Interesting Fact

Did you know? 

"Former World Chess Champion and record holder for the all-time highest rating, Garry Kasparov has won 11 chess oscar award. The Chess Oscar is highly respected in the chess community, as it shows a premier degree of peer recognition."

Quotation

-Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.-

-Abraham Lincoln-

Andrea Pirlo Penalty

Not chess this time but just wanna post this amazing penalty kick by Andrea Pirlo against England. The ball was beautifully curve into the net, making it look so easy. Italy won the shoot-out (4-2) against England after a flopped by both Ashley Young and Ashley Cole. Italy will be facing Germany in the semi-finals.

Boys School Open

As usual, MBS secondary school will be organizing their 7th chess open tournament. I think this is one of the most consistent school tournament so far. Unfortunately, the deadline is 30th june. So anyone who is interested better hurry up. =) 
(Edit: Entry after 26th June will be RM30)


I could not copy the PDF file, so is better to download the entry form from their official website.
http://mbsskl.edu.my/chesstournament/


Previous notable champion:
1) NJM Yeap Eng Chiam (Champ every year in his category, I guess)
2) Sumant Subramaniam (last year U-23 Boys Champion & U14 Champion in the 4th Edition)
3) Olivia Madhavan (5th Edition U23-Girls Champion)
4) Pavitranayagi Jayamurthey (2009, 2010 U14-Girls Champion)
5) Thong Yung Chen (2009 U20-Boys Champion)
6) WNM Fong Mi Yen (2009 U20-Girls Champion)


For your information, MBS has broken the Malaysia Book Of Record for the Largest Chess Tournament in Malaysia in the year 2007!

Carlsen on Colbert Report

A must watch comedy show between current World chess no.1, Magnus Carlsen and highly well known comedian, Stephen Colbert on the "The Colbert Report".

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Magnus Carlsen
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

source: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/413135/april-24-2012/magnus-carlsen

Hungry For Chess?

Creativity is an important element in making a good pastry. Below are some interesting chess design of pastry.

[Design by one of the best pastry in America, Laurent Richard. He is famous for his creativity in making chocolates as you can see from above.]

[Fruit chess?]

[Fast Food chess...Not good for health]

[Chessman cookies for adults, mini chess men cookies for kids]

[Great idea for a picnic...]

[Chess cake]

Sources: http://www.chocolateatlas.com/Renowned_Chef_Laurent_Richard/Chef_Laurent_Richard.htm
              http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-337713-240.html
              http://www.sweetheartgallery.com/sticks-ordering-catalog-sticks-tables.html
              http://agreyeyedgirl.wordpress.com/2011/06/25/were-all-mad-here/
              http://www.tastespotting.com/detail/672
              

Who Is Jonathan Augustine?

Who is Jonathan Augustine? This unfamiliar face from negeri sembilan has gone around tournament in Malaysia, beating top players including Kamaluddin Yusof, Jax Tham, "chess wonder boy" Yeap Eng Chiam, Abdul Haq and many more. Despite having SPM examination this year, his performance in chess has never slump. In fact, his national rating sky-rocketed to an incredible 1738 rating this year. I get to know him during MSSM last year and I can described him as a really friendly as well as down to earth person. This modest chess player has recently hit the lime light after beating 2009 National Junior master, Yeap Eng Chiam.

Fortunately, this Negeri Sembilan warrior was cooperative enough to agree to short interview with yatzchess. 

First and foremost, congratulation in your recent MSSM chess tournament. But were you satisfied with your result despite being one of the favourite to win the Under 18 boys category? 

(Note: J/Agustine finished 7th placing in MSSM)

Thank you. Was I satisfied? Not really. I was actually aiming for the top 3 placing.

So what happened? You played badly?

Actually playing badly wasn't the factor. The main reason is that I underestimated my opponent who are lower rated than me.

Oh I see.. OK, tell me more about yourselves. At what age you started playing chess?

I started playing chess when I was in standard 3. 

Who Influenced you to play chess?

My cousin brother who is 2 years older than me

So, Who is your present coach?

Currently, I am on my own. But I have to give credits to Mr.Lohanathan.

I heard Mr.Lohanathan do lots of charitable work in negeri sembilan to promote chess. 

Yes he is in fact doing lots of charity.

You are having your SPM this year. I am just wondering how do you managed your time in chess and studies.

Well, it is really easy. All I need is a good time table.

                                                    < J/AGUSTINE Rating chart>

Is unbelievable the progress you have achieved this year. Which tournament do you regard as your career breakthrough in chess?

Definitely the 1st edition of Insofar and National Age Group 2012. 

What is your greatest achievement in chess so far?

Beating Yeap Eng Chiam I must say.

And why is it?

It is just that I managed to beat a really strong national player.

How would you describe your playing style?

I would say, I am more into counter attack. I prefer positional play.

Who is considered as your greatest rival?

I would say it is Wong Jian Wen (pic below) for the time being.

Besides chess, what other sport you play?

Let see...I like football, marathon, running and carom.

Football!? So, I guess you are following the ongoing Euro 2012...

Yeah, but only the highlights. That is because I have school in the morning. Haizz.....

Which team are you rooting for?

Spain

So I guess your favourite player must be...Torres?

Bingo!

OK final question, what is your next target in chess?

My next goal is to win the national Closed and become the next NM.

That is all for now, thank you for the interview and good luck in your SPM examination. 

Good Night

Making your own chess video

I suppose many of you have watch chess video on youtube or even from CD's. Usually, the video only shows the chess board with someone commenting about it.

 Uploading chess video in the net has started to popularize now. ChessNetwork is a great example. He has uploading over 200+ videos and with a record of almost 5millions viewers. This is not just going to promote chess, it will be a really beneficial lesson to beginners and amateurs. So how can I make my own video?




1st step: go to http://camstudio.org/

2nd Step: Click on Download Now (Green Box) below the word "Latest version: CamStudio 2.6 (Build r294)"




3rd Step: After finishing all the installation, this program will pop out.














4th Step: Select region and then click fixed region. This will enable you to just focus on the chess board.

5th Step: Go to option and click record from microphone. 


As a final point, just go to file and click record to start recording. 

Starcraft and Chess

As many of you should know, gilachess has started a started a revolution of starcraft. He did convince me in playing this game and frankly speaking, it is a pretty frustrating but interesting game. I felt devastated with all the losses even after hours and days of practice. Nevertheless, I realised that playing is not enough, you need to get proper guidance from pro's to know what you should be doing.

STARCRAFT & CHESS

Starcraft is considerably related to chess. You need to learn opening, middle game and end game. In my opinion, openings are the most important in both chess and starcraft. 

 If your build order (a.k.a opening) is wide of the mark, you will see your opponents sending army to your base and end your misery in a flash. In other word, you are actually playing 1.f4 then 2.g4, allowing the deadly Qh4! in chess. Unfortunately, every beginner will have to go through these tragedy. Until you loose and keep losing many games, only then you will start winning, as they said "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". =)

Tactics are also really important in SC. You can build many units and loose to just a small number of units that so happens to be your weakness. You can choose to attack through the middle or even spring attack from the flanks with the air units. Alike in chess, you can break open the centre or launch a king side and queen side attack towards your opponent. 

The best part of Starcraft is definitely the multi player game. Similar to double chess, players can team up together. I used to join forces with gilachess in a 2 vs 2 online battle. Sadly, our record aren't very good. 

So what is the draw backs of Star Craft?

Unlike chess, the price of an original starcraft game can cost up to RM200+, that is about 15 sets of chess sets. 

Do I need to upgrade my PC in order to play Starcraft?

No, even a mediocre window XP computer will do.

Insofar Final Result

FINAL RANKING OF INSOFAR