Normally at about this time, I would be counting down the number of weeks before the end of the year. I would be rather glad to see the start of a new year and hence, the start of a new cycle of chess activities for the amateur chess players in the country.
Right at about this time, local chess activities would be at their lowest level as if they have fallen off a cliff completely.
Could it be that local chess organizers are taking a breather to recoup their energies? Or maybe, is it because working chess players are conserving their annual leave for bigger events to come? But one fact for sure: many junior chess players are just not playing because of their end-of-year examinations.
Whatever the reason, chess players would normally stir themselves out of their slumbers from December onwards. That’s when the important internationally-rated events such as the Penang Heritage City open tournament and the Sarawak open tournament are scheduled.
But this year is different. Earlier this week, I received an email from the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) to tell me that they would be organizing the second Asian amateur open and women chess championship in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 25 to Dec 1.
This came as a surprise because earlier, the word was out that the event would be played in Yemen. However, seeing that Yemen is presently in the midst of some political instability and the safety of participants is not completely assured, the Asian Chess Federation had asked the MCF to step in and play host.
So if all things go according to plan, we should see players from the 40-plus countries in the Asian region descend on Kuala Lumpur for this competition. But these will only be the amateur players, mind you, and not the international masters or the grandmasters.
The scope of this event confines it to only Asian players who are either unrated or with an international rating of not more than 2100 points. Hey, this may even exclude a whole lot of Asian Fide masters and titled women chess players from participating!
And that’s the whole fun of the competition because it leaves the real chess amateurs – people like you and I – to fight out among ourselves for the full spoils of the game. Don’t have to worry about the top prizes slipping out of our hands.
Here, the winner of the open section will stand to win USD1,500 (about RM4,500). Even the second and third prizes are a hefty USD1,000 (about RM3,000) and USD800 (about RM2,400) respectively. There are six other minor prizes that go down to USD200 (about RM600). For the women, there are four prizes with the best of them set to win USD400 (about RM1,200). There are also identical prizes for the four best unrated players.
According to the MCF’s president, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Diraja Ramli Ngah Talib, the tournament is expected to attract a sizeable number of players from the neighbouring Asian chess power houses such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
“Obviously, we are delighted. With such a prestigious event coming to Malaysia, the event will also open doors for many amateur players in our country to experience an Asian level chess event and provide opportunities for them to excel on an Asian continental platform,” he added.
Entry fees are USD125 for players with international ratings and USD150 for non-rated players. Malaysians wishing to play will be charged at RM412 and RM495 respectively. Entries will close on Nov 4.
All inquiries and requests for entry forms should be directed to the event secretariat (najib.wahab@chess-malaysia.com) or the Malaysian Chess Federation (msianchess2010@gmail.com).
Up next
Mind chess open
The Penang Chess Association will hold the Mind Chess open tournament at their clubhouse in Bayan Baru on Oct 16. Seven rounds, 25 minutes per game. Entry fees: RM15 (PCA members), RM20 (non-members). This event is open to players with a national rating of at least 1200. No cash prizes, but players will receive certificates and winners will get a combination of trophies or chess books. Entries close tomorrow. For details, contact Loo Swee Leong (017.4722472, mindchessnet@yahoo.com) or Tan Khai Boon (016.4613580).
DATCC team open
The first round of the fourth DATCC team open team chess tournament will be played at the Wilayah Complex in Kuala Lumpur starting Oct 22. Thereafter, the next seven rounds will be played on consecutive Tuesdays, and the final round on Dec 24. Entry fee is RM400 per team with a maximum of 10 players in each team. Total prize money is RM6,000. More information available from http://datcchess.blogspot.com.
Frank Goon Cup
The Johor Chess Association will organize their Johor chess open tournament for the Frank Goon Cup on Oct 30. Venue will be the Level 35 of the Office Tower City Square in Johor Bahru. Depending on the number of players, there will be either six or seven rounds. Time control is 25 minutes per game.
Prizes are offered to winners in the open, under-16, under-12 and ladies categories. Entry fees: RM20 (open), RM10 (players below 16 years old). Closing date is Oct 24. For more details, contact Steven Cheong (016.7202272, steven52s@gmail.com) or Dinesh (014.6115256).
RSC rapid play
The chess section of the Royal Selangor Club will hold their annual RSC rapid play open tournament at their club premises in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Seven rounds, with the first three rounds on Oct 30 and the final four rounds on Nov 6. Apart from the prizes in the open section, there are also other prizes for the best under-13, under-11, under-9, veteran and lady players. Time control is 25 minutes per game, subject to final confirmation.
Entry fees for RSC members: RM30 (single player), RM25 (family discount for two or more family members). For non-RSC members: RM40 (single player), RM30 (family discount for two or more family members). For more information, contact Wahid (016.3283160, awkarim@gmail.com) or Ajeet (012.2121372, ajeet@pc.jaring.my) before Oct 28.
Giant Tampoi chess
The Johor Bahru Chess Association, The Giant Hypermarket Tampoi and the Rakan Muda Johor Bahru are jointly organizing their second Giant Tampoi junior chess tournament for under-16 and under-12 category players on Nov 13.
Venue is the Giant Hypermarket at Tampoi, Johor. Seven rounds, 25 minutes time control. Entry fees are RM15 (under-16 players) and RM12 (under-12 players). Closing date for entries is Nov 11. More details available from Narayanan Krishnan (013.7717525, jb_chess_association@yahoo.com).
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