Tuesday, December 20, 2011

NJCC - Day 1

Monday, 19/12/2011

Today I went to DATCC located at the fourth floor of Wilayah Shopping Complex with all my family members. I take part in the National Junior Chess Championship or its famous abbreviation NJCC. With my elder brother, Fikri, I play in the Boys category. About fifty Malaysian chess junior players take part in the championship.

The First Round

I was paired against my schoolmate, Afiq Mohd Jamil whose Elo ratings is 1756, at table 10. I played white. I lost the game after 54 moves.

Round 1 

The Second Round

In the afternoon at 3 o'clock, I faced Amierullah Iqram Ismail at table 23 in the second round. I won this game with black pieces.

Round 2

So, I won one and lost one in the first day of the tournament. My brother won one and drew another while my sister won her first round but lose the second one.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Horse Riding In Batu Ferringhi, Penang

Wednesday, 7th December 2011

I am in Penang at the moment. My family and I arrived in Penang two days ago. We came by air plane. We are in Penang because my brother and sister are taking part in a chess tournament known as the 3rd Penang Heritage City International Open held from 6th to 10th December.

Today is the second day. Both my brother and sister have played four rounds each. After they finished playing, we came back to our hotel located in Batu Ferringhi. After having dinner, my dad brought me to the beach nearby our hotel as he promised earlier. 

We walked on the beach and took pictures. It was dark in the sea, so I could not enjoy the sea scenery. Suddenly, a man with a horse came to us. I was given a chance to ride a horse. Yes, I was riding a horse like a cowboy. Both my brother and sister would surely be jealous of me ... LOL ...

What a wonderful experience to have a horse ride along the beach. Check out below pictures.

yeah yeah I am on a horse back
"come on horsy, start walking"

Don't be jealous, I am riding a horse heeeyaaaah ....

the horse named "Rainbow" loves me

Me, at Batu Ferringhi beach 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

The 1st Kompleks 3C MPSJ Chess Tournament

Today I took part in the 1st Kompleks MPSJ Chess tournament. The last tournament I played was Ole Ole Shah Alam about three weeks ago.

photo 1 - played white in Round 1

My dad and sis played too. My bro, Fikri, did not because the tournament is for 1600 national ratings and below only. My bro's national ratings is 1600 plus.

The tournament hall was packed because 155 participants took part. It was a big turn out. A record said Mr Stonemaster.

photo 2
We had to play eight (8) rounds. The time control was 20 minute per player. It had one category only meaning I had to play against adult opponents. But there were best categories.

photo 3

photo 4

photo 5 - yeah yeah I won I won ... :)-
I won five (5) and lost three (3). So, my score was 5/8. I won the first runner up in Best Primary School section. My sis did not perform so well in this tournament. She scored 4/8 points only. She did not win any prizes.

My dad? He also did win any prize. But I am very proud of my dad because he won 4, drew one (1) and lost three (3). He scored 4.5/8 points. He almost defeated the top seed of the tournament. In fact, he had a winning advantage, a Queen + two rooks versus a Queen + a rook and a knight. But that is my dad. Could not play well in time pressure.

the prize I won

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

When I First Learned Playing Chess?

When I first learned playing chess?

Mmmmm I don't really remember. But from my dad's photo collection file, I started to learn playing chess (officially?) when I was five years old.

I took part in the chess camp conducted by Mr Collin Madhavan in December 2007. According to dad, he did not want me to be in the chess camp in the first place because he thought that I was too young then. My big bro and sis were registered for the camp after participating in several chess tournaments.

My big bro had his first chess tournament in June 2007. Since he was so interested in chess, my dad enrolled him into the chess camp organized by Mr Collin to improve his chess skills and knowledge.

Mr Collin encouraged and persuaded dad to enrol me in the chess camp. Finally, I had my first chess lessons taught by several experienced chess coaches. It was about four years ago.

photo 1 - "peace y'all!"

photo 2 - Sssyyyyy focus, focus ....

photo 3 - I am jovial, ain't I?
I wasn't the youngest participant you know. My friend, Faqih, in the above photo 1 was one year younger than me. In fact, he is my school mate at SK Bukit Jelutong.

Fahim Al-Faqeh

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Chess "Road Show" At SK Seksyen 9, Shah Alam


Yesterday, I participated in a chess road show held at SK Seksyen 9, Shah Alam. A chess simul by several SKBJ chess players was part of the program. I was one of the five opponents of Afiq Jamil. I drew with him in the chess simul.

photo 1

photo 2

photo 3

photo 4
Thirty players from four schools (if I remember correctly) took part in the chess simul. A number of SK Seksyen 9 pupils came to watch us. 

Fahim Al-Faqeh

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Ampangan Chess Open


Me and my big brother took part in Ampangan Chess Open yesterday. I played in Under 12 category. Not many participants. Twenty three only. 

We played five rounds only. Most of the participants were new to me. Just three of them I am familiar with. Below were my opponents. My dad took the pictures.

R1 - against Nazeerin Asyrani

R2 - against Muhammad Naim

R3 - against Muhammad Weeldan

R4 - against Muhammad Afiq

pairing of R5

I was determined to win the final round. Only Nithya and Maisarah had the perfect 4/4 score. I wanted to be on the podium and win the prize money. I missed the chance to win the top prize money because I had lost a game.

R5 - against Muhammad Fazli 
Yess yesss yesss .. I won my final round.  ALHAMDULILLAH!

After winning four (4) and lost one (1), I was declared the second runner up. I received the prize money of 50 Malaysian ringgits and a certificate. As expected, Nithyalakshmi became the champion. The first runner up went to Zainoor Ikmal Maisarah who also had the same 4/5 points like me but had better tie break.  

received the prize money + certificate

I was very happy for being one of the winners. And also happy because I made new friends. 


Fahim Al-Faqeh

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Having Fun At KRTC

KRTC
Me and my family stayed overnight at a chalet resort known as KRTC or Kalumpang Resort and Training Center while took part in the 5th UPSI Chess Open. My dad booked a cabin that has four double deckers. The cabin is near a cold flowing river. It was cold because me, my abang and my kakak went into the river very early in the morning before the chess tournament started at 8.00 am.


"hi dad!"

I enjoyed playing in the river with abang and kakak ...

We had a very short time playing in the water. It was less than an hour. We had to be at the tournament venue before 8.30am. But it was fun playing in the water with abang and kakak. Abang just completed his PMR exam.

with my beloved mom and dad
We are going to have a family outing at the chalet resort soon ...

Fahim Al-Faqeh

Monday, October 17, 2011

5th UPSI Chess Open

On 15th and 16th October, I took part in the 5th UPSI Chess Open. I participated in the Sekolah Rendah category. Ofcourse, only players in the primary school were playing in this category. Not many, only 20 participants.


The tournament was played in two days - three games each on Saturday and Sunday. Since not many players, only 6 rounds. Supposed to be 7 rounds. I was very happy because I won all the three games in the first day. My opponents include Tan Wei Ting and Farhana Halim. I lost a game to both of them this year. So, I took revenge.

played against Farhana Halim in the 3rd round

But my winning streak did not continue in the second day. I managed to win only one game, the final round. I lost both the fourth and fifth round to Muhammad Farrizzuddin Md Sallehudin and Kong Dak Nam. I was frustrated because could not become champion and did not win the one hundred ringgit money prize. My dad was angry at me.

4th place 

At last, I got fourth place after scoring 4 points from 4 wins. Not bad result actually. Just my dad expect better result. I will try to play better next time.

Nice posing huh ...

I asked my dad to take the above picture. I received medal, certificate and cash prize money of sixty ringgit.

Fahim Al-Faqeh