Blog GilaChess

 

Penang Chess Festival 2024

 I consider myself an amateur. Commented on Facebook with a blanket statement that for chess professionals chess is expensive but relatively cheap for amateurs. Let's just take a case study of entering the coming Johor Open in Jan 2025.

1. Entry Fee

• RM 500 for my ELO rating of 1876.

2. Travel Costs

• Bus: A round trip from Shah Alam to Johor Bahru would be approximately RM 80-100.
• Car: Driving would cost around RM 150-200 for fuel and tolls.

3. Accommodation

• Austin Park Hotel: RM 250 (estimated) per night for 6 nights (Jan 17 to 23) totals RM 1500. This includes daily transport to the tournament.

4. Food

• Daily Meals: Budgeting around RM 20-30 per day, for 7 days, this would be RM 140-210.

5. Miscellaneous

• Local Transport: Since the hotel provides transport, this cost is covered.
• Other Expenses: A buffer for unexpected expenses, say around RM 50-100.

Total Estimated Cost

• Entry Fee: RM 500
• Travel: RM 80-200 (depending on mode of transport)
• Accommodation: RM 1500
• Food: RM 140-210
• Miscellaneous: RM 50-100

Grand Total: RM 2270-2510

So I guess it depends on WHAT you would consider amateur level. For me, the Johor Open would not be a good fit since I would have to win 11th - 15th place to break even in entrance fee alone and with a cost approaching RM 2500 it is certainly costly overall. So the motivation should be other than winning prize money. But that's just me, I can't think of any motivation for a player my level. What do you think ? 

A disclaimer here: I have never been to the Johor Open at least not in this new format. Been to it several times before Covid but the "new" version is totally different so I can't comment on how I like it or not.

Let's look at last year's entry. The Amateur section had 55 players taking part and 35 of them are Malaysians.

Visit Johor Chess for more info about the Johor Chess Open

 The Malaysian Open 2024 is shaping up to be a thrilling and highly competitive tournament! Leading the pack with 4.5 points is IM Poh Yu Tian with GM Nguyen Duc Hoa.. The Vietnamese players are also making a strong impression, with GM Nguyen Duc Hoa and GM Nguyen Van Huy both securing spots in the top four, highlighting the prowess of Vietnamese chess.

The diversity of the tournament is also interesting, with participants from Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Singapore, China, and Australia. Even with the brutal clashes there is still international representation for the event. Young talents like FM Chan Kim Yew and FM Lye Lik Zang from Malaysia are making their mark, promising a bright future for chess in Malaysia.

It’s also encouraging to see women making their presence felt in the top 20, with WGM Priyanka Nutakki and WGM Gomes Mary Ann demonstrating the growing strength of women in competitive chess. 

The competition remains tight, with many players having 3.5 or 4 points, making the next few rounds crucial in determining the final standings.

Top 20 after 5 rounds so far:

 

For the first time in history a Malaysian team has won the Team Event from the Malaysian Chess Festival. Throughout the 18 annual editions of the Malaysian Chess Festival no Malaysian team has ever emerged champion.

The winning team "Nasi Lemak, Laksa, Roti Canai, Ice Kacang"

IM Poh Yu Tian

IM Yeoh Li Tian

Ernest, Yek Zu Yang

FM Chan, Kim Yew

 Day 2: SMS Deen Rapid Team Open Championship

Personally rooting for our mouth watering Malaysian team who are in currently in 6th position the "NASI LEMAK, LAKSA OR ROTI CANAI?" team after 3 rounds. This is a snapshot of them in Round 4. They are playing Snoopy and Co. (the team name sounds like what Peter Long would have picked)

Surprisingly, I've never really looked at the prize money for the festival until now. I can see why some locals try to go after the Best Malaysian prize. Ok the other special prizes too for fame and bragging rights.

SMS Deen Rapid Team prizes

Champion    RM 3000 (4 medals)
2nd         RM 2000 (4 medals)
3rd         RM 1000 (4 medals)
4th         RM 750
5th         RM 500
6th         RM 500
7th         RM 400  
8th         RM 400
9th         RM 400
10th        RM 400
         
Best Board Prizes 
Medals for Board 1-4 (Gold,Silver,Bronze)         

Best Malaysian RM 2000 (Trophy+Medal)
2nd            RM 1500
3rd            RM 1200

Best State.    RM 1000 (Trophy+Medal)

Best Junior (U16) RM 500 (4 medals)

Best Ladies.      RM 500 (4 medals)
* Best Govt                              RM 400 
* Best IPT                               RM 400  
* School GOVT                            RM 400 
* School PVT                             RM 400 
* Best Family                            RM 400 
* Best Veteran                           RM 400

* Subject to at least 3 teams playing and 50% result

* Govt team must be certified by department

* School team must be certified by school

* IPT must be certified by IPT

Last year's winners

The 19th Malaysian Chess Open 2024 has once again proven to be a melting pot of international chess talent, drawing participants from across the globe. This year’s tournament showcases a diverse array of players, with a total of 92 participants representing 15 different federations.

Federation Representation

The tournament’s federation statistics highlight the global nature of the event:

1. Australia (AUS): 2 players
2. Brunei Darussalam (BRU): 1 player
3. China (CHN): 8 players
4. FIDE (FID): 1 player
5. Indonesia (INA): 4 players
6. India (IND): 16 players
7. Iran (IRI): 1 player
8. Japan (JPN): 1 player
9. Morocco (MAR): 1 player
10. Malaysia (MAS): 27 players
11. Philippines (PHI): 18 players
12. Singapore (SGP): 3 players
13. Sri Lanka (SRI): 1 player
14. United States of America (USA): 1 player
15. Vietnam (VIE): 7 players

Malaysia leads the pack with 27 participants. The Philippines follows closely with 18 players, while India also has a significant presence with 16 participants.

Title Holders

• Grandmasters (GM): 5
• Woman Grandmasters (WGM): 3
• International Masters (IM): 9
• Woman International Masters (WIM): 2
• FIDE Masters (FM): 12
• Woman FIDE Masters (WFM): 3
• Candidate Masters (CM): 1
• Woman Candidate Masters (WCM): 1

With a total of 36 titled players, the competition promises to be fierce and exciting. The presence of 5 Grandmasters and 9 International Masters.

Here is a snapshot of the current list of participants. There may be additions or changes. Go to Chess-Results to see the latest list.

  

Registration for the 19th IGB Malaysian Chess Festival closing date is extended to 4th of September after which late fee will be imposed.