Malaysia Loses To Netherlands, Chess Olympiad

30 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Malaysia lost to Andorra, 1.5-2.5 for the Open Team event where IM Mas lost his second game. Peter Long won his fourth game against Santamaria with IM Mok contributing the extra half-point on board 2, while NM Tan Khai Boon lost on the third board.

Meanwhile the ladies lost to the Netherlands, 1-3, after Alia and Nur Nabila lost on the top boards, while the lower boards, 3 and 4 were drawn, coming from Nurul Huda and Roslina respectively.

Malaysia vs The Netherlands, end positions for the ladies four boards of the table no. 26, Malaysia lost 1-3 to The Netherlands.

Pix 1. Nurul Huda Wahiduddin playing on board 3 for Malaysia.

Shirov vs Berg, Round 8, Chess Olympiad

30 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – In the 8th round of the 39th Chess Olympiad, Spain, the 16th ranked team, played Sweden, 34th ranked team and GM Shirov, Spain, played GM Berg on board 1. The Sicilian Defense transpired and Shirov chose the 6. Bg5 option which is filled with tactical motifs throughout the game.

 

[Event "39th WCO"]
[Site "0:26.04-0:00.03"]
[Date "2010.09.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Berg, Emanuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2616"]
[WhiteTeam "Spain"]
[BlackTeam "Sweden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ESP"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SWE"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. a3 Bb7 11. g4 Be7 12. Bh4 Nb6 13. g5 Nfd7 14. f5 e5 15. Nf3 Nc4 16. Bh3 f6 17. gxf6 gxf6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. Rxd5 Ndb6 20. Rd3 b4 21. a4 Nxb2 22. Kxb2 Nxa4+ 23. Kc1 Nc3 24. Qe3 Rc8 25. Kd2 d5 26. exd5 e4 27. Bxf6 Bxf6 28. d6 Qd7 29. Ne5 Bxe5 30. f6 Nb1+ 31. Ke1 Qc6 32. d7+ Kf7 33. dxc8=Q Rxc8 34. Rd7+ Ke8 35. Re7+ Kd8 36. Rxe5 1-0

After 36.Rxe5, black loses an important defender, the black bishop on e5 and the white is winning. Black has no strong attacks except to exchange queens at c3. After exchanging the queens, white is still a piece up and all its pieces are active plus it still have a white pawn on the 6th rank, getting ready to queen. At this point, black simply resigned giving Shirov an interesting game and win for Spain. Spain won 3.5-0.5 over Sweden.

Malaysia lose to Andorra in round 9, 39th Chess Olympiad

30 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiyk – In the 9th round, Malaysia lost to Andorra, 2.5-1.5 where the critical board 1 decided the final score. IM Mas lost to De La Riva Aguado, Oscar on board 1 with a rook and a pawn for black against three white pawns and a rook. Judging from the end position, the white pawns are disconnected and the black could possibly reduce white’s pawns through proper rook check moves.

Peter Long won his board 4 game very early in 29 moves and IM Mok Tze Meng brought the other half point for Malaysia.

Meanwhile NM Tan Khai Boon simply has no answer to white’s three central passed pawns that are also connected. Black resigned on move 35.

 

For the record none of the Malaysian ladies games against The Netherlands have yet to end. Tough battles on each board. The current games shown below.

Malaysia Live Games, Round 9, 39th Chess Olympiad

30 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – To watch live games of Malaysia against Andorra on table 47 for the Open Team event of the round 9, 39th Chess Olympiad, please click here.

To watch live games of Malaysia against The Netherlands on table 26 for the women’s team event of the round 9, 39th Chess Olympiad, please click here.

Picture (left) of WCM Nur Nabila posing with Super GM Topalov of Bulgaria on the sidelines.

Malaysia Live Games, Round 9, 39th Chess Olympiad

30 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – To watch live games of Malaysia against Andorra on table 47 for the Open Team event of the round 9, 39th Chess Olympiad, please click here.

To watch live games of Malaysia against The Netherlands on table 26 for the women’s team event of the round 9, 39th Chess Olympiad, please click here.

Picture Gallery, Malaysians At 39th Chess Olympiad

30 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Our  Malaysian chess girls are avid photographers and appear to take pictures wherever they go. Here are more pictures from the sidelines of the 39th Chess Olympiad in Siberia, Russia.

Roslina is really utilising her opportunities there when she manages to get a rare pose with the world’s number one player, Magnus Carlsen of Norway! She also has one with the UAE team, Pakistan board 3 and with WIM Nafisa Muminova of Uzbekistan!

Looks like Roslina is not alone in her quest, Nur Nabila too has done the same. Please scroll down to see pictures of Nabila with Super GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Hou Yifan of China!! Add Super GM Topalov of Bulgaria to her list!

Pix 1. Nur Nabila, Roslina, Alia Bakri at the playing hall somewhere.

Pix 2. Roslina with UAE players (boards 1-3).

Kirsan Re-Elected!

30 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Latest news of yesterday’s FIDE elections has been reported in Chessdom.com’s blog and in chessvibes.com. The current FIDE President, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has been re-elected in the elections with a 95-55 vote margin. He will continue to be president for another term 2010-2014.

To read more, please click here or at chessvibes.com or click here.

Malaysia Win Over UAE, 39th Chess Olympiad 2010

30 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – In round 8, the Malaysian women’s chess team withheld UAE’s challege winning 2.5-1.5. Alia Bakri and WCM Nur Nabila brought in the solid board wins on boards 1 and 2 respectively. Fong Mi Yen was caught in a mating trap and ended with a checkmate by her opponent, Al Ali Amna Nuaman of UAE on board 4.

Malaysia’s supersub, Roslina Marmono, saved the day with a draw on board 3.

The end positions for all four boards for team Malaysia in round 8 against United Arab Emirates, UAE, shown below. Malaysia won 2.5-1.5. Well done, girls!

Individual Performance of the Malaysian Women’s Team Up To Rd.8

Alia Bakri has 6.0/8.0 pts, Nabila 4.0/8.0, Nurul Huda 0.5/4.0, Roslina 2.5/5.0 and Mi Yen a creditable 3.5/7.0. Looks like Alia Anin Azwa Bakri has been outstanding in this tournament so far. Keep at it girls!!

Malaysia will now meet the Netherlands, a much higher rated team, ranked 19th, in round 9 today. Best of luck.

Malaysia Win Over Sri Lanka, 39th Chess Olympiad

30 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – In the 8th round of the 39th Chess Olympiad, Malaysia met Sri Lanka in the team open category and won 2.5-1.5.

Here are the summary of the board wins which show wins by IM Mok and Gregory Lau,our supersub. Meanwhile FM P Long got the extra half point from board three. Malaysia will now meet Andorra, an 89th ranked team in round 9 today, 30 September 2010.

Individual Performance of Malaysia Up To Round 8, 39th Chess Olympiad.

IM Mas has 4.5/7, he suffered his first defeat in round 7 and took a rest in round 8. IM Mok has 3.5/8, NM Tan Khai Boon has 3.0/8, FM Peter Long 4/8 and Gregory Lau 1/1. Greg has made a strong debut on the Malaysian team yesterday, winning his first point for Malaysia on board 4 against Sri Lanka.

Malaysia will now meet with Andorra, a 89th ranked team in round 9 today, 30th September 2010. Best of luck, guys!

Latest Video Report Of 39th Chess Olympiad 2010

29 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Here is a video report covering the hundreds of volunteers that work behind-the-scenes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to make this 39th Chess Olympiad a success for the Siberians. Let’s watch this incisive video report from Russia.

(source: ugra-chess.com)

Round 8 Live Games For Malaysia

29 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – To see live chess games of our Malaysian chess players, please visit the official website of the 39th Chess Olympiad or please click here for the men’s games or click here for the women’s chess games.

Malaysia men’s team will meet the Sri Lankan chess team, ranked 114th, on table 55 in round 8 and the Malaysia women’s team will have a go at the United Arab Emirates chess team, ranked 81st, on Table 40.

Malaysia is resting IM Mas Hafizulhelmi during round 8 today, while the Malaysia women is resting Nurul Huda Wahiduddin. In comes the supersubs, Greg Lau on board 4 for the men and Roslina Marmono on board 3 for the ladies.

Men’s Board Pairings Round 8, 39th Chess Olympiad, Tables 53-56.

Women’s Board Pairings Round 8, 39th Chess Olympiad 2010, Tables 39-41.

Picture Gallery, Malaysians At 39th Chess Olympiad 2010

29 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Here a few fantastic photos taken by some of our Malaysian girls chess team at the 39th Chess Olympiad in Siberia, Russia. They even took one with the FIDE President, Kirsan Ilyumzhanov. Alia with the chinese Super GM Hou Yifan.

Pix 1. Alia Bakri posing with GM Hou Yifan of China

Pix 2. Malaysia vs Slovakia, Round 1. Alia, Nabila, Nurul Huda and Roslina is on board 4.

Ukraine Leads, Round 7 Results, 39th Chess Olympiad

28th September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – At the 39th Chess Olympiad, Ukraine chess team took down Georgia, 2.5-1.5, in the 7th round and this means Ukraine maintains the top team on the leaderboard going into the 8th round tomorrow.

On table 2, Armenia lost to Azerbaijan, 1.5-2.5, while Russia 1 dominated over Russia 2, 2.5-1.5, on table 3. Team USA drew 2-2 with Poland on table 4 and Brazil got crushed by Hungary, 1-3 on table 5. Russia 3 drew against Iran, 2-2, on table 6 while China crushed Turkmenistan, 4-0, on table 7.

Video Reports Of Chess Olympiad 2010, Day 6-7

28 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Here are the daily reports from Elmira Mirzoeva of the chess Olympiad happenings for day 6 and day 7. Have a look at the videos!


(source: ugra-chess.com)

Malaysia Won 4-0, Lost 1-3

28 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – The Malaysian teams had mixed fortunes again tonight. This time the Malaysian ladies won 4-0 over the Pakistani ladies chess team while the Malaysian men suffered a 1-3 drubbing at the International Committee for Silent Chess (ICSC). Tan Khai Boon got Malaysia the solitary board point.

The end position for all four board games for the Malaysia vs ICSC (shown below) which Malaysia lost 1-3 despite Tan Khai Boon third board win.

Malaysia’s Round 7 Live Games

Round 7 live games at chess Olympiad 2010 for Malaysia.

Please click here.

Turkey Develops Chess At Fantastic Speed

28 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Ali Nihat Yazici, President of the Turkish Chess Federation gave a press interview recently and talked about Turkish plans to bid Istanbul as host of the next Chess Olympiad in 2012. Looks like chess olympiads are hosted once every two years, I maybe wrong but that is what I gather from this news item. Besides Turkish plans of hosting, Ali Nihat Yazici talked about the chess in schools program in Turkey and how chess has picked up speed in schools.

Here is part of the interview for interested readers of the interview with Ali Nihat Yazici on the chess development program in Turkey:

CHESS AT SCHOOLS

– Everyone knows that chess in Turkey develops at a fantastic speed. Can you give us some numbers?
– Of course. 2.25 million children have learnt chess in the last 5 years in primary schools. We have around 200 000 members of federation, 50 000 trainers. Federation budget was 6.5 million Euros in 2009, sponsorship was more than 1 million last year. We are planning to double these, numbers in the next 2- 3 years.

– Does the program Chess at Schools work in Turkey?
– Yes.

– How did you manage to prove usefulness of teaching chess at schools?
– We did some research in internet and made several presentations, then adopted this information for our country and brought it to the attention of the government. Our goal is to develop the intellectual level of students and make them more competitive in their future life. We don't necessarily want raising grandmasters and champions. But by adding value with marketing chess in the country we make money and we achieve all aims for a federation.

For me, it is most amazing. I wish this sort of program could exist in our Malaysian schools program and allow our young chess players to develop and be groomed for future Grandmasters-to-be.

To read more, please click here.

Photo Gallery, Malaysians During Chess Olympiad

28 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Here a few photos of our chess team during the Chess Olympiad 2010, Siberia, Russia. Looks like our ladies chess team members are ready with their digital cameras in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Pix 1. Malaysia vs Iraq, Malaysia won 3-1.

Pix 2. Enjoying autumn in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Pix 3. Before round 4 vs Sri Lanka. Smile girls!

Malaysia Meets ICSC and Pakistan, Round 7 Chess Olympiad

27 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – In the seventh round of the chess Olympiad, Malaysia will meet ICSC chess team, a 72nd rated team with 1 GM and 2 IMs on the team. If the Malaysian men’s team can outdo their higher rated opponents Malaysia will gain some respect. IM Mas has not lost to anyone so far with 4.5 points from six rounds. Just maybe he can beat his GM opponent in this seventh round and earn a possible GM norm in this tournament.

Performance Of Malaysia Men’s Team Up To Round 6, Chess Olympiad 2010.

Performance of ICSC Men’s Team Up To Round 6, Chess Olympiad 2010.

In the women’s team event of the chess Olympiad 2010, Malaysia will now meet Pakistani ladies in round 7 this afternoon. Pakistan is rated 106th in this tournament and the Malaysian ladies should in theory beat this minnows team. Pakistan only has one FIDE-rated player on its first board.

Pix 1. Alia Bakri, Malaysia’s Women Board 1 chess player.

Performance Of Malaysian Women’s Team Up To Round 6, Chess Olympiad 2010.

Performance Of Pakistan Women’s Team Up To Round 6, Chess Olympiad 2010

Ukraine Wins And Takes Lead After 6th Round, Chess Olympiad

27 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – In the Open team category of the current Chess Olympiad, Ukraine manages a win over Hungary, 3-1 and now leads going into the 7th round of play tomorrow. On top table, Georgia and Armenia drew their board games, 2-2 in round 6. While England overcomes Norway, 2.5-1.5, where Michael Adams, England, springs a surprise win over Magnus Carlsen of Norway on board 1. Russia 1 and Russia 2 goes back to their winning ways as Russia 2 beat the Netherlands, 3-1 and Russia 1 beat Czech Republic, 2.5-1.5.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan wins over India, 3-1 and U.S.A. manages a hard fought win over Vietnam, 2.5-1.5, where GM Le Quang of Vietnam lost to GM Hikaru Nakamura on board 1 of the match-up. The other boards of the Vietnam-USA ended in draws. Board 1 was decisive for USA.

Meanwhile, Malaysia crushes San Marino, 4-0, as predicted. Well done to the men’s team who have their turn of glory!

In the women’s team event, Russia 1 decisively beat Ukraine, 2.5-1.5. Boards 3 and 4 of Russia 1 where GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and IM G Alisa were decisive in winning for the Russians. GM Kateryna Lahno of Ukraine won for the solid board win on board 1 for Ukraine. While on table 2, Georgia beat USA, 2.5-1.5 and Hungary crushed Poland, 4-0.

Meanwhile our Malaysian women’s chess team lost to Ecuador, 1-3. Alia Bakri on board 1 beat IM Fierro Baquero Martha L of Ecuador. Well done to Alia for her gallant win on board 1. But Malaysia lost on the other three boards.

Carlsen Suffers 2nd Loss At Chess Olympiad 2010`

27 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Michael Adams springs a surprise on the World’s No.1 player, Magnus Carlsen during the England against Norway, 6th round team event of the Chess Olympiad 2010.

Adams, M (2728) - Carlsen, M (2826) [B06]
Chess Olympiad 2010
Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia (6), 27.09.2010

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Nf6 3.e5 Nh5 4.Be2 d6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.exd6 exd6 7.d5 Ne7 8.c4 Bg7 9.Nc3 0–0 10.0–0 Bg4 11.Re1 Re8 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Nf6 14.Bf4 Nd7 15.Rc1 Ne5 16.b3 a6 17.g3 Nf5 18.Bg2 g5 19.Bxe5 Bxe5 20.Ne4 Ng7 21.Qd2 h6 22.f4 gxf4 23.gxf4 Bf6 24.Kh2 Nh5 25.Rg1 Kh7 26.Rcf1 Rg8 27.Qe2 Ng7 28.Qd3 Kh8 29.Bf3 b5 30.Bd1 bxc4 31.bxc4 Bh4 32.Bc2 f5 33.Rg6 Kh7 34.Rfg1 Qe7 35.Ng3 Bxg3+ 36.Qxg3 Qf7 37.Bd1 Rae8 38.Rxh6+ White wins 1–0

If black king takes the rook at h6, 38…Kxh6, then 39.Qg5+ Kh7 40. Qh4+ Qh5 41. Bxh5 and black considered this a losing position and decides to resign. 1-0 to England.

Efimenko vs Stojanovic, 5th Round, Chess Olympiad

27 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – In the fifth round of the chess Olympiad 2010, Ukraine met Bosnia Herzegovina. Ukraine won 3-1 with GM Vassily Ivanchuk leading Ukraine on board 1 against GM Sokolov of Bosnia. However, Ukraine showed its strength in depth with having a strong 4th board player in GM Efimenko. Efimenko took on IM Stojanovic of Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH) and the Ruy Lopez Closed Variation transpired.

After white played 26.Qc2, black resigned as the white diagonal b1-h7 is strongly held by both bishop and Queen battery with a possible check at Qh7 pending.

If black takes the knight at e5, 26…. Bxe5, then 27. Qh7+ Kf8, 28.Qh8+ Ke7, 29. Qxg7 pinning the bishop at e5 with the rook at e1. With a strong white attack on the black king, Stojanovic of BiH resigned. It is a crisp and fun game to watch by the two chess players. With this win, Ukraine beat Bosnia Herzegovina, 3-1 and pushed Ukraine to 4th position with 9 MPs, just below Armenia and above Netherlands.

Top Ten Team Standings After Round 5, Chess Olympiad 2010.

Malaysia is at ranked 118th position after five rounds is right now playing San Marino, an opponent with 4 MPs, just one position above it, even though San Marino was initially ranked,118th,much lower at the start as compared to Malaysia at 86th. Look table below at current ranking.

The World Kitchen At The Chess Olympiad

27 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – To cater to the varied needs of the chess delegations from the world over at the chess Olympiad requires special chef skills. Here is one video from the point of view of the kitchen chefs at the world event in Siberia, Russia. It is in Russian language but the images say it all!

Polgar Chess Asia Year-End Activities

27 September 2010, Kuala Lumpur – The Polgar Chess Asia is organising some chess activities for the young, interested chess enthusiasts. And parents wanting to keep their children occupied during the year-end school holidays will have the opportunity to let their children play chess for fun or more seriously by participating in tournaments either locally or overseas. Just read on and look at all the possibilities for your children.

Here is an open email invitation from Polgar Chess Asia to parents of young chess enthusiasts for the many varied chess activities that is available at your door step:-

Dear Friends,
Holidays come and go so quickly, and its time to start planning for year-end school holidays again.

This year, our programs start early in October as most who will be playing in MSSM-Masterskill National Scholastic Chess Championship (8-12 November 2010, under the auspices of MoE) would like to have some form of preparation before the tournament.Pls click here for entry form.  The program is Building Up Young Talent, 8 sessions of 3 hours daily, 2.30-5.30pm, 25-28 Oct, 1-4 Nov 2010.  For those who are planning to vie for a place in the school/state team next year, this will be a good warm-up lap as all 14 states will be sending their team.  Besides, this is also a rated tournament.  As the MoE has written a letter to the each State Education Dept., students are allowed to take leave from school during this period. To see the flyer and related forms, please click here.

For those who are keen to play at international stage, please check out Asian Schools Chess Championship, Sri Lanka, 16-23 December.  In preparation for this tournament and the 2011 MSSM, we have the Young Talent Immersion Camp (22 November - 8 December, depending on skills level) which begins immediately after the last school term ends and also Private Sessions Package (4 sessions of 1.5 hour each, between 1-5 Dec @ RM500).  The Camp will also be co-conducted by a visiting Grandmaster. To see the flyer and related forms, please click here.

Training Support Fee during the Asian Schools tournament is available but has to be confirmed by 1 November.  Please book as soon as possible.

Those wishing to go for Penang Open (8-12 Dec) or National Junior Championships (15-19 Dec) should consider private session package for preparation.

As for Beginners, please refer to many dates of Level 1, 2 and 3 and Strategy Workshop.

Please find attached the Tournament entries to MSSM-Masterskills National Scholastic Chess Championship and our Children's Day celebration. To see the flyer and related forms, please click here or here for tournament form for MSSM-Masterskill or day chess challenge at POLGAR CHESS ASIA.

New Classes:-
Level 1 Beginners -
Saturday, 5-6pm, starting 9 October
Thursday, 4.30-5.30pm, starting 14 October
Sunday, 2-3pm, starting 17 October
Level 2
Saturday, 3.30-5pm, starting 25 September
Wednesday, 4.30-6pm, starting 13 October
Saturday, 10-11.30am, starting 30 October
Level 3
Saturday, 10-11.30am, starting 2 October
Saturday, 2-3.30pm, starting 2 October

Saturday, 3.30-5pm, starting 2 October
Sunday, 10-11.30am, starting 3 October
Competitive Chess
Saturday, 11.30am-1pm, starting 2 October
Sunday, 11.30am-1pm, starting 3 October
Please let me know if you have any question. 
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Louisa Yip
POLGAR Chess Asia
Tel: +60 3-2300 1680

Mobile: +60 19-258 6355

(source: email from Louisa Yip)

Round 6 Malaysia’s Board Pairings, Chess Olympiad

27 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Today the Malaysian teams will continue their Olympiad round six campaign with match-ups against San Marino for the men’s team and against Ecuador for the women’s team.

Men’s Board Pairings – Malaysia vs San Marino.


Women’s Board Pairings – Malaysia vs Ecuador

In theory, the Malaysian men’s team should be able to win easily against the 118th ranked San Marino chess team and the Malaysian women’s team would have a chance to outdo their higher rated, Ecuadorian ladies chess team by gaining some honour for the Malaysians! Best of luck to both Malaysian teams! 

Malaysia Meets Ecuadorians and San Marino in Sixth Round, Chess Olympiad 2010

26 September 2010, Khanty-Mansiysk – Tomorrow the Malaysian ladies will play against the Ecuadorians on table 39 and the Malaysian men will meet the San Marinos on table 59 in the sixth round of the chess Olympiad 2010.

Women’s team pairings, 6th Round.

Men’s team pairings – Open Category

Pix 1. IM Mas giving a few pointers for the Ladies Team in their preparations. Roslina by the laptop, Fong Mi Yen, Alia Bakri and Nurul Huda (behind IM Mas).