Mas Hafizul Goes Professional!

 

14 September 2011, Kuala Lumpur – Some weeks back, I had heard rumors of someone going full time as a chess player and leaving a lucrative job with the hope of one day earning Malaysia a grandmaster title in chess. I wasn’t sure if this was true and until someone else could help confirm it. The Kuala Lumpur Open (now renamed DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Masters and International Open 2011) was on-going then.

Well, the fidetrainer blogger just confirmed the news yesterday of this event and you may visit his site here.

Go Mas, we are all rooting for you! Mas for GM!

IM Mas’s Game Is Game Of The Day!

21 January 2011, Kuala Lumpur – Found on chessgames.com website is IM Mas Hafizulhelmi’s chess game against Jan Emmanuel Garcia at Subic Bay Free Port in the 8th Asian Continental Chess Championship 2009. IM Mas Hafizulhelmi won this game against the Pirc Defense.

 

 

 

For the record, Jan Emmanuel Garcia was a 14 year old Filipino boy during the said  tournament.

To replay you may go to chessgames.com or click here. Or use the game viewer below to replay the game between IM Mas Hafizulhelmi and Jan Emmanuel Garcia during the 8th Asian Continental Chess Championship 2009, Subic Bay, Philippines.

(source: recommended by Zullghafari of Johor)

Chess Training Camp By Kuala Lumpur Chess Academy, 17-20th March 2010

Latest from Najib Wahab on Chess Training Camp in the coming school holidays.

The Kuala Lumpur Chess Academy is once again organizing its CHESS CAMP program during the 1^st term school break from 17^th March until 20^th March 2010

The 4 days Camp is designed for chess players of all strengths and levels of experience who want to improve their game. We will divide our campers into groups according to level and ability. Each level helps cultivate their chess skills, expand upon their existing knowledge of the game, and gain greater confidence as players. Throughout the camp, players will review the basics of the game, including rules, the history of chess, terminology, and etiquette while also working towards mastering opening principles, middle game understanding and developing end-game strategies and concepts.

At the KL Chess Camps, we combine learning and fun bringing it to a whole new level. This course is appropriate for both beginners, Intermediate, developmental and advanced students. In this program, campers will have a blast and develop basic understanding and skills while encouraging creative thinking. Participants will receive copies of course worksheets and supplementary material. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in friendly tournaments with prizes for all.Finally they will received medals and a certificate with photo. The Camp program blends these traits into an exceptionally fun and competitive experience.

Our CAMPS Theme is;

"A fun and inspiring introduction to the game for beginners,"
A motivating and educational experience for the intermediates,
A stimulating and enlightening adventure for the advanced."

Our CAMPS Goals is to “Help build a love for the game & assist students to develop skills for their future”

Headed by CAMPS Chief Trainer Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh, we have assembled a team of notable Malaysian Trainers who represent years of extensive chess coaching and are considered among the best in the country. Alongside GM Ziaur Rahman, our featured team of Trainers are;

1. International Master Mas Hafizulhimi (MALAYSIA)

2. International Master Lim Yee Weng (MALAYSIA)

3. Mr Gregory Lau (MALAYSIA)

4. En.Najib Wahab (MALAYSIA)

CAMP programs starts at 9:00am with the beginner sessions conducted in the morning, and advance classes to be held in the afternoon from 2:00pm onwards. Rates vary from RM120 for the beginner sessions up to RM300 for the advanced classes. Registration closes on 10^th March 2010 and only a limited number of seats are available. Grab your slots now and earn this opportunity to be trained by a World Class Chess Player and a qualified trainer.

For further inquires on the CHESS CAMPS programs, rates, schedule and registration form, feel free to Contact CAMP DIRECTOR, Mr Gregory Lau at +6012 902 0123 or greglau64@gmail.com.

Looking forward to having you join our CAMP this year!!!!

Interview with IM Mas Hafizulhelmi

Image via Wikipedia

On the evening of the 29th December 2009, fireyrook had an opportunity to talk to one of Malaysia’s top chess players, IM Mas Hafizulhelmi, the new reigning Malaysian Masters 2009 Champion. IM Mas Hafizulhelmi revealed a few interesting facts about what he has achieved and his thinking for the future. He also talks about Malaysia’s chances for the SEA Games in Indonesia come the year 2011.

Picture 1. IM Mas Hafizulhelmi is the new Malaysian Masters Champion 2009.

How is your journey to become first GM of Malaysia?
I am reaching the end of my two-year period of break and will be returning to work with Petronas very soon. I would say that I have gained valuable exposure over the last two years and participated in many chess tournaments abroad to try to gain my GM-norm.

Have you achieved any GM-norms to-date?
I have had a few near misses but no norm yet. Certain criteria need to be fullfilled to obtain a GM norm in a tournament, such as the minimum 3 GM opponents, a score of about 70% of games played (this is also relatively dependent on your average opponents rating) and other related critirea. And 3 norms are needed for the full GM title. At the same time, the player needs to achieve a FIDE rating of above 2500.

How will you achieve your GM status from here onwards?
I will continue to participate in more future chess tournaments, here locally and abroad. This is of course, time permitting and work permitting. Generally, it takes 5-7 years to become a GM (This is what GM Ian Rogers told me when I started this Tiger Project, and to do it in 2 years was almost an impossible task) I have read somewhere, statistically to be a GM, it is as tough as doing a double PHD.
If a Malaysian needs to achieve a Grandmaster norm, I think it would be an advantage to stay in Europe for a period of time and participate in chess tournaments there. Still this is not easy, it is just that more tournaments mean you get more chances to improve your level and more opportunity to go for the norms.

Yes, We have seen how the Indian World Champion, Anand, who has stayed in Germany to stay focused in professional chess and participate in as many chess tournaments as possible to achieve his World No. 1 status as World Champion in chess. Next question: Recently, we have heard that Indonesia will become the next host for the SEA Games in 2011 and chess is included. Do we have a chance to win any medals in chess in the coming SEA Games in 2011?
In the South-East Asia region, there are three big chess giants. They are Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia. Each of these countries have many grandmasters in chess and even more International Masters and FIDE-Masters amongst them. On paper, it won't be easy for Malaysia to win a medal (but we did win bronze medal in Vietnam SEA games some years ago) but it would be worthwhile for our Malaysian chess players to use it to try for IM/GM-norms, a spring board to their own titles. Once, Malaysia starts to have players with GM-titles, the pool of titled chess players will increase dramatically, almost exponentially! To start having one GM is the most difficult part that Malaysia has to undergo.

Thank you for your time to have a conversation with me. We wish you all the best in your struggle to achieve your Grandmaster norms and eventually a full GM title.
(interviewed and posted by firey_rook; http://fireyrook.blogspot.com)