Chess @ Hanoi SEA Games (rapid chess medallists)

Podium finish for Sim Jia Ru (far right) who was the joint Bronze medallist with Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong (second from right). The Gold medal went to Pham Le Thao Nguyen (second from left) while Gong Qianyun (far left) took the Silver. 

Busy day for me. Had been spending the whole day on running endless errands and travelling from the south till the north of the island. But I came home to the pleasant confirmation that Malaysia has won a Bronze medal in chess at the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam. 

Actually, I had heard last night that Malaysia's Sim Jia Ru was assured of a medal in the women's Rapid chess individual competition regardless of the outcome of today's games. Jia Ru had qualified through the preliminary rounds of this event yesterday. The semi-finals were played this morning but unfortunately, she had lost twice to her opponent, Pham Le Thao Nguyen, who went on to win the Gold medal. 

Therefore, congratulations to Jia Ru for this medal. The colour doesn't matter. Important thing is that you have done well. And let's hope that this medal will not be the only one.

So what can we look forward to tomorrow? Well, the Rapid team competitions for the Open and Women's sections will start tomorrow. Our representatives in the Open section are Wong Yinn Long and Lim Zhuo Ren. Jia Ru will feature in the Women's section together with Tan Li Ting. Both sections will be played as a five-round Round Robin tournament. Best of luck to them!

Note: All my stories on this blog are my own and do not represent the views of any chess organisation.

 

Pani puri

I had always been intrigued by this savoury tidbit called pani puri. Finally found it selling by a roadside vendor in Penang's Little India. Six round pieces of puri, a small container for the mashed potatoes and chickpeas, and little plastic bags containing the other ingredients - chopped onions, condiments and the all important pani water. So I broke a hole in the puri, filled it with the potatoes and other ingredients, and then scooped some of the pani in, before I popped the whole thing into my mouth. The taste was exquisite. Sweetness mixed with sourness. Everyone should try it. Quite an experience!

Chess @ Hanoi SEA Games (rapid chess)

Left picture: Yeoh Li Tian (White) against Nay Oo Kyaw Tun (Myanmar). Right picture: Poh Yu Tian (Blsck) against Arunnuntapanich Tinnakrit (Thailand). Both pictures from the fourth round, courtesy of Hamid Majid

The Rapid individual chess competitions for the Open and Women's sections are now in session for today and tomorrow. As these are faster paced events than the Standard Chess competitions of the previous few days, I won't be writing much about them. I shall be presenting a few games of note by our representatives that comes my way.

I should mention here though that Yeoh Li Tian and Poh Yu Tian are playing in the Open section while Sim Jia Ru and Chua Jia-Tien are competing in the Women's event. I wish them all the best, especially Li Tian who has to come back from his personal disappointment in the Standard Chess competition. But I know he can do it. He has the experience to do it. And the way he dismantled Vietnam's best player, Le Quang Liem, in the second round, well, that's the way to go!

Curiously enough, when Li Tian met Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son in the third round of this Rapid competition, both players agreed to a draw after eight moves, basically repeating the first seven moves from their Standard Chess fourth round game. Why? I think the Vietnamese is a very astute player. He reads the field rather well.

LATEST: I've come to learn that the Rapid competitions consisted of a five-round Swiss event with the top four players qualifying for the semi-final stage. This is a departure from the competition regulations which stipulated nine rounds for the Rapids. What this means is another setback: Yeoh Li Tian has been edged out of the Open semi-finals on tie-break. Megaranto Susanto was the clear winner of the preliminaries but after him, there were four players vying for the three remaining places in the semi-finals. The only good news is that Sim Jia Ru qualified for the semi-finals in the Women's section. She's now our solo Malaysian flag bearer.

Final Ranking after 5 Rounds

1 GM Megaranto Susanto INA 2530 4,0

2 IM Tin Jingyao SGP 2355 3,5

3 IM Setyaki Azarya Jodi INA 2158 3,5

4 GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son VIE 2603 3,5

5 IM Yeoh Li Tian MAS 2350 3,5

6 IM Garcia Jan Emmanuel PHI 2337 2,5

7 GM Le Quang Liem VIE 2660 2,5

8 GM Laylo Darwin PHI 2332 2,5

9 -- Poh Yu Tian MAS 1745 2,5

10 FM Kulpruethanon Thanadon THA 2152

11 IM Nay Oo Kyaw Tun MYA 2406 2,0

12 -- Arunnuntapanich Tinnakrit THA 2051 1,5

13 IM Myint Han MYA 2225 1,0

1 IM Pham Le Thao Nguyen VIE 2369 4,0

2 WIM Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong VIE 1956 4,0

3 WGM Gong Qianyun SGP 2322 3,5

4 WCM Sim Jia Ru MAS 1344 3,5

5 WIM San Diego Marie Antoinette PHI 2021 3,0

6 IM Sukandar Irine Kharisma INA 2411 3,0

7 WIM Galas Bernadette PHI 2072 3,0

8 WIM Citra Dewi Ardhiani Anastasia INA 2158 2,0

9 WFM Chuemsakul Sarocha THA 1658 2,0

10 WCM Chua Jia-Tien MAS 1727 1,0

11 -- Buhagiar Melita Sunan THA 1396 1,0

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.16"]

[Round "2"]

[Board "3"]

[White "Yeoh Li Tian"]

[Black "Le Quang Liem"]

[Result "1-0"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O e5 5. c4 dc4 6. Qa4 Nc6 7. Na3 Nge7 8. Nc4 O-O 9. d3 h6 10. Rb1 Be6 11. Qc2 a5 12. a3 Qd7 13. b3 Nd5 14. Bb2 f6 15. d4 ed4 16. Nd4 Nd4 17. Bd4 Qf7 18. Rfd1 Rfd8 19. Qb2 a4 20. ba4 Ra4 21. Ne3 Ne3 22. Be3 Rd1 23. Rd1 b6 24. Bc6 Ra5 25. h4 h5 26. Rd8 Kh7 27. Qb4 Bg4 28. Qe4 Bf5 29. Qb4 Re5 30. a4 Qe6 31. Qc3 Qa2 32. Bf3 Re7 33. Bd5 Qb1 34. Kh2 g5 35. hg5 fg5 36. Qc6 Bg6 37. Bg5 Rf7 38. Bf7 Bf7 39. Rd7 Qf5 40. Bf4 h4 41. Qc7 hg3 42. Bg3 Kg8 43. Rd8 Kh7 44. Qf4 Qe6 45. Qh4 1-0

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.16"]

[Round "2"]

[Board "8"]

[White "Citra Dewi Ardhiani Anastasia"]

[Black "Sim Jia Ru"]

[Result "0-1"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nd2 Nc6 5. Ngf3 Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. Be2 e6 8. c3 cd4 9. ed4 Bd6 10. Ne5 Be2 11. Qe2 O-O 12. O-O Be5 13. de5 Nd7 14. Rfe1 Qe7 15. Qg4 Kh8 16. Bg5 Qc5 17. Nf3 Nb6 18. Be3 Qe7 19. Bg5 Qc7 20. Qh4 Nd7 21. Bf4 Qd8 22. Ng5 h6 23. Qh5 Kg8 24. Nf3 f5 25. Bh6 Qe8 26. Qe8 Rfe8 27. Bf4 Nc5 28. Nh2 Nd3 29. g3 Ne1 30. Re1 b5 31. Nf3 a5 32. Rc1 Rec8 33. Be3 Nd8 34. Nd4 Rab8 35. Nb3 a4 36. Nc5 Kf7 37. b3 ab3 38. ab3 b4 39. c4 dc4 40. Rc4 Nc6 41. Na6 Ne5 42. Rf4 Ra8 43. Nb4 Ra1 44. Kg2 Rb1 45. Na6 Rb3 46. Nc5 Re3 47. fe3 Rc5 48. g4 g5 49. Ra4 Rc2 50. Kg3 Re2 51. Ra3 Nc4 52. Ra7 Kf6 53. gf5 Re3 54. Kf2 ef5 55. Rc7 Re4 56. Kf3 Ne5 57. Kg3 Re3 58. Kg2 f4 59. Ra7 Kf5 60. Ra5 Rg3 61. Kh2 Re3 62. Kg2 Rd3 63. Rb5 Ke4 64. Rb4 Rd4 65. Rb5 Rd2 66. Kf1 Rh2 67. Rb4 Ke3 68. Rb5 Ke4 69. Rb4 Kf5 70. Rb3 f3 71. h4 Rh4 72. Kf2 g4 73. Rb5 Rh3 74. Rb8 g3 75. Kg1 f2 76. Kg2 Rh2 77. Kg3 f1N# 78. Rc8 0-1

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.16"]

[Round "3"]

[Board "4"]

[White "Kulpruethanon Thanadon"]

[Black "Poh Yu Tian"]

[Result "1/2"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. c4 Nc6 5. Nc3 d6 6. O-O Rb8 7. e3 Nf6 8. d4 O-O 9. Re1 a6 10. b3 b5 11. cb5 ab5 12. Bb2 c4 13. a3 cb3 14. Qb3 Be6 15. Qd1 Na5 16. Nd2 Nc4 17. Nc4 bc4 18. Bc1 d5 19. Bd2 Bf5 20. Nd5 Nd5 21. e4 c3 22. Bc1 Be6 23. ed5 Bd5 24. Be3 Bg2 25. Kg2 Qd5 26. Qf3 Rfd8 27. Qd5 Rd5 28. Red1 e5 29. de5 Rd1 30. Rd1 c2 31. Rd5 Bf8 32. Rd3 Rc8 33. Bc1 Bg7 34. f4 f6 35. ef6 Bf6 36. Kf3 h6 37. h4 Kf7 38. g4 Bh4 39. g5 hg5 40. fg5 Rc5 41. Ke2 Ke6 42. Rf3 Bg5 43. Bg5 Rg5 44. Rc3 Rg2 45. Kd3 Kf5 46. Rc2 Rg3 47. Ke2 Rg2 48. Kd3 Rg1 49. Ra2 g5 50. a4 Kf4 51. a5 Kf3 52. a6 Rd1 53. Kc4 Rd8 54. a7 Ra8 55. Kb5 1/2

Position after 24 Qb3+

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.16"]

[Round "4"]

[Board "9"]

[White "Sim Jia Ru"]

[Black "Galas Bernadette"]

[Result "1-0"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bc6 dc6 5. h3 Bg7 6. d3 e5 7. Be3 b6 8. Nbd2 Qc7 9. a4 Nf6 10. a5 Rb8 11. ab6 ab6 12. O-O O-O 13. Nh2 Nh5 14. Nc4 Nf4 15. Qd2 f5 16. Nf3 Nh3 17. gh3 f4 18. Kg2 fe3 19. fe3 b5 20. Na5 Ra8 21. b4 Qd7 22. Ng1 cb4 23. Qb4 c5 24. Qb3 c4 25. Nc4 Ra1 26. Nb6 Rf7 27. Ra1 Qd8 28. Rf1 Qf8 29. Nc8 1-0

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.16"]

[Round "4"]

[Board "2"]

[White "Tin Jingyao"]

[Black "Yeoh Li Tian"]

[Result "1/2"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 g6 5. cd5 cd5 6. Bf4 Bg7 7. e3 O-O 8. h3 Nc6 9. a3 Ne4 10. Rc1 Nc3 11. Rc3 Qb6 12. Qb3 Qb3 13. Rb3 b6 14. Rc3 Bb7 15. Bb5 Rac8 16. Ke2 a6 17. Bc6 Rc6 18. Rhc1 Rfc8 19. Rc6 Bc6 20. Kd2 f6 21. Bb8 Kf7 22. Ba7 b5 23. Ne1 Bb7 24. Rc8 Bc8 25. Kc3 e5 26. Kb4 f5 27. Kc5 f4 28. Kd5 fe3 29. fe3 ed4 30. Bd4 Bf8 31. Kc6 b4 32. a4 Ke6 33. Kb6 Kd5 34. b3 Ke4 35. a5 Be7 36. Ka7 h5 37. Nf3 Kd3 38. Ne5 Kc2 39. Nc6 Bf8 40. Nb8 Kb3 41. Na6 Kc4 42. Kb6 b3 43. Bb2 Kd3 44. Nc7 Kc4 45. a6 Bc5 46. Kc6 Be3 47. Nd5 Ba7 48. Nb6 Bb6 49. Kb6 Be6 50. a7 Bd5 51. g3 Kd3 52. Kc7 Kc2 53. Be5 b2 54. Bb2 Kb2 55. Kd6 Ba8 56. Ke5 Kc3 57. Kf6 Be4 58. a8Q Ba8 59. Kg6 Bf3 60. Kg5 Kd4 61. g4 hg4 62. hg4 Bg4 1/2

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.16"]

[Round "5"]

[Board "4"]

[White "Yeoh Li Tian"]

[Black "Nay Oo Kyaw Tun"]

[Result "1-0"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. e4 de4 8. de4 e5 9. c3 a5 10. Qc2 Be6 11. Ng5 Bd7 12. Nc4 Ng4 13. Nf3 Be6 14. Rd1 Qc8 15. Qe2 Bc5 16. Rf1 Rd8 17. h3 Nf2 18. Rf2 Bf2 19. Kf2 Bh3 20. Nce5 Ne5 21. Ne5 Qe6 22. Nf3 Bg2 23. Kg2 Re8 24. e5 f6 25. Qb5 fe5 26. Ng5 Qc6 27. Qc6 bc6 28. Be3 a4 29. Re1 Rab8 30. Bc1 Rb5 31. Ne4 Rd8 32. Kf3 Rbd5 33. Ke2 h6 34. Rf1 Rd3 35. Be3 R3d5 36. c4 Ra5 37. Bd2 Raa8 38. Bc3 Re8 39. a3 Re6 40. Ke3 Ree8 41. Nc5 Kh7 42. Rf7 Rad8 43. Nd3 Rd6 44. Ne5 Rde6 45. Ke4 Kg8 46. Rc7 1-0

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.16"]

[Round "5"]

[Board "5"]

[White "Arunnuntapanich Tinnakrit"]

[Black "Poh Yu Tian"]

[Result "0-1"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cd5 Nd5 5. e4 Nc3 6. bc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Bb5 Nc6 9. Rb1 cd4 10. cd4 O-O 11. d5 Na5 12. O-O a6 13. Be2 Bd7 14. Be3 b5 15. Bd4 f6 16. Qd2 Rc8 17. Rfc1 Nb7 18. Qe3 Nd6 19. Bb6 Qe8 20. Nd4 f5 21. ef5 Nf5 22. Nf5 Bf5 23. Rc8 Qc8 24. Rc1 Qb7 25. g4 Bd7 26. Rc7 Qd5 27. Qe7 Rf7 28. Qd8 Bf8 29. Bc5 Bc6 30. Qd5 Bd5 31. Rf7 Kf7 32. Bf8 Kf8 33. a3 g5 34. Kf1 Ke7 35. Ke1 Kd6 36. Kd2 Kc5 37. Bd3 h6 38. Ke3 a5 39. f4 gf4 40. Kf4 b4 41. ab4 Kb4 42. Ke5 Bb3 43. h4 a4 44. g5 hg5 45. hg5 Kc3 46. Bb1 Kb2 47. Bf5 a3 48. g6 a2 49. Kd4 0-1

Note: All opinions on this blog are my own and do not represent the views of any chess organisation.

Sir George Thomas

In the last 24 hours, we've read of India winning the Thomas Cup for the very first time. They had beaten Indonesia 3-0 in the finals. It was unfortunate for Malaysia that India had also beaten us 3-2 on their way to this glory.

The Thomas Cup was named after Sir George Thomas who was a founder and the first president of the International Badminton Federation. I've written about him previously in one of my stories in The Star newspaper decades ago but the story is now long forgotten. Therefore, let me say here that he was also an International Master (1950) and International Arbiter (1952). In his lifetime, he had defeated former world champions Mikhail Botvinnik, Jose Raul Capablanca and Max Euwe in tournament games.

Chess @ Hanoi SEA Games

Many people knows of my love for this game. It is beyond questioning. I observe chess and I write about chess because I have been connected with this game almost all of my life. In the last 24 hours, I've had numerous opinions - agreements, counter-arguments and constructive criticisms - left on my facebook entries and on this blog in response to my initial comments on Yeoh Li Tian's failure to secure his grandmaster title norm. I'd like to thank these people. Like me, they have chess on their minds.

Some of the messages disagreed with my choice of words. Of course, the writers are entitled to agree or disagree with me. It is a free world after all. If you have disagreed, I don't mind because at the height of the moment, I was only expressing my personal frustrations immediately after learning of this latest setback. I may be right and I may be wrong, but who would be happy with the outcome? I've no malice towards any of the players. In fact, they'll find me to be one of their most staunchest supporters. But I shall continue to speak out if I'm disappointed with the way things have turned out. 

First of all, these are the comments left by readers of this blog:

Anonymous (1):

Totally disagree with your analysis Mr. Quah. Initially I was thinking the same as you that LT had sold himself short by agreeing to 3 quick draws. However on further analysis you will actually see that this "gamble" actually worked out in his favour.

Going into the last round he faced the Thai CM. No disrespect to the Thai CM but it was clear from his previous 8 rounds that he was one of the weaker players amongst the 12 player field. In fact even Lye (who was performing poorly himself) had beaten him. And he came into the encounter with LT on the back of 3 consecutive defeats. http://chess-results.com/tnr635999.aspx?lan=1&art=9&fed=THA&flag=30&snr=12.

LT was odds on to win the game with both gold/silver and the long awaited GM norm in the bag.

In the actual game itself, LT was black, he started off the game solidly with his 2nd fav defence i.e the Caro Kann. Although White had an edge (engine wise), it was clear that White was merely waiting for things to happen. And had gone behind in the clock by quite a fair bit. I am not sure if LT had offered a draw here, but I believe if he did, White would have accepted. And finally in the closing stages in the game, White had gotten into serious time trouble with about a minute left and the position was still about equal. When I saw this, I was already thinking, this is a wrap, set and match for LT. For all his experience and ability, this would be kacang putih for him to put it in the bag. Out of 10 times he would have brought it home 9 times but alas perhaps because of the pressure and the occasion, the turn of events caused this to be probably the only time when he cracked. In just a few moves the position had totally changed in the Thai's favour and the Thai found some really good moves despite still being low on time.

This to me was the unlikeliest outcome that happened. It was a freak result if I may call it. LT employed the right strategy (although I doubted him at first as well) but as with all things in chess, even if we were correct, it doesn't mean it will work out every time. This is definitely a sad turn of things no doubt and Dato Tan probably can't rest as well. But we know right in the heavens that he is watching LT and he knows that LT did his best. I believe Dato Tan will continue to bless LT with another opportunity to end the nation's long wait for its first GM. LT will come back stronger no doubt. We all know he will. God bless LT.

Anonymous (2):

Hi SS, I respect your opinion but the choice of words are rather harsh. LT for the longest time has been our top performer and we rely too much on him to deliver the results. He is carrying the responsibility to deliver 2 missions in Hanoi. One to win the gold medal for us and two to attain his final GM norm. Pressure got better of him today, Sincerely hope that MCF can look into developing more LTs. For a start, we have Poh Yu Tian to look forward. Give him all the support and time to do well.

Samantha WK Wong:

It's not only more humiliating but a shame that our players are being trashed by a don't-know-who here. Who is SS Quah?

Second, here are the comments from my various facebook entries:

Junior Tay:

I don't think it's so clear cut about the 'collapse'. YLT was playing for two results...to either secure the GM title with a draw or to try to get the SEA games gold with a win (ultimately his tiebreak was better than NNTS). LLZ was playing the top seed rated 300+ pts higher. So they both went for broke and it didn't pay off. With hindsight, it would be easier for Li Tian to just play for a draw to secure the silver and the GM title but the dynamics of playing for a country's prestige is very different from individual stakes.

Junior Tay:

I thought Prin played marvellously throughout the whole game....the level of chess in SEA has risen considerably and no one can be taken for granted for sure.

Fn Ln:

I agree with both ur (re: GM & Silver) and SS's thinking (taking it too easy midway, and not preserving that wiser option towards the end).

However, what I was unsure is which is more important for LYT (or anyone in his posn), a GM or Gold bc this would obviously v much decide his tourney strategy.

I had assumed a GM title is more important but maybe his thinking was it will come eventually/incidentally, so why not instead focus on the Gold.

If I have to guess, he was advised to go for both, obviously the most ideal but also the most risky. Still even with that advice, I don't see how how fighting harder midway was not a good strategy. Perhaps has something to do with energy conservation, and to gauge his opponents state of mind/play. So this way, he might be thinking he has "options" and not commit to anything for the mmt. (Even as he's running out of options re: GM.)

However, to gain a GM norm, IMHO it's always better to go broke early on since u really need a good run to have a chance. The last thing you want is to miss the norm by 0.5 pt each tourney. IOW, better to be more erratic and get 2/9 in one and 7/9 in another.

Now, for the purpose of winning Gold, it's likely best to be more cautious, which may or may not explain his midway strategy.

One thing is clear tho', the 2 diff goals necessitate having 2 diff and somewhat incompatible strategies. I suspect, LYT task would be somehow (or maybe much easier) if he only had to focus on one goal.

Well, another learning experience for him, which can only be a good thing. I know he will eventually get his GM title, just not today.

Junior Tay:

The only game where he really forced a draw was vs NNTS who outrates him by 100+ pts and played a solid Petroff with a draw in mind. Ervan played into a drawish line against LT's Berlin and maybe he could have tried to play on against Gomez but that's all it is. The rest were all slugged out....The way his points stacked up proved to put him in contention for the gold. So strategy-wise, he was spot on.

Fn Ln:

Good point!

I shld also say that I/we can only speculate since don't know what his state of mind was, how he felt, etc. If a bit off, oftentimes it's just better to go for a draw against even a quite a bit weaker opponent.

I think in the end, the BIGGEST factor is just plain luck, so I/we may be making too much out of his strategy which actually appears to be quite sound. (I didn't go thru any of his games.)

Lest we not forget, the pressure must be enormous to realize either one of the goals, esp. if he had plans to gain both.

Peter Frost:

I think he quite reasonably made a decision pre game that the title was more important than a gold medal. Because he “seems” to hint in the early middle game that he would not be adverse to repeating moves…but Prin avoided it. Ok, Li Tian might have avoided a third repetition too, but I think he decided beforehand not to risk the title, and to accept a draw if one was in the air. Entirely understandable…indeed, correct choice I think, as Fn implies. But maybe this led him to not play in his usual way, and that’s what brought him undone. I can’t imagine the pressure of such a moment. It’s a shame…but he seems too good a player to not get his final norm soon anyway. Don’t worry, I’m sure your first GM is just around the corner! If not Li Tian, I know Muzz is working very hard on his game.

Paul Spiller:

Gutted for him 😢

And a final word: if you wish to leave a comment on the blog, please do not post anonymously. Be bold enough to tell me your name. I will appreciate it. Thank you.

Chess @ Hanoi SEA Games, Round 9

Gold medallist Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son

Sorry, folks. It was a total and humiliating collapse for ALL the Malaysian players in the final round of the Standard Chess competition. Crucially, Yeoh Li Tian got into time trouble and cracked. He lost, and therefore not even a Bronze medal to show. All the hard work undone. Whoever had been his advisors should come home immediately. That's no way to conduct a campaign. Imagine....three quick draws in a row at the midway stage. That did not leave our player with much buffer towards the end of the competition. Even then, a draw would have secured him his final grandmaster norm.

Rank after Round 9

Rk.   Name FED RtgI Pts. 

1 GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (VIE) 2641 7 pts

2 IM Ervan Mohamad (INA) 2367 6½ pts

3 IM Tin Jingyao (SGP) 2499 6½ pts

4 IM Yeoh Li Tian (MAS) 2523 6 pts

5 GM Gomez John Paul (PHI) 2442 5½ pts

6 GM Priasmoro Novendra (INA) 2501 4½ pts

7 IM Quizon Daniel (PHI) 2384 4½ pts

8 GM Tran Tuan Minh (VIE) 2533 4 pts

9 IM Wynn Zaw Htun (MYA) 2508 3 pts

10 CM Laohawirapap Prin (THA) 2210 3 pts

11 IM Nay Oo Kyaw Tun (MYA) 2385 2 pts

12 FM Lye Lik Zang (MAS) 2358 1½ pts

Rank after Round 9

Rk. Name (FED) RtgI Pts. 

1 WIM Citra Dewi Ardhiani Anastasia (INA) 2367 7 pts

2 IM Sukandar Irine Kharisma (INA) 2499 7 pts

3 WGM Hoang Thi Bao Tram (VIE) 2442 7 pts

4 WGM Vo Thi Kim Phung (VIE) 2641 5½ pts

5 WIM Fronda Jan Jodilyn (PHI) 2523 5 pts

6 WGM Frayna Janelle Mae (PHI) 2384 4½ pts

7 CM Gong Qianyun (SGP) 2210 3½ pts

8 IM Tan Li Ting (MAS) 2508 3 pts

9 GM Prommuang Araya (THA) 2501 1½ pts

10 IM Azhar Puteri Munajjah Az-Zahraa (MAS) 2385 1 pt

Position after 49 Rc6

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.15"]

[Round "9"]

[Board "2"]

[White "Laohawirapap Prin"]

[Black "Yeoh Li Tian"]

[Result "1-0"]

[ECO "B13"]

[WhiteElo "2210"]

[BlackElo "2523"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. ed5 cd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 g6 7. Nf3 Nh5 8. Be3 Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Qd6 11. h3 b6 12. Nbd2 Bb7 13. Nf1 Na5 14. Qc1 Nc4 15. Ng3 Ng3 16. Bf4 Qd7 17. Bg3 f6 18. Qc2 Nd6 19. Re2 Ne4 20. Rae1 Rae8 21. Bh2 Bh6 22. Nh4 Bg5 23. Nf3 Bh6 24. Kh1 e6 25. Ng1 Bc6 26. h4 Kf7 27. Nh3 Rg8 28. Qb3 Nd6 29. Nf4 Bf4 30. Bf4 Bb5 31. Bb5 Nb5 32. Qb4 a5 33. Qb3 Qc6 34. a4 Nd6 35. Bd6 Qd6 36. g3 Re7 37. Kg2 Rc8 38. h5 g5 39. Qc2 Ke8 40. Qd3 Kd7 41. Rb1 Qc6 42. Qf3 Rf7 43. Re3 Re8 44. b4 ab4 45. cb4 Ke7 46. b5 Qc4 47. Rbe1 Kd7 48. Rc3 Qd4 49. Rc6 Rfe7 50. Qa3 Rd8 51. Rc7 Kc7 52. Qe7 Rd7 53. Rc1 1-0

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.15"]

[Round "9"]

[Board "3"]

[White "Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son"]

[Black "Lye Lik Zang"]

[Result ""]

[ECO "D15"]

[WhiteElo "2641"]

[BlackElo "2358"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e3 Bf5 6. Bd2 e6 7. Nh4 Be4 8. f3 Bg6 9. Qb3 Qc7 10. Rc1 Be7 11. cd5 Nd5 12. Ng6 hg6 13. Ne2 Nd7 14. e4 N5f6 15. g3 Qb6 16. Qb6 Nb6 17. Be3 Nbd7 18. Bg2 Bb4 19. Kf2 e5 20. h3 O-O 21. Rhd1 Rad8 22. de5 Ne5 23. Bd4 Ned7 24. f4 Ba5 25. e5 Ne8 26. b4 Bc7 27. h4 a5 28. b5 c5 29. Be3 b6 30. Nc3 Ne5 31. fe5 Rd1 32. Rd1 Be5 33. Nd5 Nd6 34. Nb6 Nb5 35. Bc5 Nc3 36. Rd3 Re8 37. Nd7 Na4 38. Ba3 Bc3 39. Bc6 1-0

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.15"]

[Round "9"]

[Board "9"]

[White "Sukandar Irine Kharisma"]

[Black "Azhar, Puteri Manajjah Az-zahraa"]

[Result "1-0"]

[ECO "B01"]

[WhiteElo "2392"]

[BlackElo "2059"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. e4 d5 2. ed5 Qd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 c6 5. Bc4 Bf5 6. Nf3 e6 7. Bd2 Qc7 8. Qe2 Nf6 9. Ne5 Nbd7 10. O-O-O b5 11. Nd7 Nd7 12. Bb3 b4 13. Na4 Nf6 14. h3 Bd6 15. Rhf1 Ne4 16. Be3 O-O 17. g4 Bg6 18. h4 h6 19. Rg1 Bf4 20. Qf3 Be3 21. Qe3 Qh2 22. h5 Bh7 23. f3 Qf2 24. Qf4 Ng5 25. Rgf1 Qg2 26. Qe3 Rad8 27. Nc5 Qg3 28. Rde1 Nh3 29. Rh1 Rfe8 30. Nb7 Rd7 31. Na5 Qc7 32. Nc4 Nf4 33. Ne5 Ng2 34. Qd2 Ne1 35. Re1 Rdd8 36. Qb4 f6 37. Ng6 Bg6 38. hg6 Qf4 39. Qd2 Qd4 40. Qd4 Rd4 41. c3 Rd6 42. f4 Kf8 43. Re4 e5 44. f5 Ke7 45. Ra4 Rd7 46. Ra6 Rc7 47. Kd2 Rb8 48. Kc2 h5 49. gh5 Rh8 50. Be6 Rh5 51. b4 Rg5 52. c4 Rg6 53. fg6 Ke6 54. b5 Kd6 55. Kc3 f5 56. Kb4 f4 57. c5 Kd5 58. b6 ab6 59. cb6 Rb7 60. Kc3 e4 61. a4 f3 62. Kd2 Kd4 63. a5 e3 64. Ke1 e2 65. Ra8 Re7 66. Rf8 Ke3 67. a6 Rd7 68. Re8 Kf4 69. Re2 1-0

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.15"]

[Round "9"]

[Board "10"]

[White "Tan Li Ting"]

[Black "Hoang Thi Bao Tram"]

[Result "0-1"]

[ECO "D85"]

[WhiteElo "2087"]

[BlackElo "2272"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cd5 Nd5 5. Bd2 Bg7 6. e4 Nb6 7. Be3 O-O 8. h3 c6 9. Nf3 Be6 10. b3 f5 11. Ng5 Bc8 12. ef5 Bf5 13. g4 Bc8 14. Rc1 Na6 15. Bc4 Nc4 16. bc4 Nc7 17. h4 h6 18. Nge4 Be6 19. h5 g5 20. Ng3 Qd7 21. Nf5 Bf5 22. gf5 Qf5 23. Qb3 Ne6 24. Ne2 Rad8 25. Rd1 Rd7 26. Ng3 Qg4 27. d5 Nd4 28. Qd3 Nf3 29. Kf1 Ne5 0-1

Note: All my stories on this blog are my own and do not represent the views of any chess organisation.

Appreciating our teachers

Would you believe that this had been in the planning stage since last year? I mean, a makan session among us old boys of Westlands Primary School? But it never materialised because we were all scared shit about the Covid-19 virus. At that time, the delta virus was raging through the country and we were rather alarmed about the daily huge numbers of infections. So it was agreed with my co-organising friend that the reunion would be scheduled to a more appropriate time. 

It could have been indefinitely but fortunately, not. That time did arrive. In the last month or so, we talked about the lunch again and decided to go ahead with it at the Ocean Green Restaurant in Northam Road. Airy, open space with fan ventilation, not air-conditioned. What more to ask for?

However, only eight of us could make it to the lunch. Luckily, we were able to have two of our old Primary School teachers present. One was Liew Chen Tong who moved from class to class to teach the boys Chinese but I was a terrible student. The other was Tan Eng Chuan, my class teacher in Standard Six. When I first got to contact Tan Eng Chuan, he was so pleased and happy to speak to me. "You don't know the feeling," he explained, "when one of your old students talk to you." 

I guess primary school teachers do not get many invitations from their old pupils, unlike the secondary school teachers. When you are in secondary school, you are already more matured. There's more interaction with the secondary school teachers. Not so the primary school teachers. But somehow, my batch appreciates them. We've been trying to get in touch with as many as possible. Heck, I'm in touch with my kindergarten teacher as well! Only problem is that he stays in Seremban and I can't get to meet him. 

Nevertheless, there we were at the restaurant yesterday to meet these two old teachers, to reintroduce ourselves to them and to talk about the old times. Hopefully, we can do another session before the end of the year.

Seated were Liew Chen Tong (left) and Tan Eng Chuan (right). And us old buggers, left to right, Teik Wah, Chye Chye, Hock Siew, myself, Soo Heong, Oon Hup, Lip Chye and Chien Ch'eng.

Chess @ Hanoi SEA Games, Round 8

At the end of the eighth round of the Standard Chess competition at the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam, we've just witnessed two victories from Yeoh Li Tian and Tan Li Ting. Li Tian still stands equal on points with Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son and Ervan Mohamad and it is going down to the wire tomorrow. Nobody else can touch them. 

Tomorrow's crucial pairings for the gold medal:

Tran Tuan Minh vs Ervan Mohamad

Laohawirapap Prin vs Yeoh Li Tian

Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son vs Lye Lik Zang

In the event that these three players win their games tomorrow, it will still be equal at the top and the medal placings will be decided by tie-breaks. But I should also mention that Li Tian stands on the cusp of claiming his third and final grandmaster norm. I really hope he succeeds in this quest.

Li Ting also played very well this afternoon to crush her opponent. Unfortunately, both our two other representatives - Lye Lik Zang and Puteri Munajjah lost their games and they are languishing at the bottom of the standings in their respective sections.

Rank after Round 8

Rk.   Name FED RtgI Pts. 

1 GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (VIE) 2641 6 pts

2 IM Yeoh Li Tian (MAS) 2523 6 pts

3 IM Ervan Mohamad (INA) 2367 6 pts

4 IM Tin Jingyao (SGP) 2499 5½ pts

5 GM Gomez John Paul (PHI) 2442 5 pts

6 GM Priasmoro Novendra (INA) 2501 4 pts

7 IM Quizon Daniel (PHI) 2384 3½ pts

8 GM Tran Tuan Minh (VIE) 2533 3½ pts

9 IM Wynn Zaw Htun (MYA) 2508 3 pts

10 IM Nay Oo Kyaw Tun (MYA) 2385 2 pts

11 CM Laohawirapap Prin (THA) 2210 2 pts

12 FM Lye Lik Zang (MAS) 2358 1½ pts

Rank after Round 8

Rk. Name (FED) RtgI Pts. 

1 WIM Citra Dewi Ardhiani Anastasia (INA) 2367 6½ pts

2 IM Sukandar Irine Kharisma (INA) 2499 6 pts

3 WGM Hoang Thi Bao Tram (VIE) 2442 6 pts

4 WIM Fronda Jan Jodilyn (PHI) 2523 4½ pts

5 WGM Vo Thi Kim Phung (VIE) 2641 4½ pts

6 WGM Frayna Janelle Mae (PHI) 2384 4 pts

7 CM Gong Qianyun (SGP) 2210 3 pts

8 IM Tan Li Ting (MAS) 2508 3 pts

9 GM Prommuang Araya (THA) 2501 1½ pts

10 IM Azhar Puteri Munajjah Az-Zahraa (MAS) 2385 1 pt

Position after 46 Ne2

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.14"]

[Round "8"]

[Board "1"]

[White "Yeoh Li Tian"]

[Black "Priasmoro Novendra"]

[Result "1-0"]

[ECO "A05"]

[WhiteElo "2523"]

[BlackElo "2501"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. c4 O-O 5. O-O d6 6. d4 Nc6 7. Nc3 Bd7 8. d5 Na5 9. Qd3 c5 10. Nd2 a6 11. b3 b5 12. Bb2 Rb8 13. Rab1 bc4 14. bc4 Ng4 15. Nd1 Ne5 16. Qc2 Rb4 17. Ne3 Ba4 18. Qc1 Qb6 19. Bc3 Rb1 20. Nb1 Bd7 21. Nd2 Ng4 22. Ng4 Bg4 23. Bg7 Kg7 24. Qc3 Kg8 25. Rb1 Qc7 26. e4 Ra8 27. f4 Nb7 28. h3 Bd7 29. Qb2 Nd8 30. Qb6 Qc8 31. Kh2 f6 32. Nf3 Nf7 33. Rb2 a5 34. Ne1 g5 35. Nd3 Kh8 36. Qb7 Qd8 37. Bf3 gf4 38. gf4 a4 39. a3 Nh6 40. Rb1 Rc8 41. Nf2 Qe8 42. Nh1 e5 43. f5 Qe7 44. Ng3 Rg8 45. Qc7 Qg7 46. Ne2 Qe7 47. Rb7 Rd8 48. Ng3 Nf7 49. Rb8 Kg7 50. Nh5 Kf8 51. Rb7 Ng5 52. Bd1 Ne4 53. Ba4 Nd2 54. Bd7 1-0

Position after 48....Kd6

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.14"]

[Round "8"]

[Board "4"]

[White "Lye Lik Zang"]

[Black "Tin Jingyao"]

[Result "0-1"]

[ECO "D37"]

[WhiteElo "2358"]

[BlackElo "2499"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dc4 5. e4 b5 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nb5 Nb6 8. Be2 Nc6 9. O-O Be7 10. Qd2 Qd7 11. Qf4 Bb7 12. Rd1 Nb4 13. Nc3 f5 14. ef6 gf6 15. Qh6 O-O-O 16. Bf4 N4d5 17. Bg3 Nc3 18. bc3 Qa4 19. Nd2 Bd5 20. Qg7 Qd7 21. Qh6 Qe8 22. a4 a5 23. Rdb1 Qc6 24. Qg7 Kd7 25. Rb5 Rdg8 26. Qf7 h5 27. Rc5 e5 28. Qg8 Rg8 29. Rc6 Kc6 30. Bh5 ed4 31. cd4 Bb4 32. Nf1 Bc3 33. Rd1 Bb2 34. Ne3 c3 35. h4 Bb3 36. Rb1 Na4 37. Bf3 Kb5 38. Be2 Kc6 39. Bf3 Kd7 40. Be4 Nb6 41. h5 Rh8 42. Bf5 Kc6 43. Be4 Kb5 44. Bd3 Kc6 45. Be4 Nd5 46. Bc7 Kc7 47. Bd5 Bd5 48. Nd5 Kd6 49. Nc3 Bc3 50. Rb6 Kd5 51. Rf6 Rh5 52. Ra6 Kd4 53. g4 Rg5 54. f3 Kc4 55. Kf2 Kb3 56. Kg3 a4 57. f4 Ra5 58. Rb6 Bb4 59. f5 a3 60. f6 a2 61. f7 Ra8 0-1

Position after 32....Qg4

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.14"]

[Round "8"]

[Board "8"]

[White "Prommuang Araya"]

[Black "Tan Li Ting"]

[Result "0-1"]

[ECO "C78"]

[WhiteElo "1628"]

[BlackElo "2087"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. d3 d6 8. h3 O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Nd5 Nd5 11. Bd5 c6 12. Bb3 Nb3 13. ab3 f5 14. Bd2 c5 15. Ba5 Qe8 16. Kh1 Bb7 17. Nd2 Qg6 18. Qe2 Qh6 19. Rfd1 g5 20. f3 f4 21. Nf1 Qe6 22. Re1 Kf7 23. Nh2 h5 24. Rad1 Rh8 25. Kg1 Bc8 26. Rf1 Qg6 27. c3 Be6 28. Ra1 Rhg8 29. Qd1 g4 30. fg4 hg4 31. hg4 Bg4 32. Ng4 Qg4 33. Qf3 Qh4 34. Rfd1 Rg3 35. Qf2 f3 36. Kf1 Qh1 37. Qg1 Qg1 38. Kg1 Rg2 0-1

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.14"]

[Round "8"]

[Board "10"]

[White "Azhar, Puteri Manajjah Az-zahraa"]

[Black "Frayna Janelle Mae"]

[Result "0-1"]

[ECO "A15"]

[WhiteElo "2059"]

[BlackElo "2221"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. O-O cd4 7. ed4 d5 8. h3 dc4 9. Bc4 Nd5 10. Nc3 Nb6 11. Bb3 Nc6 12. Be3 Na5 13. Qe2 Nb3 14. ab3 Be6 15. Ra3 a6 16. Rd1 Bd5 17. Ne5 Rc8 18. Nd3 e6 19. Nc5 Qe7 20. b4 Bc4 21. Qf3 Bd5 22. Qe2 Bc4 23. Qf3 Nd5 24. Nd5 Bd5 25. Qe2 b6 26. Nd3 Qb7 27. Nf4 Bc4 28. Qf3 Qf3 29. gf3 Rfd8 30. b3 Bb5 31. Raa1 Rc6 32. Rd2 Rcd6 33. Rad1 h6 34. Ng2 R6d7 35. d5 Rd5 36. Rd5 Rd5 37. Rc1 Rd6 38. Rc8 Kh7 39. f4 Bd4 40. Rc7 Kg7 41. Ne1 Be2 42. Nc2 Bf6 43. Kg2 Bd3 44. Na3 b5 45. Nc2 Rc6 46. Rc6 Be4 47. f3 Bc6 48. Ne1 Bd5 49. Nd3 Bc3 50. Nc5 Bb4 51. Na6 Bd6 52. b4 Kf6 53. Nc5 Kf5 54. Nd3 h5 55. Kg3 Bc4 56. Ne5 g5 57. Nc4 bc4 58. Kf2 gf4 59. Bd2 Ke5 60. Ke2 Kd5 61. Bc3 Kc6 62. Kd2 Kb5 63. Kc2 e5 0-1

Note: All my stories on this blog are my own and do not represent the views of any chess organisation.

Chess @ Hanoi SEA Games, Round 7

The good news in this seventh round of the Standard Chess competition at the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam is that Yeoh Li Tian has pulled his groove together again. He kept up a relentless pressure in the game and once his Myanmar opponent allowed him to enter an endgame with two bishops against a rook, the result was never in doubt. 

Lye Lik Zang salvaged a draw after finding himself down by two pawns in an opposite-coloured bishop ending. Tan Li Ting also drew her game but Puteri Munajjah's poor form continued without any respite in sight.  

Rank after Round 7

Rk.   Name FED RtgI Pts. 

1 IM Ervan Mohamad (INA) 2367 5 pts

2 GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (VIE) 2641 5 pts

3 IM Yeoh Li Tian (MAS) 2523 5 pts

4 IM Tin Jingyao (SGP) 2499 4½ pts

5 GM Priasmoro Novendra (INA) 2501 4 pts

6 GM Gomez John Paul (PHI) 2442 4 pts

7 IM Quizon Daniel (PHI) 2384 3½ pts

8 IM Wynn Zaw Htun (MYA) 2508 3 pts

9 GM Tran Tuan Minh (VIE) 2533 2½ pts

10 IM Nay Oo Kyaw Tun (MYA) 2385 2 pts

11 CM Laohawirapap Prin (THA) 2210 2 pts

12 FM Lye Lik Zang (MAS) 2358 1½ pts

Rank after Round 7

Rk. Name (FED) RtgI Pts. 

1 WIM Citra Dewi Ardhiani Anastasia (INA) 2367 5½ pts

2 IM Sukandar Irine Kharisma (INA) 2499 5½ pts

3 WGM Hoang Thi Bao Tram (VIE) 2442 5½ pts

4 WIM Fronda Jan Jodilyn (PHI) 2523 4½ pts

5 WGM Vo Thi Kim Phung (VIE) 2641 4 pts

6 WGM Frayna Janelle Mae (PHI) 2384 3 pts

7 CM Gong Qianyun (SGP) 2210 2½ pts

8 IM Tan Li Ting (MAS) 2508 2 pts

9 GM Prommuang Araya (THA) 2501 1½ pts

10 IM Azhar Puteri Munajjah Az-Zahraa (MAS) 2385 1 pt

Position after 35 Rh7

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.14"]

[Round "7"]

[Board "2"]

[White "Yeoh Li Tian"]

[Black "Wynn Zaw Htun"]

[Result "1-0"]

[ECO "C45"]

[WhiteElo "2523"]

[BlackElo "2508"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 ed4 4. Nd4 Nf6 5. Nc6 bc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Nb6 9. Nc3 Ba6 10. b3 O-O-O 11. Bb2 Re8 12. f4 f6 13. O-O-O fe5 14. Qe5 Qe5 15. fe5 Re5 16. Bd3 Re8 17. Rhf1 Bd6 18. Ne4 Re7 19. Nd6 cd6 20. Ba3 c5 21. Rde1 Rhe8 22. Re7 Re7 23. Kd2 Kc7 24. g4 h6 25. h4 Bb7 26. g5 hg5 27. hg5 Nc8 28. Rf4 Re5 29. Rg4 Re7 30. g6 Bf3 31. Rf4 Bh5 32. Rf2 Re5 33. Rf7 Ne7 34. Rg7 Re6 35. Rh7 Bg6 36. Re7 Re7 37. Bg6 Rg7 38. Be4 Rg3 39. Bc1 Rh3 40. Kc2 Rh2 41. Bd2 Kb6 42. Bd5 Kc7 43. Kd3 Kb6 44. a3 Rh3 45. Be3 Rh2 46. b4 Ra2 47. Bc1 Rh2 48. Kc3 Rh3 49. Kb2 Rd3 50. Bg5 Kc7 51. Bf4 Rd4 52. Bc1 Rd3 53. Kc2 Rh3 54. Bf4 Rh4 55. Be3 Rh3 56. Kd2 Rh2 57. Kd3 Rh3 58. Be4 Rh5 59. Bf4 Rh3 60. Kd2 Rh5 61. Bd5 Rf5 62. Ke3 cb4 63. ab4 a6 64. Ke4 Rf6 65. c5 Rf4 66. Kf4 a5 67. ba5 dc5 68. Ke5 d6 69. Ke6 c4 70. Bc4 Kc6 71. a6 Kd5 1-0

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.14"]

[Round "7"]

[Board "5"]

[White "Gomez John Paul"]

[Black "Lye Lik Zang"]

[Result "1/2"]

[ECO "B10"]

[WhiteElo "2442"]

[BlackElo "2358"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. cd5 cd5 4. ed5 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Bc4 Bg7 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O Nbd7 9. d3 Nb6 10. Qb3 Bg4 11. Ne5 Bf5 12. Re1 Ne8 13. Bf4 Nd6 14. Re2 Rc8 15. Rae1 Re8 16. Nb5 Nbc4 17. dc4 Be5 18. Be5 Nb5 19. Qb5 Bd3 20. Rd2 Bc4 21. Qb7 Qa5 22. Bc3 Rc7 23. Ba5 Rb7 24. b3 Bb5 25. Bb4 f6 26. f3 Kf7 27. Kf2 Rd7 28. Re6 Rb8 29. Rd4 Rc7 30. a4 Bd3 31. Re7 Re7 32. Be7 Bc2 33. Bc5 Bb3 34. d6 Be6 35. Ba7 Rb7 36. Bc5 Ke8 37. a5 Rb2 38. Kg3 Ra2 39. Bb6 Kd7 40. Bc7 g5 41. h3 f5 42. Kh2 f4 43. Re4 h6 44. Re1 h5 45. Kg1 g4 46. hg4 hg4 47. fg4 Bd5 48. Re7 Kc6 49. Bb8 Rg2 50. Kf1 f3 51. Rc7 Kd6 52. Rc2 Ke6 53. Rg2 fg2 54. Kg1 Bf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.14"]

[Round "7"]

[Board "8"]

[White "Fronda Jan Jodilyn"]

[Black "Azhar Puteri Munajjah Az-Zahraa"]

[Result "1-0"]

[ECO "B01"]

[WhiteElo "2141"]

[BlackElo "2059"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. e4 d5 2. ed5 Qd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4 c6 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. Bd2 e6 8. d5 Qc5 9. dc6 Nc6 10. Qe2 Bg4 11. Bb5 Be7 12. h3 Bf3 13. Qf3 O-O 14. Bc6 bc6 15. O-O Rab8 16. Be3 Qa5 17. Nd1 Rfc8 18. c4 a6 19. Bd4 c5 20. Be5 Ra8 21. Qb7 Qd8 22. Nc3 Qd7 23. Qf3 Qc6 24. Qg3 Rd8 25. Rad1 Ne8 26. b3 Kf8 27. Na4 f6 28. Bc3 Nd6 29. Ba5 Nf5 30. Qg4 Rd4 31. Rd4 Nd4 32. Rd1 f5 33. Qh5 Kg8 34. Re1 g6 35. Qh6 Bd6 36. h4 Ra7 37. Bc3 e5 38. Bb2 Rf7 39. Nc3 e4 40. Nd5 Be5 41. Qd2 Qd6 42. b4 Nc6 43. a3 Rb7 44. h5 cb4 45. ab4 gh5 46. c5 Qg6 47. Be5 Ne5 48. Qa2 Kf8 49. Nf4 Qf7 50. Qa6 Rb4 51. Qd6 1-0

Position after 38 fxe4

[Event "31st SEA Games 2021"]

[Site "Quang Ninh Exhibition Of Urban Planning & Expo"]

[Date "2022.05.14"]

[Round "7"]

[Board "11"]

[White "Tan Li Ting"]

[Black "Vo Thi Kim Phung"]

[Result "1/2"]

[ECO "E10"]

[WhiteElo "2087"]

[BlackElo "2340"]

[EventCountry "VIE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dc4 5. Qa4 Bd7 6. Qc4 Bc6 7. Bg2 b5 8. Qd3 a6 9. Nbd2 Bb7 10. Nb3 Nbd7 11. O-O c5 12. dc5 Nc5 13. Qd8 Rd8 14. Nfd4 Bg2 15. Kg2 Nb3 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Bf4 Bf4 18. gf4 Nd5 19. Kf3 Ke7 20. Rac1 Rc8 21. Rc8 Rc8 22. Rc1 Rc1 23. Nc1 Kd6 24. Nd3 a5 25. e4 Nb6 26. Ke3 f5 27. f3 Nc4 28. Kd4 Nd2 29. Ne5 Nf1 30. h4 Ng3 31. Nf7 Ke7 32. Ne5 Kd6 33. Nf7 Ke7 34. Ne5 Kd6 35. Nf7 Kd7 36. Kc5 fe4 37. Ne5 Kc7 38. fe4 b4 39. Kb5 Ne4 40. Ka5 Nf6 41. Kb4 Nd5 42. Kc5 Nf4 43. a4 h6 44. b4 g5 45. hg5 hg5 46. b5 Nd5 47. a5 Nc3 48. b6 Kb7 49. Kd6 Na4 50. Ke6 Nb6 51. ab6 Kb6 52. Kf5 1/2-1/2

Note: All my stories on this blog are my own and do not represent the views of any chess organisation.

Gunong Jerai in 1982

While going through my old photographs, I discovered a small album of semi-faded pictures taken at Gunong Jerai. It was May 1982 and a bunch of us, former colleagues of Ban Hin Lee Bank, together with a friend and a few with partners, had made an overnight trip up that mountain in Kedah. Yup, those were the days when everybody were still so young....

Incidentally, this was the first time that many of us had gone up Gunong Jerai, myself included. In the past, it was known as Kedah Peak and the mountain could be seen clearly from Penang island. Atop it was a transmitting tower. 

Several years later, another of my group of ex-colleagues from the bank's branch in Bukit Mertajam wanted to make a similar overnight trip there. A few weeks before the trip, we had made the bookings successfully but a few days before we could go, we received a call from the booking office saying that they had to cancel our trip because some self-important people from the Kedah government had precedence over us and wanted to use the bungalows. We completely lost interest in visiting the place after that.

Making our way down to a waterfall at Gunong Jerai

The waterfall at Gunong Jerai

The guys here were Lok Kah Meng, Chuah Teong Lye, Adam and Neoh Ken Gee

Who's this?

Lok Kah Meng

One of the buildings at Gunong Jerai, not the bungalow we stayed in

Misty morning

Neoh Ken Gee, myself, Chin Yoon Hee, Chuah Teong Lye, Lok Kah Meng, Loh soo Chin and his friend

Tan Shing Lieu, Lok Kah Meng, Loh Soo Chin and friend, Chuah Teong Lye and myself

Breakfast time

Those are rice fields down there. A pity that the clouds have blocked off the coast line

Wow, those shorts 😄

Myself, Khoo Lay Meng, Adam and Tan Shing Lieu

Loh Soo Chin

Chin Yoon Hee and his friend

Adam was working for one of the bank's customers. He was the one coming into the bank everyday to deposit the cheques and cash. Some of us got to know him well. What I remember about Adam was that when we arrived for the bungalow stay, the first thing he did was to bring out some joss sticks to ask the spirits on the mountain not to disturb us while we were there. I wonder where Adam is now.