GM Wang Hao declared new DATMO 2018 champion

27 August 2018, Kuala Lumpur - GM Wang Hao, China emerged as the new Champion of the 15th Dato'Arthur Tan Malaysia Open (DATMO) 2018 in this year's edition of the Malaysia Chess Festival 2018. He scored 8 points from 9 rounds. Wang, who has a 2711 rating, outplayed IM Oliver DiMakaling, Philippines in the last round yesterday and won.

Figure 1. GM Wang Hao (centre) with his trophy and flanked by MCF officials.

FM Nicholas Chan, Malaysia, achieved his IM norm yesterday by winning his last round game against Quizon Daniel. Nicholas scored 6 points from 9 rounds.

IM Yeoh Li Tian, Malaysia, missed his GM norm by not achieving 6.5 points from 9 rounds. Despite that he scored 6.0 points and won his last 9th round yesterday. Li Tian should break into 2500 ratings based on this year's DATMO performance. The Malaysian Chess fraternity will be eagerly following his every tournament and hopes that he will achieve the required number of GM norms in the near future.

Figure 2. Some of the winners of the 15th Dato'Arthur Tan Malaysia Open 2018

Figure 3. Results of round 9, DATMO 2018.

Figure 4. Top 50 ranking of Dato'Arthur Tan Malaysia Open 2018.

GM Wang Hao leading in Dato'Arthur Tan Malaysia Open 2018

25th August 2018, Kuala Lumpur - In round 7, GM Wang Hao continues to lead after scoring a draw with GM Firouzja on top board. Meanwhile our Malaysian hope, IM Yeoh Li Tian resigned against his Indonesian opponent, GM Megaranto Susanto.

GM Wang Hao has 6 points after seven rounds, same as GM Firouzja Alireza, also with 6 points. IM Yeoh Li Tian, Malaysia, dropped to 11th ranked. He needs another 1.5 points from his two remaining rounds to qualify for a GM norm.

The Malaysia Chess Festival 2018 is entering its penultimate round and the two rounds will decide the winners of the various chess tournaments being held concurrently with 15th Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open 2018.

Figure 1. Round 7 results, Dato'Arthur Tan Malaysia Open 2018.

Figure 2. Ranking after 7th round, Dato'Arthur Tan Malaysia Open 2018.

Wang Hao meets Firouzja Alireza on top board - Round 7, 15th Dato'Arthur Tan Malaysia Open 2018

24th August 2018, Kuala Lumpur - At the Malaysia Chess Festival 2018, GM Wang Hao, China meets GM Firouzja Alireza on top board of the 15th Dato'Arthur Tan Malaysia Open 2018 of the 7th round. Hot on their heels are our Malaysian IM Yeoh Li Tian with 5 points so far from 6 rounds of play. He is currently on board two playing against Indonesian Grand Master Megaranto Susanto.

The Malaysian chess fraternity has been abuzz that IM Yeoh Li Tian might manage a  GM norm from this year's Malaysian Open tournament. He has already earn draws from both the top boards, GM Wang Hao and GM Firouzja Alireza. 

Figure 1. Round 7 pairings of the 15th Dato'Arthur Tan Malaysia Open 2018.

Yeoh Li Tian performance so far up to round 5 is shown below:

Figure 2. Yeoh Li Tian's performance up to round 5, Malaysia Open 2018

His average opponents rating is 2449 so far. His current performance rating is 2711, way above his current rating of 2497. He has scored 5 points so far. Based on best estimates, IM Yeoh Li Tian needs to score at least 6.5 points over the 9 complete rounds to earn the GM norm. Let's wait till Sunday, 26th August 2018 to see whether Malaysia may have a Grandmaster in the making.


To see more chess results, please visit this link here - http://chess-results.com/tnr371453.aspx?lan=1&art=2&rd=7&fed=MAS