Dubious Daniil Dubov

Game fixing in any sport is seriously frowned upon. Chess is no different. If uncovered, there can be severe consequences for the players. At the recent World Blitz Chess Championship in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a game between two 2700+ rated grandmasters earned them a 0-0 result instead of the anticipated ½-½ draw. 

The Chief Arbiter, after reviewing the game on video and upon receiving confirmation from the players themselves, accused Daniil Dubov and Ian Nepomniachtchi of bringing the game into disrepute. Citing Article 11.1 of the FIDE Laws of Chess, Chief Arbiter Ivan Syrovy docked them their respective half point from this game. Nepomniachtchi later brought the Chief Arbiter's decision to the Appeals Committee but the decision was upheld.

The blitz championship was played over 21 rounds and this particular game was played in the 11th round, halfway through the event and the final round of the first day's programme, where Dubov, Nepomniachtchi, Magnus Carlsen and Sarin Nihal were leading the table standings with eight points each after 10 games. But while Dubov and Nepomniachtchi looked quite content to split the point, they needed not make their intentions to draw their game so blatantly obvious, especially in front of the cameras. That, I believe, was a factor that led to the action taken against them.

This wasn't the only dark cloud hovering over Dubov. (Note: before anyone misunderstands him, he is one of the best blitz players in the world today.) In the eighth round, he agreed a very quick short draw with Vladislav Artemiev, yet another 2700+ rated grandmaster and strong blitz player. When the round began, Artemiev was nowhere to be seen. His clock was started after Dubov had opened the game with 1 d4. Turning up about a minute later, he even had time to straighten his own pieces before replying with 1....d5, thereupon Dubov played 2 Nf3 and both players immediately shook hands on a draw. Prearranged? Looked very much like it.

Dubov did not suffer much from the docked half point as there were still 10 rounds to go. He still concluded the tournament in second place behind winner Carlsen. Artemiev was third and Nepomniachtchi finished fifth. There were 206 participants from all over the world.

On the matter of prearranged draws, it is likely to be a common scenario in local chess tournaments when a chess coach faces off against his chess student. The dilemma arises: should the coach use his superior experience to defeat the student, or should they opt for a draw? The question extends to how the student perceives this match-up – as an intimidating challenge or an inspiring opportunity to showcase his skills. This decision gains significance, especially in the final round when there is a chance of winning a prize. Personally, I have no qualms if the game between the coach and student results in a hard-fought draw, but I take issue if it concludes hastily with a lacklustre, uninspired draw. Question: how would you react if the game personally involved you as a chess coach or a chess student?

Finally, here is the video of the Dubov-Nepomniachtchi game from Samarkand. The original video was posted by Chessbase India but it was just too long for my liking. I had taken it upon myself to show only the pertinent section of the two grandmasters going through the motion of playing this chess game. (My appreciation to Chessbase India which was my source of the original video.)

Crunch game

Crunch time between two local Fide Masters, chess prodigies of their time. Lye Lik Zang and Poh Yu Tian had met in the fifth round of the Penang Open chess tournament on 20 December 2023. Who would prevail? Yu Tian had surprised Lik Zang with a line in the Grunfeld and ended up a pawn down while giving his rival isolated doubled pawns. Would that be enough compensation? Lik Zang maintained his grip on the game and never gave Yu Tian any chance to come back into the game, even winning a second pawn later. Yu Tian tried hard to mess up the kingside for some counterplay but it was never enough. Lik Zang methodically hounded his opponent's king to the queenside where it was soon cornered and checkmated. 

Position after 34 Rb8

[Event "15th Penang Heritage City International Chess Open 2023 (Open)"]
[Site "St Xavier's Institution, Penang"]
[Date "2023.12.20"]
[Round "5"]
[Board "3"]
[White "Lye, Lik Zang"]
[Black "Poh, Yu Tian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A00"]
[WhiteElo "2279"]
[BlackElo "2405"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[EventDate "2023.12.18"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "MAS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h4 c6 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. e3 Bg4 9. Be2 Qa5 10. Qb3 Qb4 11. Ne5 Qxb3 12. axb3 Bxe2 13. Nxc6 Bg4 (Was this played on purpose or did Black actually blunder away his a-pawn?) 14. Nxa7 O-O 15. Be5 Be6 16. f3 Ne8 17. Bf4 Nf6 18. Kd2 Nh5 19. Bc7 f5 20. g3 h6 21. Ne2 Bd7 22. Ra5 e6 23. Rha1 Rf7 24. Bd6 b6 25. Ra6 Be8 26. Nc3 g5 27. hxg5 hxg5 28. Nab5 Rxa6 29. Rxa6 Kh7 30. Rxb6 g4 31. Ke2 Rf6 32. Be5 Rh6 33. Rb7 Kg8 34. Rb8 Bxe5 35. dxe5 Kf8 36. Nd6 Ng7 37. fxg4 fxg4 38. Ncb5 Ke7 39. Rb7+ Kf8 40. Nd4 Rh2+ 41. Kf1 Bg6 42. Rb8+ Ke7 43. Rg8 Bd3+ 44. Kg1 Rh7 45. Nc6+ Kd7 46. Nb8+ Kc7 (The decisive mistake in the game, allowing White to corner the black King and kill it off quickly) 47. Rc8+ Kb6 48. Nd7+ Ka5 49. Rb8 Nf5 50. b4+ Ka6 51. Ra8# 1-0

Awaiting the new year

During our annual spring-cleaning of the house, I came across a traditional Chinese calendar which someone had given me at the start of this year. Unfortunately, I had completely forgotten about it and it had remained unused. Flipping through the calendar, I realised that there's so much information on every leaf. The average fengshui practitioner would be so thrilled with it. But almost everything is in Chinese though. If one doesn't read Chinese, there is limited use for this calendar. However, there is one thing that is very clear regardless of whether one can or cannot read Chinese and that is, the end of the year is well and truly nigh. To be exact, four more days before we see out 2023 and welcome in 2024. 

Taiwan travellogue, Day 5 Part 2 (Alishan)

Maybe it was too much for me to expect, this being Taiwan and not Japan, but the bus was late and we only managed to board at 11.30am. After an uneventful journey through the long and winding road, we reached the entrance into the Alishan National Forest Reserve at about 12.45pm. The building was bustling with people but it turned out that they were waiting to leave Alishan, not going in like us. At first, I thought that after alighting here we had to push our luggage to the hotel - it was only a mere 500 metres away - but my daughter stopped me. Let's phone the hotel and see whether they have a shuttle service, she said, which turned out to be a pretty good suggestion because I noticed with some consternation that the route, had we walked, took the shuttle bus through some rather steep terrain.

We opted for lunch at a place known as Shan Bin Restaurant. Their signature dish was the stone hotpot, featured in a standard menu that included offerings like deep-fried sea bass fillet, grilled bamboo partridge and an array of stir-fried delights such as wild boar, king oyster mushroom, mountain vegetables and bamboo shoots. A staff member recommended their set Menu B, but realising we were a party of only four diners, she graciously reduced the serving amount and charged us a discounted rate. Such a thoughtful service! Consequently, our bill, originally priced at NT$2,200, amounted to only NT$1,500 at the conclusion of our meal.

At four o'clock, we decided to catch a shuttle bus to the Alishan Shouzhen Temple (阿里山受鎮宮) which marked the starting point of our journey to the Sisters' Ponds (姊妹潭). Despite the numerous steps along the way, the path was a pleasant stroll through a cedar tree-filled forest. While the pond wasn't vast, the atmosphere exuded tranquility and serenity. During our walk there, we encountered several individuals walking back from that direction. The main pond itself appeared somewhat deserted, with only two additional visitors besides my family. Very likely, this was due to the advancing hour. As we ventured among the trees and a damp atmosphere, we sensed a drop in temperature and observed a subtle dusk settling over the surroundings. It was time to retrace our way back to the starting point. 

By the time we reached the Shouzhen Temple, there were no more shuttle buses in service. Now faced with the task of walking in semi-darkness, we began our way back to the Alishan main park area. Along the journey, we were treated to the enchanting colours of the sunset, witnessing the last rays of light disappear. Soon enough, we found ourselves at the 7-Eleven outlet in the park, and adjacent to it, the Shan Bin Restaurant was busy with a lively crowd. Fortunately, we had no intention of joining the evening bustle, choosing instead to retire early. Tomorrow would greet us with a wake-up call at 4:30am for a train ride.

This lady provided a personal touch to the hotpot.

The rail station at Alishan were we took a train ride to watch the sunrise the next morning

Meanwhile, we walked up this trail to the Sisters' Ponds

Glorious colours of sunset

Flying pieces

An interesting and dramatic display unfolded between International Master Oleg Badmatsyrenov of Russia (but playing under the FIDE flag) and Fide Master Poh Yu Tian of Malaysia in the Blitz tournament of the Penang Chess Festival last Saturday. The full duration of the Festival was from the 18th till the 24th of December 2023. Time control of the Blitz event was five minutes per player with no increment after each move.

A typical display of quick-thinking chess but in this case, the game descended into utter chaos on the chess board when both players ran into deep time trouble. With the chess pieces flying everywhere and getting knocked down, only the players had any clue which squares they were on. The spectators were none the wiser. Even this video did not help much with reconstructing the last stages of the game. That's blitz chess for you, short and exciting!

A Christmas inspiration

Meet Shawn Stanly, a dedicated teacher in Sekolah Kebangsaan RPS Banun about an hour away from the town of Grik in Perak. I've been tracking him since his University days in Sabah where he had joined a programme known as Teach for Malaysia. Shawn stands out as an exceptionally creative individual, a quality of immense value in the field of education. Over the past three years, he has been imparting knowledge, inspiration and imagination to the school children, all of whom belonging to the Orang Asli community—individuals who have limited exposure to the outside world beyond what they see on social media, in films, on television or from magazines.

Recognising the lack of real-world experiences for his pupils, Shawn took innovative steps to bridge the gap. Some time ago, he constructed a flight simulator in the classroom to provide his pupils with the exhilarating sensation of taking flights to distant lands. By simulating the interior of an airplane, he enabled the boys and girls to embark on imaginary journeys around the world, fostering a sense of wonder and exploration. This project eventually reached the attention of the online news portal, Free Malaysia Today, which featured Shawn in a video news report.

Recently, Shawn went above and beyond by introducing the joy of Christmas to his pupils. Aware that many had never experienced this festive season, he gathered materials from the town and, with the active participation of the boys and girls, crafted a makeshift Christmas tree. The end result was nothing short of amazing, showcasing Shawn's ability to bring the spirit of Christmas into the lives of these young individuals. (Watch the video below.)

It's worth noting that Shawn, a former Head Boy at Penang Free School in 2016, has not only made his alma mater proud but also demonstrated his commitment to education and the impactful imparting of knowledge. As I extend warm wishes for a Merry Christmas, I also acknowledge Shawn's ongoing contributions to the lives of those he touches. Wherever his teaching profession takes him in the future, I am confident he will continue to bring joy and inspiration to his pupils. Merry Christmas, again!

Shawn's Christmas tree

Merry Christmas 2023

 

Paritta chanting

It took almost an hour to complete. We quite enjoyed the soothing calmness of the paritta chanting session that two Sri Lankan monks had conducted at our house last 16th of December. They had been staying at the Nandaka Vihara Meditation Society for the past several months and were due to leave for their home monastery in Sri Lanka on Wednesday. But before they left, they had offered to conduct a personal paritta chanting session for us. Who were we to turn down their kindness? It was such a rare opportunity. We quickly arranged for several relatives and friends to join us as we felt that such blessings should be shared with others.

Paritta chanting is a Buddhist ritual observed particularly in Theravada Buddhist regions where the Pali language is used for recitations. These chants comprise essential sutras derived from the foundational teachings of Buddha. Originally inscribed on ola leaves around 2,000 years ago, these sutras were later compiled into a Paritta chanting book.

Bhante Neluve Aranagavesi (left) and Bhante Galagedara Thikkhindriya from the Na Uyana Aranya (Monastery) in Sri Lanka

Daniel Yong Chen-I (1971-2023)

At the opening of this year's Penang Chess League today, See Swee Sie and I issued this joint statement to remember Daniel Yong Chen-I who had passed away in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Swee Sie is the President of the Penang Chess Association. Coincidentally, the funeral was today, the same day as the start of our Chess League.

On Monday, we learned of the sudden passing last Tuesday of a dear friend of Malaysian chess, Mr Daniel Yong Chen-I, the joint Chief Operating Officer of IGB Real Estate Investment Trust in Kuala Lumpur. 

Daniel played an integral role in the management of MidValley Megamall and The Gardens Mall in Kuala Lumpur. In that role, he served as the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Malaysian Chess Festival for many years. Daniel was also the former President of the Chess Association of Selangor.

His mother is Madam Pauline Tan, of the Wah Seong Group of Companies, a steadfast supporter and sponsor of our Penang Chess League and Festival for many years. The late Dato' Tan Chin Nam, a familiar name to many chess players, was Daniel's grand-uncle. 

On behalf of the Penang Chess Association, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Daniel Yong's grieving family. 

 

Tang chek 2023

Today's the day of the Winter Solstice when the sun hovers over that imaginary line known as the Tropic of Capricorn. I am informed that the exact moment it happens is at 11.29am local time this morning. As such, today is supposed to be the shortest day of the year for those of us in the northern hemisphere. 

In Malaysia, like East Asians everywhere, we refer to today as Tang Chek (冬節). During olden times in China, that is, during the Tang and Song Dynasties, the Winter Solstice was an occasion for ancestral worship. Today, this celebration has evolved into a cultural tradition observed by many Chinese worldwide, signifying an auspicious festival.

Usually, Tang Chek is embraced as a time for families to gather. Many families come together to enjoy making small glutinous rice balls. These balls are rolled from glutinous rice flour and are prepared in several colours. They are then cooked in a light syrup. And having made them, the rice balls are offered as worship to the ancestors. However, my family only offers them for worship to our deities. 

PS. We call today Tang Chek. In three days' time, we shall have another happy festival, the Angmo Tang Chek. Mmm, I haven't used this expression for years! Regardless, happy celebration to everyone as we end 2023 (I survived another year relatively unscathed!) and hope that next year will be better!

Hickory on Penang Hill

We first learned about Hickory On Penang Hill just before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and had always wanted to experience this new guesthouse. Yet, the opportunity did not arise until last Monday when friends of my wife visited Penang. Casually, we had suggested a visit to Penang Hill and a stay at Hickory and before we even realised it, her friends had promptly booked an overnight stay for all of us. Here, I shall relate some of our personal experiences while staying in this guesthouse.

Image from Hickory On Penang Hill's facebook page

Arriving at the Lower Tunnel Station by the Penang Hill funicular train around 4.10 pm, we swaggered a bit with our luggage and, after a slow and cautious 10-minute walk, found ourselves at the doorstep of the guesthouse. Four groups, including us, were accommodated in this almost-century-old bungalow. 

The primary structure is a double-storeyed building featuring two guest rooms on the ground floor and four on the upper level. Behind it are single-storey extensions, once serving as servants' quarters but now transformed into additional guest rooms. A discreet staircase in a separate extension descends to a nearly unnoticed small open basement, repurposed for storage and housing a small library. Regrettably, few individuals venture into this area. My curiosity led me there, and I promptly bumped my head on the low ceiling. I found the space so quiet and secluded that even the intriguing array of book titles could not entice me to linger there for long.

Room #6, where we stayed
(Image from Hickory On Penang Hill's facebook page)

The present owner, Raj, purchased the bungalow a decade ago and had dedicated the first five years on its upgrade before deciding on transforming it into a guesthouse. The bungalow was originally named Dulci Domum, a Latin phrase meaning Sweet Home but after the Second World War, it adopted the name Hickory which has endured since then. 

Perched at an elevation of 650 metres (2,100 feet) on the eastern slope of Penang Hill, Hickory sits on half an acre of secluded woodland and manicured lawns. The lush green surroundings echo with the occasional sounds of birds, monkeys, squirrels and flowing water. With 14 guest rooms catering to solo traveller and groups alike, ours was a double room that featured a queen-size bed which opened up into a cozy living room on the ground floor. Four rattan easy chairs and a decorated Christmas tree added to the homely ambience. 

The open basement with its small library

We have visited Penang Hill countless times and each time, the panoramic views from the top never ceased to amaze us. So it was too from Hickory's front lawn. The breathtaking vista stretched from Gurney Drive on the left to Bayan Lepas on the right, encompassing George Town's promontory, the KOMTAR tower, Glugor, Ayer Itam, the Kek Lok Si temple complex, Jerejak island, Bayan Baru and the two Penang Bridges. In the distance, the coastline of Province Wellesley with the central Bukit Mertajam hill, completed the picture.

For those considering the funicular railway journey to Hickory, tickets are purchased at the Bottom Station. That's where the adventure starts. But a cautionary note: the train only stops at the Lower Tunnel Station once per hour. It used to be on a half-hourly basis but with the increasing crowds, the trains now travel nonstop in order to move as many passengers as possible in the shortest time. If one needs to stop at any station between the Top and Bottom stations, one has to catch the train that departs on the hour, Miss that, and it is another 60 minutes wait till the next available one. 

One should board the front cabin of the train so that the driver could be informed to stop at the Lower Tunnel Station. After alighting at this station, follow the Lower Tunnel Road for about five minutes until the gates of Hickory are reached. With direction signs along the way, it is almost unlikely of getting lost. But be aware that the road is not level and there are some inclines along the way. Alternatively, if 60 minutes or more is too long to wait for a train, then take the regular train to the Top Station and enjoy a 15-minute stroll down Bypath A and Bypath F to reach Hickory. Whichever way one takes to reach the guesthouse, the roads are not completely user-friendly to anyone whose mobility is challenged. But these are essentially part of the Penang Hill adventure, are they not?

Similarly, the descending train will not stop automatically at the Lower Tunnel Station to pick up any passenger. One has to call the station master on the intercom to make a request and the train will stop, again only once an hour. The intercom is located in a box at the station. Pick up the handset and press the number "3".

I shall add here that the food at Hickory is very varied and good. We tucked ourselves into an outdoors steamboat dinner while noticing that some other guests had plumbed for a barbeque on the lawn. The weather turned wet and cool as we ate but we hardly noticed, what with the steamboat heating us up sufficiently. We were up early the next morning to watch the sunrise and later, had a choice of British, Swiss and local flavours for breakfast.   

Our steamboat dinner. Standing beside us was Raj, the owner of Hickory On Penang Hill

What more can one ask for? A wide array of coffee, tea and other beverages. And by the way, the beer's in the refrigerator

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