The 11th Johor Open Rapid 2025 spiced things up as part of the larger Johor Open 2025 chess extravaganza! Held between rounds of the main Open Classical event, it was organized by the Johor Chess Association and was FIDE-rated. The event used a Swiss-System format with 7 rounds, each featuring a time control of 20 minutes per game. Players from far and wide gathered at Fairview International School in Johor on January 19th, 2025, for this thrilling contest. The tournament saw an average player rating of 1592 and an average age of 19. Richard Tan Wuu Chyau, the Johor Chess Association's President (who also moonlights in the Malaysian Ministry of Housing and Local Government), was there to award the prizes.

Unique Context and Unexpected Participation

Held in the afternoon and evening between rounds 2 and 3 of the main Johor Open Classical and Challenger sections, the Rapid tournament was a roller-coaster ride for participants. Usually, players would rest between such intense rounds, but not this time! Defying the tiring schedule and expectations, a record-breaking 185 players took part, surprising even the organizers. This included 36 players from the total of 84 in the Open section and 46 players from the total of 105 in the Challengers section.

Top Finishers and Prizes

Overall Winners

1. GMPriasmoro Novendra (INA) - RM 1,200

   • "Priasmoro Novendra faced his wife WIM Dita Karenza. With a Centre Counter defense, the game seemed balanced until move 20, but Dita blundered at move 22, losing the exchange and resigning immediately."

2. CM Kamalsyah Muhammad (INA) - RM 800

3. IM Polschikov Alexey (RUS) - RM 600

4. FM Cahaya Satria Duta (INA) - RM 250

5. FM Rudin Hamdani (INA) - RM 250

Other top ten finishers included: FM Kakavand Ramtin (IRI), GM Iniyan Pa (IND), WIM Karenza Dita (INA), Lasama Claudio Vargues Vasco (INA), and GM Nguyen Van Huy (VIE). The prize money for positions 6th-10th ranged from RM 120 to RM 200.

Special Achievements

1. Best Lady: WIM Karenza Dita (INA) - RM 200

2. Best Rating Prizes:

   • Rating <1800: 1st Simanihuruk Nathanael Dieudonne B (INA) - RM 200, 2nd Yu Shi (CHN) - RM 150, 3rd Lau Sau Ching (MAS) - RM 100

   • Rating <1700: 1st Muraley Rittesh (MAS) - RM 200, 2nd Wong Ming Yau (MAS) - RM 150, 3rd Mohd Shohod Shahrulnizam (MAS) - RM 100

   • Rating <1600: 1st Lim Kian Guan (MAS) - RM 200, 2nd AIM Saajid (SGP) - RM 150, 3rd Imanuel Martogi (INA) - RM 100

   • Rating <1500: 1st ACM Joseph Samuel Alexander (INA) - RM 200, 2nd Gultom Almagro Hasian (INA) - RM 150, 3rd Goh Jing Hee (MAS) - RM 100

   • Rating <1400: 1st Toh Ding Yu (MAS) - RM 200, 2nd Vivaldy Jonathan Charmian (INA) - RM 150, 3rd Sarawana Kumar Darsvin Kumar (MAS) - RM 100, 4th Khaw Wei Zhe Jayden (MAS) - RM 100, 5th Ruzaidi Muhd Fakhrurozzi (MAS) - RM 100, 6th Wildan Muhammad (INA) - RM 100, 7th Tan Yean Shin (MAS) - RM 100, 8th Sai Jia Chun (MAS) - RM 100.

Age Category Winners

• U12 Boys: Choong Ee Jay (MAS) and Wee Yu Heng Lucas John (SGP)

• U10 Boys: Vishwakarthi Vikram (SGP)

• U10 Girls: Xu Ruixi (CHN)

• U8 Girls: AIM Theng Hillary Rooca (INA)

Key Players & Noteworthy Information

One to watch: FIDE Master Cahaya Satria Duta from Indonesia, the 5th place winner, just 16 years old! A rising star on the chessboard. Interestingly, the top seed in the main Open tournament did not clinch the rapid event, finishing in seventh place—a surprise to many.

Tournament Details

• Organizers: Johor Chess Association, Federation Malaysia (MAS)

• Tournament Director: IA Abd Hamid Bin Abd Majid

• Chief Arbiter: IA Ariff, Syawal Aqmar Shahrir

• Arbiters: Kwan Nam Sang Eddy, Gerijan Dinesh, and others.

• Appeals Committee: Abd Hamid Majid, Leong Ignatius, Bunawan Bong

• FIDE Event ID: 395150

Tie-break Rules

1. Direct Encounter (DE)

2. Buchholz Tie-Break Variable (2023) (Gamepoints, Cut1)

3. Buchholz Tie-Break Variable (2023) (Gamepoints)

Excerpted Quotes of Significance

"The Rapid was held between the Classical Open rounds, which was unusual as the classical is more serious with bigger prize money, so many players were expected to rest."

"However, a surprising 185 players took part in the Rapid—a record and a number unexpected by the organizers."

"That is why many opt not to participate in the Rapid—it’s hectic and tiring. Nonetheless, 46 players from the Open joined the Rapid!"

"FIDE master Cahaya Satria, the 5th place winner, is only 16 years old from Indonesia and a player to watch out for."

Overall Themes

• Unexpected Success: An impressive turnout despite the taxing schedule, showing strong interest in rapid chess.

• International Participation: Diverse players from Indonesia, Russia, China, India, Vietnam, and Singapore.

• Emerging Talent: Young talents like Cahaya Satria Duta hint at promising future chess stars.

• Community & Leadership: With the Johor Chess Association at the helm, the event highlighted great community involvement and leadership. Special shout-out to Richard Tan Wuu Chyau for presenting the awards!