Royal Selangor International Open Chess Tournament 2008 - The Day After

The Royal Selangor International Open Chess Tournament remained as one of the more successful Tournaments organized by The Chess Association of Selangor or CAS. Success is measured by the participations of current top and active players in the country although the fees seemed to be prohibitive to many, time is not right and the logistics never ideal. Nonetheless these participants were able to overcome such obstacles to show their support and mettle. The journey for Malaysian chess however has still quite a distance to go requiring the self-reliant and independent spirit of these, and other players and supporters who want to see breakthrough results in chess in the country along with sustained and selfless efforts of forward thinking organizers and promoters.


The objective of Selangor Open Tournament from the player's standpoint is not just about winning or outplaying one's opponent. With the long list of strong local and foreign players with equally impressive credentials vying for the top spots the probability of winning cannot possibly be the sole reason. The recently concluded Tournament saw a number of changes at both Fide and MCF Rating List. These rating systems on the other hand serves as a yardstick of one's performance or 'strength' and is widely followed of late.

But whichever way we look at it we need not be too obsessed with the figures to the extent of say, not wanting to play out of fear of rating loss or to go to the other extreme of chest thumping.


But chess tournament is not just about winners, beating your opponents or gaining rating points. In this Tournament we witnessed the Wahiduddin siblings KamalArifin and Khairunnisa' taking part, both established players in their own rights as National Champions. Chess brings out the common interest in them.












They are not as active as before but chess seems to be in their blood. In this Tournament the brother Kamalarifin could still show a thing or two as to draw over Ronnie in the last round despite a pawn down in the end game. In a rapid game one can easily fall into a blunder but definitely not easily so in a Fischer time control.

Another common scene is to see a generational kinship in this Tournament. The current NWM and WCM Shazwani was seen playing in the Tournament alongside his father Cikgu Zulkafli. NM Yeoh Chin Seng introduced his son Yeoh Li Tian to chess only recently and the kid is now making waves in the local junior circuit. Also in the Tournament is a new family from Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam starting to make their presence felt. The Saleh family is only starting out but looks like the son is already making an impact in this Tournament to secure a place in the Under-12 Category.

Father and daughter - The father giving comfort to his dear daughter Wani







The Yeohs - Can he provide the unwavering support to his son to achieve excellence in chess?







Side by side in the Tournament - a new family in the chess scene from Shah Alam








This is a strong Tournament and it can be an expensive affair if the only reason is to win. On the other hand this is about the handful game where a family can take part in a competitive environment, on equal terms.

On a final note, chess in Malaysia has still a long way to achieve the due recognition it deserves. Chess needs the all-encompassing commitments of the players and chess enthusiasts to support themselves and to demonstrate their worthiness, or be outplayed by little fortune-hunters and glamour seekers along the way.

Views of
Shafruddin

Royal Selangor International Open Chess Tournament 2008 - The Final Day 5

The Final Ranking

The Battle was fought right to the end with no let up by any of the players. There was no walk out by any of the participants which is a record in the local scene.

The eventual winner FM Lim Yee Weng had earlier in the 6th Round obtained a Bye but continued on to win all his games thereafter, the last two rounds brushing aside the challenge from Ian Udani, one of the pre-tournament favourite and up-and-coming junior Justin Ong. Yee Weng had 10 years earlier won this Tournament and the 4th person to ever capture the Trophy more than once, while doing his SPM revision in between the Rounds then. He had since completed his law degree but saw his personal commitment requiring him to miss the 6th Round (a working day Friday) which again did not hamper this young man's drive for chess excellence.

Ronnie on the other hand was neck to neck with Yee Weng but was stopped in the final round by Kamalarifin to finish with a Draw. The extra pawn was not sufficient to break Kamalarifin's tight manoeuvres. If he were to win the top spot would have to be determined by a very interesting tie-break decision taking cognizance Yee Weng's earlier Bye.

Another record of sort was Alia's unbeaten record in the Tournament where she accomplished 2 wins in Rounds 2 and 5 while the rest of the Rounds ended in Draws, to emerge overall 12th in ranking with 5 1/2 points. (Yee Weng too was unbeaten with only a draw but with an 'Unplayed' match in Round 6). Alia went on to take the Best Woman title, a commendable feat given a strong field of titled and higher rated women players in this Tournament line-up.

Two other juniors that deserve mention are Justin Ong and Yeoh Li Tian. Justin Ong put up a gallant show in the top boards of this Tournament to finish with 6 points while 9-year old Li Tian had a fine finish when he stopped NWM Roslina Marmono to end with 5 points. They feature regularly in the Selangor-based CAS organised chess activities which contributed to their finesse in chess skill.

Those interested to gauge how they fare in this Tournament can refer to these statistics:
FIDE Rating statistics
MCF Rating statistic


The People behind the Scene

There would be many to mention but as in any organisation there would be a core team. It is a daunting task to keep up with a tradition, and a long and illustrious one at that. The CAS President would like to especially thank IA Lim Tse Pin and CAS Hon Secretary who had to come up with a viable plan and executing it ( bearing in mind he had other matters to attend to at the same time) and Life Member Norhana Othman for handling the tedious paperwork and the many tiny details. At the Tournament proper we had IA Hamid Majid and his assistant CAS Vice President Kamarul Zaman Khalid aka KZ to ensure efficient conduct and compliance with internationally accepted competition rules. At Royal Selangor we had personnel on stand-by to ensure the venue in good order. Last but not least we had good support from none other than Andrew 'Gilachess' Ooi who provided pre-Tournament and up-to-the-minute on-line news coverage of the event, as well as the Star newspaper columnist Mr SS Quah to reach out to both the chess and non-chess public.

The Challenge Trophy - Royal Selangor International Open Chess Tournament

Also known as the '35th Selangor International Open' initiated way back in 1974 Royal Selangor came into the picture 9 years later to adopt this Tournament and gave us this exquisitely designed Challenge Trophy.




A bouquet for our Sponsor -Datin Paduka MK Chen
Datin Paduka MK Chen, Director of Royal Selangor receiving the bouquet from CAS President En Shafruddin. A big Thank You for your support as well as to your staff for their untiring efforts to ensure this Tournament a success.

Congratulatory message to the Hon Secretary
We took the opportunity to present a wedding gift to our just-elected Hon Secretary IA Lim Tse Pin due in a few day's time. It was a big present and a heavy one too to commensurate with his heavy responsibility now that he has obtained his 'Mastership' and saying goodbye to his 'Bachelor'hood. Congratulations Tse Pin and his bride Isabella!

The gathering of the Winners
The winners of the Royal Selangor International Open Chess Tournament 2008 with CAS , Royal Selangor, MCF and Tournament officials.

The Prize Giving Ceremony

The Top Ten Winners Main Category
Champion - FM Lim Yee Weng







2nd - Ronnie Lim











3rd - FM Nicholas Chan









4th - Abdullah Che Hassan









5th - Kamalarifin Wahiduddin








6th - FM Tedy Sukirman (Indonesia)







7th - Abdul Aziz Abdul Shukur








8th - Mohd Kamal Abdullah







9th - Hendry Jamal's







10th - Marcus Yeoh







Best CAS Players Category
1st - Justin Ong








2nd - Yeoh Chin Seng










3rd - Ismail Ahmad










Best Women Category
1st - Alia Anin Azwa Bakri







2nd - WIM Lisa Karlina Lumongdong







3rd - Evi Lindiawati








Best Under-12 Category
1st - Yeoh Li Tian







2nd - Fikri Saleh






3rd - Ee Sun-Xin

Royal Selangor International Open Chess Tournament 2008 - Day 4

Ronnie continued his winning streak beating Ian in the 7th Round while Nicholas Chan took second spot with a win over FM Tedy Sukirman. FM Lim Yee Weng shrug off his morning Bye to score another point over Hendry Jamais to claim the 3rd placing after Round 7.
Junior player Justin Ong performed well so far with 5 points and a 6th placing, with a win over Mohd Saprin and to later draw with WIM Lisa Karlina. Another junior player Alia also did well with two draws against Kamalarifin and Evi to secure a total 5 points so far. Alia is another player to watch and although based in Melaka the Chess Association of Selangor ('CAS') is proud to contribute to the development of her chess prowess.


........................In the Star newspaper yesterday

The playing hall
Royal Selangor






The 5 Selangor Open Champions in the Tournament line-up this year

2007 defending Champion Lim Chuin Hoong looks to be a strong contender notwithstanding the two draws in Rounds 4 and 5. Awaiting his placement as a doctor will determine if he can remain active in chess in the near future. In the meantime he will limit his rounds to just the chess circuit. In addition he has the National Master title to his name
2004 Champion FM Nicholas Chan (Fide 2380) seems to be able to juggle his vocation as a medical student and prolific chess player. So medicine should not be considered a graveyard for chess. He is a product of CAS chess initiative and is also a National Master. Tomorow's Round 8 pitting him against Ronnie will be an interesting encounter.
Mohd Saprin Sabri (Fide 2201) the 2001 Champion, is another strong player but definitely not a Weekend Warrior where he may even miss the top 10 ranking. Currently preoccupied as an IT professional he should be able to reassert himself in the chess scene once his business settles down.
A versatile player in both standard and allegros 1998 Champion Lim Yee Weng (Fide 2349) and lawyer however has to skip Round 6. This may cost him to do a double for the top spot, given his strong position so far. A National Master he is another a beneficiary of the CAS training and activities.
Now that he is grounded 1995 Champion Mohd Kamal Abdullah (Fide 2205) and also a National Master hopes to participate in more tournaments. A person to beat in one of those weekend games where he will struggle over the short time control though.

Royal Selangor International Open Chess Tournament 2008 - Day 3

Ian Udani, a 'local' foreigner from the Philippines is leading with 4 1/2 points alongside FM Lim Yee Weng. He dropped 1/2 point to Kamaluddin yesterday. Kamaluddin failed to claim the repeat move on Ian but earned his 1/2 point anyway. He had a bad day today however losing to two juniors Justin Ong, and in the afternoon to Alia. Meanwhile Ian Udani recovered well setting aside Trengganu-born Nor Ilhamuddin and Justin Ong to set a match with highest-rated FM Nicholas Chan.

Besides Ian Udani there are seven other foreign players, from Indonesia and Singapore in this Tournament.


Ian Udani and Kamaluddin retracing their moves








....................................................... WIM Lisa Karlina




................................FM Tedy Sukirman










JohnHarry (Singapore)

................................................................Felica............................... WIM Upi Darmayana


Evi






'Hari ini aku kan ke Mesjid yang mana?'

Hendry.J

Royal Selangor International Open Chess Tournament 2008 - Day 2

List of players




Rank after round 3











The first prize to Bangalore, or consolation to Camerons







Leading the women to capture the top spots this time round










A lightning move from the woman in red













Play in progress

A stare from Lim Yee Weng