include and pair you).

POLGAR JUNIORS OPEN 2014 ON 6 APRIL 2014

In conjunction with the DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah KL Open Chess Championships 2014 and to provide a final practice session for young Malaysian talents participating in the National Age Group Championships from 12-14 April 2014, POLGAR Chess Asia is organising a one day rapid event on Sunday 6 April 2014 at the Olympic Sports Hotel.

Details below:

POLGAR JUNIORS OPEN 2014

Rules & Regulations

1. The Challenge:  There are three (3) categories of event at play – Under-8, 10, 12 & 16.

2. Eligibility:  Players who are entitled to participate must not have reached the relevant ages before 1st January 2014.

3. Organiser: The Tournament is organized by the POLGAR Chess Asia (PCA) with the support of KLCA and will be played under the FIDE Laws of Chess.

4. Schedule:  All participants are to report at venue 30 minutes before the scheduled starting time to register their attendance with the Arbiter.  Registration will be closed at 8.45am. Tournament starts 9am & estimated completion time is 6pm after prize presentation. Lunch is available from 12-2pm.

5. Entry Fee:  RM40 for students of Polgar & KLCA members,  RM45 for others.   Please add RM18 for buffet lunch if required & collect meal coupon from Organiser during registration (8.00-8.45am) on 6 Apr.

6. Prizes:
                 U-8              U-10                    U12 & U-16    
1st             Trophy         Trophy & 100      Trophy & 200
2nd            Trophy         Trophy & 80        Trophy & 150
3rd            Trophy         Trophy & 60         Trophy & 100
4th-5th       Trophy         Trophy & 50        Trophy & 80
6th-12th     Trophy         Trophy                 Trophy

7. Payment Mode:  By cash or bank-in to 514187  214430 Maybank (Effective Commerce Sdn. Bhd). Please fax bank-slip with Entry Form to 03-2300 1689 or email to polgarchessasia@gmail.com.

8. Closing Date of registration:  31 March 2014, 7.00 pm.  Late entries and entries without payment will not be accepted.  Entry fees are non-refundable.  Acceptance of entries is on first-come-first-serve basis as places are limited.

9. The organizer has the right to reject entry(s) and decide on appropriate changes according to the requirement of the tournament.  

National Closed Championships

KLCA has been facilitating the entries of our players with MCF for the National Closed Championships from 12-16 March 2013 and to date they are:


Official Entries

Men
1. Dilwen Ding
2. Bausch Koh

Women
1. Rosamund Koo


Extra State Entries

Boys
1. Tan Jun Feng
2. Shreyes Subramaniam
3. Tan Wei Hao
4. Ng Jen Sheng
5. Tan Yong Zhao
6. Lye Lik Zang
7. Yap Egin
8. Lim Ming Xian

Women
1. Melanie Koo
2. Ho Chen Ee


Wild Card Entries

Boys
1. Dawson Tan
2. Lee Zhi Wei

Women
1. Iman Sofea Mohd Azman
2. Sofea Aliya Syahril

Its The Official Closing Date Today! (Updated)

With today being the official closing date, we are, as promised, publishing our final entry list - but if you have registered and are missing, do let us know - and we will of course still be trying to accommodate any truly deserving entries!

On the spellings of your names, don't worry too much (but point it out to us if you will), because we will follow your FIDE ID and use the April 2014 list when it comes out, and that too will be published, this time on www.chess-results.com with a link on the KLCA website.

Not too many Malaysians are playing, but that year in year out that has been the case and expected with our players largely amateurs having limited leave from work and school. This is also an Olympiad year with selection foe the national team still going on via the coming National Closed Championships and then the Malaysian Masters. We also have no doubt some foreign entries too will also drop out for various reasons.

But on the whole these will be the participants, and if I am counting right, we have 44 titled players from a total of 92 including 18 with the GM title and 18 with the IM title!

Grandmasters
1. Sergei Tiviakov (NED)
2. Niaz Murshed (BAN)
3. Richard Bitoon (PHI)
4. John Paul Gomez
5. Nguyen Anh Dung (VIE)
6. Vladimir Lazarev (FRA)
7. M.R. Venkatesh (IND)
8. Deepan Chakkravarthy J.
9. R.R. Laxman
10. Neelotpal Das
11. Suat Atalik (TUR)
12. Tahir Vakhidov (UZB)
13. Susanto Megaranto (INA)

Woman Grandmasters
14. Bhakti Kulkarni (IND)
15. Anda Safranska (FRA)
16. Irine Kharismar Sukandar (INA)
17. Medina Warda Aulia
18. Hoang Thi Bao Tram (VIE)

International Masters
19. Oliver Dimakiling (PHI)
20. Rolando Nolte
21. Aleksander Wohl (AUS)
22. Moulton Ly
23. Arghyadip Das (IND)
24. R. Ramnath Bhuvanesh
25. Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy (VIE)
26. Nguyen Van Huy
27. Nguyen Duc Hoa
28. Farid Firman Shah
29. Kirril Kuderinov (KAZ)
30. Bogdan Borsos (UZR)
31. Mahmood Lodhi (PAK)
32. Jimmy Liew (MAS)

Woman International Masters
33. Bhagyashree Thipsay
34. Chelsie Monica Shite (INA)
35. Beverly Mendoza (PHI)
36. Hoang Thi Nyu Y (VIE)

FIDE Masters
37. Ram Aravind L.N. (IND)
38. Aravindh Chithambaram
39. Haridas Pascua (PHI)
40. Nelson Mariano III
41. Kaisar Jenius Hakiki (INA)

Woman FIDE Masters
42. Swati Mohota (IND)
43. Savant Riya
44. AA Dewi Citra (INA)

FIDE Rated Players
45. Vu Phi Hung
46. Ngo Thi Kim Tuyen (F)
47. Nelson Villanueva (PHI)
48. Jelvis Calvelo
49. Gabriel Paril
50. Deleon Marohom Jr.
51. Xavier John Verdun
52. Franz Robert Grafil
53. Edsel Montoya
54. Martin Greenwood (ENG)
55. Azarya Jodi Setyaki (INA)
56. Diajeng Theresa Singgih (F)
57. Aris T.L.S.
58. Mark Vucak (AUS)
59. Fedja Zulfic
60. Fahad Rahman (BAN)
61. Md. Anisuzzaman Jewel
62. Ibrahim Parvez
63. Rana Chowdhury
64. Egor Eliseev (RUS)
65. Andre Shukin
66. Poompong Wiwatanadate (THA)
67. Thanadon Kulpruethanon

68. Tesjawinin Sagar (IND) (F)

69. Siya Rajenda Sagar (F)

70. Cyrus Low (SIN)
71. Isuru Alahakoon (SRI)
72. Vasanta Wettasinha
73. Kamarunsalehin Kamis (BRU)
74. Zain Izzuddin
75. Jamal, Danar (IRQ)
76. Ismail Ahmad (MAS)
77. Lim Kian Hwa
78. Tan Li Ting (F)
79. Yeoh Li Tian
80. Fong Yit Ho
81. Fong Yit San
82. Abel Jinwei Yap
83. Hermanu Latif
84. Tan Jun Feng
85. Mukhriez Shah Mahmood
86. Lim Meng Xian
87. Justin Ong

Unrated
88. Krassen Mitev (USA)
89. Ferdinand, Hutabarat
90. Dlsoz Omer (IRQ)
91. Michael Cheong (MAS)
92. Amir Faiz Amirul

How to Enter the KL Open

(The KLCA team before our underperforming team mate Sumant's unforgivable defection to Selangor! - we of course have forgiven him and welcome him to play in the KL Open!)

It is unfortunate this year is an Olympiad year so most of our top players have already told me they needed to save their leave to try and qualify (National Closed and/or Malaysian Masters) and then to be able to actually go (and they worry of having to find more time off work should there be centralised training).

We are however trying to work with the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) to see how the younger players still in school might be able to play but even so, there is both MSSM and National Closed in March and National Age Groups in April too!

But let me be clear that we have never refused a proper and qualified entry. I have only (and perhaps too often) had to turn away really desirable players when I could not pay them the professional fee expected or to give them the conditions they needed to financially ease their participation. We have also had on occasion had to limit the number of lowly rated and unrated players so that others playing would have a fair chance to make title norms.

So let me now state what our position is regarding participation:

1. It is not a right unless you are a registered player with KLCA in good standing and we also take the position you cannot be in a fight with other organisers and certainly not with the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) and any of its other state membership.
2. Can also get MCF to ask for you if you are indeed a national player, in the past we have even waived entry fees for such requests when a case is made.
3. But end of the day, just follow the rules: you have to enter yourself and it pays to be nice (I believe that is the norm when someone wants something), so write in politely (my email is peter@thefidetrainer.com), then it is really hard to refuse and we might even try to go out out of our way to find a way.
4. To badmouth, demand, and then running to others to make an exception? That makes it quite impossible.

The chess community is small, whether locally, regionally or globally, and so I have accepted many entries via Facebook, E-Mail, even SMS, on good faith from people with good track records and/or with standing in chess (ex top player, official, current national player, foreign international titled player, etc.). The fact that many chessplayers have such difficulty filling up entry forms is another story altogether!

But after doing this for over 25 years and being involved in over 150 international and national events of every type imaginable, I know only too well (as do my equally experienced arbiter colleagues) where there will likely be trouble and it is clearly our responsibility to preempt where possible and that has applied even to many other country "superstars" in multi-sport events where the World Chess Federation (FIDE) does not have the biggest say! Of course the measures taken to protect the integrity of an event and to ensure a good experience for the participants are many and varied.

On this note, I am of course remembering to happily accept the new and of course completely welcome entries of six more players, two local young talents in Fong Yit San (current National Junior Champion) and his older brother Fong Yit Ho, our first Singapore entry in Cyrus Low, IM Moulthun Ly from Australia, returning Kazakhstan IM Kirill Kuderinov and GM John Paul Gomez of the Philippines. 

KL Open - Update of Entries (16 February 2014)

(IM Liew might beg to differ but all eyes will be on young Yeoh!)

Time for an update - we have now reached 64 players, with 35 titled (more than half!), and representing 14 countries. Our target is still 80 (even if we can probably squeeze in 100) and as expected a number of regional national chess federations are in contact to reserve places for their representatives.

Personally I was more than happy to accept the entry of 15 year old Yeoh Li Tian, our third ranked player who made a comfortable breakthrough past the 2300 barrier last year and who we all hope for even more success in 2014, perhaps finally collecting the Malaysian Closed Championship title and also making International Master title norms!

For those still asking, details of the venue/hotel can be found at www.olympichotel-kualalumpur.com/.

Again, a reminder that entry fee for all other than grandmasters is USD 100, eligible Malaysians only pay RM 200 and for KLCA representatives it is just RM 150.

Grandmasters
1. Sergei Tiviakov
2. Niaz Murshed
3. Richard Bitoon
4. Nguyen Anh Dung
5. Vladimir Lazarev
6. M.R. Venkatesh
7. Deepan Chakkravarthy J.
8. R.R. Laxman
9. Neelotpal Das
10. Vaibhav Suri

Woman Grandmasters
11. Bhakti Kulkarni
12. Bhagyashree Thipsay
13. Irine Kharismar Sukandar
14. Medina Warda Aulia
15. Anda Safranska

International Masters
16. Oliver Dimakiling
17. Rolando Notle
18. Jahongir Vakhidov
19. Aleksander Wohl
20. Arghyadip Das
21. R. Ramnath Bhuvanesh
22. S. Satyapragyan
23. Aleksander Wohl
24. Bogdan Borsos
25. Dede Lioe
26. Jimmy Liew

Woman International Masters
27. Chelsie Monica Shite
28. Upi Damayana Tamin

FIDE Masters
29. Haridas Pascua
30. Nelson Mariano III
31. Aravindh Chithambaram
32. Ram Aravind L.N

Woman FIDE Masters
33. AA Dewi Citra
34. Swati Mohota
35. Savant Riya

FIDE Rated Players
36. Luu Duc Hai
37. Vu Phi Hung
38. Ngo Thi Kim Tuyen (F)
39. Nelson Villanueva
40. Jelvia Calvelo
41. Azarya Jodi Setyaki
42. Diajeng Theresa Singgih (F)
43. Hendry Jamals
44. Aris T.L.S.
45. Ferry Ferdiansyah
46. Martin Greenwood
47. Mark Vucak
48. Md. Anisuzzaman Jewel
49. Ibrahim Parvez
50. Rana Chowdhury
51. Egor Eliseev
52. Andre Shukin
53. Poompong Wiwatanadate
54. Thanadon Kulpruethanon

55. Akash PC Iyer

56. Tesjawinin Sagar (F)

57. Siya Rajenda Sagar (F)

58. Kavisha S Shah (F)
59. Ismail Ahmad
60. Prabhaharan Rajendra
61. Lim Kian Hwa
62. Tan Li Ting (F)
63. Yeoh Li Tian

Unrated
64. Michael Cheong

Initial Entry List (After Exactly 48 Hours)

Lots of enquiries already (especially with groups of players coming officially from some countries), and confirmed so far are six GMs, six IMs, one FM and two FIDE rated from 8 countries (including Malaysia):

Grandmasters
1. Nigel Short (ENG)
2. Sergei Tiviakov (NED)
3. Nguyen Anh Dung (VIE)
4. Niaz Murshed (BAN)
5. Richard Bitoon (PHI)
6. Praveen Thipsay (IND)

















International Masters
7. Nguyen Van Huy (VIE)
8. Bhuvanesh R. Ramnath (IND)
9. Alex Wohl (AUS)
10. Oliver Dimakiling (PHI)
11. Abu Sufian Shakil (BAN)
12. Jimmy Liew (MAS)


FIDE Master
13. L.N. Ram Aravind (IND)


FIDE Rated
14. Poompong Wiwatanadate (THA)
15. Ismail Ahmad (MAS)

DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah KL International Open Chess Championships 2014

1. Sponsors & Organisers

With sponsorship from the Malaysian Intellect Development Foundation, Polgar Chess Asia and the Kuala Lumpur Chess Association (KLCA), together with the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF), is pleased to announce the DYTM Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah KL International Open Chess Championship will be held in Kuala Lumpur from 4-11 April 2014.

2. Format of Play

The tournament will be played over 9 rounds using the Swiss System according to World Chess Federation (FIDE) Title & Rating Regulations, with a time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game. In addition, there will be a 30 second time increment per move from move one.

3. Prizes

1st RM 10,000, 2nd RM 6,000, 3rd RM 4,000, 4th RM 2,000, 5th-10th RM 1,000 each, Best Woman RM 1,000, and with Special Prizes totalling RM 1,000.

4. Entries

The entry fee is USD 100 (RM 200 for locals - KLCA players get a 50% discount) and the organisers reserve the right to increase the entry fees for players under 1800 or who are unrated, and to refuse any entry without explanation.   

WHILE WE WILL ACCEPT PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION, ENTRIES ARE ONLY CONFIRMED ON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT AS PLACES ARE LIMITED.

5. Schedule

Friday 4 April 

Arrival

1100 Technical Meeting

1500 Round 1

Saturday 5 April

0900 Round 2

1500 Round 3

Sunday 6 April

Rest Day

Monday 7 April

0900 Round 4

1500 Round 5

Tuesday 8 April

0900 Round 6

Wednesday 9 April

0900 Round 7

Thursday 10 April

0900 Round 8

Friday 11 April

0900 Round 9

1600 Prize Award & Closing Ceremony

Departure

6. Contact

The Organising Secretary/Tournament Director is IA Peter Long and all enquiries may be directed to him via email: peter@thefidetrainer.com.

Thank You from KLCA!

In the last few months, and especially in recent days, KLCA has received many offers from individuals offering their help and services and whatever your agendas might be, we thank each and everyone of you for coming forward.

As all other state associations will confirm, under the Commissioner of Sports (COS) guidelines, our members can only be through clubs and in fact since our last AGM we have been working to set up these clubs so that individuals can become members.

We are very happy so many onboard over the years have been stepping up to try and help us become better even as we have grown from strength to strength, and last year, 2013, saw KLCA not only organise once again a major DYTM Raja Nazrin Shah international event for the sixth successive year, this time in the form of a KL Masters, and we also organised and hosted a Malaysian Masters, both for our men and our women, for the Malaysian Chess Federation.

KLCA also sent young players to play in the National Championships and the National Junior Championships and fully supported the newly revived Inter State Team Championships.

We are of course very proud of the results of players like IM Mas Hafizulhelmi, FM Lim Zhouren, Wong Jianwen, Dr, Zaidan Zulkipli, WFM Camilia Johari, Tan Li Ting, and Lye Lik Zang, all who played and excelled under the KLCA banner.

In  few months we will have our AGM and so now is the time for you who have been so interested: KK, Fadli, Yeap, Megat, Raymond, and so many others like yourselves, to set-up clubs under COS that could qualify you to apply KLCA membership, and we will give every application our consideration.

But remember, we are not interested in, let alone wish to be involved in your politics!